Thiel Audio Products CS7.2 User's Manual
Contents
1. added If the panels are heavy they will act more like a solid ceiling With all this in mind a person who likes to play music only at lower levels has a small room and who has fairly efficient speakers can get the performance desired with only 20 watts whereas a person who sometimes likes to play loudly has low efficiency speakers and a large room may need 300 watts It is important to have enough power to play at the volume level you desire without distortion If you play the speakers more loudly than the volume the amplifier can cleanly produce the amplifier will produce overload clipping distortion The sound will become compressed strained and in extreme cases obviously distorted This distortion is actually non musical additional energy and since it is concentrated in the high freguency region where the speaker is least able to handle it the tweeter s voice coil can be burned in extreme cases Driver damage in general is usually the result of having inadeguate power rather than having too much If your system does not play as loudly as you would like without becoming distorted you need a more powerful amplifier Remember that how loud your system plays has nothing to do with the position of your volume knob Source components such as CD players and tape decks as well as recordings themselves can all have different output levels This means that to achieve the same volume level for each source your preamp s volume control may need to2. objectively determine There are different ideas about what is loud Some people do not want to play music above a sound pressure level of 88dB and some do not want to play music below 88dB Usually people who like to listen only at low levels can decrease their power by a factor of 2 People who like music at very loud levels even if only occasionally should increase their power by 2 times or more A speaker with a low 84dB W m efficiency will reguire twice the power of an 87dB speaker and one with a high rating of 90dB W m will reguire only half the power of an average speaker Usually high efficiency can be obtained only by trading off sonic guality there are very few speakers that provide a very high level of both THIEL speakers are of average efficiency and therefore reguire an average amount of power A small room will need less power for a given loudness level than a large room A very small room of 1000 cu ft 11 ft x 11 ft with an 8 ft ceiling will usually require only half the power of an average room A large room of 6000 cu ft 20 ft x 30 ft with a 10 ft ceiling will usually require twice the average power If the listening room is connected to another room by a large open area the reguired power will increase but not by the amount of the combined room volume If the room has a dropped ceiling with lightweight panels the ceiling will be almost transparent acoustically In this case the space above the ceiling should be
3. THIEL Model CS7 2 Coherent Source loudspeaker system OWNER INFORMATION ENG Weeg image hifi N HT Speaker of the Millennium 4998 DES 2 T7 C ongratulations on your purchase of the THIEL CS7 2 Coherent Source loudspeaker system The CS7 2 is the result of a long and dedicated effort to provide the most accurate music reproduction possible We have used only the highest quality components and taken great care in the CS7 2 s construction Properly set up and used with good associated equipment the CS7 2 will provide a great deal of musical enjoyment for many years CONTENTS Design philosophy ccescceesseeeeeteees 1 Positioning the speakers 2 Connecting the speakers 5 Leveling feet ee ee Fe 5 Breakin 6 Associated eguipment e 6 Power requirements sssssseeesseeeseesseee 6 DELVICE Mu E ET 7 Cabinet Care spinii iR 7 Gmllea aeu GG Y 7 Warranty i dU 9 DESIGN PHILOSOPHY The CS7 2 is a precision instrument designed to translate as accurately as possible electronic information into musical sound All our efforts have been directed toward achieving extremely faithful translation of all tonal spatial and dynamic information supplied by the amplifier The CS7 2 is not intended to mask or mitigate shortcomings of the recording or other components in the music playback system We believe this approach
4. be set at a different position for each source For example when some high output CD players are used with lower power amplifiers clipping can be reached with a volume knob setting as low as 4 on a scale of 10 SERVICE If your CS7 2s reguire service please contact your authorized THIEL dealer Factory service information and technical support is available by calling 606 254 9427 Monday Friday 8 30 a m 5 00 p m Eastern Time Our service e mail address is service thielaudio com CABINET FINISH CARE THIEL wood cabinets possess a high guality lacguer finish that is both beautiful and durable However any wood finish can be damaged by excessive moisture dryness or direct sunlight When cleaning your speakers avoid using oils waxes or polishes that contain silicone such as Pledge or Johnson s We recommend using Endust Non wood laminate cabinets may be cleaned with a glass type cleaner and a soft cloth GRILLE The CS7 2 grille is designed to not produce diffraction so there is no sonic reason to remove it If you do need to remove the grille pull the bottom of the grille frame away from the speaker an inch or so and then lift the grille upward to remove it When replacing the grille first push the top down onto the baffle and then push the bottom back The grilles can be cleaned of dust by using an upholstery attachment of a vacuum cleaner To prevent damage to the tweeter take care not to push the cloth in toward the top
