2. speakers
  3. 1073350194

Thiel speakers... one more try

As you guys may already know (since I post here every other week), I'm shopping for speakers. I currently own a pair of Dynaudio Audience 120, which are too small to give me the bass and upper-bass response I need for my favorite music style, progressive electronic music, very loud I must add.

After going to alot of shops here in Sao Paulo, Brazil, I found a store which had the PSB GOLDi and the Thiel 2.2 (with crossovers upgrade worth $2000 from Thiel) for sale, at basically the same price range. The thing is that the Thiel has been discontinued in 1997 and the PSB GOLDi he has is brand new, still in the cartons, latest model.

After going there three times, I decided the Thiel suits me better. But I tested the PSB in a very very BIG room, very tall, with a nice Harman Kardon receiver in stereo mode and Burmeister CD player. The Thiel was tested with a hefty Threshold amplifier, but with a poor Technics pre-amp and a lousy Marantz DVD player. Considering both had disadvantages, I considered that the Thiel was better off due to the generous amplifier and the good acoustics of the room, which was almost perfect (the guy has two stores, one for new equipment, and the other for used ware)

What I liked about the Thiel was that it had a very defined and confident upper-bass and midrange, and while the PSB had a very tasty low-bass, the upper-bass was not tight at all, and something was clearly missing there.

I'm gonna use either of these babies with a Mccormack DNA 0.5, Mccormack TLC-1 and Adcom GCD-750. I already tested the Thiel with the Mccormack and it was very good.

Considering most say the PSB would be easier to drive. Considering it had so many disadvantagens in my auditions, like acoustics and electronics. Considering I fell to the Thiel. Considering that the PSB is $2200 new in the US, and a used Thiel runs for $1200 in Ebay. Considering that I would never be able to sell the Thiel for a similar price in Brazil and that the PSB is much more sought after.

With all of these, what should I do, give the PSB a go, because of the newer technology and better market value; or take a chance with the Thiel, which could satisfy me for years more, or become a burden.

Opinions please?

Thanks in advance
jmabe

Showing 4 responses by jmabe

jmabe OP
34 posts
 
Hey guys, I went to the store one more time, and now I have tested both speakers under the same conditions, with the same electronics.

I was terribly impressed with the PSB at first, it gave me all I wanted in terms of presence and bass, plus I listened to more laid back music as well and it was incredible. When I switched to the Thiels, I realized these speakers sound somewhat bright, and just couldn't handle the bass I want, compared to the bigger and badder PSB.

PSB is my choice, thanks alot to all who helped, really!
jmabe OP
34 posts
 
Plato, the main problem is that I just won't find another Thiel 2.2 here, or no other Thiel at all, for that matter.

I'll probably try auditioning both under the same conditions, as Banksfriend suggested.

Jazzdude, I've changed speakers twice in the last six months, I probably should keep resale value in mind.

Thank you all for the suggestions.
jmabe OP
34 posts
 
Thank you for the support.

Rtn1, Thiel to me sounded pretty good with electronic music. Just as good as I wanted, and quite more than I ever expected.

Plato, good to know the Thiels have a good reputation, I was really confident on that matter.

I decided to contact the dealer and ask him to setup both for me to listen under the same conditions. But the resale value is still buggin' me.
jmabe OP
34 posts
 
Louis, good to know you've enjoyed your stay in Brazil, Sao Paulo is a very big city, it has most of the things other big towns do.

The Thiels are properly being directed to the churrascaria. You know, I was surprised when comparing the Thiel to the PSB, the first were so bright after enjoying PSB's richer and warmer sound. I just don't know how I could enjoy the Thiels more the first time, maybe because there were different setups in each.
More to discover