Def Tech BP 8B

[GlocksRock]

I may be able to get some Def Tech BP 8B tower speakers for super cheap, I can't find anywhere if these have the subs built in or not. How good are these, I would imagine they would walk all over my current Polk Audio R30s, but if I got those, I would want to upgrade the rest of my speakers to match, at least the center channel. Can anyone give me some opinions on these? If I get them, it will probably be this evening, so I need to make a decision quick.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I use those as surrounds in my HT, with the 10Bs in front. I love them for movies because they produce a really big, enveloping soundstage. I find the bipolar sound a bit too unfocused for music, though. Neither they nor the 10Bs have built in subs, but you would hardly guess that by listening to them. I don't even bother using a sub in my setup because I get enough bass for my tastes from the four towers.

 

[GlocksRock]

I wasn't too concerned if they have built in subs or not since I have a SVS 20-39PC+ but still, the more bass the better. I think I will pick them up if they are still available, I figure for $150 for the pair, it's too good of a deal to pass up.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

That is a sweet deal. MSRP on mine was $800/pr, and that was around 4 years ago.

 

[GlocksRock]

That is a sweet deal. MSRP on mine was $800/pr, and that was around 4 years ago.

Yeah, and the owner claims they were used for only about a year. If I end up with them, I'll report back when I get them all hooked up. But it may be a while since I won't use them until I move into my new place in early July.

 

[GlocksRock]

I picked them up, and got them running now. I think they sound pretty good, but the room they are in now sucks for my setup. I'm listning to some pink floyd off my RX-V1600 in Pure Direct moded and oppo dvd player, and it sounds really good, especially for what I paid. Now I just need to get some carpet spikes for them, and a matching center channel, then I can start saving up for the surround and surround back speakers.

 

[riceaterslc]

make sure you leave plenty of room between them and wall. i noticed a significant sound improvement when i moved mine from 1' to 3'

 

[GlocksRock]

I will play around with the distance, thanks for the info. Why do you think it makes such a difference? When you say you moved them, do you mean out from the rear wall, or from the side walls?

 

[GlocksRock]

Since they sound so good running full range, should I set the fronts to large?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

This weekend, I temporarily swapped the BP 8Bs with my primary stereo speakers (B&W 705s) just to remind myself what they sound like for music. My conclusion is that I would probably enjoy them in a house. In my apartment, however, I have to turn them down too much to get the full sound they are capable of. The bass is just too powerful when one has neighbors. The B&Ws have more detail, but the Def Techs have a bigger soundstage.

 

[riceaterslc]

When you say you moved them, do you mean out from the rear wall, or from the side walls?

moved them out from the rear wall.

 

[GlocksRock]

This weekend, I temporarily swapped the BP 8Bs with my primary stereo speakers (B&W 705s) just to remind myself what they sound like for music. My conclusion is that I would probably enjoy them in a house. In my apartment, however, I have to turn them down too much to get the full sound they are capable of. The bass is just too powerful when one has neighbors. The B&Ws have more detail, but the Def Techs have a bigger soundstage.

They do have good bass, so do you think I should set the front speakers to large on my receiver to run them full range, or just leave it set to small and let the SVS take care of all my lows?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

They do have good bass, so do you think I should set the front speakers to large on my receiver to run them full range, or just leave it set to small and let the SVS take care of all my lows?

I can't say. I use mine without a sub. (Fortunately, my HT is in a more isolated room than my stereo so I can get the full effect.)