Sonus Faber Grand Pianos vs. Thiel 1.6's

I've sold both the Theil and Sonus faber lines. I find I do like both those speakers. I do like the 1.6's overall, and think they are a tremendous speaker at the price range, or any! I'd chose those first. Both however have their strenght of clarity, detail, and balance. Yes, I think the Piano's are a bit warmer in body, while the Thiels are razor clear. They both need differnt gear ultimately...season to taste. I think you could however get superb sound from either with the right mix.
I would still however lean towards the 1.6's at the very least because they are a more sensitive speaker, thus easier to drive, with a bit more nimble dynamic to the sound. You have more options.
Still, it gets down to tastes. Me, I like both, but lean towards the 1.6's for movie/music if need be. I think it's a special little speaker actually. But, I'm sure some would differ, depending on experience and associated gear/setup, etc.
When Stereophile reviewed em, they hinted that they thought this should be one of the "speaker of the year" choices..I agree.

Funny how everyone's taste and experience differs. I've sold both the Sonus(current since the Electa Amator vII's were released) and Thiel lines, and understand both lines tend to need completely different gear and set up needs!!!
The Thiels have traditionally needed a "strait ahead set up approach", and have gleaned towards tubes to balance out the analytical nature of the speakers(Jim Thiel is typical German analytical engineered speakers true to form). Except for perhaps the 2.3's, 6's and 7.2's which were all superb with SS!!! Otherwise I've liked the tubes with the older Thiel and perhaps 1.6's. The SF's (with the exception of maybe the little $3k SF's)have always done better with SS amps, and a sever "toe in setup approach!" Infact my old Electa Amators(original's) were only superb with SS.
Still, the 1.6's call for a more forgiving amp and a straight ahead possitioning. The Grands, definitely SS and "toe in"! Who's to say one is better?....they need different care..that's it. There's ton's of good sounding passive speakers out there...these are two, with difffernt approaches and executions.
Let's face it all you Thiel nay-sayers....Stereophile didn't refer to the 1.6's as deserving the speaker of the year award for nothing! They are good with the right care.