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Review: DCM TimeWindow 1 Speaker

Category: Speakers

This review covers the orignal DCM Time Windows. Not the subsequent versions.

I remember the first time I heard these. Their unique shape and sound where unlike anything I had heard before. Here was a speaker that really delivered the promise. It was driven by a PS Audio Amp and PS Audio LCC PreAmp. At the time I had the Large Advents,and while those speakers were very good indeed, the Time Windows were clearly superior. The music just seemed to come alive in a way that's hard to describe. There was just a seamless transparency to them. Not overly bright or accentuated on the bass. The balance was right on. It didn't really matter what the program material was, the Time Windows clearly and with authority brought the music to life. If they had any real weakness is for some peoples taste the bass may have been on the light side. But for my taste it was as it should be. The orginals used Philips drivers using a transmission line and the cabinet construction contributed to the overall sound. In the late 70s these were not cheap at about $800.00 but were indeed worth the price of admission. I was finally able to acquire a pair of these and have them to this day. Few things one purchases in life have enduring value and the Time Windows truly are in that category. Of all the reviews I have read on these speakers not one reviewer has clearly defined the sonics of this fabulous speaker. Use all of the adjectives you want and one will still come up short in the description. Best way to describe them, if you love music and have better than average components connected to them, the Time Windows will deliver the music with a verve that will astound you.

Now these speakers are some 20 years or more in age and continue to deliver the music. And that's what this hobby is all about. DCM no longer produces the Time Windows,having opted for the HT route. This is a true shame as these speakers deserve continued production. Timeless design is just that.

Specifications:

  • Dimensions:36"H x 14 3/4"W x 11 3/4"D
  • Weight:32 Pounds
  • Power Requirements:10 Watts Minimum per channel 89 dB/watt at one meter;200 Watts Maximum
  • Impedance:5 Ohms minimum/6-8 Ohms nominal
  • Frequency Range:25Hz to 18 kHz
  • Dispersion:180 degrees horizontal/60 degrees vertical.

    Specifications do not tell the whole story,listening does. The Time Windows due to their configuration can be literally tuned to any room. That is due to their shape. This was a brilliantly executed design that has remained faithful all these years.

    Associated gear
    Click to view my Virtual System

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    • ferrari
    johnnyvegas
    1 posts
     
    I owned a pair of the original Time Windows in 1978 or 79. They were awesome. I lived in an apartment so I had to be very careful not to crank them up so I wouldn't get too many complaints. They were on my living room long wall facing a common wall to the next apartment. That neighbor moved out, so one day I put on the Rolling Stone and cranked it up. A short while later there was pounding on my door. A very upset guy told me he was checking out the empty apartment and the common wall was vibrating!
    Ah, memories. I later moved out of state and sold all my belongings. I wish I had those speakers still.
    sherod
    1,690 posts
     
    Just another good example why audiophiles should avoid apartments and try to own or rent a home.
    rolando-6007
    1 posts
     
    In the late 70's and early 80's my system included my original Time Windows and a Pioneer SX1250 Receiver. It was great. This past Saturday while cleaning up the store room in my basement I decided to lug the Pioneer up stairs and hook it up to the Time Windows again. Having not been plugged in for at least 16 years, it took the receiver a half hour or so to completely wake up. But, once it did, that combo sounds just as wonderful as ever. It is like two old lovers reuniting in the livingroom. As soon as my back recovers and I can lift the SX1250 again I am going to move it and the speakers permanently into the dining room.
    ferrari OP
    617 posts
     
    Remember that Pioneer SX 1250 very well, one of Pioneers best receivers. Good design with external heat sinks. Built like the proverbial tank, that came out during the stereo receiver wars of the late 70s early 80s. Few high power receivers were built and designed correctly, but this one was. This was about as good as it gets in high power receivers. Not quite in the same league as the McIntosh 1700,1900 or 4100 or the Marantz 18 or 19, but those were not high power receivers. All of these were statement receivers from the golden age. Well worth keeping and restoring and updating from time to time.

    Todays receivers can't even remotely come close to these great vintage receivers, that forever changed the design and performance of the stereo receiver into a viable medium.
    rolando-f1a5
    1 posts
     
    Yep to all. I used to lust for an SX 1980. I'm not even sure why except that it was even bigger. But, having listened to them at the time and subsequently, the 1250 sounds every bit as good. I was afraid that after sitting so long it would need some work, like capacitors. But, the left channel was a little thin for awhile but suddenly came alive and the whole unit has now been playing constantly for the past week or so and sounds perfect. I'd forgotten how smoothly all of the controls work and how neat the silky analog tuner works.
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