good listening speakers for home?

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< http://www.thielaudio.com/ >

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William Sommerwerck wrote:
> http://www.thielaudio.com/
>
> Avoid Thiel, unless you like terminal insipidity.

I'm not sure what that means. I haven't heard any Thiel speakers in
quite a few years - certainly more than 10 - but the ones that I've heard
have been very good indeed. I'm not sure why you seem to be down on them.

Their biggest "flaw" was that they used a very gently sloped filter at
the crossover point, so that there was a lot of overlap between the
drivers. The result was a very accurate and good sounding speaker at the
"sweet spot", but one whose midrange changed quite a bit as you moved
from sitting to standing due to comb filtering between the drivers.

> My first recommendation would be Martin-Logan hybrid electrostatics.
> However, they're fussier to set up than dynamic speakers, and probably need
> a better amp than you might be willing to invest in.
>
> Second recommendation would be B&W. Accurate, but not insipid. Good with all
> kinds of music.

Electrostatics, in general, certainly have their virtues. I've never
thought much of B&Ws, and I've heard a lot of them. Again, though, it's
been a few years. Once I settled on my Avalons, I've pretty much left
well enough alone.

Anyway, to each his own. I just thought it odd that you would slam Thiel
when they tend to be a pretty respected name, and for good reason - at
least back in the early 90s. Have they gone through some major change in
philosophy?

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dale <dallen@frognet.net> wrote:
>
>I would never buy speakers because anyone recommended them.
>(let alone some schmuck on the internet)
>I would find a good/great dealer and audition them at home.
>( I really find the Linns to be extra nice)

You know, I heard the Linn studio monitors a few years ago, and they just
sounded overprocessed to me. There wasn't anything I could put my finger
on, but they just had that artificial sound. Then again, I can't stand
the Meyer monitors for the same reason, and lots of folks like them.

If I were trying to put together a home system in that price range, I would
go with Magnepans. At least, if I had a room big enough, I would. Other
folks might not.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

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On 4 Jul 2005 18:31:34 -0700, "dale" <dallen@frognet.net> wrote:

>what about the klipshshorn???

The Klipschhorns are the most accurate speakers I've heard for
some instruments, including piano, tuba, and some drums,
*when heard from an adjoining room.*

In the same room, their well-characterised deficiencies will
bother you pretty quick. JMOHO, of course.

Chris Hornbeck

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dale <dallen@frognet.net> wrote:
>hey was that a path through the garage???
>now you can sneak in with some new stuff?? ;^)
>
>oh have not heard the studio monitors
>what are they 12+grand??

The Linn monitors? I honestly don't know what they cost, but they
should have them on demo at the AES show in the fall if you want to
give them a quick listen. I don't know what you can tell on the show
floor, thoguh.

>liked the sara's and bartok
>don't make them anymore

I never heard them under good enough conditions to say much.

>what about the klipshshorn???

PWK was always obsessed with the idea that high efficiency meant low
distortion, which was true back in the forties when amplifier distortion
was a huge issue, but isn't such a big deal today. I just don't like
horns for the most part... I don't like the high directivity that gives
you that "in your face" sound, and I don't like the midrange colorations
that are pretty much inherent in any horn design.

But a lot of people do like them, and mostly what they like about them
is the high directivity... it does make them much less sensitive to
midrange and high frequency room problems.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."