I recently listened to several speakers in Chicago area, including several B&W floorstanders and bookshelves, Thiel 3.7 floorstanders, and SCS4 bookshelf. My wife and I really liked the Thiel sound, and were quite impressed by the Thiel SCS4 - it has a very "open" sound and doesn't sound like a box at all. Voices and instrumentals are very sharp, clear, and it really sounds like a live performance. However, budgetary constraints persuaded us to look at used speakers.
We listened to two used speakers - B&W 805 Matrix and Thiel CS 1.5. The Thiel CS1.5 performed really really well for a small floorstander, solid sound, about 95% as open sounding (sorry for not being more descriptive) as the SCS4. The B&W 805 Matrix bookshelf speakers sounded surprisingly nice as well (much better than the other B&W bookshelves and floorstanders) - I was quite impressed by them. Since the shop was closing, we could only listen to a few songs, a jazz song by Jacintha, Time by Floyd, and a hard rock song (i forget which). All the equipment was paired with a 60W Rotel integrated amp and Rotel CD player. The high end Thiels were paired with a Bryston pre-power combo.
Sorry for rambling - my question is, which speaker should I go for - the Thiel CS1.5 or the B&W 805 Matrix? I listen to a lot of rock, alternative, grunge, but also listen to instrumentals and cafe/lounge easy listening kind of music. My wife listens to more of the softer stuff - soft rock, cafe style music. Considering the diverse music taste, I would like to put it this way - which speaker would be better for listening to Pink Floyd for an extended period of time?
I liked the CS1.5 but I am concerned that it might be too "sharp" or "bright", especially for extended listening periods. I didn't listen to the 805s in great detail but was quite impressed with what I heard - it seemed to be not as sharp and crystal clear as the CS1.5 but was quite open sounding. Can anyone please help? Although I was initially quite taken with the Thiels, I think the 805 might be better all-rounders for different kinds of music.
Is there any other speaker I should consider as well? The challenge is that finding a good used speaker of my choice is difficult, and auditioning it beforehand is even more difficult. The shop also had used Thiel CS2.4 and 3.5 (i think) - they are a little large for my apartment living room (12x20), but should I consider it as well?
I currently have a Topping TP20 amp but am thinking of upgrading to an Odyssey Khartago (although I have never listened to it). I plan to use a Squeezebox Classic as source, and perhaps a CD player sometime in the future.
I would really appreciate and help or guidance from the forum members.
Many thanks in advance!
Arun
We listened to two used speakers - B&W 805 Matrix and Thiel CS 1.5. The Thiel CS1.5 performed really really well for a small floorstander, solid sound, about 95% as open sounding (sorry for not being more descriptive) as the SCS4. The B&W 805 Matrix bookshelf speakers sounded surprisingly nice as well (much better than the other B&W bookshelves and floorstanders) - I was quite impressed by them. Since the shop was closing, we could only listen to a few songs, a jazz song by Jacintha, Time by Floyd, and a hard rock song (i forget which). All the equipment was paired with a 60W Rotel integrated amp and Rotel CD player. The high end Thiels were paired with a Bryston pre-power combo.
Sorry for rambling - my question is, which speaker should I go for - the Thiel CS1.5 or the B&W 805 Matrix? I listen to a lot of rock, alternative, grunge, but also listen to instrumentals and cafe/lounge easy listening kind of music. My wife listens to more of the softer stuff - soft rock, cafe style music. Considering the diverse music taste, I would like to put it this way - which speaker would be better for listening to Pink Floyd for an extended period of time?
I liked the CS1.5 but I am concerned that it might be too "sharp" or "bright", especially for extended listening periods. I didn't listen to the 805s in great detail but was quite impressed with what I heard - it seemed to be not as sharp and crystal clear as the CS1.5 but was quite open sounding. Can anyone please help? Although I was initially quite taken with the Thiels, I think the 805 might be better all-rounders for different kinds of music.
Is there any other speaker I should consider as well? The challenge is that finding a good used speaker of my choice is difficult, and auditioning it beforehand is even more difficult. The shop also had used Thiel CS2.4 and 3.5 (i think) - they are a little large for my apartment living room (12x20), but should I consider it as well?
I currently have a Topping TP20 amp but am thinking of upgrading to an Odyssey Khartago (although I have never listened to it). I plan to use a Squeezebox Classic as source, and perhaps a CD player sometime in the future.
I would really appreciate and help or guidance from the forum members.
Many thanks in advance!
Arun
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