Linn Saras vs Thiel CS 3.5

[leicamaster]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to decide between two sets of speakers which I'm assuming are different, but I haven't heard either in person. I recently moved cross-country, and had to leave my Thiel CS 1.2s behind at a friend's. I'm trying to get a new set of speakers and am between two listings -- one pair of Linn Saras and a pair of Thiel CS 3.5s. The 3.5s are a bit more expensive. I know the Thiel sound, but have a clear memory of listening to Linns that my uncle had when I was younger. Which would you all pick between the two?

I would be driving them with a CJ tube pre-amp, and need to get an amp here.

 

[mikeybc]

Do the Thiel's include the EQ ? In my experience I have found long past memories to be misleading...never sounding as good as I remember.

Anyway I'd lean towards the Thiel mainly because of their deeper bass capability and I wouldn't want to have to go buy good stands.

 

[Ds2000]

If room is an issue, go with the Sara. It is isobaric loaded, there’s two bass drivers. It’s a little tough to drive but a major winner to me. Be aware that the foam front grille is likely long gone.

 

[leicamaster]

The Saras come with stands. I'm leaning toward them because of size + I have some Thiels already. One more day of deliberating I think.

 

[RossW]

Purely from a $$$ sense, if the Thiels are more expensive then either the Sara are cheap or the Thiels are overpriced. I'll leave it at that so this doesn't end up in D&S.

I'm a big fan of Thiels and floorstanding speakers (and, full disclosure, meh on British and bookshelf speakers) so for me it would be an easy choice to go with the Thiels. Can you listen to both speakers (even briefly)? The difference in sonics between them will not be subtle, I suspect you'll know almost instantly which is the one for you.

If you do go for the Thiels, make sure they include the equalizer and listen to the mid drivers very carefully for any hint of trouble. They are not reparable and the recommended replacements exceed the value of the speakers.

 

[frommerstop]

If your listening room is limited, the Saras are meant to be placed close to the wall, while the Thiels need to be pulled into the room, so that may be a factor.

 

[theophile]

Saras go down to 3 ohms or perhaps less in the bass. They must have an amp which can provide ample current into low impedances for the long term listening.

 

[leicamaster]

I ended up with a pair of Linn Kan IIs. My space is limited and the direct on the wall placement is optimal for the space. They have the original stands which I'm happy about. Now to hunt for a Naim amp...