Thiel cs1.6 Folleto
of points floating throughout the room, just
as rain would sound falling in the trees.
as rain would sound falling in the trees.
The Thiels also reproduced the beat of
dragon wings and Draco’s voice in Chapter
12 of Dragonheart better than I have ever
heard them. My only quibble is that the tim-
bre of Draco’s voice lightened slightly as it
passed from the front channel Magnepan
R/3.6 speakers to the Power Points. But the
image height, focus, and continuity of
movement were impeccable. Indeed, the
Power Points pulled off another stunt I did-
n’t think possible—they produced a solid
image directly behind me (the 180-degree
location). They repeated this trick in
Chapter 4 of The Haunting when the maid
closes the door to Eleanor’s room (this was
without the EX track engaged). Keep in
mind that the rear speakers were approxi-
mately 17 feet apart.
12 of Dragonheart better than I have ever
heard them. My only quibble is that the tim-
bre of Draco’s voice lightened slightly as it
passed from the front channel Magnepan
R/3.6 speakers to the Power Points. But the
image height, focus, and continuity of
movement were impeccable. Indeed, the
Power Points pulled off another stunt I did-
n’t think possible—they produced a solid
image directly behind me (the 180-degree
location). They repeated this trick in
Chapter 4 of The Haunting when the maid
closes the door to Eleanor’s room (this was
without the EX track engaged). Keep in
mind that the rear speakers were approxi-
mately 17 feet apart.
When put to the dynamic test, the
Power Points also shone. The Omaha
Beach scene in Saving Private Ryan was
reproduced with full dynamic impact,
although the Power Points were so precise
that the marvelous machinations of sound
Beach scene in Saving Private Ryan was
reproduced with full dynamic impact,
although the Power Points were so precise
that the marvelous machinations of sound
designer Gary Rydstrom were for the first
time exposed as such. The collage of gun-
fire and explosions sounded more deliber-
ate than chaotic.
time exposed as such. The collage of gun-
fire and explosions sounded more deliber-
ate than chaotic.
Moving Forward
Naturally, I couldn’t resist assigning to the
Power Points main-speaker duties (left
and right, in this case, since I had only
four on hand). Again, the imaging was a
delight, floating comfortably above the
floor at a lifelike height. So much for the
notion that small speakers create small
soundstages. More impressively, the
dynamic attack of the Power Points was
sharp and impressive. The crack of drum-
sticks on the snare drum in Steely Dan’s
Two Against Nature was reproduced with
lifelike authority. I did, however, notice
that the Power Points were slightly for-
ward in the treble, though not objection-
ably so. I find it intriguing that this sonic
characteristic was not noticeable when
the Power Points were used as surround
Power Points main-speaker duties (left
and right, in this case, since I had only
four on hand). Again, the imaging was a
delight, floating comfortably above the
floor at a lifelike height. So much for the
notion that small speakers create small
soundstages. More impressively, the
dynamic attack of the Power Points was
sharp and impressive. The crack of drum-
sticks on the snare drum in Steely Dan’s
Two Against Nature was reproduced with
lifelike authority. I did, however, notice
that the Power Points were slightly for-
ward in the treble, though not objection-
ably so. I find it intriguing that this sonic
characteristic was not noticeable when
the Power Points were used as surround
speakers. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t hesi-
tate to use seven Power Points, mounted
on the ceiling, for a state-of-the-art home
theater (and I intend to include wiring in
my new home theater for just this pur-
pose). The Power Points had no problem
with the acoustic volume of my 8,000
cubic foot space, and I suspect that their
diminutive size will make them a natural
for smaller venues.
tate to use seven Power Points, mounted
on the ceiling, for a state-of-the-art home
theater (and I intend to include wiring in
my new home theater for just this pur-
pose). The Power Points had no problem
with the acoustic volume of my 8,000
cubic foot space, and I suspect that their
diminutive size will make them a natural
for smaller venues.
In all my years of reviewing, I have
never encountered a product that so com-
pletely met a need as the Power Points
meet the needs of high-performance
home theater. In this case, Thiel’s solution
to the aesthetic demands of home theater
has yielded a breakthrough in sonic per-
formance. The Power Points are not flaw-
less, but they are so far ahead of their
competition that they might as well be.
Years from now we will look back and
mark the arrival of the Thiel Power Point
as the herald of a new age in high-per-
formance home theater. And I wouldn’t
be surprised if I were still using the Power
Points at that time.
pletely met a need as the Power Points
meet the needs of high-performance
home theater. In this case, Thiel’s solution
to the aesthetic demands of home theater
has yielded a breakthrough in sonic per-
formance. The Power Points are not flaw-
less, but they are so far ahead of their
competition that they might as well be.
Years from now we will look back and
mark the arrival of the Thiel Power Point
as the herald of a new age in high-per-
formance home theater. And I wouldn’t
be surprised if I were still using the Power
Points at that time.
AUDIO REVIEW
THIEL AUDIO
1026 Nandino Boulevard,
Lexington, Kentucky 40511
Phone: (606) 254-9427; fax: (606) 254-0075
www.thielaudio.com
Source: Manufacturer loan
Price: $1,300 each
M A N U FA C T U R E R I N F O R M AT I O N
November / December 2000 ❘ The Perfect Vision reprint
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