Opinions on Def Tech BP8040 please

organ

I'm thinking about getting these for my main rig and for those who have heard them, I was wondering if you can describe their sound signature (warm, neutral, bright, etc). I'm interested in them because they're bipolar, they use aluminum tweets and most important, they're 92db/w/m. Perfect for my SET amps.

Thanks

leroyjr1

I haven't heard the 8040's but I have the Mythos ST fronts and they have the aluminum tweets and I love them, they're very smooth. I would say they're neutral.

ohskigod

Never heard them demo'd right. every time I hear them in the Magnolia store (not in a while though) I've been underwhelmed, but I knew that ws always because they had it out in the open as a display (i,e, not even set up close to optimal) The fire out the front and the back so that is a big deal.

they got there fans, and I have to assume its for good reason.

blueboxer

As leroy said, I really love my Mythos when it comes to HT and find them up to the task with stereo use. I typically prefer speakers that have a warmer tone, but the Mythos are just neutral. I think paired with NAD, parasound, etc... they would sound awesome. I might pick up a pair of the 8040 after the holiday season, if you are not in a rush I will post a review soon after break in.

mantis

I also own Definitive Technology Mythos ST and 10's. I find them to be incredible for home theater and very nice for music. They are not as good as my last speakers in Dynaudio Audience 82's for music but I like them a lot more for theater.

The new 8040's I'm also eager to listen to. We have not put them on our sales floor yet so I have not heard them. We do mostly Mythos and In wall / In ceiling speakers all the time and I have not done these. I have done plenty of the last years models and I found them to be forward and slighty bright compared to the Mythos series.
The Bi polar design is killer for theater , last years models crazy excelled at theater as I think Def Tech is the very best at their price class for theater. They are crazy explosive.
If you can wait , I suggest strongly in listening to them. don't buy blind as you could end up with something you don't like but from what I have heard from our Rep the new models close the gap on the Mythos line and better the older model for theater. I'm excited to get my ears on them. if I do I will be sure to get a hold of you and tell you my findings.
Good luck with your speaker search , be sure to check out the Mythos line as well , they are crazy good.

organ

Leroy,
Thanks for your input. That's exactly what I'm looking for (neutral).

Oshkigod,
Yeah, bipolar speakers can be quite picky. A dealer near my workplace has them but I never want to demo them because they're hooked up to lower end receivers and like the demoes you heard, they're out in the open. Their DefTech systems are always set up poorly unlike the Totems the carry.

Blueboxer,
Excellent. I'm in no rush to get them. It would probably be around spring time or summer. I'm looking forward to reading your review if you decide to get them. I will be powering them with tube amps (SET) because I just found out they're very efficient.

Dan,
Thanks for the informative post. That is certainly great to hear. I love how the subwoofers have built in calibration now. I don't watch movies much anymore, but they will be used for 2ch HT as well, but 99% of the time, it will be for music.
Is the Mythos bipolar as well? Reason I want bipoles is because for some strange reason, bipoles work VERY well in my room. I had a pair of Mirage M-3si for a while and they just load the room with pure sound. My preference is a little different than most. I prefer huge sound over super sharp soundstaging. I want to drown in music (if that makes sense lol:D). Being 92db/w/m is also a big plus for me.
You're right. I think I should at least give them a listen first, but like what I told Oshkigod, the set up at the dealer for DefTech is just plain sucky. And I know the sound will change a lot with a tube amp.
I hope the aluminum tweets are somewhat similar sounding to Polk's Tri-Lam's on my RT1000p which is still one of my favorite speakers. The tonal balance is just super when I use my tube amps.

I will keep you guys posted. Thanks again for all the help.

mantis

If you like the Rt1000p's you would really like the older BP7002's or any of the 7000 series for that matter. They have a better tweeter more open soundstage and the bi polar of these speakers are very like Mirage. They also have a much better mid range and dig much lower then the 1000's can. I use to own the rt1000p's and liked them 2 but always found them difficult to get right. The 7000 series are easy to set up and the subs can fool you to believe they are a passive design.

organ

Thanks Dan. Is there a big difference between the 7000 and 8000 series? Problem is, by the time I'm ready to buy, the 7000's may be sold out. The dealer near my workplace that sells Def Tech don't have the 7000's anymore.
Also, since you've installed a lot of them, what would you say is the minimum distance one should have them from the front wall? According to their website, they can be placed as little as 4" but I"m sure that will greatly affect the performance. I'm thinking about 12" for my set up.
That's definitely great to hear that fans of the RT1000p would like the Def Tech.

Thanks again.

VR3

Any Def Tech speakers you purchase will need immediate crossover mods ---

This is a crossover from some of their top of the line speakers - the 7002

http://cgi.ebay.com/Definitive-Technology-BP7002-CROSSOVER-COAE-/170529232354?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item27b45595e2#ht_500wt_925

The parts used in their speakers across the board are so cheap and basic its rediculous.

I hot-rodded my SM450 - they went from unlistenable to pretty flippin awesome

PS - Bajawaverunner on Ebay IS Directed Electronics

organ

Thanks for the heads up. Who's Directed Electronics?

VR3

Directed Electronics is who owns Polk and Definitive

organ

Aaah thanks. I wonder if the 8000 series are already upgraded because they just came out and they already offer upgrades for the 7000's.

Face

Do you like pinpoint imaging or a large, spacious soundstage? If you like pinpoint, I'd look elsewhere.

VR3

I doubt they are upgraded as far as crossovers -

Definitive is about - marketing - lol, things you can see, feel, smell - they'll make sure it is decent, but invisible hidden crossovers? Basics man, BASICS! lol

Once you upgrade the Crossovers with good parts, you will have a good set of speakers - until then (atleast to my ears) they sound like mush

swegyptian

My two cents would be, kind of as posted above, that bi-pole speakers won't be as coherent in the sweet spot. But out of the sweet spot, wow they are something else. I haven't heard the new ones either, and they are a different design that may alleviate this with less drivers on the rear, but I am not sure yet.

So in the sweet spot, skip the bi-pole, but anywhere outside the sweet spot, they are amazing.

blueboxer

Hmm... haven't seen any places for upgrading the crossovers in the Mythos ST, any input?