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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
yashu
195 posts
 
Hola Brasieliero,

I have spent much time in your wonderful country and was surprised to see that you could even find a pair of Thiels.

I just wanted to let you know that you have made a good decision. I struggled with a pair of 2.4 for entirely too long. I had a good amp and had to continue to change cables, etc. to try to get rid of the harsh, fatigueing sound. They were just too bright and analytical. I had sooo many CD's that I could not listen to. They sounded to harsh.

I finally sold them and got a pair of Proac 2.5. I am so much happier now and have never looked back.

So -- enjoy you PSB's and don't ever think about the Thiels again. Believe me they would have driven you crazy. Use them for wood in a good Churascaria.

Felicidade,

Louis
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,265 posts
 
I swapped my ProAc 2.5's for Thiel 2.4's. Just goes to show.
tombowlus
416 posts
 
I do believe that the 2.4's are a bit lacking in the lower registers, and that they don't have a lot of weight to their sound (which is why I chose CS3.6's). From what I have read, the 2.2's have a more severe lack of low end, which is why I would suggest pairing them with a sub. Of course, to get a good quality, musical subwoofer would add even more to the purchase price, so the PSB's may be the way to go if they were able to make you smile after direct comparison to the Thiels.

Enjoy!

Tom.
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.
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