Help:need more info on BIC DV-26 for rear spkrs (versus DV62si)

[christhemac]

I was all set to buy the Athena ASB1 Speakers and Home Theatre Center Speaker Package (ASB1, ASC1, ASR1)...but they dont deliver to the States. I was bummed b/c I was looking forward to hearing the bipole speakers.

So I regrouped and went to plan B: 4x DV62si and DC62CLR-S.

BUT...then I discovered the DV-26 on the web...not a bi/dipole but seems to be designed as a rear surr. speaker. Now I am thinking of using these for rear surrounds instead of a pair of DV62si's.

However, I cannot seem to find a whole lot about them (ex., tweeter and woofer materials). Here's what I know:

Power handling: 150 watts
One woofer and two 2" tweeters
2-way, tuned vent bookshelf speakers
Mirror image design
90 dB sensitivity
3kHz crossover frequency
Frequency response: 49Hz-20kHz
Black laminate finish
15" W x 9 1/2" H x 9" D
7 year limited warranty parts and labor

This seems like it would match up nicely with the DV62si speakers.

Any thoughts or ideas? Do you see any issues with the 2 inch "tweeters".

Thanks.

 

[jaxvon]

I do have an issue with the 2" tweeter. Two inches is too big to accurately reproduce the upper end of the sound spectrum. I would either stick with the original plan, or see if anyone else knows of a dipole speaker that has a similar voicing to the BIC speakers. That said, I don't know how many other speakers you're going to find in this price range that can hang with the BIC speakers.

 

[christhemac]

Good to know that I am not the only one up this late (east coast).

Thanks for your feedback. I am drafting an email to send to BIC to get more info on these speakers. What would I ask them to find out how the tweeters perform?

Thanks

 

[jaxvon]

I would ask what the -3dB points are on the speakers, as well as generally how the speakers sound. The specs on frequency response should have a +/- 3dB on them. They specs say 49Hz to 20kHz, but within the 3dB range (the usable response), they might only be like 58Hz to 16.5kHz. Note: these are RANDOM NUMBERS as an EXAMPLE. They have no bearing whatsoever on any real speaker.

That said, the woofers and tweeters on the D-26 are different than those on the DV62s, meaning they'll have a different sonic signature. Despite the fact that they're made by the same company, they could sound very different.

The 4 matching bookshelves still seem like the best option to me right now. You'll definitely get a consistent sound all the way around.

 

[LOUMFSG]

I just got my BIC Venturi's today

I was all set to buy the Athena ASB1 Speakers and Home Theatre Center Speaker Package (ASB1, ASC1, ASR1)...but they dont deliver to the States. I was bummed b/c I was looking forward to hearing the bipole speakers.

So I regrouped and went to plan B: 4x DV62si and DC62CLR-S.

BUT...then I discovered the DV-26 on the web...not a bi/dipole but seems to be designed as a rear surr. speaker. Now I am thinking of using these for rear surrounds instead of a pair of DV62si's.

However, I cannot seem to find a whole lot about them (ex., tweeter and woofer materials). Here's what I know:

Power handling: 150 watts
One woofer and two 2" tweeters
2-way, tuned vent bookshelf speakers
Mirror image design
90 dB sensitivity
3kHz crossover frequency
Frequency response: 49Hz-20kHz
Black laminate finish
15" W x 9 1/2" H x 9" D
7 year limited warranty parts and labor

This seems like it would match up nicely with the DV62si speakers.

Any thoughts or ideas? Do you see any issues with the 2 inch "tweeters".

Thanks.

I just received my BIC Venturi speakers today. I decided to go for floorstanders up front, so I went with the DV84's. I got the DV62CLR-S for the center (it is the only speaker that has not yet arrived). I was originally considering the DV62si's for the surround speakers, but I went with the D-26's instead, for probably the same reason that you are considering - they seemed like they would spread the sound better based on the dual-tweeter configuration. I also got the V1220 sub.

Since I haven't ordered the rest of this system yet (I am still trying to make a decision on the AVR), I tested the speakers with an old Kenwood receiver that I got years ago (about 8, I think), used from a buddy. Since the receiver doesn't support surround sound or a subwoofer, I only got to test the DV84's and D-26's in A/B stereo mode. I had an old pair of Infinity Reference E-L bookshelves, which I also hooked up, for comparison purposes.

The DV84's sound great. Now, I have heard from others that out-of-the-box, all of the BICs may sound a little muddy, and that the sound should improve over time as the speakers burn-in. If that is true, then these are going to be really great. With frequency response from 27Hz to 20kHz, I knew they would provide plenty of bass, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the clarity of the highs. They have a full, rich sound, and at the same time sound clean and crisp, with good separation. I played Pink Floyd, Donald Fagan, The Rippingtons, Dire Straits (live) and James Taylor, and they performed well across the board. Being floorstanders, they obviously sounded much fuller and richer than the Infinity bookshelves.

