It was the first model of the "SCS" line introduced back in 1991. It was characterized as a "bookshelf speaker" or "center channel," about 16" tall or wide depending on whether it stands up or lies on its side.

I think Thiel Audio is up to the SCS4 now. From the few reviews I've read of first SCS's successor, the SCS2, it was kinda Thiel's entry into the nascent home theater market. The reviews seem pretty lukewarm; something about Thiel going against its own tradition and using a second-order crossover. Their other speakers are kinda out of my price range, especially given that I run a music-only system and upgraded just about a year ago to NHTs (which I'm cool with) and a Mirage Omnisat (which I wouldn't mind replacing, though it sounds fine enough).

Do you own Thiels? Since you visited the factory, my guess is that you swear by them?