Definitive Technology Dymension DM70 Tower Speaker and DM20 Center Speaker Review

[shadyJ]

Our last review encounter with Definitive Technology in the form of the Demand series (Definitive Technology Demand D15 review) left a positive impression, but it was a departure from their normal design practices. It almost looked as if Definitive Technology was turning a new leaf in terms of sound character, even though we and many others enjoyed their traditional sound (BP9080x Review). In the Demand series, Definitive Technology aced the design of a more traditional speaker than their usual bipole loudspeakers. However, if it did signal a new direction for Definitive Technology, they have just launched a speaker series that proclaims they have not abandoned their bipole design. The new Dymension speakers, which we previewed back in March (Definitive Technology Dymension Series Preview), take Definitive Technology’s traditional design and advance it with a host of new features. In today’s review, we take an in-depth look at the Dymension D70 tower speakers and the DM20 center speaker. In this review, we will ask the questions of what Definitive Technology has done to move their standard design forward, and how they compete among other speakers in the same product class.

READ: Definitive Technology Dymension D70 tower & DM20 center speakers Review

 

[ryanosaur]

As always, great write up Shady.

While I was absolutely not a fan of the old BP 9 series Speakers, I will give Def Tech some props for making a Speaker here which on paper certainly seems to check many boxes for being well designed. On the other hand, I still can’t fully get behind the powered bass section in quite the same way.
This has just seemed to me to make it way too easy to make a mess of overall performance. In the BPs I had auditioned, my description of the bass section was like drinking diet soda: overly sweet with a weird aftertaste.
Perhaps they have taken strides to smooth out integration issues with the active bass, and in the neutral position the speaker seems to perform quite nicely. On the other hand, that boosted response looks like it will easily create a bloated quality.
With great power comes great responsibility. Like giving a person a live mic, this will be abused.

I will absolutely give DT props, again, for not lying in the specs like they used to. If nothing else, this alone is a win for consumers!

 

[ben_]

It seems like room setup and dimensions could have a huge impact on the sound of these. Any thoughts on that beyond the slight toe-in mentioned in the review? Looking at the diagrams I'm reminded of the Bose 901, but approached in a sane, modern way.

 

[shadyJ]

It seems like room setup and dimensions could have a huge impact on the sound of these. Any thoughts on that beyond the slight toe-in mentioned in the review? Looking at the diagrams I'm reminded of the Bose 901, but approached in a sane, modern way.

As you say, set up and room dimensions would affect these more so than traditional designs. My guess is that you would get better results in larger rooms, given the rear array. Also, less reverberant rooms would probably fare better with these speakers. They should do fine in any normally furnished living room or family room, but I don't know how well this technology would work in a small bedroom. I wouldn't think great.

 

[Danzilla31]

Great write up @shadyJ are these more challenging to measure due to the bipolar array?

 

[shadyJ]

Great write up @shadyJ are these more challenging to measure due to the bipolar array?

Not more challenging, but just needed a lot more measurements.

 

[bomt697]

While I am curious how these speakers sound, I have come to the conclusion that speakers with built in power subs are not for me. Hope these sound kick ass for a long time

 

[ryanosaur]

While I am curious how these speakers sound, I have come to the conclusion that speakers with built in power subs are not for me. Hope these sound kick ass for a long time

They are just a powered bass section: should not even be thought of as Subs.
Used properly, you can see in the measurements that they appear to perform quite well down to 30Hz.
Frankly, I would still want some good Subs with these as they clearly are not meant to produce much in the way of anything much lower without altering the sound characteristic of an otherwise neutral-seeming Speaker.

(Here’s to hoping they have improved the quality and durability of their amps, however… this was a common complaint about their previous products featuring powered Bass.)

 

[bomt697]

They are just a powered bass section: should not even be thought of as Subs.
Used properly, you can see in the measurements that they appear to perform quite well down to 30Hz.
Frankly, I would still want some good Subs with these as they clearly are not meant to produce much in the way of anything much lower without altering the sound characteristic of an otherwise neutral-seeming Speaker.

(Here’s to hoping they have improved the quality and durability of their amps, however… this was a common complaint about their previous products featuring powered Bass.)

It’s not the performance that bugs me, it’s the crappy amps def tech uses

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

FR ~ +/- 2.5dB is very good. Glad to see DT is continuing this accuracy trend. I think Shady measured the Demand tower FR to be something like +/-1.6dB, which is awesome.

Maybe B&W can follow this trend too.

As for amps inside speakers - I personally wouldn’t want any amps inside any speakers.

 

[Danzilla31]

Definitive is really stepping up there game. The measurements are impressive.

 

[shadyJ]

It’s not the performance that bugs me, it’s the crappy amps def tech uses

I think the amplifier design in these Dymension series is very different than the previous generation BP series, a lot more efficient.

 

[ben_]

Have any of their previous speakers used class D amps, or is this the first?

 

[Danzilla31]

I think the amplifier design in these Dymension series is very different than the previous generation BP series, a lot more efficient.

Hey Shady what would happen if you used 3 identical DM70 towers instead of that little DM20 center channel speaker?

Does the bipolar nature of these speaker keep you from using them as 3 identical towers as your front 3?

 

[shadyJ]

Hey Shady what would happen if you used 3 identical DM70 towers instead of that little DM20 center channel speaker?

Does the bipolar nature of these speaker keep you from using them as 3 identical towers as your front 3?

You could use them as an entire front stage. The Bipolar aspect would not be a problem, so long as you enjoyed that type of soundstage and you had the space to put them in. You would not want to place these speakers too close to the wall.

 

[Danzilla31]

Another thing I wish DefTech would do is allow you to turn the back array of speakers off. You can ready turn them down by 6db

With the great measurements why not give the user the option to turn the speakers in the back off?

That way you could have the best of both worlds. You want that bipole effect and wider soundstage turn it on. You want more precise imaging at times well then turn it off

So you get the best of both worlds that way

 

[Bobby Bass]

FR ~ +/- 2.5dB is very good. Glad to see DT is continuing this accuracy trend. I think Shady measured the Demand tower FR to be something like +/-1.6dB, which is awesome.

Maybe B&W can follow this trend too.

As for amps inside speakers - I personally wouldn’t want any amps inside any speakers.

Agree in a soundbar fine but have had bad experiences with amps in speakers. From all the reviews it appears powered speakers are becoming more common with manufacturers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Agree in a soundbar fine but have had bad experiences with amps in speakers. From all the reviews it appears powered speakers are becoming more common with manufacturers.

More active speakers are being OFFERED. Always good for offer everyone different options. Both options sound great.

 

[davidscott]

Believe it or not Best Buy Magnolia sells Def Tech speakers. Not sure if they carry this model but if they do you could audition them locally.

 

[Danzilla31]

Believe it or not Best Buy Magnolia sells Def Tech speakers. Not sure if they carry this model but if they do you could audition them locally.

The Best Buys here in San Antonio do. I've already seen some of these current models in the stores.