THIEL doing some interesting stuff...

TheChairGuy · « **on:** 4 Apr 2008, 07:46 pm »

Can't say I understand it entirely, but the THIEL folks are dang proud and excited over it (my business partner, not an audiophool, happened to run into them at a confererence recently)...

http://www.thielnet.net/

Thought I'd pass it on for comments, etc.

Regards, John

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 08:02 pm »

Doesnt apeal to me at all, Vacc Flourecent display that looks like a panny? Pass

sbrtoy · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 08:17 pm »

I like the concept, not sure about the implementation....

rydenfan · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 08:26 pm »

It would save me a fortune on cables

Scottdazzle · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 08:42 pm »

I think the real interest to AC members is what this portends for Thiel entering the no crossover, full range speaker world. They have been crossing mids & tweeters mechanically for awhile (e.g. 2.3, 2.4, 3.7) and now seem to be heading for 2-way speakers with only a mechanical crossover. Chances are they will develop some very interesting monitors.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 09:07 pm »

I don't like closed-box solutions.

This could be a choice for someone that likes to set and forget though. Unless the network is acting up.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Apr 2008, 03:34 am »

According to my biz partner that met Jim Thiel and Cathy Gornik (sp?) (co-owners of THIEL Audio) earlier today, they are totally jazzed on the idea and will officially introduce later this year.

John

NewBuyer · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Apr 2008, 06:02 am »

This is very cool stuff - thanks John for posting this.

enjoythemusic · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Apr 2008, 08:30 am »

Hmmm, almost looks like a combination of the Sligngbox www.slingmedia.com and the wireless stuff Audioengine AW1 is offering http://audioengineusa.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=82&osCsid=87c994465197e9fd45dd74f316a85568

The 'telltale' is the Thiel limt of 64 channels for wireless like the Audioengine. Thiel may be using the same basic wireless system.

ctviggen · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Apr 2008, 10:34 am »

On the one hand, I don't like it because it's an entire preamp. I'd rather have a squeezebox.

Nonetheless, it's an interesting idea. You hook the speakers up to the network and play music. That's the only input to the speakers, other than power. The crossovers are digitally implemented.

I bet it's expensive, though.

JLM · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Apr 2008, 11:21 am »

Coax is not the same as single driver. Its a step in that direction, but still requires a crossover. These still use only one amp per speaker, so they're not even active designs.

Looks like the computer (upgraded sound quality) version of wireless speakers, which is great in existing and/or rented rooms.

Wondering out loud if any professional active speakers connect via wireless computer networks. Now that would be a boon for roadies that have daily setups of large systems.

Toka · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Apr 2008, 01:50 pm »

Very interesting indeed...like it or not, its products like this that will move the hobby forward. Would love to see one in action!

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Apr 2008, 04:45 am »

Quote from: Toka on 5 Apr 2008, 01:50 pm

Very interesting indeed...like it or not, its products like this that will move the hobby forward. Would love to see one in action!

I'm not sure why they've chosen August as an intro date for it, but I think that is the timeframe my biz partner mentioned. Surely, it will be featured at THIEL Audio the CES in January 2009.

John

mcgsxr · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Apr 2008, 04:30 pm »

I agree, this is a very interesting one.

I would like to see versions like this, from other (and likely more affordable!) manufacturers.

Imagine a set of active speakers that could leverage an IP network, and connect directly to an SB3. Now that would be very cool.

Other than power cables for the 3 pieces, it would be completely wireless.

I can only imagine that wireless cards will be adapted for audio soon, as many more people have WLANS at home, and with the proliferation of Slim Devices, Slingbox, Sonos type server solutions, I would imagine the market is there.

Class D amps built into good speakers that wirelessly connect?

Love to see a DIY for that too!

Tweaker · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Apr 2008, 06:51 pm »

For those of us that have experienced improvements in the sound of our amps, preamps, etc., by isolating them with cones, squishy rubber thingies, isolation platforms and the like, I've come to the conclusion that having an amp built into the speaker would maybe be a bad idea, being exposed to so much vibration. I don't know. I've often wondered if my powered sub would sound better with the electronics outboard. All that aside though, I think it's very interesting what Theil has come up with.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Apr 2008, 10:24 pm »

Good point about the vibrations, that had slipped my mind.

How do pro active systems address this? There seem to be many different active monitors out there in the pro world.

JLM · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Apr 2008, 11:09 pm »

The worries regarding on-board vibrations is completely secondary to the advantages of going active. Us single driver guys have the best of both worlds (active with amps separated from the speakers). And if you're really "good", you'll have one monoblock to feed each driver.

I just had a visitor into the audio mancave last week and wowed him with stereo effect as he sat in THE chair. He plays guitar, but knew nothing of audio. Most gratifying.

rabpaul · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Apr 2008, 07:23 am »

Quote from: JLM on 6 Apr 2008, 11:09 pm

The worries regarding on-board vibrations is completely secondary to the advantages of going active.

I really not convinced speaker vibrations affect the builit in amplifier (what about pro active studio monitors and guitar amps especially the tube ones?). Look at it this way, lets say vibrations did affect the amp, would this not then affect the sound and then again the amplifier like a continous feedback loop? This clearly does not happen does it?

JLM · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Apr 2008, 04:21 pm »

While we're thinking about amps inside speakers, what about crossovers inside speakers?

Makes me wonder what the worry is for isolation feet/bases for electronics.

Tweaker · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Apr 2008, 07:54 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 7 Apr 2008, 04:21 pm

While we're thinking about amps inside speakers, what about crossovers inside speakers?

Makes me wonder what the worry is for isolation feet/bases for electronics.

Makes me wonder how much better a speaker might sound with an outboard cross-over. But you have to be one of those strange people who put amps on spiked feet and cd players on bicycle inner-tubes to worry about such things.