If you don't know Def Tech - Get to Know Them!
Written: Jan 29 '02
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Pros: excellent sound for music and HT for this price range
Cons: lack the impact of tower speakers
The Bottom Line: Definitive Technology is an excellent speaker brand. The ProCinema 100 series shows why they top even the high-end brands at this price point. Highly recommended.
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| dimeadip's Full Review: Definitive Technology ProCinema 100 |
I was originally turned on to the Def Techs by an article in Sound & Vision. In the article, the editors put a complete home theater (HT) system together for couples in different price ranges. One of the systems featured the ProCinema 100 system, which consists of 4 identical satellites, a center channel, and, then, a 125 watt subwoofer. The system now comes with a 250 watt subwoofer, but the price has remained at about $1350 retail.
For those not familiar with Definitive Technology, know that they are VERY well respected by music and home theater enthusiasts alike. Everyone has their favorites, but Def Tech is widely respected by all who have heard them. The ProCinema 100 is one of their lowest priced lines. For example, my father-in-law owns four BP2006TL tower speakers. Each has a built-in 250W subwoofer at $600 each. They go well up from there to about $2350 per speaker for the BP3000TL, with its built-in 1000W sub. The ProCinema 100 may not contain all that punch, but it certainly benefits from the family inheritance.
The satellite speakers are about 6" wide by 10" tall and about 5 1/2" deep. The come with a stand which can be mounted beneath the speaker, like a foot stand, or attached to the back of the speaker for wall mounting. The attachment swivels for easy aiming in both cases. I have the fronts on shelves pointed toward the sofa and the rears mounted on the walls angled in. Each satellite contains a 5 1/4" midrange, good for down to 50 Hz, and a 1" aluminum dome tweeter.
The center speaker is 14 3/4" wide and 5 1/4" tall. It has a built-in adjustment which allows it to be angled up or down toward the listener. It contains two of the same midranges and one of the same tweeter. Voice matching between satellites and center is seamless.
The subwoofer is 11 1/4" wide by 14 1/4" high by 17" deep. It is front firing and includes a sturdy cover. It contains a 10" driver and a 250W amp. It can be connected to your receiver by connecting the front speaker wires or by connecting the RCA low-effects output (recommended). Wiring instructions are included with all the speakers.
All the speakers are available in black or white.
How do they sound? Excellent.
Originally, I listened to some Bose. They were impressive, til I listened to everything else. (Get what you want. Just don't get Bose.) I also listened to a Polk system in the same price range. Then I found the Def Techs. Immediately, I noticed the difference. Like driving a nice Toyota and then getting in a Mercedez. Nothing against the Polks, they just weren't in this league. I compared the Def Techs side-by-side with Paradigm, Polk, and Klipsch. The Paradigms and Klipschs were excellent, but I preferred the smooth, transparent sound of the Def Techs. My older 125W sub easliy shakes my walls, the new 250W sub should be even better.
My living room is about 25 x 22' with 12' cathedral ceilings. This system is more than enough to fill the room. One word of caution, use a good receiver to realize the full potential of these speakers (Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, or Marantz are good suggestions). Although I they lack some of the seamlessness of a tower speaker/subwoofer system, they are an excellent set of speakers for this price range.
Speaking of prices, Definitive Technology, like many high-end audio brands, claims universal prices with no haggling. Not so. Expect a dealer to come down 10 - 15%. But, Def Techs are almost impossible to find (in the US) on the internet. Dealers are rather thin, but they are worth seeking out.
Good luck.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1200
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Epinions.com ID:
dimeadip
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Location: Pensacola, Florida
Reviews written: 39
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Chemical engineer two young kids in beautiful Pensacola, Florida
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