Great imaging, clearest, yet smoothest tweeter/highs, acurate and strong midrange, smooth bass. An excellent overall speaker, enjoyable to spend hours listening too. Quality construction, and great company service.

Power hungery, you should use atleast 200w per channel or more. They are not a "Loud speaker". When listening to them, you will not want to have conversations They play very loud, and sound great soft. But not the speaker to have a "Frat" party with.

I purchased the 3.6's after owning a pair of Thiel 2.0, Knowing how much I loved the smaller Thiel's I hoped I would like the upgrade. I was not dissapointed. I loved the speakers from the moment I first played them. I have owned them for atleast 10 years, and used them with many differant systems, from Haffler, Dynaco, Adcome, Denon, and now McIntosh. The speakers are power hogs. Running B&K 200 watt Mono amps was adaquate, but just barely. I presently am using a pair of McIntosh MC 1201 (1200w each), and they sound awsome. The soundstage and imaging is like nothing I have heard before. Thiel's tweeter and midrange speakers are great. The woofer is smooth and even. I use a subwoofer with the system, and it seems to help alot. I have used the speakers in "HOME THEATER' applications, and they were quite "IINADAQUATE" for this application. The speakers are a comfortable speaker listen too, and do not fatique you. I usually find myself closing my eyes to reduce visual distraction, and end up listening to music long than I had planned. When I first got my MC 1201's, I tried to use the speakers as rock and roll loud speakers, I immediatly smoked (litrally) both tweeters and midrange speakers. Thiels service was grreat, rebuilding the driviers, and returning them to me in less than a week

Customer Service

Superb. It could not be better or faster. Slightly costly, but you get what you pay for

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I also own the Thiel CS 2.0 and the 1.2

Incredible warmth and balance, when properly matched with an adequate amplifier and transport

With good components, a bargain, but be sure to match with appropriate components

Requires a strong amplifier

I've read all reviews of the 3.6 and have found many consistencies...Be sure to match your system well!

I have two systems in my home. I purchased my 3.6's in August 2004 when I had my first "high-end" system installed upon completion of the home. Among other components, the primary system was Krell Showcase processor and amplifier (125W/channel) with a Denon DVD-2910 transport, Krell 3.6 speakers and the recommended cables/speaker wire. The system was completely mismatched by the retailer, and grossly underpowered for the 3.6 speakers. The sound quality in 2 channel and theater application was terribly disappointing, flat, and would build excessive heat ultimately shutting-down the amp. My second system in my home is a Denon 4802 receiver, Denon DVD-2900 and Thiel 2.3 speakers. This system performed so much better than my new "high-end" system sold to me.

I endured this frustration for a year until I contacted Krell directly. Krell's customer support is better than anything I have ever experienced as is Thiel's support. I later upgraded to the Krell KAV-3250 for front/center, and B&K 200w for my rear channel. The improvement was significant! But, my new service provider let me borrrow a Meridian G98 CD/DVD transport and the sound quality was off the charts! I was previously so frustrated that I had wished I never invested the money, and wished I simply duplicated my "second" system. But, I now enjoy the performance of the Thiel 3.6 speaker so much I recently purchased the new Krell EVO-403 amplifier, and am anxiously awaiting the release of the EVO-707 processor and 525 transport.

Having now tried improved components, the 3.6 is a tremendous value. But, if you chose to try the 3.6, be willing to invest in a balanced system, and be prepared to provide adequate amplification to the speakers. Weak components make the 3.6 seam dissappointing. But, with good components, my experience is that these speakers incredible, and I highly recommend the Thiel 3.6


.

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Currently...

Krell Showcase processor
Krell EVO-403 amplifier
B&K 200w amplifier for rear channel
Dennon DVD-2910 transport

Awaiting...

Krell EVO-707 processor
Krell EVO-525 transport

1. Imagery - width and depth excellent 2. Reproduction - never fatigued listening 3. Midband superb

1. Need a huge amp, possibly even bigger than my 80 lb lump. 2. Need careful pairing (as I'm finding out) and care to sound their best in a certain system.

