Def Tech speakers...any feedback.

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
edited December 2010 in Speakers
Anyone have any experience with any of the Def Tech line? I'm thinking more on the HT side of things rather than 2 channel. In particular the BP10B.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,796
    edited January 2009
    The Def Tech bipolar line up has no equal for Home theater...

    The possibilities are endless with the line up.

    For instance, a nice setup I tried was the mains toed OUTWARDS with a center to fill in the void...

    This made for a HUGE*** front stage with excellent side fill I have not heard with to many speakers for movies...

    The bass response of the BP10B is solid to a good 35hz all day with that Quasi T-Line that works so well.

    For HT, I think there is none better than DT. Bar none.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited January 2009
    I wouldn't be a bit suprised... the Polk VM and the Def Tech Mythos series are almost identical clones of each other.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,796
    edited January 2009
    The Owner of DT was the marketing guy at Polk back in the day...

    Sandy Gross I believe was his name.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2009
    I was reading about the Def Tech Mythos in the newest Sound and Vision a few days ago...they look pretty nice. They got a great review too. I'd love to check some out sometime...
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited January 2009
    If you ever want to buy a Def Tech, go for the Super Tower (SC) series. They are good speakers for the money. I always wanted a BP7000SC for my mains (before) in the HT room but they are expensive to pay a full retail so I went with good ol polk. :)
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited February 2009
    I have the Mythos (2,7 and Gems) lineup in our HT. I think they are a fine speaker for a small HT as ours is. They most certainly need a good sub. I moved my REL into the HT and it was exactly what was needed. I needed the floor space so went with the on wall either side of the TV.

    Playing music through them is not my favorite thing. They are more than bright, almost "tinny" but music during a movie is ok.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited February 2009
    I install Def Tech's and for theater they are very very impressive. There's a few reasons why they get such high marks.

    The Methos line is my personal favorite. So damn explosive and powerful. The STS and ST's are amazing and musical at the same time. Thin and sexy. They have built in Supercubes. You can run them with or without external subs, your choice.

    With your current system and incredible new NAD receiver, you will need no external amps to drive these bad boys. They are extremely efficient and sound incredible off a regular receiver. I prefer them with the Pioneer ELite receivers. Match made in heaven. Like the Rt series from polk but I would have to A B to see what I like better for theater.

    There center and rear channels keep it going. I would say anyone who is into movies will like Def Tech speakers. They really don't do anything wrong.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,470
    edited February 2009
    both polk audio and definitve tech are owned by directed electronics... this may explain similarities in their designs. by the early 1990's, most of polk manufacturing was done in mexico. I can only speculate as to if d/t started as a response to so many workers needing jobs, as both polk and d/t called maryland home...


    does anybody know the history on this?

    John
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited February 2009
    I have a buddy that runs DefTech. They are good (not great) speakers that, frankly, seem built exclusively for HT purpose.

    The good: Bipolar design creates an ambiance well suited for HT.
    Well-balanced highs and mids.

    The bad: Questionable build quality - the speakers on display out our Ultimate Electronics had endcaps falling off the speakers.
    Integrated subwoofers require power plugs - also, if an amp goes bad, thats not good.
    Not the most beautiful speaker design in the world.
    The most problematic area of DefTech is that they require very special placement due to the bipolar design. If you have an irregular room, they simply wont perform as well.

    Mythos: When it came down to my personal speaker purchase, the Mythos speaker line was up there with LSi, RTi, and Klipsch. I eliminated the Mythos (as good-looking as they are) because I wanted a full-range speaker. I felt like I was missing too much bottom from the Mythos. Otherwise, Mythos is a fantastic speaker, and has been copied by almost every speaker manufacturer since its release.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,796
    edited February 2009
    I would not question Def Tech build quality --

    In a display type environment, those caps can take a beating -- - the pins can break off (almost like grill pins) --- and then they wont attach to the actual cab.

    The passive line up has 3/4" particle board sides/top/bottom --- the front and back is 1" medite - which is denser than MDF.

    Now the super tower line up is beastly.

