Thiel CS 3.6 Driver Issues

[Mark D STL]

Hello All,

I recently inherited a set of Thiel CS 3.6 loudspeakers from my father, which were purchased new in 1994. The speakers are powered and sourced by a Threshold TA 300 Amplifier and Threshold T3 Preamplifier.

Currently one speaker (A) has a tweeter (metal) that is not functioning, and the other (B) has a mid-range driver that is not functioning. Speaker A's mid-range driver is functioning however there is a fine copper wire that is unspooling from between the speaker cone and the bullet-shaped metal post at the center of the speaker.

Before I get into too much detail, the first decision that I need to make is do I troubleshoot and attempt to repair, or replace the drivers in question. My understanding is that the drivers are no longer being manufactured, and I would like to maintain the integrity of the components if possible. I have been unable to contact anyone at Thiel, it seems as though they are currently being bought or acquired.

Any help or suggestions here would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Chryslerdude]

Hello Mark

I have a set of these, and let me start by saying, that these are VERY nice speakers, but they don't handle CONTINUES HIGH VOLUMES very well. I found this thread, while searching for a P11MH-01.

The problem is, that they don't "warn you, by distorting", that would you consider turning the volume down, before they kill their drivers. Instead, they sound fantastic, all the way up to the point where the drivers die. Not to long ago, I did this (again), and the sound was BEAUTIFUL, right up the to point, where the one driver was fried.

Data I have collected during my searches, and experiments.

The correct drivers are..

Tweeter driver: Wifa (Now Scanspeak) - D26AG
Midrange driver: Wifa - P11MH-01 04 ("04" in a separate line - Has a stationary cone in the center)

My alternative replacement experiments might be useful for others, searching for correct drivers..

Wifa D25AG - Tweeter (Refurb-membrane/dome kit). Cone and surround looks identical at first glance, but rubber surrounds are smaller on the D25AG, and thus will only allow you to play at "normal listening level", as playing with these at higher volumes, will max out the rubber surround travel, and subsequently distort. I have several "NOS" D25AG, which I am willing to sell / ship, BUT AS JUST MENTIONED: These are not suited as permanent replacements.

Wifa P11MH-00-08 (all numbers in one sequence, and in the same line). These appears to be identical to the P11MH-01, with identical surrounds, but has a normal dust dome. These is a suitable replacement, (and currently, I will buy any of these two midtones..)

Needles to say, that the correct replacement drivers is the way to go... but D26AG are hard to find, and the P11MH-01 are impossible. Not to long ago, Thiel acquired 250 of the D26AG domes, from the Danish manufacturer Scanspeak, so whenever their assumed / alleged "take-over" settles down, you should be able to buy a set from them. Swapping the refurb membrane/dome unit, is VERY easy, and should not pose any challenge.

The midrange is quite another story.. At some point, Thiel offered to refurb these, but the price was a total rip-off.. 250 USD, I seem to remember.. AND you had to ship your blown ones to them aswell. Not a popular option from Denmark, (where the god damn driver was made to order in the first place).

The P11MH-01 (04) is near IMPOSSIBLE to find for sale anywhere, and although the very similar P11MH-00-08 can be used, they do not have the fancy pointed stationary cone in the middle, as found on the Thiel.

I'm sure, that when you finally have your CS 3.6 up and running (I waited around 2 years, to find my drivers), I am sure you will be pleased with the sound.. but do yourself a favor, and do NOT push the "inaudible limits" of the CS 3.6.. OR, when you find a supply of drivers, "buy to stock".. if everything goes wrong, I bought 4 pcs. of D26AG, but I am very reluctant to sell them.

Kind Rgds, Kasper - Denmark

 

[whoaru99]

Nice information to keep on hand in case I ever have a problem with my CS3.6.

Thank you.

 

[dtximages]

I blew a midrange and tweeter and replaced them with the suggested drivers above.. I've decided I'm just going to let Rob fix them. The tweeter doesn't really fit and you have to clip the three prong "cage" which I'm not good with. That will totally kill the look of the speaker and make it darn near impossible to ever resell. You're far better off letting Rob rebuild them and get them as close to original as possible.

Also, the midrange replacement driver mentioned above feels quite about cheaper with a much smaller magnet too.

 

[dtximages]

Take that back, I'm not going to let Rob fix them.. Turns out, he uses the same driver. I thought he has a connection to get original drivers and make them darn near like new. So the replacements listed above are as good as we can do. And who knows, they might even be better than the originals.

 

[dtximages]

Has anyone cut the 3 prong "basket" off the tweeter? Tips on the best way to do this without looking awful? I'm thinking just snip them with pliars then use a Dremel tool to hone down to flat. Suggestions on repainting them? What kind of paint would be best?

 

[halo71]

.. I've decided I'm just going to let Rob fix them.

This is about where I am at with my CS2.3's. The tweeter/midrange is a coaxial driver. The metal domes have pretty much cracked and fallen apart. He gave me a price of $500 to rebuild the pair.

 

[dtximages]

Keep in mind he will not totally rebuild the factory drivers. He's going to use the soft dome Scanspeak mentioned above. He might be able to rebuild your midranges but even he won't be able to tell you until he gets them. So you might very well be in the same boat as me and just replacing with Madisound parts. And, I'm 99% positive they'll sound as good if not better than the originals.

 

[halo71]

I've not seen a coaxial driver like these that would be suitable as a replacement