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I have an opportunity to purchase a pair of Thiel 3.5s for a very reasonable price. I will probably have to purchase another amp to drive them (suggestions appreciated) but I am trying to get a sense of whether these speakers are even worth considering. They still sound quite good in my friends system but a little dark compared to my Reference 3As. Imaging is also quite good although, again, my monitors probably do a better job. Bass - no comparison, the Thiels are much better. I am looking for comments from those that may have used the Thiels over an extended period of time (i.e. long term listener satisfaction). Thanks!
Follow Ups:
I will have to explore this a little more - like getting the speakers home for audition - but this looks like it might be worth pursuing.
They could rock better than any speaker I have heard. VERY easy to listen to for hours.
Easy to place, but that hooking up cables on the bottom was a royal PITA.
They resolve a lot. The vocals are very smooth. But in my opinion they are overly neutral, on the side of being noootered. The bass is really pretty good. My listening was brief. I sold them for 650$. I really do miss the low end. Piano also sounds very good on them. I dont think they are work passing up if you can get a great price. I was listening in a tiny room with 100 watts of Bryston power. I thought they clipped really easy. So be ready to have a high current amp. I was annoyed with the limited volume. I won't discourage you but do know what you are getting into. They will make bad recordings sound like crap. What amazed me most was how nice they sounded with the worst possible placement. If the acoustic environment you have is suitable, go for it.
a bargain. For more $ the 3.6 is much better (they are my all-time favorite). I use The PS Audio HCA2, which can be had used for under $800, with great results. Thiels don't just need power, or current, but low impedance load invariance.
You may want to wait for the Thiel 3.7 which I hear will be available in early 2006. One caveat though, they are rumoured to be pricey. But Thiel makes very good speakers, and at their initial release date, they smoke most other speakers in their price range.
Regards,
JWALKER
I've had some 3.5's since 1989 and still listen to them, although I do have some B&W's and and have had friends Martin Logan's for about 6 months. I switch speakers in the system when I feel like it. I've driven the Thiels with Adcom (200 pwc), Krell (100 wpc), now I'm using a Krell 2250 (250 wpc). They do respond better to more power. I think one the best investments I've made is a tubed VTL 5.5 pre which replaced a Krell KSL pre. I would recommend finding a decent tubed pre and there are a few good ones that are resonably priced - maybe a VTL 2.5. I'd pair it with a good solid state with decent current - maybe 150 wpc. As always, you're much better off if you can listen in your home.
But 3.5's arent horrible.
They are REAL amp sensitive.
I would suggest a Parasound HCA 2200 MK 2 or an Audire Forte for some good used Amps.
An Aragon 4004 or an old Bryston would do, although these are brighter.
The Adcom 5802 is another to consider.
You really need some current to bring these to life.
Amen, the 3.6's are much better and can be had used for under 2k. Good point.
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