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Unique construction. Thiel's MCS1
and CS2.3 speakers' crucial and central
feature is the unique midrange/tweeter
they share. From the front, the driver
looks like a standard coaxial speaker
whose typical characteristic is a tweeter
amidst a separate midrange diaphragm.
At second glance, the unusual connection
between tweeter dome and midrange
diaphragm stands out. Where otherwise
an air gap permits independent move-
ment, here a plastic coupler connects
both diaphragms to each other. High
frequencies, meaning fast diaphragm
movements, are performed exclusively by
an interior aluminum dome, while low
frequencies are increasingly passed to the
large outer diaphragm surface. With this
mechanical type of division, an electrical
crossover becomes unnecessary. An
electrical network is used for gently
separating the midrange/tweeter and the
woofer's low frequencies.
Optimal perfection. Supported by a
so-called "passive radiator," the Thiel
CS2.3 covers the bass range with a large
diaphragm woofer, also made from
aluminum like the mid-tweeter. What
looks like a bass driver with a flat
diaphragm from the front, is actually
only a "passive" diaphragm with the
ability to vibrate and without a motor
system of its own. The passive diaphragm
fulfills the same function as a bass reflex
design, but by covering the opening, the
disadvantages such as port noise or
midrange frequencies escaping from the
cabinet are eliminated. On the other
hand, due to space considerations, Thiel
EXCLUSIVE
uses bass reflex ports for the new MCS1.
Thiel minimizes the cited disadvantages
with internal tubes behind the ports, and
are rounded at the front exit of the
openings for strong interior absorption
and easier flow. The cabinets have an
extremely rigid, heavily rounded front
baffle, so diffraction at the cabinet edges
are therefore of no concern. Due to less
enclosure volume, the MCS1 does not
quite extend as low in the bass as the
large floor-standing speakers, however
the MCS1 easily outperforms the
majority of center speakers in the bass
thanks to its two aluminum woofers,
which measure 6.5" each.
Aluminum as a diaphragm material combines low
mass with high rigidity—prerequisites for great
dynamics. Excellent workmanship with well-built
drivers and attractive mounting easily visible here.
With its visually attractive grille, and a front baffle that has no
sharp edges or corners, the center channel MCS1 speaker's cabinet
design does not take away from its looks or its sonic performance.
A cutaway cabinet of the CS2.3 clearly shows the
complex cabinet built with internal braces and a
massive front baffle.
Vibrations at the right time. Like the
other THIEL drivers, these woofers
distinguish themselves with their short
voice coil in a very long air gap. This rare
construction is rather unfavorable for
efficiency, however, is advantageous to
distortion-free reproduction. Like other
THIEL speakers, also used are first-order
crossovers, only sloping at 6 dB per
octave, but also creating the lowest phase
shift, which define the design. All other
crossover components are only used to
level the impedance to make it easier on
the driving amplifier. Due to the high
driver quality with their clever aluminum
diaphragms, the frequency response does
not require extensive electrical correction,
which in turn benefits the impulse
response. For the outputs of the indi-
vidual drivers to reach the listener's ears
as simultaneously as possible, the sound
sources of each must be properly aligned.
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