Definitive Technology TAS108 Specs & Pricing, Mainstream Multichannel, Definitive Technology

MAINSTREAM MULTICHANNEL

But superb though the Mythos ST system is in a home-theater con- text, it is at its best when reproducing music — and the higher the res- olution the better. In fact, the biggest “problem” you might encounter with the Mythos ST system could be finding electronics, source compo- nents, or recordings good enough to tap its full potential.

“smooth neutral tonal balance; delicate and extended highs; deep, powerful, and lightning- fast bass response; and the ability to capture very fine levels of detail.”

Let’s start with the basics. The ST system is sensitive and easy to drive, in part because its built-in powered subwoofers shoulder the lion’s share of the bass workload. (Definitive’s Sandy Gross, for exam- ple, drives his personal pair of Mythos STs with a modest 17Wpc tube amplifier.) Further, the ST system offers smooth neutral tonal balance; delicate and extended highs; deep, powerful, and lightning-fast bass response; and the ability to capture very fine levels of detail. And there- in lies the genius, but also the only potential drawback, of this system.

The good news is that the ST system resolves subtle textural and dynamic details more effectively than other systems at its price. For instance, the ST shows how subliminal outdoor sounds — birds and insects chirping or the rustle of a soft passing breeze — contribute tremendously to the pastoral vibe of “The Park” from Feist’s The Reminder [Cherrytree/Interscope]. But the not-always-good news is that the Definitive rig sometimes exposes shortcomings in associated equip- ment or recordings. For example, the ST system shows how Feist’s

SPECS & PRICING

vocals vary in sound quality from track to track, ranging from dreamy smoothness on “How My Heart Behaves” to a raw, hard-edged sound on the closing chorus of “The Park.” For better or worse, the ST system faithfully reports whatever it “hears.”

When recording quality is high, as on Sara Hickman’s luminous vocals on “In the Fields” from Shortstop [Elektra], the ST system becomes downright holographic, its rich details and overall sense of “air” bringing vocals, instruments, and even the recording space to life in a vivid way. And thanks to Definitive revamped tweeters, treble details always remain smooth (a step forward from past Definitive tweeters, which occasionally became a bit rough or coarse).

“downright holographic, its rich details and overall sense of “air” bringing vocals, instruments, and even the recording space to life in a vivid way.”

Bass textures and transients likewise exhibit clarity, punch, and speed. Listen to a recording that showcases acoustic bass, such as the Blue Chamber Quartet’s arrangement of the Astor Piazzolla composition “Kicho” (First Impressions [Stockfisch SACD]), and you’ll be floored to hear how this system captures the size, weight, and tightly focused growl of the instrument. The STs simply don’t do bass boominess, and the longer you listen, the more you’ll appreciate their lithe, accurate low end. The system has few drawbacks, and those that do arise almost always result from excessive volume settings (a serious temptation, given how gracefully the system plays at loud levels). On loud pro- longed pipe organ passages and the like, the subwoofer can be over- driven, resulting in momentary, atonal “chuffing” sounds. Similarly, at very high levels the mid/bass drivers can exhibit hints of upper-

MYTHOS ST

Type: Three-way floorstanding speaker with built-in powered subwoofer

Drivers: One 1" aluminum dome tweeter, two 5.25" mid/bass drivers, one 6" x 10" “racetrack-shaped” woofer, two 6" x 10" passive radiators Frequency response:

14 Hz – 30 kHz Built-in subwoofer amp:

300watts Sensitivity: 93 dB Impedance: 4 – 8 ohms Dimensions: 6.75" x 51.5" x 9.5"

Weight: 70 lbs.

MYTHOS TEN

Type: Two-way center-channel speaker

Drivers: Same tweeter and mid/bass drivers as ST, but with two 5" x 8" passive radiators

Frequency response:

31 Hz – 30 kHz

Sensitivity: 92 dB

Impedance: 4 – 8 ohms

Dimensions: 6" x 34.5"

x4.375" Weight: 16.7 lbs.

MYTHOS GEM XL

Type: Two-way surround speaker

Drivers: One 1" aluminum dome tweeter, two 4.5" mid/ bass drivers

Frequency response:

50 Hz – 30 kHz

Sensitivity: 89 dB

Impedance: 4 – 8 ohms

Dimensions: 4.5" x 12.625" x 5.5"

Weight: 7.25 lbs.

Price: $5395

DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY

11433 Cronridge Drive

Owings Mills, MD 21117

(410)363-7148 definitivetech.com

ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

Oppo DV-98OH and NAD M55 universal players, Panasonic DMP-BD10 Blu-ray disc player, Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player, Arcam Solo Movie 5.1 universal player-A/V receiver, Anthem Statement D2 A/V controller and Statement P5 multichannel amplifier, JVC HD-70FH96 70-inch HD RPTV, RGPC 1200 power condition, Ultralink/XLO cable system

midrange forwardness that bespeak strain. But at sane volumes, the system rarely breaks a sweat.

Let me also offer two small performance tips. First, check periodically to make sure the speakers’ metal floor spikes remain firmly tightened into the speakers’ granite floorplates; the spikes can “buzz” a bit if they work loose. Second, when using the STs in home- theater systems, run speaker cables to the STs as you normally would, but also route line-level subwoofer signals to the speakers’ dedicated LFE inputs. This subtle set-up touch gives the system fuller, better balanced bass on movie soundtracks.

“Definitive’s Mythos ST system is one of the rare few that sounds great on movies, but even greater on music playback ... hear the ST system expose rich new layers of information you’ve never heard before.”

Definitive’s Mythos ST system is one of the rare few that sounds great on movies, but even greater on music playback. Exceptionally revealing, the ST package will show you how your system components and favorite films or tunes really sound. Don’t be surprised to hear the ST system expose rich new layers of information you’ve never heard before — even on materials you think you know well. In simple terms, the Mythos ST sys- tem places you in the performance ballpark of speaker systems carrying five-figure price tags for about half the cost. TAS

11433 Cronridge Dr. • Owings Mills, MD 21117 (410) 363-7148

Visit us at www.definitivetech.com

The Absolute Sound magazine, January 2008