Hi all,
This is my review of Thiel CS3.6 and my JBL L100 t3.
Because Audiogon.com currently has one set of Thiel CDS7.2 for sale. http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc....ull&1200104776 I wanted to move up to Thiel level so badly. Lucky enough, I have in-law that have lots of Thiels, and he’d let me audition them, willingly. At 165 lbs each, the Thiel CS7.2’ are monster heavy. We didn’t think it was safe caring them down stairs, so I decided to take home his smaller version, the Thiel CS3.6. Though this is a smaller version, but I have helped him re-positioned them around his house before so I know these are pretty heavy as well. Just checked on the Thiel’s website and they are 105 lbs. So, how do they sound with my Anthem AVM-30 and A5 amp (180w x 5)? It definitely takes more power to drive them than my JBL L100 t3.
Bass: With only 10” driver, its bass is amazingly nice, well tuned and accurate. It could violently shake the room so it’s great for movies, too. Its bass sounds much better than my JBL L100 t3. It makes mine’s bass sounds like a DIY project even my JBL has 12” driver.
Midrange: is not too bad. Voice is a little warmer and fuller than my JBL. Clarity is just so so.
High: is clear but not dynamically loud enough.
The Thiel sounds much mellow than my JBL L100 t3. If you are looking for pair of speakers that can sharply and clearly through everything at you, realistically, then Theil aren’t for you. Power is never too much for Thiel loud speakers. I would say that you would never bottom out the Thiel’s drivers unless you hook it up with a commercial/ concert Amp, or if you are rich who would able to afford high power amp from Krell, Bryston, Audio Research, etc.
See my signature for my test equipments. Test SACD is Tierney Sutton (Dancing In The Dark); Dire Straits CD. I didn’t like it at first because of its mellow-ish. Up to this point, I am still having hard time getting the sweet spot. Its voice and bass are too strong, I can’t be relaxing. I’m feeling like I’m in a sealed container and someone is thudding outside. In the long run, its bass is so disturbing. I may raise some controversy comments but I must express my own thoughts, I will keep my JBL L100 t3 and pass the Thiel. The JBLs are much easier to set up. Much easier to locate the sweet spot. I’d like clarity and softness but these are too dull. It seems like the drivers move very slowly. Singer’s voice sound sick like she/he has a cold or something. The instruments don’t sound so real to me. Unable to locate its sweet spot, I can clearly hear “sounds” coming out from the 2 speakers. With my JBLs, I can close my eyes and could almost reach out and touch EVERY performer in front of me, laterally. I, too, brought home to audition the smallest version (CS1.x) few years back and they sounded just like this one but less bass. Thiels are expensive, it could be on many people’s wish list but they are just simply not for me. I will put them in my house just so I could tell ev1 that I have Thiel but I wouldn’t vote them over my JBL L100 t3. Sound skeptical?
Well, if you are enjoying your Thiel, don’t feel bad and just continue enjoying your gear. Because we all hear things differently, our liking is also diff from others and that concept applies the same to speakers. Not all speakers sound exactly the same. Each one has its own character so again, if you love yours, keep them and enjoy them.