Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!info-high-audio-request From: fszeman@oz.lerc.nasa.gov (Pat Zeman) Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end Subject: Re: Theil CS2 vs Apogee Centaur Message-ID: <11435@uwm.edu> Date: 26 Apr 91 14:04:43 GMT Sender: news@uwm.edu Lines: 51 Approved: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu I own Theil CS3.5's. I also have a pair of Acoustat 2+2's. I move alot and find the 2+2's need a room designed for them. I went searching for replacement speakers that would fit and work in a real room, but they had to sound good. After living with planar speakers, I could hardly listen to box speakers. They were colored, boomy, inaccurate, and some of the so called audiophile speakers were IMHO plain trash. Money wasn't my driving force, rather bang for the buck. Is the speaker worth the price? Does it fit the intended use, environment. I loved the M1 Mirage, and felt the price ( I believe $4500) was worth it. But remember the problem. These are very room placement dependent. The dealer demos them 5' from the back wall, acoustic absorbtion everywhere, 10' acoustic ceiling,... , not a real room! I auditioned the Theils in a over crowded, small display room, much like a typical living room. After listening to "everything" in many environments, I believe the Theil is the most overlooked speaker on the market. Every model is by far the best in its price class, and in many instants out performs many pricier speakers. The engineer behind these speakers also has an ear. The quality of the cabinetry has been marveled in woodworking trade mags. I'm a hobbiest woodworker and furniture lover, and I'm impressed at the craftsmanship at this company. I don't think you'd regret being a Theil listener and urge you to scrape together the extra money and get the 3.5's. The jump in sound quality is of greater magnitude then the added cost. These speakers will bring you (real environment) satisfaction for a lifetime. A good gauge of customer satisfaction is trying to locate used equipment. Nobody gets rid of Theil speakers. An extensive search across the country, through brokers, and shops resulted in words to the effect, "Ha! I never see used Theils, no one wants to get rid'of'em after they got'em." The money issue is easy, plan. Don't try to buy/upgrade everything at once. Make frugel purchases, keeping in mind that your other equipment won't realize the new stuffs potential, but the future holds another wise investment. This way you can build the system you want, and not pinch pennies from one piece to get more pieces at the same time. It works, I've got my Krells, Theils, wires, working on CD a replacement (an ever changing technology), I'm still eating, and I have a pair of 2+2's for sale (maybe) to boot. I hope this sheds some light. I'm sorry about the length, (just scratched the surface really) but I thoroughly research my options/purchases, so I am committed to my decisions. The bottom line is, it's always your decision, but you can always learn from others. -- Patrick L. Zeman USAF/NASA Lewis Research Center Wk. Ph: 216-433-6788 21000 Brookpark Rd. MS 5-11 Eve Ph: 216-845-7223 Cleveland, OH 44135 E-mail:fszeman@oz.lerc.nasa.gov