5. e banana plug type connections you may remove the black plastic plug inserted into the end of each metal binding post cap To remove the plug use your fingernail to pry along the bottom edge of the plastic insert and lift out STABILIZER PINS Bottom View The speakers should be positioned before the stabilizer pins N installed Speakers positioned on a soft or uneven surface are abl Stabilizer Pins rock slightly and will vibrate in reaction to forces the speak generates to move the driver diaphragms Every action has equal and opposite reaction This motion slightly reduces tl music s clarity To eliminate this effect the CS7 2s can be used with fo metal stabilizer pins on uneven surfaces or on carpeted flooi provide a more solid footing The points penetrate the carpe allowing the speaker to couple more firmly to the floor If tt use of pointed pins is not desired on hard surfaces the meta sockets will provide some stabilization Two people are required to safely install the stabilizer r To install Position the speaker in the desired location e Tilt the speaker forward slightly so that the back of th speaker is a few inches off the floor Input Terminals Screw one pin into each of the two holes at the back corners of the base The pins should be screwed into the speaker until there 1s about 4 ot thread remaining visible Let the back of the speaker down and then tilt the speaker backward slightly so t
6. hat the front is a few inches off the floor and install the two front feet With all four feet installed the height of each foot should be adjusted so that the speaker stands firmly on the floor without wobbling Please be cautioned that the stabilizer pins can be dangerous if not used with care They will dent or punc ture hardwood floors and it is possible to damage carpets if the speakers are moved with the pointed feet in place BREAK IN The CS7 2s like most speakers reguire a period of playing before they perform optimally The time reguired depends on how loudly the speakers are played more time is required if played softly less if played loudly At least 50 hours at moderately loud levels are reguired before the speaker is performing near optimum You should notice even more improvement after 100 hours of playing ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT The CS7 2s are very high quality sound reproducers and will benefit from use with the finest associated equipment Because the speaker presents a lower than average load to the amplifier an amplifier with high current capability is recommended The amplifier should be specified to provide twice the power into a 4 ohm load and at least three times the power into a 2 ohm load as it provides into an 8 ohm load Since the CS7 2s are extremely accurate transducers they will reveal distortions or non linearities generated anywhere in the system Also the quality of the interconnect and speaker cables wil
7. is the only way to provide the potential of experiencing all the subtle aspects that help make reproduced music a most enjoyable human experience Jim Thiel POSITIONING THE SPEAKERS Because of their unipolar radiation pattern and co axial design the CS7 2s will provide good results when placed in a variety of room locations However speaker placement will affect the accuracy of timbre spatial performance and bass performance Here are some guidelines to help you achieve the best sound from your speakers The pointed metal stabilizer pins should not be installed until the final positioning has been determined AIl aspects of speaker placement are dependent on the particulars of the room Since every room is different no hard rules can be given and experimentation is necessary to achieve the best results Distance from walls The CS7 2s like most speakers sound best if they are placed well away from all walls Such placement optimizes imaging characteristics and musical timbres are reproduced with the least coloration because the initial sound coming from the speaker is distinctly separated in time from the secondary sound of wall reflections If reflections are heard too soon after the primary sound the brain tends to interpret them as part of the initial sound causing the perceived timbre to be altered and the spatial characteristics to be confused Figure l illustrates the problems caused by early side wall reflec
