After reading these posts, I felt motivated to re-connect my 1982 vintage Time Windows. They have functioned as sound reinforcements in the corners for many years since I purchased Dynaudio Audience 42s. I was very pleasantly surprised by the overall performance of the Time Windows after having been exposed to the Dynaudio sound. The Time Windows do indeed sound remarkable, much better than I ever anticipated. I am driving them with a Sumo Nine Class A amplifier, purchased also in 1982 when I bought the DCMs. The combination of Sumo and the Time Windows is exceptional. The Sumo Nine is an underrated Class A amp designed by James Bongiorno. He insists he has never had an output transistor fail in a Sumo Nine, and I can vouch for that, at least with my own amp. With an ADCOM preamp/tuner feeding the signals, this is a very musical lineup. The sense of spaciousness from the Time Windows is refreshing, and never feels like an exaggeration. I am not sure right now whether I prefer the overall performance of the Time Windows or the Dynaudios. It is nice to have both in the house. |
Just curious. Since the original Time Window used Philips drivers, is it possible to inquire directly through Philips as to availability of the raw speaker elements?
I am not certain of the viability, since Philips is such a huge conglomerate.. But maybe someone knows a way to access someone there who might know.
I am enjoying my own Time Windows more and more with each passing day. I have been using an Adcom preamp/tuner for a couple of years now. It has two sets of preamp out connections, one of which bypasses the tone controls. I mistakenly thought I had been using this link, but only within the last coup[le off days did I learn that I had been mistaken. I made the switch to the link without tone controls. What an amazing difference. I have never heard these speakers perform to their real capabilities before. This is truly liike acquiring a whole new system without spending one penny. The resolution across the full audible spectrum is much better, far beyond anything I have heard in my home before. My Dynaudio Audience 42s will be sitting idle for the foreseeable future. And forget my other speakers, Tannoy Mercury M2s. They cannot possibly compete with the sound I am enjoying right now. |
I have been even more impressed with the performance of these speakers since I noticed that my preamp out connections were not what I originally had in mind. I was under the false impression that I had bypassed the tone controls on my Adcom preamp. This was not the case. So I made the switch to the preamp out connections that totally bypass the tone controls. The improvement was immediately noticeable. Every part of the frequency spectrum sounds better, smoother and more resolute. Voices are more completely defined. Every vowel and consonant is clearly enunciated. Perdussion sounds much better across the board. And the highs are sweeter. This is quite a pleasant surp[rise. I am now more than ever seeing the DCM Time Windows as "The Poor Man's Quads." |
Thanks for the tip, Ferrari. What might be a good deal on the Forte Class A preamp you recommend? I am not familiar. Sounds like great advice. |
Ferrari, I have just seen the review of the Forte Class A preamp on this site. This is one sweet unit, no doubt. I have something to aim for. This is exactly the type of preamp I always wish I had in my system. It would provide the real crowning touch. I wil keep my eyes and ears open for this, should it come up inh the used market. Not exactly the kind of piece that you could get from the Salvation Army thrift shoip, as so many audio enthusiasts like to brag about. The Forte would likely make my Dynaudio Audience 42 sound that much better as well. Thank you for the heads up. |
Amen to the last post. I was earlier thinking I might want to sell my Time Windows. But after spending the month of February listening to them again, I no longer feel like selling. It would be hard to find an equivalent speaker on today's market, without spending an obscene amount of money. The real value of the Time Window proves itself over and over. I am listening to my Dynaudio Audience 42 this month. But I will put the Time Windows back into the system during April. I have decided this is a nice arrangement. |
The guy who originally sold me my pair of Time Windows back in 1982 still has a pair of the legendary Rogers LS3/5A speakers. I think for the most part the two speakers share the same basic tonal balance, although the extreme spaciousness of the Time Window is probably something that sets this speaker apart from the Rogers. Also, the LS3/5A does not have the same bass characteristic as the Time Window. But it seems to me both speakers roll off the top end very quickly above 18,000 Hz, and it is probably this quality that invites comparison. One thing is certain. Both speakers seem to have their dedicated following, and for good reason. They remain competitive today with even the best designs. I never intend to part with my Time Windows. It would cost too much to find a better speaker. |
Yes, Ferrari, the LS3/5A is a 16 ohm load. Personally I think they are more trouble than they are worth. They have a real dedicated following, which tells you the speaker is definitely solid in most key areas of performance. But I think the Time Window is far easier to live with in real world terms. They have survived in my house for 23 years. |
I have added my comments much earlier in this thread. But I am truly surprised to see so many others who feel about the Time Windows the way I do. This definitely speaks to the overall musicality of this great speaker. I have been enjoying my Dynaudio Audience 42s for the last three months, but I think it is high time to reconnect with the Time Windows. |
Thanks to anthropy for the updated info on DCM in its current state. I have checked the DCM website and the new speake line looks impressive. Those two floorstanding models appear to be very solidly thought out and constructed. I hope the current DCM can establish its own niche in the very fickle and competitive marketplace. The designs look all the business to me. |
I have now been listening again to the Time Window for a five day period, after switching from the Dynaudio Audience 42. One thing for sure, the Time Window is capable of some very nice bass output, which sets it apart immediately from the Audience 42. The Dynaudio is better oin the extreme top end, which creates a different spatial perspective than the Time Window. Both speakers seem valid to me. Hard to say one or the other is definitely better. But the Time Window does create a staggeringly good soundstage, with very definite placement of performers. This is without doubt a great speaker design, one easy to live with. One can do far worse. |
I have reconnected my Time Windows after three or four months of listening to the Dynaudio Audience 42s. I find the overall performance of the Time Window to be as enjoyable as ever. I have actually rasied the speakers on solid stands roughly 18 inches above floor level. I am surprised how phenomenal the sound is. I like them better now than ever. The soundstaging and imaging are excellent. The Dynaudios are now being used in the computer system, driven surprisingly well by the Sonic Impact T Amp. I now have the best of both worlds with both speakers running in separate systems. |
I have a much more confined listening space but I also believe I am now getting the best possible performance out of my Time Windows. I have owned mine since 1982 and only now am I beginning to hear even more soundstaging and imaging capabilities than I did when they were closer to the floor. I do wish I had a listening environment like the one described above by rolando. In the meanwhile, I cannot complain. These speakers continue to amaze, and you cannot ask any more of any speaker than that. |
I am using concrete locks sandwiched above and below a pair of Tannoy Mercury M2s. Those Tannoys are just the right height. They make great stands. They have no other use than to support the Time Windows. |
I mistakenly kept a subtitle on previous post. The Time Windows are in perfect position for me. The Tannoys make great stands. They are still useful. Have no complaints about concrete slabs. |
