Frequency response (at 2 meters): 51 Hz to 20 kHz ±4.2 dB
Sensitivity (SPL at 1 meter with 2.8 volts of pink-noise input): 86 dB
Impedance (minimum/nominal): 2.8/4 ohms
Bass output (CEA-2010 standard)
Measurements of the SCS4T speakers were made at 2 meters, far enough to ensure that full effects of cabinet diffraction and front-panel reflections were included. The metal grille was removed. The SCS4T was measured standing on the ground, the way it will always be used, with an on-axis measurement taken at 3 meters to capture the effect of floor bounce. The curve in the graph shows an averaged response from 0° to 30°, smoothed to 1/12th of an octave. The woofer and ports were close-miked, scaled, and summed, then their combined responses were spliced to the averaged quasi-anechoic response to produce the curve you see here. The response is normalized to 0 dB at 1 kHz.
The averaged frequency-response measurement of the SCS4T is okay, although not especially even. The overall balance has a downward tilt (i.e., more bass than treble), and there are several dips and peaks in the response. However, the off-axis response is very consistent up to about 10 kHz; there’s just a mild treble rolloff as you move to 45° off-axis. Above 10 kHz, the response changes unpredictably, possibly a result of the tweeter being positioned inside the woofer cone. There seems to be a mild floor dip at about 450 Hz.
Sensitivity measures 86 dB, just a bit below average and reason enough to recommend an amp of at least 50 watts per channel. The impedance is fairly low, but the impedance phase curve is flatter than average — something that has been the case with Thiels for as long as I can remember. Impedance drops to a low of 2.8 ohms at 9.9 kHz and averages 4 ohms. Maximum impedance phase shift is just –32° at 114 Hz. Regardless, don’t cheap out on your amp with this speaker.
Bass output is pretty good for a 6.5-inch woofer in a relatively small cabinet. There’s nothing measurable below 40 Hz, but output from 40 to 63 Hz averages a fairly strong 93.1 dB. You won’t get deep bass, but the speaker definitely won’t sound thin without a subwoofer.
Not a surprising verdict... Now when is S&V going to clue into Vandersteen? ;)
Why is NO ONE talking about the utter lack of value in this speaker? I don’t balk at speakers costing $3700, but when they sound identical to the pair that cost a full $1500 less?! WTF?!
I don't think Jim Thiel would have released this model without either adding significant value to it or pricing it more in-line with the SCS-4 bookshelf models.
If Thiel wanted to release a matching stand for the SCS4's at $1500 for a pair I don't think anyone in their right mind would have bought them, let alone praised them... yet here we are...
So shortly after Thiel’s passing we see egregious pricing with zero improvement. I sincerely hope this isn't the future of Thiel.
To be clear, I'm not criticizing the review; Thiel has always made fabulous speakers. I only wish there was an acknowledgement that these offer no more than the far more affordable SCS4 bookshelf.
BTW, I love the new site! But this 200 character limit is KILLING ME!! Sorry for the barrage of comments, but when you have a huge comment field the assumption is there that you can type much more.
I did give it a below-average value rating. It is pretty darned expensive for a small 2-way tower. Granted that Thiel's US-made cabinetry and veneering costs a lot....
The SCS4 bookshelf speaker is underpriced, creating an incredible value to anyone buying them. The SCS4T is much closer to a fair price for the performance and build quality.
To be clear, I'm not criticizing the review; Thiel has always made fabulous speakers. I only wish there was an acknowledgement that these offer no more than the far more affordable SCS4 bookshelf.
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I wished I had a chance to go about testing speakers like this at home before buying them. I noticed that what might sound good to reviewers in their homes would be different from what we might feel in our own homes. The acoustics at different places might distort sounds, and I feel that if they allowed us to sample expensive speakers like this in our own homes first, we might get better results.
@ JEskenazi: Some of the better high-end dealers (a description that fits all Thiel dealers - I know they are picky about who sells their stuff) will allow you an in-home trial of some models.
Also, while different people can certainly have different tastes in speakers, a well-designed conventional speaker should sound good in any room of reasonable dimensions (i.e., not square, not huge) and with reasonable furnishings (i.e., not having unusually absorptive or reflective character). Unless you've got a very fussy or unusual speaker (i.e., electrostatics), there's not as much magic to room acoustics as a lot of people want you to think.
I did an extensive article on room acoustics and DIY room treatments a few years ago, based on Floyd Toole's book, but I don't think it ever got posted. I will see if I can find the text and maybe post an updated version.