The 2.4, when set up correctly, has an incredible sound stage that extends above the speakers and a good 3 to 4 feet beyond the speakers on each side (obviously depending on the recording). The base is deep, powerful and detailed-in fact, the detail across the frequency spectrum is outstanding. Sound stage depth is very good to excellent. Imaging is pinpoint. When set up correctly with good upline components, you will experience some of the most holographic reproductions of music that you could imagine. Your back and side walls no longer exist. Your room becomes the space that the recording was made in. Best of all, you stop listening to everything but the music.

Plan on about 120 to 150 hours break in. You must have good upsteam electronics. Placement is critical.

I recently replaced a vintage pair of Vandersteen 3’s with the Thiel 2.4s. I purchased the 2.4s used on Audiogon and they had approx 50 hours on them when I received them according to the previous owner. The seller said that the Thiel’s just didn’t mate well with his McIntosh electronics. When I received them, I was somewhat prepared to work thru the process of break in and correct placement but there were a few times I questioned myself about the purchase. When I first hooked up the speakers, I felt that the bass was definitely on the lean side and the top end was edgy and hard. Because I knew more break in time was required, I ignored it but after another 50 or 60 hours I began to have concerns. My room is 16x25 with an 18ft ceiling. My initial placement was 3 feet from the back wall and I split the short dimension of the room in threes with about 5.5” feet between the two speakers. After about 100 hours the top end smoothed out quite a bit but was still too edgy for my taste, especially after living with the Vandersteens all those years. The bass was starting to fill in and the sound stage was pretty good-I was still, however, unhappy with the overall sound. That’s when I reread some of the Thiel literature and some reviewer’s comments. Thiels can be place further apart than most speakers. I experimented with placement for several hours and finally found that when the speakers were about 34” from the back wall and 7.5ft apart, it was magic. The bass filled in totally, the edge on the upper end disappeared and the soundstage was unbelievable. If you have good upstream equipment and you are willing to take some time with room set up and proper placement, I would highly recommend the 2.4s.

Similar Products Used:

B&W, Vandersteen, Revel, Dali, Usher

Base base base, the midrange is flawless, and the tweeters help extract detail I didn't know I had in albums I have listened to for 15 years. They extend nicely to the top but are never grainy nor harsh. A recording with nasty sibilance still had..well sibilance, but never gets fatiguing. I am actually quite amazed that I can get the detail without the nasties often associated (not too amazed as the PCS are the same way and I am used to that, most likly due to the fact that they use the same tweeter/midrange). The imaging is pinpoint perfect. I have a nice wide stage between the speakers, sometimes extending to the outside of each speaker and a solid focus in the middle. The imaging out of the sweet spot is pretty nice as well, and the stand up sit down test graduated with flying colors. The thing I really enjoy about the imaging aspect is the depth of the music, and that although the center image is right on, there is never a sense of the WHOLE image coming from the center, but rather a very wide stable deep soundstage emitting from the entire space between the speakers. These speakers are pretty impressive, and I finally understand what all the hype on this speaker is about. The build quality is exactly what one expects from Thiel, well built hand crafted and a very beautiful wood finish. I'd have to say that these speakers are definitely on par with fine furniture in their construction and finish. The knuckle test on the cabinet produced a 'thud' as if these things are made of solid wood. Pretty impressive. Overall I have to tip my hat to Thiel for producing the best speaker I have owned to date. These are keepers in my search for audio nirvana........(however, I will be keeping my eye out for the CS 3.6 replacement ;) Thank you Thiel and company.

hmmm...if I had to say anything it would have to be the weight (I guess not really a negative). Weighing in at 70lbs I'd get a friend to help you unload them or ask the dealer to deliver them. I got them home by myself and that is really not something I want to do again. They were easy to maneuver once out of the box so at that point you can tell your friend to leave (so you can play ;)

