When I first received the SS2 SmartSub, it was actually called the SW1 SmartSub. Early on during the review process, Thiel introduced an entire family of SmartSubs and the SW1 became the SS2, the second smallest unit in the line. In my room and alongside the PCS speakers, the SS2 was hardly an inconsequential addition and I was shocked to see the size of its larger siblings in the press release. While I won't pretend that I'm not curious about what the big SS4 brings to the table, I can say that at this point, the SS2 seems to give me all the bass that I've ever aspired to. If there were more to be had, I'd love a chance to hear it, naturally. But for now, suffice to say that in terms of bass tonality and displacement energy, the SS2 was more than a match for my modest room. It combined with the monitors for detailed, fast-paced and highly rhythmic bass, be their origin the drum, the electric bass or a pipe organ. Its power, control and speed combined for the best bass I've ever heard here. Period.


But even more importantly than the bass in and of itself was the way that the modest PX02 passive crossover mated the SS2 to the speakers. I've been subwoofing for 15 years and -- if I may say so myself -- have gotten pretty good at integrating three-piece affairs. That's not to say that it's easy nor couldn't consume a good deal of time. When Thiel thus offers a passive and affordable low-pass filter specifically designed to perfectly mate their subs to a specific pair of speakers, I'd call that an unexpected gift. And how does the saying go - one does not look the gift horse in the mouth? Simply put and with no work on my part whatsoever, the PX02 integrated the SS2 with the PCS monitors so seamlessly that I defy anybody to detect the subwoofer's presence blindfolded. Throughout my time with this system, I couldn't get over the fact that there were no aural clues about a third sound source being present. The SS2 blended so magnificently with the monitor speakers that those sounded simply like a pair of very large speakers. No, strike that. I've had large full-range speakers in this room. They didn't sound anywhere near as good.
Why? Placing two full-range speakers in any room must be done with expert care if one is to achieve anywhere near the bass linearity that the SS2 was providing - if it can be achieved at all. If you can find such an orientation, count yourself very lucky if the speakers end up being positioned for anywhere near optimum imaging and soundstaging at the same time. That's why I've been subwoofing for 15 years. The likelihood of being able to successfully shoehorn a pair of large full-range speakers into a room -- and particularly one of moderate size -- looks well nigh impossible alongside the relative simplicity and almost guaranteed success of a pair of monitors with an adjustable powered subwoofer. Of course you still have to properly mate the sub to the speakers. But that the PX02 makes easy as pie.


One thing I'll admit I don't have a complete handle on is why Thiel's smart sub technology only concerns itself with the two adjacent walls when a room's third dimension will still impose itself on the bass. But I have to concede that even if it's not a panacea when it comes to removing mode-induced standing waves, there really does seem to be something to what the SS2 is up to. I have to believe that this is another reason for the subwoofer's complete sonic disappearance act. It's widely understood that speaker reflections past a certain amount of delay can add dimensionality but without that delay cause a confusion of the image by being grouped with the original direct signal. Thiel is the first company I know that addresses these early bass reflections - and they seem to be on to something.

Such superb bass performance in and of itself is a good thing but another benefit can be found upstream in the midrange. With no overhang or discontinuity between the sub and speaker, the danger of a subwoofer infringing on the midrange is minimized (or eradicated) and the music as a whole takes on the same crystal clarity and incisive speed and control. Transparency is enhanced and there's no chance of mucking up a monitor's inherent ability to sort out detail, something the PCS does so well.


I've seen Thiels called bright countless times. Brightness can often be traced to an elevated upper midrange and while I think that most Thiels are ruler-flat through this region, they do come off as forward when compared to other speakers with contoured frequency responses designed to sound laid-back and romantic. Alas, tonal balance is not only relative and a matter of taste; it can be addressed with partnering equipment. In the end, I found the previously reviewed Thiel CS 2.4 to be lively and as I have just described. However, with or without the SS2, I find the PCS to be just a touch more laid back and relaxed. Perhaps it was voiced this way to achieve its balance as a stand-alone speaker. Be that as it may, I found it a more engaging speaker than the CS 2.4. That's pretty high praise when you recall that I thought highly enough of the CS 2.4 to award it a Blue Moon for "setting a new high-water mark in the sub $5000 speaker category". Due to its limited bass output, I can't do the same for the PCS as a stand-alone speaker but I will tell you this: With or without a sub, I'd rather live with the PCS. That's actually an easy choice for me.
By comparison to the 2.4, the PCS may suffer just a tiny bit in detail retrieval - or it may not. It's just too difficult to tell when the CS 2.4 has been gone for too long. But what I do know is that it has a way of seemingly being just as detailed while not throwing those details at the listener in just the same way as the 2.4. That's not to fault the latter but to say that the PCS has a more musically organic way about it that, by direct comparison, can make the 2.4 sound almost analytical. Again, I don't fault the 2.4. I'm just saying that I prefer the PCS system's slightly different personality. Up on top in the treble is where both the PCS and 2.4 could get into trouble if mated with a poor choice of upstream electronics. Both speakers are deservant of equipment from a high socioeconomic sphere or at least the best you can provide them. The PCS tweeter is very extended, very detailed and very revealing. In that regard and as I mentioned in my review of the Accustic Arts Power 1 integrated amplifier,
the PCS and Power 1 were a marriage made in heaven. At $6,200, the Power 1 had the treble purity and extension to synergize with the PCS for a truly dazzling treble performance. Extension? Yep. Musical detail? You bet. Edge, screech or hash? Never. I also found that both the Art Audio Carissa and Symphony II (845 and 300B tubes, respectively) sounded glorious with the PCS.
Speaking of power amplifiers, remember how I told you that I was going to take issue with Thiel's minimum recommendation of 50 watts? Horse hockey! Much if not most of my time with the Thiels was spent with them tethered to the Art Audio Carissa's 16 watts of tube greatness. True, in my modest 1700 cubic foot room, I hardly taxed the speakers. But it seems to me that at least a decent portion of prospective PCS users will be placing them in modest rooms. It would be a shame if this same market overlooked these lovely speakers just because they owned modestly powered amplifiers already. I suppose
Thiel is being conservative in their recommendation and I don't blame them. I'm just saying that if you have a less powerful quality amplifier, you'd be making a mistake to overlook these speakers purely on specs and without trying them first. Deservedly or not, some Thiels have a reputation for needing a lot of power - but these do not necessarily.