Thiel Coherent Source SCS3 Technical manual

OWNER INFORMATION
THIE L
Model
SCS3
Coherent
Source
®
loudspeaker
system

Congratulations on your purchase of the THIEL model SCS3 loudspeaker system. This fine
product is the result of a dedicated effort to provide very accurate music and video sound
reproduction. We have used very high quality components and taken great care in the SCS3’s
construction. Properly set up and used with good associated equipment, the SCS3 will provide you with
a great deal of musical enjoyment for many years.
SPEAKER PLACEMENT
The SCS3 is specifically designed to give a high level of performance from a variety of room locations and positions. They
can be placed on bookshelves or on stands, and oriented horizontally or vertically while still providing a degree of realism not
usually obtainable under unusual or difficult placement conditions. Because the SCS3 is magnetically shielded, it can be
placed on or near televisions without causing picture distortion.
When using the SCS3 as a center-channel speaker, ideal imaging is achieved when the SCS3 is placed behind an
imaginary line drawn between the two front main speakers or, if your electronics have a time delay for the center channel, set
the delay for 1ms for each foot that the center channel is nearer to the listener than the main speakers.
All aspects of speaker placement are dependent on the particular room. Since every room is different, no hard rules can be
given, and experimentation is necessary to achieve the best results.
CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS
The SCS3’s input terminals are located on the rear of the speaker. The SCS3 uses a 5-way binding post which accepts several
types of speaker cable termination. Make sure that all connections are tight.
For proper performance, it is essential that both speakers in a stereo system be wired in the same polarity. The speaker’s
input terminals are color coded to facilitate this. The wire connected to the red ringed input terminal of each speaker should
connect to the respective positive (+) output terminals of the amplifier; the wire connected to the black ringed input terminals
should be connected to the respective negative (–) output terminals of the amplifier.
The speakers should be connected to the amplifier with high quality cable to ensure minimal loss of power and proper control
by the amplifier. If the speakers are being connected to a vacuum tube amplifier with various impedance taps, the 4 ohm tap will
usually give the best results.
Due to European CE regulations that do not permit banana plug type loudspeaker connections, we ship THIEL speakers
with removable plugs installed in the ends of the binding posts. To remove the plugs, completely remove the two post caps by
turning them counter-clockwise by hand until the caps come off the threaded post. To remove the plug, use your fingernail to
pry along the bottom edge of the plastic insert and lift out. Reinstall the metal cap on the threaded posts making sure to install
the red ringed cap on the post labeled “+” and the black ringed cap to the post labeled “–”.
BREAK-IN
The SCS3’s, like most speakers, require a period of playing before they perform optimally. The time depends on how loudly
the speakers are played; more time is required if played softly, less if played loudly. At least 50 hours at moderately loud
levels are required before the speaker is performing near optimum. You should notice even more improvement after 100
hours of playing.

Rear view of cabinet
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
The SCS3 is a very high quality sound reproducer and will
benefit from use with the best associated equipment. Since it is
extremely accurate, it will reveal sources of distortion generated
elsewhere in the system. For example, distortion resulting from
poor recordings or inferior electronics will be reproduced
accurately. Also, the quality of the interconnect cables and
speaker cables will significantly effect the performance of the
system.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
It is important to have enough power to play at the level you
desire without distortion. If high sound levels are desired, the
SCS3’s are designed to be used with amplifiers rated up to 300
watts per channel into 8 ohms. If you play the speakers more
loudly than the volume the amplifier can cleanly produce, the
amplifier will produce overload (clipping) distortion. The sound
will become compressed, strained, and in extreme cases,
obviously distorted. This distortion is actually non-musical
additional energy and since it is concentrated in the high
frequency region where the speaker is least able to handle it,
tweeters can be damaged in extreme cases.
Since the SCS3 provides a 4 ohm load to the amplifier, it is
important that the amplifier be rated to deliver at least 50 percent
more power into a 4 ohm load than it does into an 8 ohm load.
Keep in mind that sound quality is usually much more
important than sound quantity. There can be large differences in
the sonic performance of two amplifiers of equal power, and this is more important than large differences in power. Most
everyone will be happier with a 100 watt amplifier of high sonic quality than a 200 watt amplifier of mediocre sonic quality.
For this reason, we feel there is no substitute for listening in making your amplifier decision.
The question “how much power do I need?” does not have the simple answer most people expect because it is not
determined only by the loudspeaker’s efficiency, but also by the volume desired and the size of the room. If all three factors
are average, about 100 watts per channel is required. Each factor can raise or lower this amount by about three times.
1) Usually, people who “don’t like music loud” can decrease their power to about one-half. Also, people who like music
loud should increase their power by 2 times or more. Most people fall within a normal range.
2) A speaker with a low efficiency of 84dB/W-m will require twice the power of an average 87dB/W-m speaker and one
with a high rating of 90dB/W-m will require only half the power of an average speaker. The SCS3 is of average efficiency
(87dB) and therefore can achieve average output levels with an average amount of power.
3) A small room will need less power for a given loudness level than a large room. A very small room of 1000 cu ft (11' x
11' with an 8' ceiling) will require about half the power of an average size room. A large room of 6000 cu ft (20' x 30' with a
10' ceiling) will require twice the average power. If the listening room is connected to another room by a large open area, the
required power will increase, but not by the amount of the combined room volume. If the room has a “dropped” ceiling with
light panels, the ceiling will be almost transparent acoustically and the space above the ceiling should be added. If the panels
are heavy they will act as a more normal ceiling.
With all this in mind, a person who doesn’t like to play music very loudly and has a small room can get quality sound with
as little as 50 watts whereas a person who sometimes likes to play loudly and has a large room may need 300 watts or more.
Input
terminals
TH IE L
Manufactured by THIEL Lexington, Kentucky USA
MODEL
SCS 3
ASSEMBLED AND TESTED BY
Coherent Source
Loudspeaker
®
SN

