DCM TF-600, how much would you pay?

[tomlinmgt]

If you like DCM speakers I'd hang in there until I found a pair of Time Windows. Will probably cost you a little more, but I've found them to be a definite step up from Time Frames sound wise.

I'd love some Time Windows but the damn things are too hard to come by in my parts. Doesn't the transmission line enclosure of the TF have stronger LF than the TW? I hear they're a little weak on bottom but are hard to beat when companioned with the right sub. On the other hand, my TF-600's sound a lot better with the right sub, but they hold their own without as well.

 

[89grand]

The Time Windows have nice bass, they also use a TL enclosure. I run the Original Time Windows with a Velodyne sub, but they sound pretty good on their own. I like the Time Windows more than the TF-600's I listened to, but it was a brief demo.

If there is anything negative at all to say about the TW's is that they have a somewhat low sensitivity, but my Audio Source Amp Three (150wpc) gets them quite loud.

 

[MJWPicMan]

I'd love some Time Windows but the damn things are too hard to come by in my parts. Doesn't the transmission line enclosure of the TF have stronger LF than the TW? I hear they're a little weak on bottom but are hard to beat when companioned with the right sub. On the other hand, my TF-600's sound a lot better with the right sub, but they hold their own without as well.

The Time Windows have nice bass, they also use a TL enclosure. I run the Original Time Windows with a Velodyne sub, but they sound pretty good on their own. I like the Time Windows more than the TF-600's I listened to, but it was a brief demo.

If there is anything negative at all to say about the TW's is that they have a somewhat low sensitivity, but my Audio Source Amp Three (150wpc) gets them quite loud.

They both have nice bass for what they are, although I prefer the TFs and think it is the better speaker, and I think the TFs also benefit from their configuration. But the bottom line is they both have small drivers. The TFs have 2 what I think are 5 1/2" woofers. And they get a lot out of them, but they don't extend down far enough for me, I think only to 40hz, and those 5 1/2" drivers just don't produce enough physical impact. I don't like subs, and I like to feel my bass in my gut.

 

[Dmannnnn]

Can someone verify the driver arrangement on the 600's? I'm wondering if there are actually two bass drivers or just one. I took a little peek under the cloth and see that the front tweeter is mounted in a large grill. Is there another bass driver under there?

 

[60 Cycle Hum]

Yep, there is a woofer underneath the plate that the tweeter is co-axially mounted upon. A total of two woof's.

 

[89grand]

If you like DCM speakers I'd hang in there until I found a pair of Time Windows. Will probably cost you a little more, but I've found them to be a definite step up from Time Frames sound wise.

They both have nice bass for what they are, although I prefer the TFs and think it is the better speaker, and I think the TFs also benefit from their configuration. But the bottom line is they both have small drivers. The TFs have 2 what I think are 5 1/2" woofers. And they get a lot out of them, but they don't extend down far enough for me, I think only to 40hz, and those 5 1/2" drivers just don't produce enough physical impact. I don't like subs, and I like to feel my bass in my gut.

I'm confused.

The first post, you say you think the Time Windows are better. In the second post you say the Time Frames are better.:scratch2:

I believe they both use 6.5" drivers. At least I know the Time Windows do.

 

[MJWPicMan]

I'm confused.

The first post, you say you think the Time Windows are better. In the second post you say the Time Frames are better.:scratch2:

I believe they both use 6.5" drivers. At least I know the Time Windows do.

Sorry 89Grand

That's what I get for using initials instead of names. I like the Time Windows more and always have. I think the speaker size can get confused because some people measure the basket and some people the actual speaker size. I could be wrong about the speaker size, but I think the actual wooferr size in the Time Windows is 5.5". One of the problems with DCM speakers, the Time Windows anyway, is getting at them. I have friends who have driven themselves nuts trying to service the tweeters but they are a pretty nice sounding speaker, and a lot better than a lot of the more expensive stuff that came out in their day. And I hope 89Grand is what you spent on your stereo.

 

[89grand]

Speakers are measured by the frame size, so a 6.5" speaker probably has 5.5" or so cone, but it would be considered a 6.5" speaker.

Luckily I haven't had to do any repairs, but they wouldn't be too fun to take apart if needed. Mine are in real nice shape, I believe I paid $80 for them...and to me that was a steal. They are easily worth several times that amount.

I bought them from a member here in fact.

 

[MJWPicMan]

The tweeters are literally glued in, and are virtually impossible to get out without actually chipping at the particle board body. I presume the woofers are glued in also. I think somebody posted pics here on AK of them prying the tweeters out of some Time Windows to service them . Pretty gruesome pics.

