The new Thiels: In the house, the TM3 monitor

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

Thiel Fans:

I just received a pair of the new Thiel TM3 standmounts. They retail for $3498.

I have been a long time Thiel fan,currently owning the CS2.4 and at one point the CS3.7.

After a few days, it is obvious these are real deal high fidelity speakers. Everyone who has
been following the news knows they have moved on from Jim Thiel's time aligned phase coherent
designs, but this was out of necessity.

More to follow.

Specs:

Frequency Response (Bandwidth) 48Hz to 30KHz
Low Frequency Limit (-10dB) 39Hz
Sensitivity 87dB (Anechoic); 90dB (In-Room)
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms (3.6 ohms Minimum)
Crossover Type 2-way Multi-order Crossover
Crossover Frequency 2.1KHz
Driver Compliment 1” Titanium dome Tweeter
6.5” Fiberglass cone Woofer (Die-cast Aluminum basket)
Dimensions 17.1” (H) x 9.8” (W) x 10.9” (D)
43.4 cm (H) x 25.0 cam (W) x 27.7cm (D)
Weight 20lbs (9.1Kgs) each

Steve Williams · Apr 2, 2015

I owned a pair of CS 7's and loved them

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

Steve Williams said:
I owned a pair of CS 7's and loved them

Me too. A total bargain of a speaker. I sold mine because the were too big for my room, and I ended
buying 2.4's and Harbeth Compact 7s' with the proceeds.

Steve Williams · Apr 2, 2015

My CS 7's take me back about 22-23 years

Last speaker I owned before Wilson

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

Steve Williams said:
My CS 7's take me back about 22-23 years

Last speaker I owned before Wilson

ah, you had CS 7s..gotcha. That speaker was ahead of its time IMO. I had the 3.7.

Johnny Vinyl · Apr 2, 2015

Are congrats in order because these are yours or a review pair?

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

Johnny Vinyl said:
Are congrats in order because these are yours or a review pair?

Hi Johnny:

No congrats at this point..these are a review pair.

I am not speficifically in the market now. I have 4 pairs of speakers scattered around the house from Thiel, Harbeth, Spendor,
Bryston (on loan) and Paradigm.

jadis · Apr 2, 2015

The Thiel brand has always been close to my heart. I liked the CS3.5 so much I had a SF Bay Area dealer ship it straight to the Philippines without even knowing much how I would claim it in the cargo section of our airport. I wanted to go CS5 in the 90s when Thiel was represented here but found out they needed a lot of power which I didn't have. After that, our distributor dropped the line and I miss the brand ever since. Looking forward to the review, Andre.

Fred · Apr 2, 2015

Andre Marc said:
Hi Johnny:

No congrats at this point..these are a review pair.

I am not speficifically in the market now. I have 4 pairs of speakers scattered around the house from Thiel, Harbeth, Spendor,
Bryston (on loan) and Paradigm.

Hi Andre,

What's your view of the Spendor's. I have a local dealer who has asked me to audition the D7's. I'm still generally happy with my Magnepan 1.7's though and I wonder how the Spendor's would compare. Do you have any ideas on that? (and I apologize to the OP. Not intending to hi-jack your thread).

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

jadis said:
The Thiel brand has always been close to my heart. I liked the CS3.5 so much I had a SF Bay Area dealer ship it straight to the Philippines without even knowing much how I would claim it in the cargo section of our airport. I wanted to go CS5 in the 90s when Thiel was represented here but found out they needed a lot of power which I didn't have. After that, our distributor dropped the line and I miss the brand ever since. Looking forward to the review, Andre.

Hi Jadis:

Great story. Jim Thiel was a really an amazing man.

BTW, Thiel's were much easier to drive starting with the CS2.4..but for some reason the reputation as being
difficult remained. I never used more than 50 wpc with both my Thiel's and never wanted for more.

And they loved tubes!