Unfortunately, the D-26's were another story. Maybe the burn-in period is a bigger deal with these, because I didn't think they sounded anywhere near as good as the DV84's. I expected less bass, but I didn't expect the lack of clarity. These speakers had less separation than either the Infinity bookshelves or the DV84's. Now, to be fair, these speakers were only about $100 for the pair, but I was hoping for better sound. I am going to give them a little while to see if they sound better, but I am now seriously considering sending them back, and going with either the DV62si's or even the DV52si's for the surrounds.

At this point, since the drivers for the DV62's are more like those on the DV84's, I would recommend getting four of those over two of those and two of the D-26's. Like I said above, maybe they just need to burn-in, and I'll feel differently later, but at this point, I probably wouldn't recommend them.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

christhemac: So I regrouped and went to plan B: 4x DV62si and DC62CLR-S.

BUT...then I discovered the DV-26 on the web...not a bi/dipole but seems to be designed as a rear surr. speaker. Now I am thinking of using these for rear surrounds instead of a pair of DV62si's.

BIC's DV62's are probably the best sounding speakers BIC makes. The center channel is right behind it. The DV84's are excellent for imaging. I'd recommend the DV62's in a heartbeat for surrounds if budget permits. They're a tad large to mount on a wall (it can be done), but you can't beat the sound. I'd even sacrifice and get the 62's over the 52's regardless of the WAF. The 62's are that good.

 

[LOUMFSG]

DV-62's vs. DV-52's

Buck - I'm not sure if your last comment was in regards to Chris or myself. I have the DV-84's upfront. Is your comment about getting the 62's over the 52's regardless of the WAF (I assume that means wife acceptance factor) related to front speakers, or anywhere in the system. I am leaning towards the 52's as the surround speakers, based on size and ease of mounting. If I didn't have the 84's up front, I would definitely get the 62's over the 52's up front. Do you think the 62's as surround speakers would make a big difference?

Also, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have heard that speakers have a "burn-in" period, where it may take a while before they reach their best sound. How long does that period typically last?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Buck - I'm not sure if your last comment was in regards to Chris or myself. I have the DV-84's upfront. Is your comment about getting the 62's over the 52's regardless of the WAF (I assume that means wife acceptance factor) related to front speakers, or anywhere in the system. I am leaning towards the 52's as the surround speakers, based on size and ease of mounting. If I didn't have the 84's up front, I would definitely get the 62's over the 52's up front. Do you think the 62's as surround speakers would make a big difference?

Yes, MacManNM did a review on the 84's, 62's, 52's, DV1200 and CLRS62. He was sorry he didn't get the 62's for the rear surround, even though they were slightly larger than the 52's. I'd go with the 84's up front if space and budget permitted. (The system was for his father in law. He runs with McIntosh equipment).

Also, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have heard that speakers have a "burn-in" period, where it may take a while before they reach their best sound. How long does that period typically last?

Mac said around 20 hours of moderate listening. I wouldn't go out of your way to "burn in" the speakers. They'll do that on their own. Many guys say it's not necessary. My advice is just not to go blasting your new system until it's hit at least 20 hours. That will give the drivers some time to losen up and move more freely.

 

[MacManNM]

I'd say 20 hrs is about right. I let mine play while I was at work during the day, and after a few days I noticed quite an improvement. If you think the DV62si's are bright, that will not go away. I recommend the crossover mod to take care of that.
I like BIC speakers, but I do not like the DV-26. They are not designed to have any imaging at all. If you had a patio and wanted to hang some speakers out there, then they are fine. Better than a wave radio, but worse than the DV52, or 62's.

 

[LOUMFSG]

DV52's vs. DV62's for the surround speakers

I'd say 20 hrs is about right. I let mine play while I was at work during the day, and after a few days I noticed quite an improvement. If you think the DV62si's are bright, that will not go away. I recommend the crossover mod to take care of that.
I like BIC speakers, but I do not like the DV-26. They are not designed to have any imaging at all. If you had a patio and wanted to hang some speakers out there, then they are fine. Better than a wave radio, but worse than the DV52, or 62's.

Thanks for the help. I am going to send the DV-26's back - I am just not fond of their sound. I am definitely going with the DV-84's up front, the DV-62CLR-S for the center (I haven't received it yet, but everything I've heard indicates that I will like it), and I am thinking of getting the DV-52's for the surrounds. Buck indicated that you wished you had gotten the DV-62's for the surrounds, instead of the 52's. Is there that big a difference, given that they will be used for the surround channels? Are the DV-52's closer to the D-26's or the DV-62's in terms of sound quality? Thanks.

 

[MacManNM]

Thanks for the help. I am going to send the DV-26's back - I am just not fond of their sound. I am definitely going with the DV-84's up front, the DV-62CLR-S for the center (I haven't received it yet, but everything I've heard indicates that I will like it), and I am thinking of getting the DV-52's for the surrounds. Buck indicated that you wished you had gotten the DV-62's for the surrounds, instead of the 52's. Is there that big a difference, given that they will be used for the surround channels? Are the DV-52's closer to the D-26's or the DV-62's in terms of sound quality? Thanks.

I'd go with the 62's. They have a little more bass, and the midrange is cleaner. The 1/2" tweeter has a hard time with the lower end, where it meets up with the woofer. For the price they are both a killer deal, but the cowbell rules on the 62s.