Definitive Technology Speakers

Evanguy2004

Does anyone know the connection with Polk Audio and Defintive Technology? The sales person at Best Buy today was telling me that the original founder of Polk Audio went on to form Definitive Technology? Any way I bought a ProCenter 1000 Center Channel today.Wow, Wow, Wow!!!! I want to tell you it blew me away!! Although the size of this speaker is super small the sound it huge with a full clear range of high fidelity. They were full bodied, crisp and clear. I had purchased a Polk Audio CS10 model Center Channel yesterday but took it back. There was something wrong with this speaker. It was an open box and all the sound were distorted on it. Plus the cabinet was beat to cr*p too. I would have overlooked that since the price was right. I tried all sorts of trouble shooting but nothing worked.

Again I hate to say this because I am a huge Polk Audio Speaker Fan but the ProCenter 1000 is a great Center Channel!!!! All of my other speakers are Polk Audio Models. In fact I have been using Polk Audio Monitor 10's for the past 20 years as my main speakers!! They sound great!!

zarrdoss

Def Tec makes some good stuff, I really like thier reference supercube subs with a 14" woofer and two 14" passives, and the reference towers that are by-polar and have a 14" supercube built into each tower. But cannot confirm the Polk ties. Anyone else?

jacob.simpson

Evanguy2004 wrote: »

Does anyone know the connection with Polk Audio and Defintive Technology? The sales person at Best Buy today was telling me that the original founder of Polk Audio went on to form Definitive Technology? Any way I bought a ProCenter 1000 Center Channel today.Wow, Wow, Wow!!!! I want to tell you it blew me away!! Although the size of this speaker is super small the sound it huge with a full clear range of high fidelity. They were full bodied, crisp and clear. I had purchased a Polk Audio CS10 model Center Channel yesterday but took it back. There was something wrong with this speaker. It was an open box and all the sound were distorted on it. Plus the cabinet was beat to cr*p too. I would have overlooked that since the price was right. I tried all sorts of trouble shooting but nothing worked.

Again I hate to say this because I am a huge Polk Audio Speaker Fan but the ProCenter 1000 is a great Center Channel!!!! All of my other speakers are Polk Audio Models. In fact I have been using Polk Audio Monitor 10's for the past 20 years as my main speakers!! They sound great!!

He was a co founder not The founder, just go to wikipedia you will get all the info. And now both belong to DEI so are sister concerns within a big group

cnh

I think that story would be news to Mr. Polk, himself? BB guys are real good at telling stories. I was in one today, where I stepped in to prevent a couple from being taken on HDMI cables? The Salesman sounded like such an 'authority'?

cnh

dorokusai

I met Sandy Gross on a sidewalk enroute to CES 2007. He's a really nice guy and 100% audio nerd. Paul DiComo, former Polkie, is handling business over at DefTech now.

cnh

Thanks Doro.

I stand corrected a bit....Matt Polk though is still Matt Polk....right?

Fresh out of Johns Hopkins with a degree in physics, a love of music, and a passion for high-end audio gear, Matthew Polk, along with college pal George Klopfer, founded Polk Audio. Matt made his mark inventing speakers that offered high-end sound at mass-market prices. By combining the great midrange of European speakers with the strong bass of their American counterparts, and by using small drivers to drive larger passive radiators, the company put its name on the map in 1974 with the Monitor 7. From there, the company's innovations have continued right up to the present.
cnh

dorokusai

Uh....last time I checked. Sandy Gross is a core part of the origin of Polk Audio.

Matt Polk, George Klopfer & Sandy Gross.

cnh

Ok,

Your the man on this because I only know what I read and you are part of the Company and its history..so I've got to cede the (above). Maybe those BB guys do know something...sometimes?

cnh

dorokusai

I just know a couple things.

Evanguy2004

dorokusai wrote: »

Uh....last time I checked. Sandy Gross is a core part of the origin of Polk Audio.

Matt Polk, George Klopfer & Sandy Gross.

I found this article online:

Source:

http://www.avguide.com/article/sandy-gross-co-founder-and-president-definitive-technology-retires


Industry icon Sandy Gross is retiring as president of Definitive technology, which he co-founded in 1999. The release from Definitive is below.

Sandy Gross Retires From Definitive Technology

Co-founder and industry icon executes final step in his long-planned exit strategy

Baltimore. MD—March 10, 2009—Today Definitive Technology co-founder and President Sandy Gross announced his retirement from Definitive effective March 31, 2009. Sandy’s retirement has been long-contemplated but kept confidential while he positioned the company and key executives for a smooth transition after his exit.

“Since we sold Definitive to Directed Electronics in 2004 I’ve been contemplating the next phase of my life. For decades I’ve worked 24/7 running my businesses and I saw the time approaching when I would want to slow down, take a break and contemplate my future plans. But I didn’t want to leave before there was a management structure in place that could continue Definitive’s legacy of quality and success” said Mr. Gross.