    The entire enclosure is 1" medite --- it is a TANK. Build quality that far surpasses other companies I would say.

    But yeah, their enclosures and drivers are top notch. Crossovers used decent parts to, not the greatest, but decent.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited February 2009
    ST line is like top of the line from Def Tech and they are very good. Personally, I don't like the feel and look of the more budget friendly line Def Tech offers. They seems a little filmsy to me but again, polk or any other manufacturer's low to mid offerings are more or less the same with Def Tech. I guess it's like you paid what you get in regards to build quality.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • mewisemagic
    mewisemagic Posts: 194
    edited February 2009
    i have a pair of bp8's that i use in a ht setup and i like them very much,also only paid $150 for them:D
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited February 2009
    The ST's are excellent speakers. if you want to hear them, come to the Lab and hear them for yourself. Then judge.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited February 2009
    mantis wrote: »
    The ST's are excellent speakers. if you want to hear them, come to the Lab and hear them for yourself. Then judge.

    Dan

    Sounds like a road trip is in order!!! :D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2009
    I took in some stray DefTech. Older model ones, I think the BP2X bipole surrounds, CL2000 center, and a couple different subs.

    I think they performed well, especially the BP2x. I initially liked the sub for movies in a small environment but not for music.

    Good speakers for the money, in my opinion.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited February 2009
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Sounds like a road trip is in order!!! :D

    Let me know when you wanna make the trip.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2009
    Mantis, how do the def tech stand up to the dynaudio audience?
    My friend has a pair of BP7002's and swears by them!
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited February 2009
    bopicasso wrote: »
    Mantis, how do the def tech stand up to the dynaudio audience?
    My friend has a pair of BP7002's and swears by them!
    They are very different. I would not replace my Audience series with Def Tech but I have different needs. I like a Music first speaker and Def Tech is all about the movies first then music.

    Some may say a speaker is a speaker but there are speakers that excel at theater and some excel at music. Rare will you find a one that does both well. Dynaudio speakers to me are the best sounding speakers in the world. I have yet to hear a better sounding speaker at any price. Dynaudio covers the entire spectrum. I would say there weakest point would be theater but they do it extremely well. Def tech may have a edge in that department not in clarity or detail but in impact and brute force. They excel at those areas. The voice I feel is better on my center but the Def Tech centers are amazing. I really like them.

    If I was building a theater first system, Def Tech would be very high on my list. Easy to drive and sound great with receivers.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2009
    Mantis-or anyone, ever get a chance to listen to the PM700 or 900's???
    I'm wondering how they would sound for 2 ch..
    I've heard the Mythos STS's, and they did sound SWEET, but were being driven by a $7K Yamaha AVR, so, how much of that was speaker I can't say?
    I'm REALLY looking to 'fill out' my sound. Get a more fuller, rounder, firmer SOUND!
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2009
    The BP10B is an amazing speaker. Just think of this. An 8 Ohm speaker that uses only 2 6 1/2" drivers that will go down to 20 Hz. I think that is just amazing. Plus they are efficent enough you don't have to have a monster amp to drive them. More is better but I have heard them with a 65 watt amp and it will not dissapoint. I would go with something over 200 to get the most out of them.

    If I did not already have two set of speakers that go that low this is a set that I would be looking at.

    If you don't mind waiting and want an even better set keep an eye out on eBay or Craigs list for a set of BP20 or BP30's. A set of BP20's just went on Ebay for $400.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2009
    I can p/u a pr. of BP7006 FOR $900.00, wouldn't that be better, because I'd get the 8" woofer too???
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2009
    obieone wrote: »
    I can p/u a pr. of BP7006 FOR $900.00, wouldn't that be better, because I'd get the 8" woofer too???

    If you have a bigger amp you should not need to go the Super Tower's. the BP700X's do have a build in powered sub.

    If you are using them in a HT then I might go with the Super Towers. The LFE input will allow you not to need a sub.

