Price Paid:  $8200.00 from Ensemble NH

Summary:
First, I want to thank all of the fellow Audio Enthusiast who contribute to this forum. With your input, I was able to make some wise choices while assembling my system. For the most part, you can understand a products weakness and strenghts from people who actually own the gear and get some insight from people who casually listened to the gear. I purchased my Thiel 6s new in December 2001 after owning a pair of Thiel 3.6's for 4 years and at first I though the Thiel 6's were only marginally better, but after a long break in period, all of that changed. These are very, and I do mean very accurate speakers, bass accurate, treble accurate, mid accurate (not the very very best mids I've heard, but accurate). I totally disagree with the previous review stating that these speakers have no bass. But I will agree that they do need more power than the average speaker to become the dymamic accurate, detailed, etc... vessels that they are. I'm powering mine with a Pass Labs X350 and I'm in love, my wife is in love, my friends are in love and everyone who's come by my house feel in love. My front end is a Sony SCD-1 that was Rich Kern's (Audiomod) personal Sony and it has every possible upgrade to it. I sit and listen for hours, mainly Jazz, Classical, blues and can't pull myself away. Please, if your interested in these speakers, make sure the room, applification, front end and even cabling is good / very good. You will be "Amazed" along with Mrs "Grace". This is my first review after reading everyone elses for last 4 years. I just had to comment after seeing the last review giving the Thiel 6's a 1 rating. Note, I'm a owner of this product and by no means well off financially. I paid the full price with my trade-in of my Thiel 3.6s and have not looked back. These speakers just plain inspire me. To all, enjoy the music............

Strengths:
Accurate sound, gives a sense that they will last for 30 years. Build quality, driver quality, engaging. etc..

Weaknesses:
Do need power, bottom binding post,

Similar Products Used:
Thiel 3.6, I've listen in house to my friends Revel Salon and he always end up at my house. I'm not saying which speaker is better, but I may have some magic going on that he doesn't have.

Price Paid:  $4500.00 from Superior sound

Summary:
I''ve had the Thiels now for 8 months and have made changes to the room, amp & speaker wire. after getting everything where it should be the Thiels are everything they say they are. the Thiel CS6''s are also a work of art. I''m currently driving them with the Macintosh MC352. The newest version in 350 watt per chanel. speaker wire is Audioquest copper.

Strengths:
Very cleen and clear. the smoothness across the board.

Weaknesses:
Large size means carfull planning. would like to have the ability to Bi-Wire...

Similar Products Used:
Have hooked them up to Carver and a MAC 270 watt amp. also have Paridigm & MAC speakers.

Price Paid:  $7900.00 from Audio Consultants

Summary:
Am very pleased with these speakers. I listen to many types of music - primarily country and smooth jazz - no hard rock. Speakers perform very well for my tastes and the music I listen to.

I recently upgraded a Mark Levinson 334 amp to the 336, a Proceed CDP to a Mark Levinson 390s and all interconnects and speaker cable to Transparent Ultra. These upgrades made a DRAMATIC improvement in the performance of the speakers - other reviewers have indicated the need for a good front end for these speakers and I would agree completely. Biggest improvements were in soundstage, imaging and bass. The overall presentation is very detailed and fun to listen to. Can not get over the improvements in sound with the upgrades.

The Thiel MCS1 works well as a center channel with the CS6 speakers. They seem to be well matched with the MCS1 adding a lot to the surround experience (was using the Thiel SCS3 as a center before). The base and incredible detail to these speakers make movies a kick. Unfortunately I can only crank volume when my wife is not at home and that is when it is best for movies - (the size of the MCS1 as a center channel did not go over with her at all). I am using the Bryston SP1 as a preamp.

Overall I think these are great speakers and am glad that I have them. The speakers sounded very good using the ML 334 amp and Proceed CDP but now I know what I was missing with that set up in performance with these speakers. Would like to give the Thiel 7.2's a try but for now they are just too big for our house.

Strengths:
great imaging and soundstage, bass is fantastic, brings out lots of detail

Weaknesses:
large size

Similar Products Used:
Thiel 2.3, Dynaudio

Price Paid:  $3900.00 from Used at Goodwins HighEnd

Summary:
I found the 6s used for about the same price as the above mentioned speakers sell for new. I had ruled out the B&W (I just don't like the sound any of any B&W) and was deciding between the F30 and 2.3. I liked the f30 but the bass seemed less controlled and mushy compared the the Thiel.

When I saw the 6's (two models up) I went to Boston and listened to them hoping they had all of the characteristics of the 2.3 but more extention. I was extremely impressed and purchased them on the spot.

They are very large and heavy which contibutes to their tight sound but they are hard to move around. I do not look forward to every moving them. They were fairly easy to set-up and I found the imaging and soundtage to be very wide and deep with minimal effort. I have noticed that the sound seems taller than my previous speakers. Probably because they are so much taller.

I am currently driving them with an ATI 1506 amp as part of my home theater. Someday I will upgrade to a better 2-channel amp for music only listening. My pre/pro is a B&K Ref 30 which I love and highly recommend. I also bought a Thiel scs3 for use as a center channel. I use Nordost Blue Heaven speaker cables and a variety of Cardas, Straightwire, and Monster for other componants.

I would love to hear from anyone else with similar equipment and see what associated gear they have found to work well with the 6s.

Strengths:
Imaging and Soundstage, superb mid-range, finish, solid as a rock (the baffles are made with concrete!)

Weaknesses:
Large, speaker posts on bottom are less versatile

Similar Products Used:
Thiel 2.3, B&W Nautilus 804, Revel F30

Summary:
Why there are so many yahoos in this forum is beyond me.
I am very objective with no extreme loyalty to any particular brands. I wish others could be the same.

I bought my CS6's used.
I must say they are a disappointment so far.
I have used Dunlavy SCIV's for five year and expected the CS6's to be an improvement.
My main criticism is that they are way too bright. My wife said they sound "tinny". I am using both Wadia 850 and Sonic Frontiers Power 3 tubed monoblocks as well as CAL Icon Mk 2 and Bryston 4BST/BP20. Tubes take a bit of the edge off but not much.
Center image on vocals for example is very dense and clear but that is only advantage over Dunlavy's. The CS6's are missing much of the bottom end; also less dynamic - when the music really swells there is less impact than SCIV's. I'll keep working with my set up but I am not optistic.

I would like to comment that the Thiel people have outstanding customer support - they really stand behind the product.

Strengths:
mid-range presence, center imaging

Weaknesses:
overall brightness, poor bass

Similar Products Used:
Dunlavy SCIV