Kathy Gornik Comments on Jim Thiel's Passing, and the Future of Thiel Audio

THIEL President Kathy Gornik Comments on the Future of THIEL Audio Products, Inc.

October 7th, 2009 (Lexington, KY)THIEL Audio Products (www.thielaudio.com) president Kathy Gornik has highlighted the direction that the company will take following the untimely passing of cofounder Jim Thiel. Gornik stated: While this is undeniably a very sad time for us at THIEL, having lost not only one of the best audio engineers in the world but also a great man who was so very dear to us, we recognize how fortunate we are that he left us such a rich legacy. Jim was our polestar—always insisting on the highest of standards in virtually every aspect of our endeavors. Rest assured, THIEL will continue to forge full steam ahead. We have enlisted a team of talented engineers who have been charged with applying Jim Thiel’s advanced driver, crossover, and cabinet designs to future products, several of which are already in the pipeline. We are very fortunate that Jim carefully documented all of his research and design parameters, giving us three decades of legendary achievements from which to base the company’s bright future. Beginning with some very exciting new product introductions slated for 2010, THIEL will continue to showcase leading edge products that have been engineered and built to the highest standards.”

“From everyone at THIEL, we would like to thank all of our wonderful industry friends and customers for the amazing outpouring of support you have shown us. It has meant more to us than you could know, and we are so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community. We look forward to working and prospering with all of you in the coming years. “

THIEL was founded of humble beginnings, crowded into co-founder Jim Thiel’s garage back in 1976. Jim’s early research helped pioneer the principles of time and phase coherent loudspeakers through the application of phase-correct crossover networks and time-aligned drivers. Jim Thiel’s designs have also incorporated innovative engineering techniques in order to reduce cabinet diffraction and resonances through the use of rounded baffles, heavy internal bracing, and the employment of such materials as aluminum, concrete and marble. Innovative driver design and assembly techniques have resulted in reduced levels of distortion and more accurate overall frequency response. Jim Thiel’s extensive research pertaining to subwoofer design has yielded three related patents, all incorporated within THIEL’s award-winning SmartSub® line of subwoofer products.

The company has evolved over three decades to become one of the premier suppliers of high performance audio components around the world. Today, THIEL loudspeakers are proudly freighted to over thirty countries spanning the globe, with headquarters and manufacturing based in Lexington, KY. Over the past thirty years, THIEL has been recognized with an almost uncountable number of prestigious awards for product innovation and performance, as well as outstanding business acumen; not to mention overwhelming critical acclaim from the most respected audio critics.

THIEL has continued its tradition of innovation with the floor-standing CS3.7, the SCS4 bookshelf speaker, and the DewPoint™ speaker for outdoor applications. The CS 3.7 incorporates groundbreaking driver design with a hybrid enclosure made of both elegantly sculpted wood and aluminum. The SCS4 is a versatile speaker uniquely suited to deliver outstanding front, rear, or center channel performance regardless of listener position or speaker location. The DewPoint™ is a refined loudspeaker nestled into an aluminum enclosure and fitted with weather resistant parts for added durability.

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE IN 2007

THIEL Audio Products Company is a privately-held engineering-driven organization that performs research, design, and manufacturing of loudspeakers for the highest quality home music and video sound reproduction. Our products, based upon the principles established by cofounder Jim Thiel, incorporate a variety of technological advancements in driver design, acoustical construction techniques, and crossover design. All our work is directed toward one end: to provide the most realistic sound reproduction possible. THIEL’s product range includes surface-mount speakers, in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, customized flat-panel video display speakers, subwoofers, bookshelf and theater speakers as well as THIEL’s world famous floor-standing speakers. Prices range from $990 (each) for the SCS4, PowerPlane® and HigherPlane® to the flagship CS3.7 at $12,900 per pair. (www.thielaudio.com)

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