I use the BP-7004 series for a home theater along with the powered center (2003). I NEVER intended to use them much for music and basically considered them "big" and "loud" though still impressively detailed.
Then I tried connecting them to better amps....Odyssey Stratos and quite recently the new Manley Stingray II tube amp. In the room was also a pair of borrowed Totem Hawks.
The Hawks were better in many respects...especially sounding quicker and more articulate. But they also required a lot of work to get them to image as well as the Def Techs, which presented a superior sense of scale and of course really dig down lower. Oddly we found the Def Techs more laid back. Tonally both speakers were very good, but the Totems were a hair better for jazz and small ensembles. Throwing on some Steely Dan and Lyle Lovett...The Def Techs were superior and required no sub. Going back to a Denon receiver and we heard what most people hear; a so-so big speaker that didn't sound all that coherent. Connecting the Totems to the receiver resulted in much less damage. They seemed to hold their own better with lower end stuff....an impressive achievement.
I think the lesson is obvious. The Def Techs CAN be a very good speaker when placed in a better system. But most people aren't likely to hear a pair connected to a 18 watt tube amp or even a good Stratos. They are a mid fi market speaker that can overachieve....but you need to find better electronics to hear it.
Rob
Then I tried connecting them to better amps....Odyssey Stratos and quite recently the new Manley Stingray II tube amp. In the room was also a pair of borrowed Totem Hawks.
The Hawks were better in many respects...especially sounding quicker and more articulate. But they also required a lot of work to get them to image as well as the Def Techs, which presented a superior sense of scale and of course really dig down lower. Oddly we found the Def Techs more laid back. Tonally both speakers were very good, but the Totems were a hair better for jazz and small ensembles. Throwing on some Steely Dan and Lyle Lovett...The Def Techs were superior and required no sub. Going back to a Denon receiver and we heard what most people hear; a so-so big speaker that didn't sound all that coherent. Connecting the Totems to the receiver resulted in much less damage. They seemed to hold their own better with lower end stuff....an impressive achievement.
I think the lesson is obvious. The Def Techs CAN be a very good speaker when placed in a better system. But most people aren't likely to hear a pair connected to a 18 watt tube amp or even a good Stratos. They are a mid fi market speaker that can overachieve....but you need to find better electronics to hear it.
Rob