CABINET FINISH CARE
THIEL wood cabinets possess a high quality lacquer finish that is both beautiful and durable. However, any wood finish can
be damaged by excessive moisture, dryness, or direct sunlight. When cleaning your speakers, avoid using oils, waxes, or
polishes that contain silicone, such as Pledge or Johnson’s. We recommend using Endust. Non-wood laminate cabinets may
be cleaned with a glass-type cleaner and a soft cloth.
GRILLE
The SCS3 grille frame is designed to not produce diffraction so there is no sonic reason to remove it. If you do need to
remove the grille, pull the grille frame away from the top (short side) of the speaker, then from the bottom.
The grilles can be cleaned of dust by using an upholstery attachment of a vacuum cleaner. To prevent damage to the
woofer, take care not to push the cloth in toward the center of the grille, or you can remove the grille before cleaning.
SERVICE
If your system requires service, contact your authorized THIEL dealer. If you need to contact THIEL, service information
and technical support is available at [phone], Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or via e-mail at
[email protected].
SCS3 SPECIFICATIONS
Bandwidth (–3dB) 46 Hz-22 kHz
Amplitude Response 48 Hz-20 kHz ±2 dB
Phase Response Minimum ±10°
Sensitivity 87 [email protected] V-1m
Impedance 4 ohms (3 ohms minimum)
Recommended Power 30-200 watts
Size 7.5" W x 10" D x 19" H
Weight 30 pounds

WE WANT YOU LISTENING FOR A LIFETIME
Used wisely, your new sound equipment will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Since hearing damage from loud noise is often
undetectable until it is too late, THIEL and the Electronics Industries Association’s Consumer Electronics Group recommend
you avoid prolonged exposure to excessive noise. Depending on room size and amplifier power, some home audio systems
can reach sound pressure levels in excess of 95 decibels with peaks of over a 105 decibels. For your protection, the list below
identifies sound levels for various noises.
Decibel
Level Example
30 Quiet library, soft whispers
40 Living room, refrigerator, bedroom away from traffic
50 Light traffic, normal conversation, quiet office
60 Air conditioner at 20 feet, sewing machine
70 Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, noisy restaurant
80 Average city traffic, garbage disposals, alarm clock at
two feet
The Following Noises Can Be Dangerous Under
Constant Exposure
90 Subway, motorcycle, truck traffic, lawn mower
100 Garbage truck, chain saw, pneumatic drill
120 Rock concert in front of speakers, thunderclap
140 Gunshot blast, jet plane
150 Rocket launching pad
Information courtesy of the Deafness
Research Foundation and the EIA.
We
Want You
LISTENING
For A Lifetime
LIMITED WARRANTY
THIEL warrants every THIEL model SCS3 speaker against defects in materials and workmanship to the original owner
for a period of ten years from the date of purchase. THIEL will, at no charge, replace any defective part and make any repairs
necessary to ensure its proper performance when the defective unit is returned to us postpaid.
This warranty does not cover damage due to accident or abuse and is void if the unit has been tampered with.
This warranty is automatic and no registration is required. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also
have other rights which are particular to your state.
The following information is for your records.
Serial Numbers______________________________
Purchase Date_______________________________
Purchased From_____________________________

6/99
THIE L
1026 Nandino Boulevard
Lexington, Kentucky 40511-1207
Telephone: [phone] • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.thielaudio.com
CONTRIBUTOR
HARDWOOD
FORESTRY FUND