Thiel CS3.7 - best speakers for under $5K?

[Fastnbulbous]

This is the new Thiel CS3.7. I guess it's not out yet, so I don't know pricing yet -- I'm guessing it'll be right around $5,000. I've heard great things about the CS3.6, so I'm fantasizing right now.

I probably won't have the room size and budget for something like this for a couple more years, but I'm curious what people think are the best loudspeakers roughly for under $5,000.

Mordaunt-Short Performance 6, $6,000
This is a bit over the limit, but I presume a deal can be found eventually.
Vienna Acoustics Strauss, $5,995
Totem Wind, $5,920
Von Schweikert VR-4 JR Mk II (The Virtue), $5,695
B&W 803S, $5,500
Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature, $5,500
Paradigm Signature S8, $5,400
Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Super Tower, $5,200
Aerial 7B, $5,000
KEF Reference 207, $5,355
Revel Performa F52, $5,000
PSB Platinum T6, $5,000
Martin Logan Vantage, $4,995
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus, $4,800
Thiel CS 2.4, $4,400
Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand, $4,500
Usher CP-6391, $4,500
Rega R9, $4,250
Salk Veracity HT3, $3,800
Magnepan MG3.6R, $3,750
Definitive Technology BP7000SC, $3,750
Onix Reference 3, $3,500
Usher CP-6381, $3,500
Joseph Audio RM25si Mk2, $3,499
Wharfedale Opus 3, $3,499
Vandersteen 3A Signature, $3,495
Energy Veritas v2.4i, $3,400
Polk LS<i>i</i>25, $3,000
Phase Technology PC-9.1, $1,300

Please add to this list, and add commentary on the sound if you've heard it, and info on any center/surround/sub speakers in the same series if you like.

 

[Tomorrow]

This is the new Thiel CS3.7. I guess it's not out yet, so I don't know pricing yet -- I'm guessing it'll be right around $5,000. I've great things about the CS3.6, so I'm fantasizing right now.

I probably won't have the room size and budget for something like this for a couple more years, but I'm curious what people think are the best loudspeakers for under $5,000.

Mordaunt-Short Performance 6, $6,000
This is a bit over the limit, but I presume a deal can be found eventually.

Paradigm Signature S8, $5,400

Thiel CS 2.4, $4,400

Wharfedale Opus 1, $3,019

Please add to this list, and add commentary on the sound if you've heard it, and info on any center/surround/sub speakers in the same series if you like.

I auditioned a couple of models of Thiel and found them wanting. Put your hand over your mouth and try to talk. That's the sound I got from my demo speakers. Way too reserved for my tastes. Just the opposite for the Paradigms. Too bright and echoic, IMHO.

On the other hand, these two were stunning:

Aerial 7B, $5,000
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus, $4,800.

Also, look at Salk Veracity HT3. I've not heard these, but they are well reviewed and are absolutely gorgeous! Starting at ~$3,800.

That's a nice price range to be playing in! I'm envious.

 

[billnchristy]

Onix Reference 3-$3500 pr

 

[gene]

I auditioned a couple of models of Thiel and found them wanting. Put your hand over your mouth and try to talk. That's the sound I got from my demo speakers.

That is one of many characteristics/issues with coaxial drivers. Thermal compression is another which I've found myself most sensitive too when listening to these type of speakers.

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Okay, I updated the list. So a couple folks think Thiel is crippled by a fundamental design flaw, very interesting. Hopefully I'll have a chance to compare some of these. More, please!

No need to be envious, I can't afford this range right now. I'm just being optimistic regarding a couple years in the future.

 

[westcott]

Revel, KEF, PSB. I like the KEF's Unique Q designs the best of these. No phase or time alignment issues.

The Revels and PSBs both have great off axis sound, making them well suited for home theater, as well.

 

[jaxvon]

I would add the Vandersteen 3A Signature to that list. They come in at $3,549 /pair. My dad has the 2CE Sigs and they sound amazing.

 

[rikmeister]

i second salk. also look at tyler acousitc and von schweikert.

vienna acoustic beethoven and totem forests or hawks.

