By Laura Hubbard

I have been in Vegas for five days, running around the show floor from press conferences to sessions and it was a welcome change to start this morning in the High Performance Audio area of CES. After the incredible experience of seeing Diana Ross live in concert last night, it was amazing to think you can have that same type of connection with music while sitting in a suite at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas during the International CES.

Brianne and I were kindly welcomed by Thiel Audio for a demo of their speaker systems. After 30 minutes listening to a wide range of music, we left with a new-found appreciation for truly great sound. Like most people, I listen to the majority of my music either on an MP3 player or in my car – this was a totally different experience that every music lover needs to experience.

Gary Dayton, our trusty Thiel guide, started us off with Phish and ended with Ava Maria. As soon as Ava Maria started playing, I had tears in my eyes (yes I know that sounds crazy). The song reminds me of so many happy and sad times and I could feel the music throughout my whole body. You’re not just sitting in a room with speakers, you become part of a larger experience where the sound engulfs you and you feel like the performers are actually in the same room you.

Gary told us about a customer who bought one of their 2.1 systems. The man works at a factory and lives in a double-wide trailer in Lexington, KY where Thiel is located. After a demo of Thiel speakers at a local electronics retailer, he saved for three years to purchase a system. Keep in mind that one speaker can cost as much as $8,000. After hearing Ava Maria, I understand how much that system must enrich his life every time he comes home and puts on his favorite music.

Photo courtesy of Brianne O’ Leary