In 2007 Sandy promoted long-time Definitive executive Dave Peet to Executive Vice President. The same year Sandy tapped Polk Audio veteran Paul DiComo to join Definitive as Vice President of Marketing. Since then Peet and DiComo have been running Definitive’s day to day business while Gross slowly transitioned out of daily management. Upon Gross’s departure DiComo and Peet will assume all of Gross’s remaining responsibilities.

Gross continued, “I have supreme confidence in Dave and Paul’s abilities to take Definitive to new heights. I’ve known and worked closely with both of them for many years and I know they have all the tools necessary to succeed. They share my passion for high quality audio, music and responsible business management.”

Dave Peet has extensive experience in CE retailing with both small and large retailers including 14 years with Illinois specialty A/V retailer United Audio as store manager and Buyer/Merchandiser. While he was buyer United became one of Definitive’s best dealers due to his innovative merchandising and passion for the brand. Peet joined Definitive as VP International Sales in 2001 and rose through the ranks to VP of Sales where he reorganized and expanded Definitive’s sales force for improved customer service and sales. As Executive VP, Peet is responsible for worldwide sales and administration.

Paul DiComo also came up through the specialty A/V retail ranks within Boston area retailers before transitioning to manufacturing with NAD. Paul joined Polk Audio as National Sales Manager in the early ‘80s. In 1995 DiComo moved from sales to Marketing where he improved the quantity and quality of Polk’s PR exposure and helped design several iterations of the company’s websites. Since joining Definitive DiComo has modernized and upgraded Definitive’s graphic assets, marketing materials and built an entirely new and dramatically improved Definitive Technology website.

DEI Holdings CEO Jim Minarik said, “We’re grateful to Sandy for all of his contributions to the company and for doing an excellent job of preparing for the future by assembling such a strong team to lead the company. In Dave and Paul we have among the most capable and experienced management teams in the loudspeaker industry.”

“Sandy brought me into Polk and later into Definitive and I count him as the single biggest influence on my professional development. We’re sad to see him go but at the same time we are thrilled for him” said DiComo. Dave Peet said of Gross “When the history of the audio business is written Sandy’s career will deserve several chapters. Sandy is universally loved and respected by all he came in contact with. He has been an inspiration to many in the industry including Paul and me. We’re determined to carry on Sandy’s vision for Definitive and to make him proud that he chose us as his successors.”

About Sandy Gross
Sandy Gross has the distinction, shared only by industry legend Henry Kloss, of having founded and brought to prominence two leading loudspeaker brands, Polk Audio and Definitive Technology. Along with partners Matthew Polk, George Klopfer and Craig Georgi, Sandy founded Polk Audio in 1972. Sandy’s product development collaboration with Matthew Polk produced a string of iconic loudspeakers including the Polk 10 and the SDA Series of stereo-enhancing loudspeakers. Sandy’s similarly iconic ad campaigns of that era are still fondly remembered by industry veterans. One, featuring a lab coat-clad Matthew Polk, helped launch Polk Audio from a small start-up to an industry leader. Soon after leaving Polk Audio in 1988, Sandy joined with two Canadian partners Don Givogue and Ed Blais to form Definitive Technology in 1990. Sandy’s product and marketing skills built Definitive from a home-based business with one speaker model to arguably the best selling line of high-end home loudspeakers. Sandy’s Definitive accomplishments include the Mythos series the first thin wall mount “designed for plasma” speakers, the development and popularization of “powered tower” loudspeakers with built-in powered subwoofers and advertising campaigns that drove consumers into retailers like none before.

mantis

Excellent acticle and thanks for posting.

Def Tech makes wonderful speakers. They are in my opinion Theater first and music 2nd. Some will not agree but it's how I see them.

Then enter the Mythos series and you now have a 50 50 split for me anyway. I think these speakers are so good I'm buying them myslef. They are truely dynamic and responsive like a theater speaker should be. A lot of non theater like speakers tend to need mad power and don't have good dynamic range unless you drive the hell out of them. Not the case with Def Tech.

Go read any review on any speaker ever made by Def Tech and you will not find a bad one. In Home theater magazine they basically have been there reference standard for many years.

There Suber Cube Reference scored a 99 and would have got a 100 but they don't give out a 100 to anything as they feel nothing is perfect. This sub is the closet thing they found to the date they tested it. Nice.

Dan

ntculenuff

the reason i went with definitive was the close similarity to my polks sound that and when i worked for ultimate electronics we didn't sell polk. I LOVE my definitives going to be retiring my cs350ls for a CLR 3000 here soon

Evanguy2004

mantis wrote: »

Excellent acticle and thanks for posting.

