Solid heavy speakers, small footprint, many wiring options

Placement sensitive, easily boomy, lacks soundstage and detail, not shielded

Purchased new September, 2001

I have been under-whelmed by the BP2000’s for 2-channel stereo. They do not image well and are very sensitive to room placement. They are not shielded. They throw a very strong magnetic field, which distorts the color on your TV screen if the subs are faced outwards and they are less than 4 foot from the monitor (even if there is a loaded stereo rack in between the monitor and speakers). If the subs are facing inwards, it does not distort the monitor (within reasonable distance from monitor). If you have surround furniture, facing the subs inward can be problematic because the subs will be buried into the wall of the cabinet.

I have tried the BP2000’s with a $4,500 Denon AVR5800 7.1 DTE-ES Home Theater receiver (170 watts x 7, with 4 DefTech surrounds and C/L/R 3000 center) and a $20,000 Class-A 2-channel stereo system. Neither system was able to get the BP2000’s to throw a convincing soundstage. Magnepan 1.6’s throw a much wider, higher, deeper, forward soundstage for 3/5’s the cost of the BP2000’s (but no sub). I currently have the 3.6’s, but with either the 1.6’s or the 3.6’s, your ears keep telling your brain the sound is coming from everywhere but the speakers. The soundstage from the Maggies is fantastic. With the BP2000’s, your ears and brain are definitely in harmony, the sound is coming from the speakers and no place else. Being such, this probably makes them a good home theater speaker leaving any imaging up to the center and surround channels.

I called DefTech and their technical representative was very courteous and helpful. I tried his various recommendations and was able to get a better soundstage by pulling the speakers out about 4 foot from the back wall. Unfortunately this arrangement does not work well in my home theater room. Turning up the volume yields better detail, but is too loud for sustained listening and grates on the ears. Again, this might be better for Home Theater, but not for 2-channel stereo.

The BP2000’s can become very boomy, thus moderation is necessary when dialing in subwoofer levels. The subs are a bit loose. My M&K MX100 powered sub is notably tighter in comparison. I was hoping to get rid of my stand-alone sub by purchasing speakers with integrated subs. I found this not to be the case because I do not like the loose sounding bass.

In summary, 3 – C/L/R 3000 center channels would probably make for a more evenly balanced home theater front sound stage. The BP2000’s in the mix is overkill unless they could run double duty for 2-channel stereo, but I have not found this to be the case.

They do not sound like $3,000 and are definitely going bye, bye. My wife’s comment pretty well sums it up, “They probably sound good, if you don’t know any better”.

Related Equipment:

Home Theater:

Denon AVR5800 DTS-ES 7.1 receiver
Sony DVP-S7700 DVD
Rotel RCD-955AX CD
Sony SLV-696HF VCR
DefTech BP2000 front left and right
DefTech C/L/R 3000 center with powered subs
DefTech BP2X side left and right surrounds
DefTech BPVX/P back left and right surrounds with power subs
M&K MX100 powered sub
Adcom and Panamax power conditioners
Various cables and interconnects

Class-A 2-Channel Stereo:

Plinius SA100 power amp
Mark Levinson #39 CD Player
Magnepan 3.6 speakers
Equi=Tech ET2Q Balanced Power
Harmonic Tech Pro-9 Plus bi-wire cables and Magic One XLR interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Speakers: Klipsch Chorus II, Magnapan 1.6 & 3.6, B&W, DefTech's surrounds, M&K; Surround: Fosgate, Lexicon, B&K, Denon

Tight bass; excellent soundstage if matched with the right gear

Placement essential; need to have good front end

First of all, I'm a neutral reviewer for this product as I'm currently not using the BP2000. I have used the BP3000tl for several years and now using the B&W Nautilus 802.

Let me just say that I regret my decision to switch to the B&W 802 for the reasons described below. My other gears are:

Preamp: McIntosh C42 Control Centre
Power amp: Bryston 14B ST
Wires and interconnects: MIT S330 and Kimber Cable 8TC.
Denon AVR 5800 (for HT)
Still using my other def tech surround speakers.

The 802 has a nice soundstage but the def tech had similar soundstage using my gears and also had a MUCH tighter bass (They were wired full range out of the Mac preamp). What made the bass on the def tech sounded impressive was the Mac's 10V rms voltage output continously plumbing out of the preamp. The highs and mids were crisp clear and smooth as well: they were bi-wired using the Kimber 8tc to the Bryston stereo power amp (500 watts x 2).

Yes, the 802 is nice too. But they can't do home threatre as well, and the def tech smoked the 802 every time I switched to movie mode (via the Denon AVR 5800 into the Mac). Secondly, if I had my music on in one room and doing some office works in another room, the 802 lost a lot of imaging but the def tech smoked the 802 once again in this area. Lastly, in comparing the 802 to the def tech, I find that the def tech is much more emotional and dynamic. It gave me a sense of sound envolopment. The 802 has slighly better details in the highs because of the B&W tweeter.

If I had to do it all over again, I would stay away from this board and not reading the kind of craps coming out of it from various amatures and audiophiles want to be and make my own dicisions instead.

Similar Products Used:

B&W Nautilus 802

When I heard these speakers here in Japan, I must admit that I was impressed. However, I didn't have anything to compare them to. Give me some thoughts--are these, in your opinions, good for classical music? I also want speakers for a cinema system.

I am a FORMER OWNER of BP2000s, with the corresponding array. I wish I had them back.
I "upgraded" to Aerial Acoustics 10ts, with their matching center and surrounds. Double the price of the DTs, but not double the fun. It has become popular in these circles to denigrate the BP2000s as "just" a home theater speaker. Well let me tell you this: my Aerials are, at best, "different" sounding than the Definitives. But they are no better. And they require a lot more power. And there is nothing quite like the dynamics of BUILT-IN stereo subs (I now have the Velodyne FSR-18, which is great, but the effect of stereo subs in the BP2000s was great, and much more "seamless" than any outboard sub).