When these speakers arrived I was a little astounded at the size of the boxes; shipping from the US to the UK was $350 so I guess I should have expected something out of the ordinary... These speakers are simply massive (107 lb each) - I bought them having tried the (much smaller) Thiel 1.6 and from the reviews scattered across the net about the 3.6. Overall I am very happy with them; reproduction is excellent, soundstage is very good. They do need a huge amp though; my Musical Fidelity Nu Vista is 275 wpc and I'm getting over half power to make them sing properly. I also think this isn't quite the right amp (or else cables/cd player aren't quite batting quite right) because the bass slam of the speakers is relatively subdued, at least at lower levels. At higher levels with a bass heavy song they do light up though - I'm sure this is a product of the rest of the system rather than these speakers. I am very impressed with this product; I could have gone to sevenoaks and bought a much worse set of speakers for much more:) It is though going to take time and effort to sort the system to be 100%. All good fun. At least I can only see the system getting better rather than being at its limits....

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Infinity SM112's (bass heavy perhaps) Thiel 1.6 ES

Coherent, detailed, natural and smooth; powerful, detailed bass. Image as well as the best standmount monitors, but play loudly w/ deep bass as well.

Need a good sized room and high current amp; not small. Finishes' color seems to fade.

After 100+ pairs of quality speakers I've owned in 36 years (including many 'stats, ribbons, horns, maggies, etc.) these are the speakers that do the most for me. Wide range, detailed, dynamic, ultra-natural and smooth, they are a delight everytime I listen. Deep, powerful and superbly articulated bass is perfectly balanced with the mids and smooth highs in a totally coherent and convincing manner. Huge soundstage. Thiel speakers require an amp that can run easily with 2-3 ohm loads and these need a good deal of space; without it they will sound very bad with too much bass and shrill sound. They are a terrific bargain in the used market; if you have the amp and space for them there's no better high end bargain, IMO.

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Apogee, VMPS ribbons. Merlin TSM and VSM speakers; Quad and Infinity 'stats, several Maggies, lots more.

Bass response detail and clarity

requires high end components

As I have been in this hobby just a little more then a year now I have wasted a lot of money on inferior products. This purchase was not one of them. These speakers reveal what is behind them and follow the rule of GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) to the max. Hook these babies up to consumer grade audio equipment and crappy cables and you now have two giant transistor radio speakers in your listening room. On the other hand, power them with a krell amp, classe pre-amp, kimber kables, and a decent cd player, you now have nirvana. The unfortunate side is the cost of this level of equipment. I would say if you are not prepared to spend $10,000 (all used equipment including speakers) for a system built around these speakers don't even bother with them. If you do have the cash then these speakers will be hard to beat. Previous reviews mentioned these speakers sounding extremely bright. That is a function of the amp not the speakers. These speakers can be bought for a great price but the investment of high end equipment makes them as a whole, quite expensive.

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thiel 2.3

Thiel 3.6 speakers - If you are ready to work hard the Thiel 3.6 is a superb speaker. It is so honest it can drive you nuts. One must have plenty of power (no less than 200 w/ch), and superb components up and down the system. With these in place, you receive fantastic transparency, superb imaging, and an honest rendering of the musical source. Superb cabinetry (I had mine custom made at the factory to match our living room furniture), and excellent customer assistance. My system includes: c-j Premier 14 preamp, c-j MF-200 amp, Linn TT (all the mods), Muse 2 DAC, Sonic Frontiers transport, API Power Wedge line conditioner, Goertz & MIT interconnects. If you want the truth, buy them.

The Thiel cs 3,6 is one of few speakers as sound NEUTRAL!You hear the real sound and not the kabinett resonances.
But... all the talks about hard treble is not the speakers foul
you hear what you put in... and 90% of all amplifires sounds
hard when they are drive low impedance.
If you have a good amplifier and good wires like PAD Coloussus
the Thiel speaker sounds wonderful. Wery good 3D and Tight
sound.