Def Tech makes wonderful speakers. They are in my opinion Theater first and music 2nd. Some will not agree but it's how I see them.

Then enter the Mythos series and you now have a 50 50 split for me anyway. I think these speakers are so good I'm buying them myslef. They are truely dynamic and responsive like a theater speaker should be. A lot of non theater like speakers tend to need mad power and don't have good dynamic range unless you drive the hell out of them. Not the case with Def Tech.

Go read any review on any speaker ever made by Def Tech and you will not find a bad one. In Home theater magazine they basically have been there reference standard for many years.

There Suber Cube Reference scored a 99 and would have got a 100 but they don't give out a 100 to anything as they feel nothing is perfect. This sub is the closet thing they found to the date they tested it. Nice.

Dan

Mantis,

When I was researching Definitive Center Speakers ProCenter 1000 I must have read 200 reviews. Each and everyone of them were spectacular! I took their advice and purchased one. Now I am writing spectacular reviews on Definitive Technology Speakers. I challenge you all to give one a listen next time you are in a Magnolia Section in your local Best Buy Store!!

Monster Jam

Evanguy2004 wrote: »

Now I am writing spectacular reviews on Definitive Technology Speakers. I challenge you all to give one a listen next time you are in a Magnolia Section in your local Best Buy Store!!

DT are good speakers. "Spectacular" - well.......

I'm sure the majority of the members of Club Polk have listened to DT at some point.

mantis

Monster Jam wrote: »

DT are good speakers. "Spectacular" - well.......

I'm sure the majority of the members of Club Polk have listened to DT at some point.

The reason behind such a word on a speaker is what you expect and get. When you look at some Def Tech speakers , you start to lower your expectations. I have and been blown away. Even there entry level monitors and micro sized speakers amaze with ease.

Def Tech has been making great speakes for years and I just have walked right by. All the hype got me not into them but then I started installing them and setting them up in different rooms and man, what a experience they can bring.

Not everyone is going to agree with a store demo, here them properly setup and they are truely amazing speakers.

Dan

cnh

You're right Mantis,

I've heard them in BBs Magnolia and they just didn't sound like much, but what do you expect there. I even heard the Mythos speakers which were again set up badly--they were muddy and had no highs and they were supposedly running off a new Pioneer Elite...I kept looking at the equipment and telling myself, they can't sound that bad.

And here I'm not dissing Def/Tech but BB...I'm certain the receiver and speakers were all connected by someone who didn't know what they were doing or didn't 'care'.

While we're on this. Isn't Def/Techs claim to fame this bipolar kind of design which replicates the drivers you have in the front on the back side (except for the new mythos). Reflective sound? The thing that's always confused me about that is that a certain company that's a four letter word has been touting that effect for decades. So what is it that is different about the Def/Tech idea? I've always had a healthy respect for Def/Tech towers...even thought about buying a pair here and there. But please don't audition these at a BB--they'll only disappoint there!

cnh

mantis

cnh wrote: »

You're right Mantis,

I've heard them in BBs Magnolia and they just didn't sound like much, but what do you expect there. I even heard the Mythos speakers which were again set up badly--they were muddy and had no highs and they were supposedly running off a new Pioneer Elite...I kept looking at the equipment and telling myself, they can't sound that bad.

And here I'm not dissing Def/Tech but BB...I'm certain the receiver and speakers were all connected by someone who didn't know what they were doing or didn't 'care'.

While we're on this. Isn't Def/Techs claim to fame this bipolar kind of design which replicates the drivers you have in the front on the back side (except for the new mythos). Reflective sound? The thing that's always confused me about that is that a certain company that's a four letter word has been touting that effect for decades. So what is it that is different about the Def/Tech idea? I've always had a healthy respect for Def/Tech towers...even thought about buying a pair here and there. But please don't audition these at a BB--they'll only disappoint there!

cnh

cnh,
it's the same story with polk speakers. You try your **** off to get a good demo somewhere but you find them in not so good rooms and setups. It's a shame, try to get a good demo of the Lsi's. Even at Tweeter where I used to work, we had them but they never sounded anything like the do. Until you set them up with good power, they sound like ****.

So the Mythos speakers are truely amazing. I will be buying an entire system. I'm considering the St's or STS depending on my last few demos, 9 or 10 center and rears. No external sub for now. I have got a good demo on them even in our store. I set them up and they impress. We also have a few Def Tech systems setup and they all impress. We have the Mythos 1's on a Elite 01 and dude you should hear the sound quality. I can't believe what I hear. I can sit there and listen to 2 channel and love every minute of it. Truely nice speakers those 1's. No sub for music and I'm not in a hurry to add one. Thats really nice.

Murray1

mantis wrote: »

cnh,
it's the same story with polk speakers. You try your **** off to get a good demo somewhere but you find them in not so good rooms and setups. It's a shame, try to get a good demo of the Lsi's. Even at Tweeter where I used to work, we had them but they never sounded anything like the do. Until you set them up with good power, they sound like ****.

