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From: hartanto@m.cs.uiuc.edu (Ismed Hartanto)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Theil CS2 vs Apogee Centaur
Message-ID: <11364@uwm.edu>
Date: 24 Apr 91 14:47:41 GMT
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Approved: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

Hi, I desperately need help in selecting
speakers. I`m in the market of a speaker ($1000-$2000)
with a matching separate amplifiers ($500-$1000).
I mainly listened to jazz and classical music,
and sometimes easy-listening music.
My approach is to look for the speaker that I like
first, and then decide on what the most suitable
amplifiers that can drive those speaker is.
I've listened to :
  - Vanderstein 2Ci (Don't really like it)
  - KEF 103 and also 104 (Sounds rather dull, not
			  enough detail for classical music)
  - Mirage M-3 (I like the sound and the depth of the
		imaging and the sound stage, it also
		has a good bass response although
		the size- height- made me think twice.)
  - Theil CS1.2 (Don't like this, the sounds seems dull,
	         poor bass response).
  - Apogee Centaur (new model, I like its bass response,
		    good detail, good sound stage and
		    imaging, very attractive model).
  - Theil CS2 (Very good detail, sound imaging, I like
	       this speaker very much for classical music).

I've narrowed down my choice to Apogee Centaur and Theil CS2.
Here's how I compare them :
Theil CS2 : - Got a very good review everywhere,
($1650)	      and also one of the recommended speakers
	      by Stereophile for years.
	    - Very Good sound imaging
	    - Very good sound stage
	    - Flat down to 40 Hz.
	    - No mid bass boom.
	    - Not enough deep bass.
	    - Higher resale value than the Apogee
	      (I just assumed this by reading the old
	       rec.audio.high-end about resale
	       values of the Apogee speakers).
Centaur   : - A pretty new model (last year).
($1490)	    - No review yet (so I have to rely just on my ear).
       	    - Very good bass (although I'm not so sure
	      if it is mid bass boom or really a deep
	      clean bass)
	    - Very good sound imaging
	    - Very good sound stage
	    - Very attractive model (If I buy this
	      I'll make sure that all my friends
	      see it in my living room).

Since my ear is not very much trained in listening to
good speakers yet,
before I decide which one of these speakers should I choose,
I would very much like to have comments/experiences/critics etc.
that others might have. E-mail or post (which ever you prefer).
Thanks.

- ismed hartanto
hartanto@cs.uiuc.edu