REFERENCE BY WHICH ALL OTHERS ARE MEASURED

NOT FORGIVING OF SYSTEM COMPONENTS

I Have offered a review about these speakers before 6/27/99. Alot has changed in my system since then. The biggest single change that affected the sound quality was the addition of a Krell KSA250 Amp. I simply could not believe that there could be so much difference in amps. Hearing is beleiving. The Thiels will reward you with each upgrade, as others have said, its true! If you find these speakers bright, it isn't the speakers! Another plus to the 3.6s is that they have been unchanged since their introduction in 1993! I think that says alot, if you have it right don't change it! I would compare it to a Violin in that regaurd. There is no end to choices out there but I keep coming back to thiel!

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B&W, WILSON, MONITOR AUDIO

Transparency, great bass, fit and finish

None

I have to chuckle at the folks who describe Thiel speakers as "bright" sounding. Apparently, these people have never experienced true transparency before! Thiels will not suffer less upstream components gladly and, more so, they will give you every nuance of your source material. If you're playing a harsh, glaring and bright CD, these speakers will sound harsh, glaring and bright. If you're spinning some early 1980's Columbia vinyl with no bass, a flat soundstage and compressed dynamics, these speakers will give you no bass, a flat soundstage and flat dynamics! If you aspire to colorations and euphonics to make your substandard source material sound musical, look elsewhere for speakers!

Playing the best sounding recordings on these speakers is a revelation! They bested the Legacy Signature's that they replaced in my system handily, although the Sig's went deeper in the bass (but less tightly). I have to admit that in the early days of my listening, I wasn't overwhelmed by the sound of the Thiels. It took me awhile to get used to absolute neutrality. But the detail, imaging and correct tonal balance won me over shortly!

These may not be the best speakers out there at their price point but they are surely one of the top 5. I'm off to listen to some music!

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Various Legacies, B&W, KEF, and many others including the Legacy Sig's these replaced

audio clarity, imaging, smooth delivery, tight bass

can sound bright if not matched with the right equipment

I haven't owned these speakers long, so my review is based on initial impressions. I may try to give a more updated review in the future.

I went right to these speakers based on my brother's recommendation. He knew about Thiels, having been in a sound recording program in college.

Before I bought these speakers, I heard the usual slam against them: too bright! A salesman at a store nearby used that line. He was pitching the B&Ws. I agree that if not matched with the proper equipment (e.g., an amplifier that cannot properly handle the load the 3.6s put on it), the highs can be emphasized. I auditioned a pair of 2.3s in my home, matched up with an ADS car stereo amp! Harsh highs came out. Not the smartest idea.

I'm still in the break-in period for my Thiels, but I thought right out of the box, they sounded excellent! Great depth, imaging. I heard imaging for the first time on albums I've listened to many times. Thomas Dolby's Aliens Ate My Buick comes to mind. Of course they were matched with a pair of Pass Lab Aleph 2 monoblocks. I didn't buy the Pass (too pricey for my budget) I never heard Abbey Road played with such clarity. A friend remarked about the crispness of Ringo's high-hat on Sun King.

I run mine with a used Krell KSA-150 amp, based on the recommendation of my dealer. As a previous reviewer noted, the dealer said the Bryston 4Bs would not be able to completely handle the 3.6s. And he is a Bryston dealer as well as a McIntosh dealer. He thought either the 7Bs or the Mac MC352 would be a good complement for the 3.6s.

Overall, great sounding speakers: natural, no sound colorations. I think they can play plenty loud if you have the right equipment. I can turn up my system and get a loud-clean delivery. Is the point of your system to crank it up or to get excellent music delivery? If it's to crank it up, then Polks or Klipsch will probably do fine for less money. Do not merit the one star someone else gave. Again, I think you need to check associated equipment.

My current system:

Sony TAE9000ES (preamp--I use my system for home theater and 2-channel listening)
Toshiba 3109 DVD player (makes a great CD player)
Krell KSA-150 amp
Thiel 3.6s
Boston Acoustics for center and rear channel speakers
ADS PH15 amp for center and rear channels

By the way, Thiel has a very responsive and knowledgeable e-mail address.

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NHT, B&W, Totem, Martin-Logan