At CEDIA Expo 2006, Lexington, KY-based Thiel Audio announced a new high performance bookshelf-sized LCR speaker called the SCS4. The SCS4 offers better performance than its predecessor, the SCS3, yet will cost considerably less—“under $1000 each,� Thiel sources said.

The SCS4 features one of Thiel’s signature two-way, phase correct “Coherent Source� drivers—drivers similar to those Thiel has used successfully in its PowerPoint and other speakers. Casual observers might mistake Thiel Coherent Source driver for single 6.5� woofer, but it’s actually two drivers in one—a ring-shaped woofer with a small dome tweeter positioned in its center. The woofer’s diaphragm acts as a waveguide for the tweeter. A significant advantage of this design is that listeners enjoy time coherent sound whether the speaker is oriented vertically or horizontally.

As is often the case with Thiel products, the genius of the SCS4 is in the details. The SCS4’s woofer diaphragm, for example, is a two-piece laminate where a thin metal skin is bonded to an expanded polystyrene backing structure. The diaphragm is said to be quite rigid, yet it is so light that when designer Jim Thiel dropped a sample from mid-air it slowly floated to the ground, like a feather. The SCS4 tweeter is the same unit found in Thiel’s $16,000 CS7.2 flagship. The SCS4 cabinet is special, too, with sidewalls built of 1� thick MDF panels, laminated inside and out for stiffness, with double internal braces. For even greater rigidity, the front baffle of the bass reflex enclosure is made of solid, die-cast aluminum. If you rap your knuckles on that baffle plate, all you’ll get are sore knuckles (don’t ask me how I know this).

“The SCS4 will play really loudly,� said designer Jim Thiel, adding that the speaker’s sensitivity is “approximately 89 dB.� Bass extends down to about 50 Hz, which is quite good for a speaker of this size and configuration. To give SCS4-based systems true full range bass, Thiel offers special passive crossovers that precision match the SCS4s with any of Thiel’s SS-series Smart Sub subwoofers. Asked whether the firm would offer bundled SCS4/Smart Sub surround systems, Thiel said, “We’re thinking about it, but haven’t made a final decision yet.�

Back to the CEDIA 06 Coverage