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

Fred said:
Hi Andre,

What's your view of the Spendor's. I have a local dealer who has asked me to audition the D7's. I'm still generally happy with my Magnepan 1.7's though and I wonder how the Spendor's would compare. Do you have any ideas on that? (and I apologize to the OP. Not intending to hi-jack your thread).

Hi Fred:

No worries, I can talk about Spendor any day of the week! Been a Spendor owner for 25 years.

Def. audition the D7. However it will be as you can imagine a totally different product than your Maggie.

Spendors in general, are not for merry go rounders or box swappers. They get everything right without being hifi.

Most gearheads won't be able to stand it because they won't be able to fidget, fantasize about their next trade in,
or think about how they can put magic stones or moon rocks on, around, or under the speakers because they will
be forced, god forbid, to listen to music.

Spendor does not chase trends, product churn, or invest in parts that have no sonic impact.

All that being said, give the current models a listen and we would love to hear your thoughts.

jadis · Apr 2, 2015

Andre Marc said:
Hi Jadis:

Great story. Jim Thiel was a really an amazing man.

BTW, Thiel's were much easier to drive starting with the CS2.4..but for some reason the reputation as being
difficult remained. I never used more than 50 wpc with both my Thiel's and never wanted for more.

And they loved tubes!

Hi Andre,

I also used a relatively low wattage amp, the VTL 75 triode monos on the 3.5s then with good results. It was a beautiful match, and the ability of the Thiels to just disappear was just amazing for a relatively modest price, and at that time the CS3.5 was their highest model. I really loved how Jim Thiel was able to bring such good performance vis-a-vis the price. And also, the wood finishes were very nice, something Jim was proud of in his craft.

Fred · Apr 2, 2015

Andre Marc said:
Hi Fred:

No worries, I can talk about Spendor any day of the week! Been a Spendor owner for 25 years.

Def. audition the D7. However it will be as you can imagine a totally different product than your Maggie.

Spendors in general, are not for merry go rounders or box swappers. They get everything right without being hifi.

Most gearheads won't be able to stand it because they won't be able to fidget, fantasize about their next trade in,
or think about how they can put magic stones or moon rocks on, around, or under the speakers because they will
be forced, god forbid, to listen to music.

Spendor does not chase trends, product churn, or invest in parts that have no sonic impact.

All that being said, give the current models a listen and we would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you Andre. I guess I'll have to give them a visit very soon.

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

Fred said:
Thank you Andre. I guess I'll have to give them a visit very soon.

Have fun!

Just enjoy the listening, but quite frankly I don't know why you would want an alternative to your 1.7s...unless you are not
satisfied daily with them.

Andre Marc · Apr 2, 2015

jadis said:
Hi Andre,

I also used a relatively low wattage amp, the VTL 75 triode monos on the 3.5s then with good results. It was a beautiful match, and the ability of the Thiels to just disappear was just amazing for a relatively modest price, and at that time the CS3.5 was their highest model. I really loved how Jim Thiel was able to bring such good performance vis-a-vis the price. And also, the wood finishes were very nice, something Jim was proud of in his craft.

Spot on. VTL and Thiel are a beautiful match.

To be honest, I think Thiel underpriced their speakers for years.

Peter Breuninger · Apr 3, 2015

The new Thiel... Andre, keep us posted as to your initial impressions.

Andre Marc · Apr 3, 2015

Peter Breuninger said:
The new Thiel... Andre, keep us posted as to your initial impressions.

Peter, thanks for posting this video!

BTW,I am driving the TM3s with a Simaudio 760A power amp, a Coffman Labs G1-A tubed pre, a Simaudio Neo 380D DAC w/ MiND,
and a Revox A77. Cabling is Transparent, Stager, DH Labs, and Audience power conditioning. Everything on Symposium platforms/supports.

They have improved even just after 4 or 5 days, as this pair literally came direct from assembly in the factory.

Thieliste · Dec 24, 2016

Thiel fan for the past 19 years, i still have a pair of CS 1.5 but my reference speakers is the CS 3.7 that i will never sell!
I love the older Thiels and one day would like to purchase a pair of CS 7.2 if i can find one.

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