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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.

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    Click to view my Virtual System

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    • ferrari
    paultkane-379d
    1 posts
     
    I was a very happy listener of my 1984 DCM TimeWindow 1As (s/n 48426 & 48427).
    Unfortunately my amp malfunctioned. DC bias I believe and I didn't have my in line fuses installed that I once had. So poof - both main driver coils in one speaker are toast.
    After reading through numerous threads I haven't come across any recommended 6 1/2" driver replacements for the 1A's. My main drivers were marked 22570 8ohm 719421. Seemed to be of paper cone material with rubber surrounds.
    So please excuse me while I ask the question again. Has anyone come across acceptable replacements?
    I'd prefer to just replace the two to match the other speaker but if I can find good or better ones than I'd be willing to replace all four drivers.
    thanks for any help,
    Paul
    sherod
    1,690 posts
     

    From what I recall, when I was selling the Time Windows back in 1979, DCM used all Philips drivers. The woofer was, I believe, @6 ohms. You might do a google search or contact DCM directly( are they still in business?) or try this site: www.layneaudio.hypermart.net

    Good luck.
    moguls
    19 posts
     
    I bought a pair in the 70's and used them happily into the 21st century. My son now has them in his university dorm, much to the delight of his floor mates. I solved the grill cloth replacement problem by glueing a thin dense foam all over the cabinet, cutting out holes for the speakers and ports, and then using fabric glue to put a conventional grill cloth fabric over top. It worked flawlessly and looks as good as the original.
    dbeacco
    1 posts
     
    I have a pair in my garage (In the original boxes) waiting to come into my front room (I have just moved into a new home). I have owned them since 1979 when I bought them new. I use a kenwood 9400 receiver (120 watts per side) to drive them and they still sound better than anything I have listened to over the years. I plan on keeping them as long as I can.
    pullfinger-cb45
    1 posts
     
    I'd like to connect a pair of Time Windows to my Onkyo AV Receiver as speaker system "B" for my second room. Or even as part of speaker system "A" for the main room. However, Onkyo requires a minimum impedence of 8 ohms or damage to the AV Receiver will occur. Will my AV Receiver be damaged if I connect the Time Windows to it? The impedence rating for the Time Windows is not disclosed on the name plate and I read here at the start of thread that the Time Windows impedence is between 5 and 8 ohms. Thank you, anxious to try.
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