I listened to the Thiel CS 2.3 speakers at Gifted Listener in Centreville, VA.The system was hooked up to $$$ components (Mark Levinson CD processor w/HDCD, Ayre preamp, ML #335 amp, etc.). Friend and I thought the Thiels sounded bright when we were listening to Harris's Wrecking Ball CD. The Rega Planet, used by a person below, to my ears, rolls off the extreme high-end (it did on an A to B comparison with the Rotel RCD-971). However, the bass was superb. I bet a pair of Transparent Wave 200 cables would tone down the treble a bit. But is that really the point of cables, to be used as tone controls??

Though running the pair off my Classe sounded untolerably harsh, mated with my CJ's, this speaker produced an extremely magical musical experience. Stay away from bright electronics and the Thiel 2.3's will provide you a lifetime (at least 10 years worth of warranty ;) ) of delight. By the way, the build is IMPECCABLE! 5 stars overall (mated with proper equipment)

Reading the reviews I happen to have noticed that their was not one from a female listener, after all we do tend hear differently. I have owned my Thiels CS2.3's for 14 months and as the days grow longer the sound only gets better. My preferance in music is a variation of folk and soft rock singer songwriters. Accustic guitars, cello, bass, violens, flutes, pianos, harps and various percussion instruments shine on these speakers. Emmy Lou Harris sinks right into your soul. For me, both male and female vocalist sound pure and warm. I have never heard a speaker so precise, intense and as gratifying as the Thiels.

Neutral, natural sound, decent bass, good transparancy, decent soundstage

a LITTLE bright, not very exciting, not BEST soundstage

These are very nice speakers, and out of the speakers I listened to that were actually in my price range, one of only four pairs that I would be happy to own. They have great sounding bass. Probably the second best bass I heard of the above speakers (bested only by the Audio Physic Tempo IIIs). A sub would help out, but isn't absolutely necessary right away. They have very nice soundstage (though not quite as involving as the Audio Physics), and are very transparent. I also liked their treble, but it did sound a little harsh on some recordings.

The main problem I heard with these was what sounded like some strange distortion in the midrange. I've never heard this before. I used the exact same set of recordings to listen to all of the above speakers, and these and the Thiel MCS1s were the only speakers I heard this distortion on, and they were in entirely different stores, with totally different electronics (when I heard the distortion again with the 2.3s I asked them to change the electronics to the best Classe stuff they had there, and still heard it). So this was only a problem with the Thiels... maybe there's something about their midrange driver that I find objectionable. It is strange though that I seem to be the only person that has heard this. Now that you know about it, listen for it, and then listen to some of the above speakers. I'd imagine you'd hear it. It's not totally apparent, though obviously noticeable, and it made me think about that instead of the music.

All in all, I think these are a great set of speakers, and certainly deserve a listen. I think they are about equal to the Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Pianos (except with that midrange distortion the Thiels get a -1 on the score). Either pair of speakers I would love to own, but I think the Audio Physic Tempo IIIs are the true winner at this price point. They really did best everything above (except maybe the $6000 Avalons) in every category. Give them a listen, along with the Thiels.

Similar Products Used:

Sonus Faber Concertos, Concerto Grand Pianos, Avalon Avatar, PSB Stratus Goldi, B&W CDM7SE, Silver Signature, B&W Nautilus 801, 803, 804, 805, Thiel MCS1, complete Martin Logan line, Magnepan 1.6, Magnepan MG3.6R, Vienna Acoustics Mozart, Beethoven, Joseph Audio RM22si, RM25si, Totem Acoustic Forest, Vandersteen 2Ce Signature, 3A Signature, NHT 2.5i, some $3,500 Linns, Audio Physic Tempo III... a couple more

smooth and clear sound...good transparency..

sounds a little dry
good tight bass but lack of bass extension

Just went to audition these speakers this afternoon. They image nicely and sound very smoothly. It's pretty hard to find fault with this speaker. Everybody was complaining about this speaker revealing too much detail, and tend to make a bad recording sounds even worse, however, I do not have this problem. The bass sounds fine to me but does not have as much bass extension as I thought it could deliver. Overally, I think it compete fairly well against B&W 800 series.

WELL ROUNDED OVERALL SOUND FOR A LARGE ROOM WITH A BIG AMP. I USE A KRELL 300i WITH 300cd AND MIT 4 CABLES. BASS IS EXCELLENT, QUICK AND TRUE TO THE SOUND OF A CELLO AND TIMPANI. ALL IN ALL, I PREFER THE SOUND OF THE OLDER THIEL 2 2s WHICH I STILL HAVE AFTER 7 YEARS.

UPPER MID TOO BRIGHT AND FORWARD FOR ME. VIOLINS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE IN A TIN CAN. BRASS SOUND IS NOT HOW YOU HEAR IT IN A CONCERT HALL.

GOOD SPEAKER OVERALL BUT TOO BRIGHT AND TINNY IN THE UPPER MID. ORGAN MUSIC SOUNDS GREAT WITH THE QUICK BASS THIS SPEAKER PRODUCES, HOWEVER, THE UPPER REGISTERS ARE ALMOST UNLISTENABLE. MY OLDER CDs SOUND AWFUL, MAINLY OPERA RECORDINGS. VIOLINS SOUND HORRENDOUS. THESE SPEAKERS ARE RATED VERY HIGH BY THE EXPERTS WHO USE ULTRA HIGH END EQUIPMENT TO DRIVE THEM. MINE ARE FOR SALE, ANY TAKERS?

Similar Products Used:

THIEL 2 2s. B&W 805 MATRIX. AR 303.