 

[kgb540]

I would certainly have to echo the statements made about Thiels. They sound OK at best and only when used with A LOT of wattage (from my experience). Lately, the best speaker in this price range I have heard (and owned, not just auditioned) has been the USHER CP-6381 ($3500). Complete steal at this price. There is a CP-6391 for $1000 more, but I felt the 81's were nearly identical in performance and a better overall value. www.usheraudio.com/speakers-6 series.html

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Holy shite, that Von Schweikert has six models that are more expensive, topping out with the V-11SE "Vanquish," at $150,000!!! That's just absurd.

 

[Sheep]

My person favorite is the Energy Veritas 2.4i.

They retail for around 5gs in Canaduh.

SheepStar

 

[patnshan]

I haven't heard them, but have gotten rave reviews. And so Damn beautiful.

Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature Towers

$5500 per pair depending on the finish (there are a bazillion available)

My lottery money's going to some of those (I guess I'd have to play then, right?)

Pat

 

[Fastnbulbous]

So who's heard any of these? I'll have to visit a couple listening rooms, like Glenn Poor (ironic name) which I know has Wilson and Linn (which seems to only have speakers above and below this price range).

 

[Sheep]

So who's heard any of these? I'll have to visit a couple listening rooms, like Glenn Poor (ironic name) which I know has Wilson and Linn (which seems to only have speakers above and below this price range).

I've heard the Veritas 2.4i's. What would you like to know about them?

SheepStar

 

[JVC]

Allison Ones..............http://www.allisonacoustics.com
I think they can be had for under $5k pr.
I've not actually heard the Allison Ones yet, but I own a smaller pair of Allisons (PB 8.2), and if the ones sound any better than mine, they are awesome!

 

[sploo]

Slightly off at a tangent, but when you're spending that kind of money, I'd suggest considering DIY versions from kits.

There are many superb kits around, that use the highest quality drivers, and, due to the way the loudspeaker market works, you save an absolute fortune.

Look again at patnshan's tyler.jpg image, and Fastnbulbous' V-11SE Vanquish link. Those bass/mid drivers look suspicously like some of the Seas Excel drivers (http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?exact_match=yes&product=SEE). This, frankly, wouldn't be a surprise, because many of them are rated very highly. Also, note the cost of the drivers compared to the commercial speaker!

There are some Seas kits at madisound, as well as Seas' own website. I bought some (Scan-speak based) kits from a company in the UK. Here's their Seas based product: https://secure.wilmslow-audio.co.uk/acatalog/Wilmslow_Audio_Excellence_118.html

Some companies (like the UK one above) will even sell you CNC machined panels for a small extra cost, meaning that all you need to do is glue it together and paint it!

EDIT: Having just read the blurb about the V-11SE Vanquish, yes, it's completely absurd:

"Extremely smooth highs out to 50kHz"

Great, that'll keep my pet bat happy then .

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Those Phase Tech are available for $1,300. Do you really think they're on par or better than the others? If so, they would be by far the best value.

To answer SheepStar, what would I like to know about them. Well I guess ideally it would be nice to have comparisons with one or more of the others listed. Give an idea of what is important to you personally -- soundstage, bass, clarity, design, flexibility of placement, whatever, and how it compares to others you're familiar with in this range.

Like I said, I won't be able to make a purchase for about two years. The reason I'm writing about this now is I realize it's going to take me a while to hear a decent portion of these. And apparently it's gonna take that long to extract useful information out of this forum!!

 

[kgb540]

The Phase Tech, while they may be good in the under $1500 range, are not up to par with most of the others mentioned.

 

[billy p]

Trying to be impartial

I must agree with Sheep, the Energy Veritas line do it for me,as well. If money wasn't the issue? Since I own API athena speakers and like them and heard the rc50's & 70's, the veritas can only be that much sweeter!!

 

[JoeE SP9]

I haven't heard all the ones on the list. Of the ones I have heard the Maggy 3.6R's are the ones to beat. They are one of the best sounding speakers available at any price. FWIW I own full range ESL's. My opinion is based on the Magneplanar, Apogee, ESL type of sound.