This is not "I spent $5000 on these speakers and I'll swear they're great" speaking. This is "I sold them and I miss them speaking." As I start to come to my own conclusions on audio products I'll say this: Perhaps, in time, I'll come to appreciate the Aerials, and maybe like them as well as or better than DTs; it hasn't happened yet. But when I read the "informed" posts of "audiophiles" on this board, shredding the Definitives, it just tells me that it's only so much audio snobbery, with little substance. The Definitives are great, and a great value to boot.

I believe that I can give a fair appraisal to these audio gems, having forked over $3000 for them, realized after a year their limitations and sold them at a substantial loss.Before I begin, let me echo the statements earlier about Def. Tech.'s customer service. These people are GREAT and went the extra mile when I needed service.
Now, the bad stuff.
I originally bought a set of BP20s and the original center and rear speakers, adding the 18" sub about a year later. Like most people, I was overwhelmed by the sound at my audition of them at a stereo store. I bought them for a combo audio-surround sound system. For videos, they were great. Hoever, as time went by, I became dissatisfied with them for audio. Vocals, in particular, simply did not sound real.
Then, the 2000s were announced and, like many of you, I read Julian Hirsch's review in Stereo Review. I called my dealer, who agreed to take all my De.Tech. stuff in trade for the 2000's and matching center and rear speakers. I figured that this would remedy my misgivings about the speakers' audio performance.
After about a year, I came to grips with the fact that I screwed up, big time: the deficiencies that I perceived in the 20s were just as present in the 2000s. I got carried away with the persuasive ads and reviews (thanks, Julian!)
Stated simply, these speakers are just TOO MUCH-bass, midrange and screechy treble. This sounds arguably good if you are watching Arnold in a car chase or dinos devouring the scenery, but is simply too wearing on the ears when listening to, in my case, James Taylor or the Eagles.
The moral from a guy who moved too quickly and paid (and paid) for it: make sure you can live with the 2000s before you buy.

I used to own a pair of DF BP-2002 but they lacked mids and highs power. The subwoofer overpowers them. This pair is much better balanced with excellent room filling capabilities. Overall very good speakers for the price.

The first thing I'd like to get off my chest is that sound is "SUBJECTIVE" and that there is no right or wrong reviews only subjective ones Boys & Girls. All that
being said "my" search for the best "bang for the buck" was found in the BP2000's
I've listened to the Von Schwiekert's VR3 & was not 1/4 moved the way I was
when I first heard the Def Techs. There are so many points time & space won't
allow me to harp on only a few; mainly imaging. These speakers "BAR NONE" are
the "very best" I've ever heard out of speakers in this price point (2,500-4,000)
It was down right eerie the way the dinosaur sounded as he crushed the plexiglass
roof in Jurassic Park"...I also listened to the Paradigm Ref. Series which I was
also impressed w/ but for the money there's not a better speaker dare I say it,at
any price...Definitely One to hear before you plop down your hard-earned 3,000 on
another speaker. And don't be scared off by the Bipolar design these speakers don't
slack in any dept. Well I guess you could say I kinda liked them but hear & be
impressed for yourself...Lovin' every minute of mine
6 star Rating. BRAVO DEFINITIVE







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I bought these a couple of months ago after comparisons with several other speakers. For $2600.00 a pair, the BP2000s cannot be beat!

Several years ago, I walked into my local hi-fi store with the intent to purchase a center channel for my home theater system. I auditioned just about every upper-scale brand available. I was in desperate need for the center channel, as I had purchased the Cambridge Soundworks Center channel Plus. A decent speaker for vocals, but not for any high energy and mid-bass information. Needless to say, it was returned within the 30 day period. I decided on the Definitive CLR-1. For the money it was a great deal. I have since upgraded to the CLR-1000. As I was standing at the counter, I was shocked to hear, in the distance from another room, a woman with a beautiful voice and a lone guitar begin to strum and sing. Of course I wanted to see who this was, and rushed to the room where I expected to find a georgious blonde, with all the talents of a true musician. As I entered the room there was no one to be found. But...there was a pair of slender black, column speakers with this music eminating from there position. I WAS FLOORED!!! I even looked behind the speakers to make sure nobody was singing live! They were a pair of Definitive Technology BP20's! I stayed around the shop for another couple of hours listening in awe an amazment, and knew these speakers were something special. Since that time I have purchased the flagship BP-2000's, and have never been happier. For those of you who gave thumbs down to these speakers, I simply must say, that these speakers DO require alot of adjusting, room positioning, and tweaking. But when you do finally find the best possible arrangement, and adjustments for your living area, you will be quite satisfied. No speaker sounds "good" right out of the box, and Def-Tech is no exception. They require a good break-in period, of relatively loud music. These speakers are truly a grand feat of engineering and most surely surpasses all other speakers in it's price range. Perhaps some of you who didn't like the sound quality in your evaluations, should consider purchasing a decent amp to provide a clean signal to give these speakers a good shake. An absolute winner in music and movies.

The BP2000 speaker system offers a lot for the money. It has a good sense of space and tonal quality. The treble and midrange are excellent, but the subwoofer will take some tinkering to get right. I like the fullness of the sound and the ability to free myself from the classical listening position. The only complaint is that compared to the best direct radiating speakers you give up some definition. The cherry end-caps are very attractive and worth the extra money. I have tried several different manufactures speaker wires, and so far the Monster 2.2 speaker wires have sounded the most balanced/ neutral with these speakers.