8. l significantly affect the performance of the system POWER REQUIREMENTS When selecting speakers the second most commonly asked question by prospective buyers is how much power do I need This question does not have the simple answer most people expect because it is determined by more than just the loudspeaker s efficiency The first thing to keep in mind is that sound quality is usually much more important than sound quantity There can be large differences in the sonic performance of two amplifiers of equal power and a smaller powered amplifier can sound superior to a larger powered amplifier Almost everyone will be happier with a 50 watt amplifier of high sonic quality than with a 200 watt amplifier of mediocre sonic quality For this reason we feel there is no substitute for listening to make your amplifier decision There are three almost equally important factors that determine how much power is needed for a given situation In order of importance they are 1 The volume level desired 2 The speaker s efficiency 3 The size of the room Each of these factors can make a 10 to 1 difference in the power required In the real world if all 3 factors are average about 50 watts channel is required Each factor can raise or lower this amount by a factor of about 3 Average values for each are a volume level of 88dB SPL speaker efficiency of 87dB W m a room size of 3000 cu ft The first factor is the most difficult to analyze or
9. n most other speakers Optimum imaging is usually achieved when the speakers are almost as far apart as each speaker is from the listener although this will depend on the width of the room narrow rooms reguire more narrow placement If the speakers are too far apart for the room there will tend to be a hole in the middle of the soundstage if they are too close together the image will be compressed and will not achieve optimum width Aiming Depending on the room in which they are used the CS7 2s can be aimed anywhere between straight ahead and angled in so they point directly at the listener Straight ahead placement produces the widest most natural soundstage However if it is not possible to place the speakers the desired distance from side walls a toed in position will reduce the strength of side wall reflections and in these cases provide a more focused spatial presentation Bass In general when a speaker is close to a wall the bass response is stronger placing a speaker in a corner will make it even more so The CS7 2s are designed to provide accurate bass when positioned away from all walls the same position that provides the best imaging Listener position The CS7 2s provide broad dispersion of energy at all freguencies and therefore provide good results throughout a large listening area Best imaging is provided for a listener centered in front of the speakers Optimum accuracy of timbre and depth perspective is pr
10. nterference and can improve overall performance Figure 4 shows the same average size room as Figure 3 but with long wall placement The speakers should be at least a foot from the rear wall but the amount of toe in can be adjusted along with listener position as well as the amount of spacing between the speakers In a larger room the optimum posi tioning suggestions on pages 2 and 3 are easier to implement Figure 5 shows one set up with the speakers five feet from the side walls three feet from the rear wall and the speakers aimed straight ahead This arrangement provides an ample amount of space around the speakers to reduce unwanted reflections and should give excellent spatial performance and a very open sound Other placement options in this room include wider spacing between the speakers adding toe in as the spacing increases increased space between the speaker and the back wall to improve imaging depth Various listening position distances can also be tried As mentioned at the beginning of the positioning section all rooms are different and no hard rules can be given Even rooms with similar dimensions can have differ ences in wall floor and ceiling construction that greatly affect the sound Also live rooms with hard surfaces glass and little damping sound much different from dead rooms with heavy carpet drapes and plush furniture In other words EXPERIMENT 8 10 Listening Di
11. of the grille CS7 2 SPECIFICATIONS Bandwidth 3dB Amplitude Response Phase Response Sensitivity Impedance Recommended Power Size Weight We Want You Listening For A Lifetime Used wisely your new sound eguipment will provide a lifetime of enjoyment Since hearing damage from loud 23 Hz 20 kHz 25 Hz 17 kHz 1 5 dB minimum 10 86 dB 2 8 V 1m 4 ohms 3 ohms minimum 100 500 watts 11 W x 19 D x 55 H 168 pounds noise is often undetectable until it is too late THIEL and the Electronics Industries Manufacturers Association recommend you avoid prolonged exposure to excessive noise Depending on room size and amplifier power some home audio systems can reach sound pressure levels in excess of 95 decibels with peaks of over a 105 decibels For your protection the list below identifies sound levels for various noises Decibel Level Example 30 40 50 60 70 80 Quiet library soft whispers Living room refrigerator bedroom away from traffic Light traffic normal conversation quiet office Air conditioner at 20 feet sewing machine Vacuum cleaner hair dryer noisy restaurant Average city traffic garbage disposals alarm clock at two feet The Following Noises Can Be Dangerous Under Constant Exposure 90 100 120 140 150 Information courtesy of the Deafness Research Foundation and the EIA Subway motorcycle truck traffic lawn mower Garbage truck chain saw pne