 

[sacflies]

I picked up a pair of TF600's today at a thrift for $15.00. Sound great. I have several of the lower numbers (400, 350, & currently TF275). They are differently worth more if you can find them in good condition. I have always liked DCM speakers.

Hmmm, I was under the impression that the 600's had the DCM logos on opposite sides of each speaker? In these pictures the logo is on the left side of each speaker. Did you get 2 of the same speaker? Are the 600's mirror image? Or am I reading too much into all this?!

There is a listing on my local craigslist for a pair of 600's for $150. I could probably work him down on the price as they have been up a few weeks. I don't need them but it is tempting. Poster says all drivers work perfectly.

 

[phatster]

They are worth it,they have a mojo all their own.I love mine for acoustic music as they seem so live sounding.

 

[barredowl]

Dang dude that's quite a thrift store with DCMs, a nice reel to reel and what looks like a beefy TOL Yamaha amp or some theater receiver poking out as well.

 

[gary7]

Hmmm, I was under the impression that the 600's had the DCM logos on opposite sides of each speaker? In these pictures the logo is on the left side of each speaker. Did you get 2 of the same speaker? Are the 600's mirror image? Or am I reading too much into all this?!

There is a listing on my local craigslist for a pair of 600's for $150. I could probably work him down on the price as they have been up a few weeks. I don't need them but it is tempting. Poster says all drivers work perfectly.

They are mirror image drivers. I don't know why the badges are on the same corners. So, should the drivers be on the inner or the outer side of the setup? :scratch2:

 

[gary7]

Dang dude that's quite a thrift store with DCMs, a nice reel to reel and what looks like a beefy TOL Yamaha amp or some theater receiver poking out as well.

That no thrift store, that my front room. Sitting between the DCM's is a Akai 202D Quad RtR, Onkyo CD changer. On the rack behind it, starting from the top, Yamaha PF-1000 TT (europe black version), Yamaha RX-1100 receiver, Yamaha CDX-1060 CD player, Yamaha KX-670 cassette deck, Sony CDR deck. I have been hoping to run up on a pair of Yamaha NS-1000m speakers at a good price, but the TF-600 will do until that happens.

 

[barredowl]

Doh!

 

[Copa1934]

I have a chance to purchase a pair of DCM TF-600 speakers in decent condition, with local pick up, for $100. And a pair of DCM TF-400 speakers for $50.

Worth the money?

Also any advice on using the 600/400 in a home theatre front/rear setup vs vintage music only a/b setup would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Nice find. I'm presently fixing up a pair for a friend. What I can say/confirm, is there IS a circuit behind the terminal plate, which does have 5-way binding posts. There IS a woofer behind the tweeter (on the front baffle). The rear firing tweets can be pried loose, but very carefully.

I've finished on "internal" sock. Fit is great. I'll use that as a template for the second speaker. Will be working on the second sock tomorrow.

Anyone thought of removing the pad behind the front firing tweeter? I would think that pad would muffle the sound from the woofer mounted directly behind. I'm thinking it's there to "tame" vibrating of the screen by the woofer. Yes? No? Maybe?

 

[gary7]

The 600 being mirror image speakers, mine have the badges on the same side. Which side should the drivers be on, inner or outer? Many of you say you are using subwoofers, are they passive or powered? Are you using line level to the sub, or speaker cable to the sub & then to the 600's, using the subs crossover network to send the mids & highs to the 600's?

 

[Copa1934]

Felt pad behind tweeter, question

Anyone ever thought of removing this? Seems to me this would hinder optimum performance from the driver directly behind. Any thoughts? I'm guessing, only, that this may have been to control vibration of the metal screens?

 

[KingBubba]

Here is what the crossovers look like on the back of the speaker post plate. Mine are screw posts. Two tweeters are on the back and one on the front.

 

[Arkay]

I own the only pair of TimeFrames (TF-700) I've ever seen in Hong Kong. TimeWindows were fairly common on the used market here for years, but it seems the TF series just didn't make it here. I paid a lot more than $100 for my pair, but with a chance to hear them before purchase, I decided they were worth more, based on sound alone. They're not my best speakers, but they still do a lot of things very well.

For the prices they go for in the States, I think they're a steal, in terms of sonic bang-for-buck. If I still had any room for another pair of speakers, I'd pay $100 for a TF-600, untested, just based on the sound of my TF-700s.