Definitive Technology Mythos ST or BP7001sc?

[jgeorg5]

Hi all. I'm currently looking to buy a pair of one of these and I need some help deciding between them. I'll be starting off with a 2.0 set-up, so I'm looking for full range fronts. These will be going in my living room which is about 18' x 12' with vaulted ceilings, that go from 8' up to 11'. The living room shares part of a side and opens into my dining room, which is approximately 15' x 15' with 8' ceilings. They will be used for 90% HT and about 10% video games, not much 2 channel audio at all (but maybe this will increase if I enjoy the speakers). My receiver will be a Pioneer Elite SC-05.

I'm in a condo plus I have an 11 month old, so a stand-alone subwoofer would not be used to it's full potential at this point, although I do plan to go to a full 5.1 in the future. I have listened to the Mythos ST's for over an hour at Abt and I think they sound pretty good for both music and movies. I have not heard the BP7001sc's, but I did listen to the BP7002's for a few minutes with movies at Best Buy and was surprised how good they sounded. I do know that neither set-up was the best listening environment.

Based on my current set-up, I will not be able to have the BP7001sc's more than 5-8" from the back wall, so I'm not sure if I even should consider them if I can't give them the space they need.

Knowing that I will be going to a full 5.1 with a solid subwoofer in the future (I'm thinking an Epik Phoenix), are the ST's or 7001's a waste, even though they will be run at full range for the time being?

Thanks for the help.

Jason

 

[GlocksRock]

The BP series should definitely be further than 5-8 inches from the back wall, so I would rule those out. Due to the built in subs in def techs, placement is crucial with them, but much more so with the BP series. So I would definitely go with the Mythos. However when you get the rest of your system, do give the bipolar surrounds a good hard look. All of the def tech speakers are timbre matched, so regardless of mythos or BP, they will all have matching sound.

 

[MatthewB.]

I own the 7001 and have tested the STS (and ST) the 7001 have far better bass response, but the STS has tighter mid range and tweets. For movies get the 7001, music the STS

 

[MatthewB.]

Glocksrock, actually the BP has a slightly different timbre than the mythos series. Not extreme mind you, but there is a difference.

 

[jgeorg5]

Thanks Glocks. I was/am concerned with being able to give the 7001's the space they need and wanted to get the imput from others who have bipolar speakers. I should be able to place the ST's where they will sound good, given that they are more forgiving (as you mentioned) than the 7001's, and are smaller so they will not need to be as close to the rear wall.

 

[GlocksRock]

Glocksrock, actually the BP has a slightly different timbre than the mythos series. Not extreme mind you, but there is a difference.

I was just going off of what Chet @ Definitive told me, as I have no actual experience with the mythos line, but I did inquire about them and was told the timber was the same across all their lines. I have the BP7001SC and they are about 13 inches or so from the back wall, and I would still like for them to be about twice that distance, but it's not feasible in my room. They do still sound good though.

 

[jgeorg5]

I am a basshead at heart, so that's what has me considering the 7001's. I was surprised at the bass from the 7002's, so I figured (based on the specs) that the 7001's would put out significantly more than the 7002's. As I will be without a standalone sub for the time being, I wanted to get as much bass as I could from my fronts especially since my listening is mostly HT and not music. My concern is that if I put the 7001's too close to the rear wall, that the bass will be too boomy or muddy. I'd much rather lose some spl's and keep quality bass than increase spl's and have it sound bad. Can you turn down the dial on the 7001's with close placement to the rear wall and still keep some serious output without destroying the quality?

 

[AVRat]

Personally, I'd opt for the Mythos Ones with the sub and save some cash. You'll have better performance even in your condo as I'm sure you won't be cranking the volume with whichever setup you decide on. But if the sub is a definite no go, then the STS is probably your better option.

 

[GlocksRock]

Yes, you can adjust the sub level on each speaker independently.

 

[MatthewB.]

For the cost, I would go with 3 pr of Studio 450's (250/pr) and a SVS sub.

 

[MatthewB.]

BTW I have my 7001s about 8" from the rear wall and crossed at 40Hz and the bass is great. If set to Large the bass becomes boomy and drops off. Hence my suggestion for the 450's and sub.