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

    Similar products
    Polk SDA 2,Large Advent,Infinity,Boston Acoustic.

  • ferrari
    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.
    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.
    Nominal impedance for the Time Windows is 6 ohms. Not really knowing how much muscle the Onkyo really has,makes me think that one should proceed with caution.Because the ohm load will drop based upon program material. A lot of the newer AV gear just pukes at the lower impedances. Trying to combine a music system with home theater system usually doesn't work very well. Unless of course one spends a lot to do this such as the products from Lexicon and some others that have high current amps. If possible set up a Home Theater system and a Two Channel Audio system in separate rooms, if that is an option. If not then one has to make the choice HT or Music.
    Just discovered this forum. I've been a TW 1 owner since 1976. When the HT bug bit, I wasn't ready to put a lotta bucks into new speakers and gear, so (reluctantly) used the Time Windows as the main fronts with an Infinity (can't recall the model) center and in-ceiling rears. Sounded real good driven by a Sherwood Newcastle R-945 receiver, although the unmatched center and rears detracted from what the TW 1s brought to the game. Recently rebuilt the entire Home Theater with Rotel (1098 controller, 1075 amp, 1060 DVD) components, B&W 603S3s/600LCRs, and dual Velodyne SPL 800 subs . The Home Theater now sounds GREAT, but the point of bringing that up here is to say that that let me put my Time Windows back as my music only stereo system where they started and best belong. They're on Tiptoes and driven through a Crown IC-150 preamp/D-150A amp with a Rotel RCC 1055 CD source, and sound as absolutely wonderful as ever, regardless of the type of music I'm listening to or whether at reduced or high volume levels. IMHO, these are THE premier classic stereo speakers of their era and have yet to be outdone by but a few of the newcomers at any reasonable cost level.
    Called the number for DCM listed elsewhere in these postings as I am also looking to replace the foam covers on my TW 1's. They no longer directly supply replacements or the material, but did direct me to McMaster.com (as mentioned elsewhere on this forum). The correct part number for the filter foam that can be ordered on their site is 2195K52 (1/4" charcoal colored foam with 30 pores per inch (ppi)). Telephone number for McMaster is 404-346-7000. Hope this is helpful.