Review: DCM TimeWindow 1 Speaker


Category: Speakers

This review covers the orignal DCM Time Windows. Not the subsequent versions.

I remember the first time I heard these. Their unique shape and sound where unlike anything I had heard before. Here was a speaker that really delivered the promise. It was driven by a PS Audio Amp and PS Audio LCC PreAmp. At the time I had the Large Advents,and while those speakers were very good indeed, the Time Windows were clearly superior. The music just seemed to come alive in a way that's hard to describe. There was just a seamless transparency to them. Not overly bright or accentuated on the bass. The balance was right on. It didn't really matter what the program material was, the Time Windows clearly and with authority brought the music to life. If they had any real weakness is for some peoples taste the bass may have been on the light side. But for my taste it was as it should be. The orginals used Philips drivers using a transmission line and the cabinet construction contributed to the overall sound. In the late 70s these were not cheap at about $800.00 but were indeed worth the price of admission. I was finally able to acquire a pair of these and have them to this day. Few things one purchases in life have enduring value and the Time Windows truly are in that category. Of all the reviews I have read on these speakers not one reviewer has clearly defined the sonics of this fabulous speaker. Use all of the adjectives you want and one will still come up short in the description. Best way to describe them, if you love music and have better than average components connected to them, the Time Windows will deliver the music with a verve that will astound you.

Now these speakers are some 20 years or more in age and continue to deliver the music. And that's what this hobby is all about. DCM no longer produces the Time Windows,having opted for the HT route. This is a true shame as these speakers deserve continued production. Timeless design is just that.

Specifications:

  • Dimensions:36"H x 14 3/4"W x 11 3/4"D
  • Weight:32 Pounds
  • Power Requirements:10 Watts Minimum per channel 89 dB/watt at one meter;200 Watts Maximum
  • Impedance:5 Ohms minimum/6-8 Ohms nominal
  • Frequency Range:25Hz to 18 kHz
  • Dispersion:180 degrees horizontal/60 degrees vertical.

    Specifications do not tell the whole story,listening does. The Time Windows due to their configuration can be literally tuned to any room. That is due to their shape. This was a brilliantly executed design that has remained faithful all these years.

    Associated gear
    Click to view my Virtual System

    Similar products
    Polk SDA 2,Large Advent,Infinity,Boston Acoustic.

  • ferrari
    Easy to live with.  I was a dealer back then and got my pair for $330. 

    If you folks are old enough they remind me of Allison 1's.  Not quite the extension into the highs and lows but everything in the middle.  I liked them, but when I started to compare them to Maggie MG-1 and Cizek-1 I found the DCM's to be veiled.  I sold them pretty quick.  I never disliked them, I just found them to never give me the sense of musicians in the room.  I grew up with Quad ESL-57's so I'm hard to please.

    Good morning. Great to stumble across this forum.  I have a pair of the original Time WIndows purchased in the 80’s.  I heard them once and my Corner Horns went up for sale.   After a ten year break I have finally “managed” to claim a stereo room.  I’m happy to be back into it!
    Monty

    Audio Research SP6a
    Citation II
    Thorens TD-125 mk II 

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    I just found this thread in 2020. I've owned my Timewindows for 45 years. They haven't been used in probably 15 years, but now i am motivated to hook them up and see how they sound. 

    I saw a post or two above talking about the foam covers. I need new foam. Anybody have any spare or know where i can source it? Thanks. 

    and all that sound from 6 1/2 inch woofers  my mom bought these in the 70s paid close to $1000 for the pair and its like you say the sound is just so impressive the speakers have excellent imaging the bass can drop real low and hit good and hard ..  my mom passed them over to me in the 80s and the foam coverings were damaged so i just removed it all my friends could not understand where all the bass was coming from.. lol  awesome speakers