Thiel CS 3.6

The three-way CS3.6 uses a 10" woofer, a 4.5" midrange, and a 1" metal-dome tweeter. A 10" passive bass radiator extends the CS3.6's LF range, replacing the sealed-box loading of its predecessor, the CS3.5. (Unlike the 3.5, no LF equalization is used.) As with all Thiel loudspeakers, the crossover is a true acoustic first-order (6dB/octave) type. A black grille covers the drivers and curved baffle; the cabinet is available in a variety of wood veneers. A single pair of five-way binding posts on the loudspeaker's bottom panel provides signal connection. Thiel believes that bi-wiring can cause detrimental interaction between the cable and loudspeaker, and therefore offers only a single input. All the drivers in the CS3.6 were designed by Jim Thiel and built to his specifications by Vifa in Denmark. The metal-dome tweeter, the same unit used in the CS5, features a long excursion (+/-1.5mm) and has a high resonant frequency (27kHz). This driver is crossed over at 3kHz to the 4.5" midrange driver, which features a unique design that is the subject of a patent application. The midrange's diaphragm is constructed of two cones of different shapes. The outer diaphragm has a greater flare, creating a pocket of air between it and the inner diaphragm. This structure is said to be stronger than a single diaphragm of the same weight.

Thiel CS3.6: Three-way, passive radiator-loaded (reflex), floorstanding loudspeaker. Driver complement: 10" woofer, 10" passive radiator, 4.5" cone midrange, 1" metal-dome tweeter. Crossover frequencies: 500Hz, 3kHz. Crossover slopes: first-order (6dB/octave). Time response: 150us, -20dB. Amplitude response: 27Hz-22kHz +/-3dB, 29Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB. Phase response: minimum +/-10 degrees. Sensitivity: 86dB/W/m (2.8V). Nominal impedance: 4 ohms (2.5 ohms minimum). Recommended amplifier power: 100-500W. Dimensions: 12.5" W by 48.5" H by 17" D. Weight: 107 lbs each.