Don't think I'm crazy but...

If you like the Thiel sound, you will need one of the larger models to fill out such a large space. I would look at the CS6 or CS7.2. You could find the CS6 for under $5K used, but shipping will be a big pain and expensive. You will then need some serious amplification to drive these beasts. Mono blocks might be the best way to go (of course, with seperate dedicated (20amp minimum) circuits. It will require extremely gutsy amplification with the amp(s) capable of high current. I'm talking Krell, Levinson, Pass, or Rowland, to name a few. I auditioned the CS6s w/ Musical Fidelity's kW500 which sounded very nice except the dealer's room was too small for those speakers.

Good luck.

~~~~That is a big room. If you want more volume you have to move more air, be it more driver movement or larger drivers. Both have a trade off in accuracy. The Infinity RS1's in my set up allow a large volume of air to be exited with speed.

Just The Facts
By

Higher efficiency will definately help your problem. I use JM Lab Electra 926s which use WAY less power than my previous Paradigm Reference 100.2s. My McIntosh meters never read more than 50W even when I have it really loud. At that same SPL, the Paradigms used 150W+. Look into Electra 936 or 946. They have clean clear sound like Thiels but more musical in general. Good luck!

Several problems here:

1) That's a big room and will be hard to pressurize.

2) Your speakers lack surface area ( drivers ), sensitivity and are of low impedance.

3) You bought a Bryston amp. If you want to know what i mean by this, look up some of my previous posts here and at AA about Bryston's inability to drive low impedance loads with authority. While I had stated this several years ago and others thought i was nuts / just bad-mouthing Bryston, Stereophile confirmed this with their review of their 500 wpc @ 8 ohm amp*.

4) You need more efficient speakers with more surface area and a more versatile amp. Sorry for the bad news. Sean
>

* Could someone please make Stehno aware of this fact. Contrary to his ideas, the multitude of "generic statements" that i make aren't just "random thoughts tossed into the wind" or a "plot to undermine and destroy" certain companies and individuals. Most are well researched ideas based on personal experiences & logical deductions arrived at through careful technical analysis. As time has proven, many of my comments are quite often verified by outside sources at a later date, much like the situation here.

I used to be a volume nut too. And a smaller pair of Theils (I think they were 1.2's) that I owned left me unsatisfied. Now with larger speakers that can go deeper in the bass department I find myself not needing the volume as much. I'm sure the big Theils that Mstram mentioned could play loud with a large enough amp but the bass would still be on the weak side.

If you want to keep the thiel,try the Stratos Extreme
Monoblocks Oddyssey, this are the best combination
I have ever heard,The krell FPB300 dont match, a bit
bright,the X250 are too dry dont match.The stratos
musicality is really good,Hope this helps.

Check out the Montana XPs for sale here on Audiogon today.
They are in a different league than the Thiels, for efficiency. The info link in the ad should answer all your questions. And Montanas sound excellent, in my opinion.

*I don't know the seller, I'm just a happy owner of Montana SPIIs.

if you want volumn and dynamics, then you need to check out the larger VMPS speakers. Plus using Stereo subwoofers will help out lot so you can route LFE out to the subs and not to the main speakers

~~~~Sean,
Truth is truth. It can't be changed. It brings passionate discussion. Despite contrary barrages, truth remains. Truth proves itself. Keep speaking truth. I thank you for all the hours of research and the gracious sharing of your knowledge. You have helped me many times just by reading your answers. Choose which battles are worth fighting, not enough time for them all.

Tough being ahead of your time! I know exactly how this feels. Having many ideas about which, after sharing with my spouse, appear a few years later on store shelves. Kudos to them.

Just The Facts
By