So the Mythos speakers are truely amazing. I will be buying an entire system. I'm considering the St's or STS depending on my last few demos, 9 or 10 center and rears. No external sub for now. I have got a good demo on them even in our store. I set them up and they impress. We also have a few Def Tech systems setup and they all impress. We have the Mythos 1's on a Elite 01 and dude you should hear the sound quality. I can't believe what I hear. I can sit there and listen to 2 channel and love every minute of it. Truely nice speakers those 1's. No sub for music and I'm not in a hurry to add one. Thats really nice.

Mantis,

How would you compare the Mythos 1's to the LSi 15's? I am still in the process of creating my system and have not purchased any audio components to date. Like the idea of an 8 ohm sytem that does not require an additional amp to drive the speakers but ...........

mantis

Murray1 wrote: »

Mantis,

How would you compare the Mythos 1's to the LSi 15's? I am still in the process of creating my system and have not purchased any audio components to date. Like the idea of an 8 ohm sytem that does not require an additional amp to drive the speakers but ...........

I honestly think the Mythos 1's will give the Lsi15's all kinds of problems. The Lsi15's are excellent speakers but I would personally choose the Mythos 1's. I love the way they sound and they are easy to drive. They sound unbelievable off a receiver where the Lsi's sound like crap unless you give them alot of power.

This is a personal opinion not fact. Some may like the Lsi15's better. They are very different in how they sound. The 1's are up in front while the Lsi15's are laid back. The bass is better controlled on the 1's over the 15's. I think the response is much smoother and clear. Very Very nice speakers.

Dan

Murray1

Thanks for the info Mantis. Anyone else have any input I am all ears. Needing suggestions on a center and surrounds if I were to go with the Mythos 1's. Also, do you all think a Pioneer Elite sc-05 would have enough horse power to drive a 5.1 DT system. Thanks again all.

mdaudioguy

Not that it has much to do with the OP's questions, but I've found that my Definitive Technology ProMonitors play very nicely with my Polk RTi's... Also, just for kicks, I recently connected a pair of my 800's to my amp and played them in a 2-channel config along with my sub... wow! Those little buggers can play loud AND clear! Not that they outplayed my RTi's in that respect, but I was suitably impressed.:)

bugner

cnh wrote: »

I think that story would be news to Mr. Polk, himself? BB guys are real good at telling stories. I was in one today, where I stepped in to prevent a couple from being taken on HDMI cables? The Salesman sounded like such an 'authority'?

cnh

I haven't had it happen at BB, but at the now-defunct CC they did the "certified" thing with HDMI cables. You were pressued to buy cables that were supposedly "certified," and you can guess who the manufacturer is. Vastly, vastly more expensive than the no-name cable, which, of course, works just fine and dandy.

be83663

I am definitely buying Definitive Technology's BP7000SC system plus a pair of BP7001SC for the rear surround speakers for a total of $11,800 in 20 years! I am sure that it will sound earthshaking real true to the movie theatre experience! I will also get Outlaw audio's Model 7900 amplifier for $3,500 (300wpc RMS x 7)to go along with the speakers!

sumanth

I'm considering LSi15 (refurbs) myself.. but, if I don't have to use external amps to drive the Mythos 1s.. I can justify the extra cost for Mythos.
Will Onkyo 805 be enough to drive Mythos ?

mantis

sumanth wrote: »

I'm considering LSi15 (refurbs) myself.. but, if I don't have to use external amps to drive the Mythos 1s.. I can justify the extra cost for Mythos.
Will Onkyo 805 be enough to drive Mythos ?

Yes, the Mythos line is very easy to drive. Even there flagship speaker in the Mythos ST is rated at 8 ohms and 93db. So your Onkyo will be fine.

Dan

sumanth

thank you dan.
Im trying to build a 7.1 system..
Right now, Im looking at a 15'x26' room
I ordered Mythos 1 for mains, 8 for center. all silver color
Im not sure about surrounds, rears and the sub.
I can't go for 8s as you suggested in the other thread as that would be way over my budget.
My options:
Rears -Gems or Polk VM20 (refurb)
Surrounds - Gems or Polk FXiA6 (refurb)
Sub - SuperCube III or SVS Cylinder subwoofer (PC12-NSD)

please suggest

tx in advance

vijayl

Just today, I saw VM20 (Silver) @ Frys for 149. Check it out and if it doesn't match, u can easily return it, since it is local.
I would go w/ Gems for Surrounds and I checked it in Magnolia yesterday and it was good. You may not need 7.1. First try 5.1 setup, if u really wanna go for 7.1, then u can decide for the rears.
If u settle down to 5.1 u may stay w/in ur budget and go for 8s