Point
of Reference
As we have stated in our previous reviews, our studio reference
monitor speakers are the Genelec 1030 self-contained, amplified
speakers. The Genelec reference two-way speakers feature an 8-inch
woofer and a large dome-type tweeter. The price for a pair of our
nearfield reference monitors is around $4000. The outstanding
feature of our Genelec reference speakers is that once most folks
listen to them, they feel that the $4000 price is justified. So
enough about our speakers: let's put the DEI 2065 separates to the
test.
This is a Test
The DEI separates amount to a 6-inch woofer and a 1-inch soft
dome-type tweeter with a passive crossover network that we did not
take apart. Component wiring and mounting was straightforward. The
woofer was placed in our standard test fixture, a .4-cubic-foot
enclosure, and the tweeter was mounted on top of the woofer and
wired into the high-pass output of the crossover. Signal levels
between the reference monitors and the DEIs were adjusted and our
tests began.
The new IASCA test software was used for our listening tests. This
disc contains a wide variety of music program material and can prove
to be very revealing for comparison testing and reference listening.
We commenced our tests by first listening to Track 5, which begins
with a modest instrumental and builds quickly into an explosive
low-frequency pipe organ, on the Genelecs. As usual, they clearly
reproduced this track without exception.
As soon as we swapped speakers and listened to this track with the
DEIs, we knew that we were listening to a winner. The little DEI
woofer darn near kept up with our reference monitors and we had to
the turn volume up quite a bit to notice a difference in tonal
quality. With the DEIs, the deep organ on this track was so clear
that we couldn't wait to hear the next test track.
Ring Around the Rosy
We knew that we were on to something when we noticed
that engineer Patrick Poovey joined us in the lab for
this audition. We changed places several times and all
agreed that at a comfortable listening level; the
similarities between the DEIs and the reference speakers
were incredibly numerous. Anyway, we enthusiastically
advanced on to the next test track.
The saxophone on Track 6 was crystal clear and the
piano was both crisp and realistic. We absolutely could
not believe that we were listening to a relatively
inexpensive woofer and a small tweeter. The female
vocalist exuded a sexy breathing tone that forced us to
hit the repeat button over and over. The guitar
strings were clear and this track worked so well that we asked Bill
Bibb, owner of Superior Sound and president of Veritas Audio
Technologies in Waynesboro, VA, to listen to this track on the DEIs
and on our reference monitors. Bill's comment as he interchanged the
speakers, "I actually like the DEIs better!" Wow!
Linearity, Levels, and Other Things
This certainly called for an audition of Track 9 of the IASCA test
disc. The delicate flute at the beginning of this selection was a
bit brighter than our reference speakers, however, the crossover
transition was so smooth, that it was difficult to believe that
there were two DEI speakers playing together. The low-level
linearity again rivaled that of our expensive monitors.
We listened both on-axis and off-axis, and our faces were full of
smiles in both listening situations. In car audio, the installation
placement and orientation can make or break a set of separates. In
many high-quality sound systems, the high-frequency driver is placed
on-axis with the farther listener. The larger driver is not
particularly directional and can usually be placed more into the
lower side panels. The DEI separates exhibited good on- and off-axis
reproduction. Anyway, it was time to bring up the volume for some
high-level listening tests.
This High is Legal
As Track 9 advanced to the point where the back-up choir joined
in, we are proud to report that up to a point, the crescendo again
rivaled our multi-thousand-dollar studio monitors. The DEI separates
handled this track at a relatively high level and then some. The
entire choir was reproduced so well that we had to let everyone in
our test lab listen to this track again and again.
The Most Outstanding Feature
In summation, our overall Autosound 2000 Test Lab impression is
that the DEI 2065 separates are very capable of accurate
reproduction at both low and high levels. Not only that, but if a
curtain was placed in front of the DEI separates and our expensive
reference monitors, we'd hate to take a bet on which set was
playing! And are you ready for this one? The DEI separates don't
cost $700/pair. The DEI separates don't cost $499 per pair. The
actual suggested retail price for the DEI HF 6-1/2-inch speaker
system is $275.
We have always believed that good sound is in the ear of the
listener and there is always that chance you might not agree with
our tastes. We do, however, feel that if you are looking for a good
set of separates and are on a budget, you should check out the DEIs.
Heck even if you aren't on a budget you should still give the DEI
separates a listen. Congratulations DEI, you certainly have a
winner.