    In a 2 channel system I would go with the non powered sub model. Just my 2cents worth.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,796
    edited February 2009
    The BP10B does not go to 20hz... maybe at like -20db

    It is flat to about 35hz
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2009
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    The BP10B does not go to 20hz... maybe at like -20db

    It is flat to about 35hz

    I am going off of what Definitive Technology have listed of the Frequency Responce. They list it to be 20Hz to 30 kHz. They do not list the at what db.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2009
    I'd love to get a pr. of STS, or ST's but, short of selling a kidney......
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,796
    edited February 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    I am going off of what Definitive Technology have listed of the Frequency Responce. They list it to be 20Hz to 30 kHz. They do not list the at what db.

    Yeah, Ive built a BP10B from the ground up - literally...

    Great speaker, but definitely not the speaker that DT claims. Infact, all of their frequency responses are bloated by a good 10-15hz
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited March 2009
    Monster Jam wrote: »
    I have a buddy that runs DefTech. They are good (not great) speakers that, frankly, seem built exclusively for HT purpose.

    The good: Bipolar design creates an ambiance well suited for HT.
    Well-balanced highs and mids.

    The bad: Questionable build quality - the speakers on display out our Ultimate Electronics had endcaps falling off the speakers.
    Integrated subwoofers require power plugs - also, if an amp goes bad, thats not good.
    Not the most beautiful speaker design in the world.
    The most problematic area of DefTech is that they require very special placement due to the bipolar design. If you have an irregular room, they simply wont perform as well.

    Mythos: When it came down to my personal speaker purchase, the Mythos speaker line was up there with LSi, RTi, and Klipsch. I eliminated the Mythos (as good-looking as they are) because I wanted a full-range speaker. I felt like I was missing too much bottom from the Mythos. Otherwise, Mythos is a fantastic speaker, and has been copied by almost every speaker manufacturer since its release.
    Do you mean a full range speaker without built in subs? because the Mythos St and STS hit below 20hz. This is considered full range. 20hz to 20khz is a full range speaker no matter how it's achieved. Personally I think the Mythos St and Sts smoke the lsi series for theater and it's a battle for music. Klispch and Rti series need not apply. This is my opinion.
    Mythos do not lack bottom end unless your referring to the Mythos 1. They don't dig to deep but what they do is incredible. I was listening to them just a few days ago and man I would be very happy with them with the right power and setup. Man very nice sounding speakers. Really nice.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited March 2009
    Don't you think the Mythos are a little bright sounding for music compared to the LSi's? I think the Mythos could get a little fatiguing to me after a long listening session.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited March 2009
    MikeC78 wrote: »
    Don't you think the Mythos are a little bright sounding for music compared to the LSi's? I think the Mythos could get a little fatiguing to me after a long listening session.

    Which model are you referring to? This all depends on what you power them with, what source you use, what wire you use. Hoe you wire them up with LFE and speaker wire.

    No I don't find them to be fatiguing at all. We have them in our showroom connected to a B&K ref70 preamp and a Krell 5 channel amp. They sound unbelievable. But I also have powered them with Pioneer Elite receivers with excellent results. The ICE amps in the Elite receivers are incredibly dynamic and musical with these speakers. Theater is a whole new level over the Lsi's. They simply can't achieve the sonic Dynamic's and abilities of the Mythos speakers.
    I can go on and on about the Mythos speakers but this takes nothing away from the beauty and grace of the Lsi speaker system. I know I owned the entire line except the Lsi25's. I think for the money they are one of those rare gems in the audio world. I loved owning them and would own them again one day if my needs more towards there direction. I have nothing bad to say about them. I personally think they are a asset to anyones theater or multichannel music system.
    Everyones opinion of sound is different. It comes down to a need or desire to replay a wave in it's purest form. Replay a Track with correct Dynamic's. it's in this journey where your heart will take you to the right speakers.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited March 2009
    Does it matter which mythos model, don't they all sport the same exact tweeter down the line?

    I'm just talking about in general, I don't base my speaker purchase around the electronics personally. The LSi's to me are are more "laid back" speaker, regardless of the electronics.

    Seriously, I'm really interested in the ST's, just the price on them kinda steered me in a different direction. I also don't care for powered towers either.
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