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Specs & pricing, Mainstream multichannel – Definitive Technology DV-98OH User Manual

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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.

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

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).

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-

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. 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

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:

300 watts

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"

x 4.375"

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

SPECS & PRICING

“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.”

MAINSTREAM

MULTICHANNEL

“downright holographic, its rich details

and overall sense of “air” bringing vocals,

instruments, and even the recording space to life

in a vivid way.”

“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.”

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

Visit us at www.definitivetech.com

The Absolute Sound magazine, Januar y 2008