CES 2016

Thiel Impresses

Herb Reichert  |  Jan 15, 2016

The Thiel TM3 loudspeakers ($3500/pair) looked extremely nice—but it was hard to listen. All I could think about was that girl on the poster's lips and the shadows on her cheeks. The cut angles on the TM3s seemed to match her face. And the flowers—I can't remember the last time I saw flowers in a CES room.

Thiel was demonstrating their new TM3s and Smart Sub 1.12s ($4500–$5000) driven by Devialet's 120 amp ($6495) and, when I finally reeled in my lucid reverie, I noticed they were playing Sweet Baby James Taylor and he was sounding gentle and sweet—better than I ever remember him sounding—and I was rocking in my center listening chair.

"Goodnight you moonlight ladies,
Rockabye sweet baby James.
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose,
Won't you let me go down in my dreams,
And rockabye sweet baby James."

COMMENTS
WJ ARMSTRONG's picture
Submitted by WJ ARMSTRONG on January 15, 2016 - 5:01pm

I'm glad the new Thiels sound good and I wish the new management nothing but success. However...
They really need to start making the 3.7s again, they were the ultimate manifestation of Jim's philosophies. These were truly great speakers, the best I have ever heard in many notable respects.
When you have gold dust in your palm don't blow it away.

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