[dc2l]

Hello,

I’d like some help from this forum. I am in the midst of rebuilding my two-channel audio system (call it a mid-life crisis of sorts). My current system is built around Bryston, Lexicon, and PSB. With the exception of my new Bryston DAC, everything else is a least ten years old. I am starting with my speakers (based on a recommendation from James).

I am just about to take the plunge and upgrade my old PSB Image tower speakers to the Thiel 2.4 SEs. I have heard nothing but wonderful comments about the Thiel line. Of course, I have read every review I can find on the entire Thiel line (probably twice).

I considered the 3.7s but I just don't have the space I believe they will require to shine. Unfortunately, I live nowhere near a place to audition Thiel (especially with Bryston). So, I will do a 30-day trial in my home. But, before I pull the trigger on the 2.4 SEs, I thought I would seek wisdom from this forum. Please give me the last push to start the trial or give me a few thoughts to consider that might lead me elsewhere. I am a big fan of purchasing quality products designed and/or built in North America. The Thiel and Bryston lines fit this objective well.

If you have additional questions about my setup, please see my system description (I did not want to take up space here and repeat this information) or just ask.

Once the speakers are upgraded (and broken in), I will seek your thoughts on what component to upgrade next (amp, preamp, etc.). I hope to do a total makeover by the end of the year. Thanks!


-DC2L

[skunark]

I'm not at all sure of how different the sound is between the 2.4 and 2.4 SE so my experience isn't directly related but perhaps insightful. 

I've auditioned the Thiel 2.4 against both the 4BSST2 and 7BSST and felt both were really well matched with the 2.4s.  Unsurprisingly, the 7Bs did have a better command on the low-end and felt it was marginally better over all with that speaker. 

Keep in mind that you won't be able to bi-amp/wire the Thiels and I'm sure the 9Bs can still nicely drive them, but you might also audition the 4B/7Bs based on your budget/desires.
 

[vegasdave]

I would travel out of town and audition them first. Hopefully, with Bryston. There should be a dealer that carries both. The Thiel's aren't cheap.

[robb]

Hi

I have the Thiel 2.4s with the Bryston 4bsst2, wired with Nordost Red Dawn speaker cable. Also a Torus power conditioner, the Bryston dac, Jeff Rowland Capri preamp. And this system projects an amazing image with top to bottom (30cps) accuracy in my smaller room.

Rob

[yyz]

I currently have the Thiel SCS4 monitors with 2 Bryston PP300's (same as 4B-SST). it sounds great.

I will be buying the Thiel CS3.7 and pairing it with my 7B-SST sometime in the future. I will likely make a 5.1 system with the Bryston amps and Thiels. The 2 products work very well together.

I have not heard the 2.4 SE but have heard the 3.7 and it is some special. I hope you have auditioned it before you decided it would not work in your space.

[James Tanner]

Hi,

We used the 2.4SE's at the 2009 CES show in Vegas and although they did not have the power and low frequency capability of the 3.7's they sounded excellent - ask Vegas Dave - he was there.

We cheated a bit though as it was a very big room and we used 7B's as the amplifiers.

james

[jklowan]

I have have my 2.4's with a 9bsst and a SP 1.7 and a NAD M55 cd/dvd player and am very happy with the combo super revealing, I also am running the powerpoint as a center and the scs4's as rears with 2 JL Audio F113's. The weak like being the CD player. I love the sound of this system and would say give it a tryout if you can.

I am running the speakers via Audioquest Slate speaker wire and Audio Quest and King cobra interconnects. The amp and pre are wired with the Bryston balanced cables. The set-up is super quiet, the sound comes out of complete darkness. you'll hear it over and over but feed this set-up good recordings and it shines, feed it crap and it can be painful. I am a deadhead and many recordings of the dead are rendered unlistenable on this system. The recording blemishes are under a microscope, put well recorded software and is is spectacular, the Neil Young Harvest DVDA or say the Concord Jazz Sampler Vol.2 will blow you away with the image it projects. I like to call it an audio orgasm. I am sure there are better sounding systems but I know I don't need to spend the extra coin to get it.

My listening room is 16 x 30' and this system is wonderful in that size room. Love to up the power on the fronts but I am not really sure it is needed.

[Scottdazzle]

The Thiels were designed for amplifiers that put out a lot of current.  Bryston, Odyssey, Ayre, and Modwright amps should all mate well those speakers.

[vegasdave]

Hi,

We used the 2.4SE's at the 2009 CES show in Vegas and although they did not have the power and low frequency capability of the 3.7's they sounded excellent - ask Vegas Dave - he was there.

We cheated a bit though as it was a very big room and we used 7B's as the amplifiers.

james

Yeah, that was a very cool setup. Not quite to the level of the 3.7/28BSST2 combo, but it held the fort down nevertheless.

[dc2l]

All,

Thank you for your insightful comments. Ideally, I would like to mate the 2.4s with a pair of 7b's (I am using some older Bryston gear now). Similar to the CES setup.

As a reference point, how big was the room at CES? Open or reasonably closed  room (like a living room - my intended location for the 2.4s)?

Thanks again. The Bryston/Thiel mating sounds like a killer combination. The 2.4 SEs look fantastic in the pictures (which never hurts from an acceptance factor) standpoint!

-DC2L

[vegasdave]

The room had to be at least 20 x 30 x 15. Big room.

[Jolly]

  I was wondering how the Thiel 2.4SE differed from the standard Thiel 2.4's and would appreciate overall opinions. Thank you.

[srb]

  I was wondering how the Thiel 2.4SE differed from the standard Thiel 2.4's and would appreciate overall opinions. Thank you.

I apologize in advance for my comical attempt at suggesting a link (  ), but have you seen the Audiogon Forums topic "Thiel 2.4s vs 2.4 SE sound quality?" which has some thoughts and opinions you might find useful?

Steve