The product model year pull down window on audio review did not have an option for model year 2005, but my pair are. I got the Thiel CS 2.4's about a month ago. I have been using the Thiel PCS which I LOVE to death, but they are going to make it to rear duty for surround. I wanted a more fuller sound then the 6 1/2 woofer can provide from the PCS. The 2.4's are not quite broken in yet. My PCS took awhile to break in approx 110 hours so I figure I'll give them some more time to sound their finest, although at this point I am pretty happy with my purchase. IF the 2.4's will indeed get better then I am in for a surprise bonus :) I bought the 2.4's with the optional outriggers for a bit of extra stability cause here in Southern California we get earthquakes from time to time. The outriggers not only make the speaker more stable (they are already pretty stable, but I am a bit paranoid and I refer to the earthquake thing), but they also allow me to adjust the rake of the speaker easily and as a bonus they look cool! A family member said the whole speaker and outrigger assembly remind them of Darth Vader :) (I got mine in the Black Ash finish).

Similar Products Used:

B&W, Paradigm, Sonus Faber, Dynaudio, Aerial Acoustics.

Precise Very neutral and non-fatiguing with the right equipment

Takes time to dial in Electronice must be first rate

This model Thiel is a slight improvement of the 2.3. The bass is deeper and the highs are more smoothe with a little more air. I don't think I have heard a better speaker for the money yet. These speakers do take time to dial in, and require some patience to get just right, but once you do hang on and enjoy the ride. Like the placement, these are also sensitive to cables, amps, and source components (as are other Thiels). Garbage in, garbage out. If you expect these to make a mediocre system sound better, save your money and upgrade your electronics first.

Similar Products Used:

Revel B&W Eggleston Wilson

Great Soundstage Great Looking Very detailed mids and highs Great base response

none so far..

Well, this is probably my 6th set of loud speakers since I've started getting into this adictive hobby about 10 years ago. Started off with a set of Bose Lifestyles, moved on to Paradigms, to M&K, B&W, Revel and so on.. I finally made a decision to add the Thiel 2.4 for my portfolio. I was first introduced to these my a local dealer here in NJ about 2 months ago. This is the first time I was ever really excited about a loud speaker. First. the Thiel 2.4's look absolutly beautiful (especially with the optional outriggers installed) and the sound just blew me away. The detail for both music and Home Theater was breath taking. Excellent base response and the mids to high so pleasing to the ear. I would suggest at least 20 hours of break in for even better performance. If you have the opportunity to audition these at a local dealer, please do, nothing like these anywhere, especially for the price!

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Studio Series Revel F30 and F32's B&W 804 M&K

Crystal clear from top to bottom with quick transients, pitch-black silences, satisfying bass, and very wide soundstage.

A little large, perhaps? Would love a speaker in between the 1.6 and the 2.4.

Simply awesome. While not cheap, it easily competes with speakers costing more than double its asking price. I expect this was my *last* speaker upgrade (after a recent series of upgrades). I have NO complaints about the sound. I (and my wife) wish such great sound could come from a smaller cabinet. Myself, I would love a speaker in between Theil's CS1.6 (from which I upgraded) and this 2.4 (while my wife wishes I'd step all the way down to standmounts, of course). Highs are crystal clear and airy, yet not at all fatigueing or bright. Bass is satifying and weighty, yet clean and quick. Transients are lightning-quick and the soundstage is ridiculously wide (probably in part due to the curved and sloped baffle), despite the size of the speaker. Silences are pitch-black, and dynamics are just great. Compared to Thiel's CS1.6, the CS2.4 has greater DYNAMICS, *much* deeper and more powerful BASS, and a greater treble extension (more clearly showing the benefits of SACD and DVD-Audio's high frequencies). Both are *excellent* loudspeakers, setting the benchmarks in their respective price ranges; but the CS2.4 is the no-compromise victor for me. The CS3.7 will be the next uber-product from Jim Thiel, ...but it will be too large (and expensive) for me.

Similar Products Used:

Thiel CS1.6, PSB Stratus Bronze, PSB Platinum M2, PSB Stratus Mini, JM Lab Chorus 706, ...