STATUS - SOLD
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Description :
The Thiel CS3.6 is an advancement of THIEL’s Coherent Source design pioneered in 1978 with the classic THIEL model 03. It is one of the most consistent, most musical and impressive Thiel's speakers. The Thiel CS3.6 is an absolute honey and it embodies all of the latest developments from the fertile mind of Jim Thiel. The heart of the speakers is the double cone diaphragm employed in the 4.5 inch midrange driver. The diaphragm consists of two cones bonded together but sandwiching nothing more than an air gap. The result is greater midband speed and clarity, lightning quick transient recovery and dipole like transparency. The Thiel CS3.6 features a 25-element network, implemented with 38 components, not only provides first-order low-pass/bandpass/high-pass filtering for the drivers, but also corrects for driver-response anomalies. The terminals are fitted to the underside of the cabinet: a single pair, as Thiel doesn’t see the need for biwiring when a properly designed crossover is in use. The cabinet of the Thiel CS3.6 is heavy and bomb-proof, braced with five crosspieces; the midrange driver has its own internal enclosure. The shaped, sloped baffle positions the drivers for time alignment, and it is free of edges which could cause diffraction.

To appreciate the Thiel CS3.6 speakers, however, the user needs an amplifier with plenty of wattage, current, and damping capability. He also have to be interested in accuracy. It is more like a laboratory reference than a speaker with “romance". The CS3.6 does not soften anything, and it does not make anything euphonic. There is no gentle rolloff in the treble, no touch of added warmth in the lower midrange, no midbass bloom. Nothing is larger than life. But, if the listener wants full range, accuracy and dynamics in a practical form at a practical price, this is one great reference speaker he can choose of have.

The Thiel CS3.6 are relatively noncritical to room placement and will provide good results from almost anywhere. It is delightful to play with a high-performance speaker which requires no painstaking toe-in and which responds enthusiastically to cable changes and variations in the proximity to the walls. The Thiel CS3.6 will not sound lumpy or one-note, despite delivering copious amounts of bass. During the transitions, from thunderous passages to near silence, there is a rare perfect balance of the speakers. Thiel’s cautious, sane approach has produced a speaker with clarity, transparency and admirably superb imaging. The upper bass and midrange are excellent in virtually every respect - extremely accuracy, transparency, and overall harmonic integrity. It is excellent and generally superior to even the best ribbon designs in flat power response and radiating characteristics. The Thiel CS3.6 can handle large scale dynamics and low-level dynamics with excellent definition from deep bass through the treble, and resolving transient response at all the frequencies in its range, without any shifts in sound character and timbre. The soundstage width and depth are faithful to reproduction of recordings, with no surprises, shifts, contractions, or exaggerations. With such high end quality and very reasonable price, it will take ages for the market to have better speakers at this price range.

Specifications :
Bandwidth (-3dB).............................27Hz - 22KHz
Frequency Response.......................29Hz - 20 KHz +/- 1.5 dB
Phase Response.............................Minimum +/-5 degrees
Time Response...............................150 microseconds -20 dB
Sensitivity.......................................86 dB @ 2.8v-1m
Impedance......................................4ohms (2.5ohms minimum)
Recommended Power......................100 - 500 watts
Tweeter...........................................1" high output metal dome tweeter operates above 3kHz
Mid-range........................................4" mid-range with two–layer, air-core diaphragm and
             .........................................long gap/short coil motor system operates from 500 to 3000Hz
Woofer............................................10" excursion woofer with advanced magnet system and
          ............................................aluminum diaphragm operates up to 500Hz
Radiator..........................................10" passive bass radiator
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................32.5 x 43 x 123.5 cm
Weight............................................48kg per side

Miscellaneous :
Made in...........................................USA
Condition.........................................7/10

Product Information :
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/PDF_files/PDF_tech_papers/techpaper_cs3_6.pdf (Specification)
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/PDF_files/PDF_owner_info/CS3_6ownerinfo.pdf (Manual)

Reviews :
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/PDF_files/PDF_reviews/CS3_6_pdf/3_6R_HFNRR.pdf
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/PDF_files/PDF_reviews/CS3_6_pdf/3_6R_TAS.pdf
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/225/index.html
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/thiel/cs3-6/prd_121076_1594crx.aspx
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=4823397