Been in this hobby since the late 50s, and have owned many speakers in the 40 yrs. For my personal tastes, this is the best I have owned. Have had big apogees, B&W 801s, Celestions, KEF, Spicas, K-Horns, and don't know how many others. These are so natural sounding at the lower volumes I prefer, they even sound fine with the older mono records. So much detail, great image, yet not in my face. I was listening to an old blues record from early 60s in mono today, and it has never been a great recording, but with the Thiels it sounded right, and the music came through. When I play really well recorded jazz from Mapleshade label, it lets it all through. Enough, but will add that they did not really shine to full potential till I added DH labs interconnects. In this system, the combo is magic. I use Kimber to the speakers.

Midrange, detail, construction quality, crossover

bass extension, sensitivity/loudness, aesthetics

Detailed, analytical. Sensitive of partnering upstream components (?unforgiving). Needs high quality source/amp to get the best out of it. Unfortunately I paired mine with a forward/bright Adcom GFA 555MkII, not recommended. Should be magical with tube equipment. Works well with OCOS speaker cable, lending a degree of transient speed and clarity not seen with others. Monster Cable does not work well with these speakers.

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Snell