Thiel Owners

JA, the reviewer was J. Gordon Holt the founder of Stereophile who had gotten somewhat cranky by that time. A company chooses its style. Our stance was one of appreciation for editorial coverage, especially since it was nearly 10 years before we ever placed an ad anywhere.  Stereophile Magazine became the finest editorial support any company could ask for, if the dared dream so well.

I see tomthiel.  I can understand your position not to go against the great JGH. After all of these years, he is still the MAN! Harry Pearson as well.

Did you or Jim ever meet JGH or HP outside of Audio shows?
Ever receive an invite to either publisher's personal residence?

Happy Listening!

As the designer, Jim received such invitations and did very occasionally indulge. Jim was private and work-oriented and did not enjoy schmoozing. He and Kathy attended Harry's 10th anniversary party with the reining who's who designers, and another home visit around the CS5. JGH was present at various home visits at Larry Archibald's home / office after Larry took the reins of Stereophile. I was farther in the background, generally working 100 hour weeks to make more speakers.

Well, your and Jim's hard work, endless hours of perfection, certainly paid off big time- tomthiel.

You guys have a dedicated following here and across other Audio forums.
Not every speaker company can make this kind of claim.
Hope Mr. Rob Gillum is well and having fun.

Happy Listening!

Danged tricky to respond to negative reviews if you're a manufacturer. Best just to cut your losses especially with someone like JGH. IIRC, Holt gave a tepid review to one of John Curl's designs (which was other wise widely praised) and it pretty much took the legs out from his company.

That said, Atkinson gave a rave review of the CS 2 2, so that might have canceled the negative press by Holt.

For myself, I use the magazines to help form a short list then rely my ears thereafter. The reviewers are wrong too often! And they rarely have much to say about value. There are many "mid-priced" (it's all relative in this hobby!) products that sound nearly as good, if not outright better, than the $$$ designs. Too many reviewers (Fremer and everyone at TAS) start with the price tag . . .