12. ovided only for a seated listener who is eight or more feet away from the speakers Placement suggestions Some people have restraints on speaker placement because of room size shape or aesthetic considerations and cannot meet one or more of the above placement recommendations They should not be discouraged from investing in CS7 2s It is our opinion that due to their unipolar point source radiation pattern their very even wide dispersion and the co axial mounting of the tweeter and midrange drivers the CS7 2s fare better under difficult circumstances than most other high guality speaker systems To help with placement the following suggestions are given as a starting point for a variety of rooms Figure 3 shows an average size room Generally it is best to start with short wall placement This arrangement provides sufficient space behind the speakers allows the listener to be far enough away from the speakers and still maintains some distance between the listening position and the wall behind the listener Since the speakers may be near side walls in order to keep spacing between the Figure 3 Average listening room speakers wide toeing in the speakers is suggested Some rooms especially narrow ones can benefit from placing the speakers along the long wall Although space behind the speaker and behind the listener is reduced this positioning increases the space between the speakers without side wall i
13. stance Figure 4 Average listening room with long wall placement 18 Figure 5 8 12 Listening Distance Large listening room speaker placement CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS The CS7 2s input terminals are located on the bottom of the speaker near the back Access is from the back with the speaker in its normal upright position Make sure that both connections are tight It is best to turn the amplifier off while connecting or disconnecting the speakers For proper performance all speakers in the system must be wired in the same polarity The speaker input terminals are color coded for this purpose The wire connected to the positive input terminal of each speaker marked with a red band should be connected to the corresponding positive output terminal of the amplifier The wire connected to the negative input terminal of each speaker marked with a black band should be connected to the corresponding negative output terminal of the amplifier The speakers should be connected to the amplifier with high guality cable to ensure minimal loss of power and proper control by the amplifier If the speakers are being connected to a vacuum tube amplifier with various impedance taps the 4 ohm tap will probably give the best results Due to European CE regulations that do not permit banana plug type loudspeaker connections we ship THIEL speakers with removable plugs installed in the ends of the binding posts If you wish to us
14. tions Sound waves from the loudspeakers radiate both forward toward the listener and laterally reflecting off side walls When the speaker is placed too close to side walls the difference in arrival times of the primary sound waves and the reflected sound waves is too short for the brain to discriminate between them Figure 2 illustrates the advantages of placing the loudspeakers farther from side walls The arrival times of the primary forward radiating sound waves and the secondary reflected sound waves are well separated providing the proper delay needed for faithful tonal and spatial reproduction There will also be a noticeable improve ment in openness when the speakers are even two feet from the rear wall instead of one If Direct sound Reflected sound ______ __ gt Difference in arrival times Figure 1 Early reflection problems caused by speakers placed too close to side walls Direct sound Reflected sound Difference in arrival times Figure 2 Optimum placement for reducing reflection problems possible we prefer the speakers at least three feet from the rear wall and at least five feet from the side walls Also it is not desirable for large objects to be placed very near the speakers since these will also be a source of unwanted early reflections that reduce imaging accuracy Spacing Because of their very wide even dispersion of energy the CS7 2s can usually be placed farther apart tha
15. umatic drill Rock concert in front of speakers thunderclap Gunshot blast jet plane MN Rocket launching pad WU LISTENING For A Lifetime LIMITED WARRANTY THIEL warrants every THIEL model CS7 2 system against defects in materials and workmanship to the original owner for a period of ten years from the date of purchase THIEL will at no charge replace any defective part and make any repairs necessary to ensure its proper performance when the defective unit is returned to us postpaid This warranty does not cover damage due to accident or abuse and is void if the unit has been tampered with This warranty is automatic and no registration is reguired This warranty gives you specific legal rights You may also have other rights which are particular to your state The following information is for your records Serial Numbers Purchase Date Purchased From eP lay a rees d CONTRIBUTO HARDWOOD FORESTRY FUND THIEL 1026 Nandino Boulevard Lexington Kentucky 40511 1207 Telephone 859 254 9427 E mail mail thielaudio com Web www thielaudio com 3 01
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