Def Tech Mythos Speakers -- First Impressions

[modman]

Hey All --

About a week ago, I posted a thread requesting some input about on-wall speakers that would maintain audio quality at the same level I am getting from my AAD 2000 stand-mounters and center (with sub and surrounds from other manufacturers). Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

I auditioned both the B&W FPM and the Martin-Logan Frescoe lines. Both makes sounded pretty good, but on my demo tracks, both speakers were missing something in the mid-range and high end (with a subwoofer being employed)...a lack of depth and spaciousness -- the rasp and air in a singer's voice was just not there. I began to think that this was the price to be paid for a "lifestyle" choice.

However, today I auditioned the Definitive Techologies Mythos speakers. My, oh my...

First of all, they are built like army tanks. Heavy, solid, and gorgeous. The airline-grade aluminum shell is SWEET!

I listened to the following:
> Mythos 2 (on-wall) mains as stereo pair, with and without subwoofer
> Mythos 2 with Mythos 3 center (on-wall), in DPLIIx with subwoofer
> Mythos 1 (floor-standing) mains as a stereo pair
> Mythos 1 mains with Mythos 3 center, in DPLIIx with subwoofer

First of all, these speakers have NO bass. None. Nada. They are not meant to be...so the listening as stereo pairs with no sub was terminated pretty quickly.

But add the sub, and POW this is a package with presence, imaging, spaciousness, and detail. The Mythos 2 /Mythos 3 combo, in DPLIIx, made my demo tracks sing out!

However, I still felt that I might be missing something. After looking at the Mythos 1 floor-standing towers -- with their narrow, tall configuration -- I realized that their sealed enclosure might permit me to take them all the way back to the wall -- it wouldn't be a wall-mount, but it would still look clean, minimalist, and sexy. Oh my...what a sound! As a stereo pair with sub, I heard inner detail on the singer's voice in my demo tracks that I had never heard before. In DPLIIx, with the Mythos 3 center and a sub, I was totally mesmerized by the wall of sound. Nice, nice nice.

Def Tech is coming out with the Mythos 8, which is larger than the Mythos 2 but still wall-mountable -- it's pretty much like the Mythos 1 but without one bass drive and one passive radiator. I think I'll wait to try it before making a decision.

OK, this was not a controlled side-by-side test under comparable conditions. And yes, the sexy styling of the Mythos speakers probably made me "lean" toward them. But I can tell you that my ears and my eyes were very pleased with this first demo. There's a good chance I'm going to get them!

Anyone have any comments or experiences?

 

[gellor]

If you do get these, please post and let us all know. I'm really interested in these. Not too many people have much to say about them, though.

When I demoed them locally, I was blown away. (Now I just have to find money to buy them...maybe a trip to Vegas? )

 

[Duffinator]

I've listened to the Mythos One's a couple of times and like them a lot. Like you said not much bass down low but nothing a sub can't fix. Plus they are very high on the WAF. If you are now considering floor standers with a small footprint I'd also check out the Klipsch RVX54 and the Monitor Audio RS 6 and 8's. I like both of those speakers better than the Def Tech's. The Klipsch have more bass, four drivers instead of two plus two passive radiators. But with either the Klipsch or Def Tech's I would use one of their box center channel speakers for my personal application. I think the Klipsch look a little cheesy in silver but the black cabinets look pretty cool.

http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=770

But I much prefer the Monitor Silver series which also have a small footprint and you can leave off the base plate and move them closer to the wall if needed. One nice feature of the Monitors RS speakers is they have both front and rear ports. So if they are close to the wall and sound boomy you can plug the rear port. IMO both the RS 6 and 8 have more bass than either of the two above. The 6's have one of the smallest footprints of any box floor standing speakers out there. I have some space constraints in my room and will most likely buy the Monitor's some time next year.

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/products/silver/index.htm

 

[AVRat]

I demoed the Mythos a while back and "OH MY GOD!!" they are awesome. I am really big on the Def Techs anyway. I am actually thinking of using a pair for a dual center setup behind an acoustic screen, if and when I get to that point.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Heard the Mythos floorstanders today at Stereovisions. They had very good midrange, and crisp highs. They definitely need a separate sub, but the little 8" Supercube did a nice job picking up the bass.

In contrast, I also heard the Yamaha DSP-1. I was highly disappointed. There was no mid bass at all. The surround only came from the sides, and nothing from the rear. The highs were no where near the Mythos, nor was the soundstage even close.

 

[GeorgeM]

I'm really satisified with the DefTechs for HT. I have the Mythos One's and Three among a nine-speaker setup and complemented with a SVS PB12-Plus-2 sub.

I'm also using the Mythos Gems in the presence function, so if you have a Yamaha receiver I'd certainly consider these. The Gems would work equally well as surrounds.

-GeorgeM

 

[conchyjoe]

Heard the Mythos with a friend of mine that bought a surround set for his bedroom theatre and I really really doubt that you will find anything that not only looks as attractive, but sounds even remotely as good for the money. They blew me away for the way they sounded in comparison to their size and cost! Like everything though, because of their design they have their limitations, but as I've said...within those limitations they can't be beat...can't touch my Aerials though...hehehe!!!
Cheers

 

[SimonG]

I'm really satisified with the DefTechs for HT. I have the Mythos One's and Three among a nine-speaker setup and complemented with a SVS PB12-Plus-2 sub. ...

Did you, by chance, audition any of the DefTech Supercube subs when you purchased your system?

 

[modman]

Sorry, I did not. I have an Outlaw LFM-1 sub, and it's such a good deal it makes me scream. I have heard lots and lots of good things about the Supercubes, though!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If space is an issue

Did you, by chance, audition any of the DefTech Supercube subs when you purchased your system?

I did yesterday. The 8" was wonderful with music. The 10" would work well for both music and HT. The 10" won't go as low as the higher end SVS subs at the same dB levels, but will fit better in tight places. They are pricey subs, but the sound is very impressive. If space is an issue, and you have the budget, I give them a big thumbs up.

 

[SimonG]

Thanks Buck... seems that I'm gonna have to drop into Bay Bloor to give 'em a listen. Space is definitely an issue here (hey, I already have one mini-fridge located in my small one-bedroom... no room for the SVS ).

I must say that I absolutely love the DefTech Mythos series... too rich for my graduate-student-on-a-budget blood though.

 

[GeorgeM]

SimonG: I did not audition the DefTech cubes; no particular reason, I just didn't! I originally had a relatively inexpensive Yamaha sub (not bad performance for $150.00 US) but was enticed solely by posts on Audioholics Forums to try an SVS. I initially purchased a one of the cylinders before transitioning to the 140 lb master-of-low-freqs that effected the evacuation of all termites, rodents, and other unwanted critters within 100 miles . A sound investment (pun intended)!

-GeorgeM