THIEL SCS4 speakers unboxed

by Steven Kim posted Dec 9th 2008 at 1:00PM

Like some kind of post-Diwali, pre-Christmas gift-delivering sprite, UPS dropped off a pair of boxes from THIEL at Engadget HD. We'll be putting a pair of dark cherry SCS4 speakers through their paces over the coming weeks, but we wanted to share some preview photos with you before we dive into the audition. THIEL has been a longtime fixture in the audio high end, stretching way back to the days of two-channel, and even though the SCS4s carry the smallest price tag in the company's lineup ($990 each), they've definitely got high end pedigree. Our initial impressions turn up a solid front-ported cabinet (even if it's without THIEL's familiar sloping baffle) with top-notch veneer, perforated metal grilles held in place by magnets, a coincident driver assembly (aluminum dome 6.5-inch mid-woofer and 1-inch tweeter) for true point-source radiation and deluxe all-metal binding posts. Oh yeah, they sound nice, too -- but we're not saying more on that front until we've lived with them for a few weeks. Pics after the break.

Gallery: THIEL SCS4 speakers unboxed

Filed under: Speakers, Others

Tags: audio, features, scs4, speakers, thiel, unbox

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

TrentD @ Dec 9th 2008 1:23PM

I'll be interested to hear your take on how they sound. Thiel makes some amazing speaker products, and their materials and engineering are top notch. I've toured their facility in Lexington, KY, and it's a nice operation.

Neutral

Godskitchen @ Dec 9th 2008 1:52PM

Love the colour........

Is that your home Steve?

Would be interesting to see yours and Bens home set up......would help (me at least) to get a picture when the two of you talk about your set ups on the podcasts....

Neutral

Steven Kim @ Dec 9th 2008 2:40PM

Yeah, that's my setup. It's kind of in a messy state right now, and I think I've outgrown the limited shelf space :). No "behind the scenes" shots -- some seriously large dust bunnies are living back in the rats' nest!

Neutral

chuckdaly @ Dec 9th 2008 2:59PM

Heads up Steven, better get in line to review their ZOET system when it launches. It uses powered versions of the SCS4.

Neutral

Steven Kim @ Dec 9th 2008 3:04PM

Yeah, we saw similar concept THIELnet earlier this year:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/thiel-showing-off-ip-based-high-end-multiroom-audio/

I'd love to give the ZOET system a listen, but I think the SCS4s are breaking the bank as it is!

Neutral

perdant @ Dec 9th 2008 11:30PM

steve just out of curiosity what towers do you normally use? i can see them in the pictures but cant seem to figure out what brand they are

Neutral

Steven Kim @ Dec 10th 2008 12:44AM

Actually, I don't use towers -- those are Panoramas from Audio Concepts Inc (ACI). They're large stand-mounted, front ported, 3-ways speakers with 6.5-inch, 5.25-inch and 1-inch drivers. I absolutely love them! No longer manufactured, but the company is still very much in business.

Neutral

No problem -- that's a Sanus stand, from its Natural AV Foundations line:
http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/ProductDetails/line/AVFoundations/pcat/natural/modelCode/NF203/layout/layout/

The plasma is mounted on arms that attach to the stand:
http://www.sanus.com/pdf/manualEN/NFPMins_111904.pdf

Neutral

Marshall @ Dec 11th 2008 9:29AM

Gotta move that center channel up Steve. With your coffee table in the way, even your feet aren't getting a good show.

Marshall
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