A Thiel SW1 Subwoofer is for sale for $1800. Cabinet has a few blemishes but nithing major. Is it worth it? I saw the MSRP for $4800 on one site but just unsure of the SQ. Anyone hear or have these subs?

A Thiel SW1 Subwoofer is for sale for $1800. Cabinet has a few blemishes but nithing major. Is it worth it? I saw the MSRP for $4800 on one site but just unsure of the SQ. Anyone hear or have these subs?

Well let me certify this,Thiel is all about SQ.

For pure sound quality,build quality and overall know how Thiel makes some of the finest sounding speakers and subs on the market.

For $1800 I think you would have a highly musical sub,not forcing any auddible colorations on the reproduced sound.It may not have ultimate extension or huge output but it does have top of class sound quality. One seriously high end sub.

I would not be surprised if it matched the JL Audio Fathom sound quality and in some respects did a bit better!

On the side,Thiel is the second company with Dynaudio that I have never heard anything less than great sounding products.And built quality exemplary.

Thunderstick - I own the Thiel SS-2 which has an MSRP of around $4800 and above depending on finish. The SS-1 retails for about $3000-3500 depending of finish, I believe. No doubt, Thiel subs are expensive. Are they worth it? Depends on you're listening habits.
I'm a two-channel guy and they are wonderful for music - especially when augmenting Thiel speakers. Thiel makes a passive crossover that retails for $350-500 which integrates perfectly with its speakers. The passive crossover plus the room-boundary system in the sub combines for a true music system that requires little skill to set up.
If you don't have Thiel speakers, then you're on your own setting them up unless you want to spend another $4000 or so for Thiel's Integrator. I personally can't see doing that with the SS-1. There is no value, IMO.
Most on this forum are more interested in home theater than music. I question the SS-1's value for that, also, as it really lacks the wow factor in the very low ranges that many are looking for here. However, SDL reports much enjoyment from his home theater system anchored by an SS-1 with 5 Powerpoints.
There's more info on this subject in the Thiel thread over on the speakers forum. Good luck on your decision.

SW1 was the previous name for the current SS2. If you have Thiel speakers then all you need to do is get their passive XO which is available for 2 channel and 5 for their 6 current Thiel Models. If you don't use Thiel speakers then there is an integrator (4K+).

If you have a HT system you could use the processor and LFE input but as per Thiel's manual, integration will be poor compared to very good with the passive crossover and excellent with the integrator.

Compare the SW1 with the SS2 and if you are getting the same thing its still a major steal for a sub of this quality even if you are connecting via the LFE input and using a HT processor. Who knows you may even consider Thiel Speakers.

Thunderstick - My bad. RabPaul is right, the SW-1's name was changed to the SS-2. They are exactly alike. I should read closer. $1800 is a helluva deal for it. But even with that, I would question its use without other Thiel speakers and the passive crossover or Integrator.
Probably could buy it and resell it for nearly $3000. Good luck with your decision.

Thunderstick,

A Thiel SW1 for $1800 is a great deal as long as the sub is not damaged. As was already mentioned, this sub was later re-named the SS2, which retails for $4800. As Shipper mentioned, I'm very happy with the smaller SS1, and the SS2/SW1 is even better. I have never heard a cleaner, tighter, less boomy sub than a well set-up Thiel. Read some reviews on the SS2/SW1 (or even the SS1) and pay attention to how consistent the reviews are. They are the very definition of the often sought but rarely found "musical" subs.

One point of clarification: the Thiel subs can be used with non-Thiel main speakers even without the expensive "integrator." They can handle signals sent from a pre/pro just like any other good sub. They don't have a phase control (which might be an issue in some set-ups), but they do have the boundary compensation circuits to help reduce boominess when placed near room boundaries. You can also use external EQ devices or special crossovers with them if you want to go that route.

SDL

I have a home theater with Thiel's, 2.3 for left and right, mcs1 for center, power points for surround and sunfire for sub. I went and listened to the ss1 with two 2.4's at a dealer and could hardly tell it was on. With different cd's and dvd's.

I have a home theater with Thiel's, 2.3 for left and right, mcs1 for center, power points for surround and sunfire for sub. I went and listened to the ss1 with two 2.4's at a dealer and could hardly tell it was on. With different cd's and dvd's.

How was the SS1 connected to the 2.4's? The Smartsubs can be boosted to the point of being really obvious when using the integrator unit, but they tend to be more subtle (at least on music) when using the Thiel passive crossover. Most music cd's don't have a great deal of really low bass, but the SS1 should solidify the low end of the 2.4 if you find a cd with some energy below 30 hz.

For dvd's, you should be able to find lots of movies with LFE effects that will demonstrate the difference the SS1 makes. If not, then there may be something wrong with the dealer's set-up. The SS1 doesn't call attention to itself by constantly booming away on mid bass input like some subs, but if you give it the right input it really rounds out the sonic picture on the low end.

SDL

But for $1800 you could almost get a Elemental Designs A7-900 which is better then the JL Audio Fathom.

What are you asking it to do ?