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DCM Timeframe TF-350's

chicks

chicks

Lunatic Member
Just picked these up at the GW today. Tested them at low level, very nice "open" sound to them. Dunno how to describe, but they don't sound "boxy" at all - sorry, not familiar with audiophile terms...

Definitely noticed distorted sounds on the low end, although was kinda surprised they had any bass at all, considering the small drivers. So, researched how the heck to open these puppies up. Most of what I read made no sense in relation to these: "remove the foldout foot and bottom, then roll the sock up", "use a block of wood and hammer to knock the top off, then roll the sock down". Problem is, the "sock" is behind a piece of black-painted particle board that covers the entire back, so no way was the sock gonna roll up or down with that in the way.

So, removed the 12 Philips and 1 square/slot head screw on the back, popped the red and black wires from the entry cup, and the back came right off. Through a hole in the sock just behind the woofer, spotted two hex-head bolts holding the top on. 7/16" ratchet socket wrench removed those, and the top popped off. Now, just carefully un-peeled the "sock" (looks more like panty-hose to me) from the black fabric under it, and finally, was able to roll the sock down to expose the drivers.

Sure enough, foam rot. Project time! Anyone know the correct kit for these? Please consider that I'm a complete newbie at re-foaming (had Neal do my NLA's), so a complete kit would be required, and that the cardboard gasket on the front of the woof is coming unglued, as well. Or, would it be just as cost-effective to replace the woofs with something with rubber surrounds? Woof is marked 5 ohms...

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Just refoam the woofers. The cardboard gaskets can be saved and repaired easily if you are patient. Just cut all of the material under the gasket with a fresh exacto blade OR a flat head screw driver. Then glue it together (and clamp it too, however you want, even placing a heavy book ontop is enough)
These woofers will need an 8" Boston Acoustic foam surround to operate properly, it has a smooth inside edge as you can see on the remaining foam on your driver.
 
Heyyy that's the first refoam project I completed. Total piece of cake. Rick Cobb had my surrounds. Next up, sew a replacement sock out of JBL blue...
 
Wimped out and had Neil re-foam these. Just got them put back together - not as big a PITA to do as my AR-2a's, but still a PITA. Tacky glue on my fingers ;) They are nice looking speakers once they're back together and cleaned up a bit.

I'm impressed with the amount of bass that a pair of 6-1/2" woofers can produce! A/B'ing with a pair of KLH-20's, no comparison, far more bass from the TF-350's, though the KLH's have 10" woofs. The KLH's are a good deal brighter. The bass from the TF's is quite smooth, not at all boomy. These should make great Jazz speakers, looking forward to A/B'ing with the Avid 102's, AR-2a's and Large Advents on the weekend.
 
Glad you're enjoying them. DCMs, while we don't own any, have a soft spot in our hearts because my father was a close friend of the designer and head of the company here in Ann Arbor.

DCMs (at least TimeWindows) usually sound great no matter what music you throw at them.
 
I got a pair of these I have been waiting to get refoamed.There out of the sock already just haven't done it yet.Mine were rather easy to get out.
 
I got a pair of TF600s at a thrift store. Traded a couple of good receivers (from estate sales).

I didn't hear any evidence of foam rot, but thought I'd check. I held a Mag light flat against the fabric at the place where I could feel the woofer opening. It lights up the speaker well enough to inspect, without messing with the fabric.

I'm lucky. The drivers look like new. At least the front ones. Apparently there are bottom firing woofers, but I can't see or feel them.

There are three tweeters in each cabinet. I checked them by tuning to a blank FM frequency, turning off the muting and listening to the hiss. If a tweeter is dead, passing your hand across it will make no difference in the sound.

I suppose younger guys can easily hear this. But being old, and with three tweeters, I have to turn my best ear to the one I'm testing.
 
Lastplace said:
I believe there is only one set of woofers with a pvc pipe going to the bottom of the speaker
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I found this:

The TF-600's differ from the other speakers in the TF line, I believe they are the only model with the two tweeters that fire towards the rear, or side, like at a 45 degree angle. There is also a coaxial mounted tweet on one of the 6.5" drivers (There are two) in the front. The cabinets are a "Transmission Line" design. Each speaker has three tweeters, and two LF drivers.
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I've never seen a picture of 600s without the sock.

I got them because I have a pair of CX-17s that I also got at an estate sale. they are simply the best sounding small speakers I've heard. (at least at the price, which was about $20 :) ).

I wonder if the 600s use the same "coaxial" setup.

I'm thinking I could have an awesome home theater setup using the 17s as center speakers and the 600s as left and right. Especially if they use the same drivers.
 
From what I know the TF600's are the only ones designed that way. When you move up the line it goes back to one tweeter. I believe even the TF1000 are single tweeters too.
 
vintagelubbr said:
From what I know the TF600's are the only ones designed that way. When you move up the line it goes back to one tweeter. I believe even the TF1000 are single tweeters too.
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So now I have a minor problem. the 600s are obviously a left and right pair -- the drivers are on opposite sides -- but I have no clue as to which is which, or whether it really matters. There is no logo on the front, and nothing on the rear label.
 
I have some TF400's and they are set up with the woofers closest to each other.
 
They're an addiction, I have the TF700's and foam was good on mine. They have pretty well pushed my other speakers to the supply closet. Only other ones I have that give them a run for the money is my ESS AMT1's Hope you enjoy yours half as much as I have enjoyed mine (Get it.. 700/2 = 350? Ha I kill me!)
 
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js1138 said:
So now I have a minor problem. the 600s are obviously a left and right pair -- the drivers are on opposite sides -- but I have no clue as to which is which, or whether it really matters. There is no logo on the front, and nothing on the rear label.
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I believe they are set up with the LF Drivers to the inside. I've still got the logo's on mine, so I'll double check my setup when I arrive home tonite.
 
Yes drivers to the inside, Mine still have the logos, and that is the way DCM says to put them logos on the inside. The drivers are on the same side as the logo. I started checking mine I had never thought in terms of drivers to logo positioning. Found myself stroking the speaker like it was a puppy.. I guess I like my DCM's a little too much.
 
js1138 said:
So now I have a minor problem. the 600s are obviously a left and right pair -- the drivers are on opposite sides -- but I have no clue as to which is which, or whether it really matters. There is no logo on the front, and nothing on the rear label.
Click to expand...

Shack-Vintage and Kermit have it right.
The owners manual I have from DCM confirms that the logos are over the drivers which are the inside on the 600's. They should be set up with the speakers on the inside as they face the listener.
 
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