The great vintags speaker thats still cheap

[@smallspendor]

Had my pair new in the mid 1970’s. That is a lovely looking example. How amazing is it that those still give so much pleasure fifty years later. I never really wanted anything better.

[@frankmcdowell7370]

Still got my DM4’s bought way back in the 70’s just love them, as you say, Vocals, instrument’s, mid range are sublime.

[@normanswift5048]

I bought my DM4s and Sansui 331 on your recommendation. I use them with a subwoofer and have bunged the small ports. To me the sound is amazing- I get not only fantastic mid-range but also more than decent bass. Thank you Kelvin!

[@bicyclechain]

I also recently bought a pair of Wharfedale Linton XP3s for £80, and after seeing your video on renovating loudspeaker veneer with rubbing alcohol and wire wool I went ahead and spruced them up. Your instructions were spot on. Many thanks. I also popped new capacitors into the crossover, again, after watching another of your videos and even though I was a bit sceptical about whether or not I'd hear any difference, I was pleasantly surprised. They now look and sound gorgeous.

[@stereoreviewx]

ok cool i can imagine a solon capacitor would calm that metal tweeter

[@Iamloveingawareness]

Nice to see some genuine passion and joy for the Bowers & Wilkins DM4 ♥ You should check out the story of John Bowers, Kelvin, - he had the same love and passion for sound. Started making speakers in his shed because he couldn't relive that 'orchestra' emotion when playing his records at home. He was obsessed. Word got about and he ended up making a pair for an opera singer who left him a fortune in her will, for him to create the speaker he had always dreamed of making. The rest is history, but what a beautiful story full of people who shared the same passion for sound and music. I think that passion for music just comes out strong in those early B&W DM models. 🎶

[@stereoreviewx]

thats interesting stuff a great designer is everything tks

[@Feelingawesome0]

These got me on the vintage world many years ago... got them cheap at a boot sale and I was blown away. Didnt expect much. They were the best thing I'd ever hear at that point. I couldnt believe the detail and such an old speaker.

[@AlexanderG-mi7ip]

The German Heco speakers (been around since 1949), are some of the most underrated miracles is Europe. Their smallest bookshelves from the Aurora line are still on black friday sale for 185 euros (RRP 400, which is around 54 percent discount!). Heco is known for some of the best paper cones out there, and their speakers are truly a great bargain...

[@peterlarkin762]

German speakers fly under the radar. They just never seemed to be marketed much outside the continent. I have some 1959 Isophon's (German) and 60's Telefunkens (made in Hungary) that to my ears are tonally more correct compared to Spendors etc.

[@AlexanderG-mi7ip]

@@peterlarkin762 Exactly.

[@Nelerum]

Add to that some grundig "box" but I dont know if its still a bargain some tend to be a bit pricy

[@dylanemeraldgrey]

Here in the u.s., HECO speakers are virtually unknown, but they have one distributor. I picked up an open box deal on the Celan Revolution III's for $950, and i feel like it was a deal - especially since they discontinued and/or stopped importing that model a few months later. Well- balanced presentation, tonally on point, good at all volume levels, good soundstage, the list goes on... and that's with a cheap amp. I'm looking forward to hearing them with the Dartzeel "clone" (the pro version) - which, according to some reviewers, is currently one of the best deals in audio.

[@hnu-v8k]

Hi Kelvin, I agree 100% on your verdict. I picked up a spotless pair of DM4s in teak-finish for around €150 and must resist a similar urge to buying another pair, as these go for „no money“ from time to time. Let me throw in a recommendation for Linn Katans, they are sublime in my opinion. They work together very well with quad306 power amp. I love your videos (be it for your north london accent ;) Best, Hannu

[@sosonic12000]

I bought a set of these (thanks to MrK) and they are truly a class act.. and I had the biggest brother to these.. A lot of bang for the buck guys… 🔇🔊🔊

[@haycrossaudio5474]

Your video has reminded me i have a pair in to service and another pair to reveneer and restore 😊

[@socksumi]

There's something about those British Bextrene cones, a refinement and freedom from grain. It's a sound that removes all the rough edges from the sound that once you live with it you can't go back to listening to paper cones found US or Japanese speakers. Even polypropylene and other materials never quite equal the refinement you get from Bextrene. I wish they would bring Bextrene back.

[@stereoreviewx]

i highly agree

[@oilyrag525]

You've just raised the price of these on the second hand market by 50% 😊 Agree with you about the Sansui AU101. I've re-capped and re-transistorised mine and it sounds very good. No shortage of power in a moderately sized living room at sensible listening levels. I use mine with Proac db1 speakers.

[@kbalfe]

I have 2 pair. One strictly for backup in case parts fail. But they've been going strong since I purchased them in 1978

[@mfr58]

I bought a pristine pair of DM4s a few years ago for £75. Very nice.....I may rewire them with some good quality wire and connectors. The Spendor has a much better sounding box, it's bigger as you say and made from marine ply rather than the particle board of the DM4s. I just looked on ebay and someone is asking £499.99 for a battered looking pair of DM2s....your video must have got around!

[@BenNewland-m4o]

I was looking at that wiring and thinking that must be an obvious thing to upgrade.

[@shaneonpole]

I have DM2A transmission line - They sound fantastic with my NAD pre & power amp

[@lordkaman123]

My neighbour gave me a pair of DM4s which I use with a REL subwoofer and I love the sound. I like to mix things up and currently have a Thorens 150 with a Rega 300 arm and Nagaoka cartridge through a NAD preamp and Quad 300 power combo. Mad selection I know, but for and my ears, it's lovely. If you have a suggestion on where I could go with this I'd love to hear it. Keep up the good work Kelvin

[@stereoreviewx]

well i take a guess mYBE GET BRIGHTER CARTRIDGE i got old ortophon vms 30 very lively

[@D1N02]

I regularly see Mission 700 Leading Edge for less than 50 Euro (take a good look at the surrounds as they are foam, and maybe you have to re-glue the front baffle). I like those a lot. They are crisp and fast!. I am planning to try to improve them by upgrading the crossover and strengthening the box. Somehow Missions were very popular in the Netherlands so they are very easy to find here. More recently I got a pair of Chario Hiper 1000 bookshelves, they are really another level sound stage wise and detail and scale. Got those for 140 euro. Chario is another brand that was popular in the Netherlands especially the Syntar models. Hiper is a step us from those I guess, but Chario has at least 2 more higher end ranges(It is Italian, compareable to Sonus Faber). If you see a pair of those Missions 700 LE for a reasonable price and you haven't heard them yet Kelvin, you should definitely pick them up. They are not run of the mill and clearly have their own character.

[@garethparr9482]

Great review as always. My dad had a pair of dm4 then upgraded to spendor bc1. Think I might look for a pair of dm4 for myself. Such a great looking thing as well 👍

[@bertramlefarge69]

The DM2a is a great speaker, very listenable. Bass is 1/4 wave transmission line loaded. I'd say it's similar in performance to the BC1.

[@bertjabulani]

Hi Kelvin, had some DM4s and thought they lacked body(bass). Went for some DM2s and it was all there but with the crystal clear top end. Mine have the Peerless tweeter not the Coles. If I were you I would recommend you at least borrow a pair of DM2s to review, I'd love yo hear what you think about the sound.

[@ibleebinU]

I picked up a pair of Rogers LS6's in a beautiful walnut finish for a mere $60. They're in near perfect condition.

[@BenNewland-m4o]

DM4s are great, but I did A/B a set next to a pair of DM2s and the DM2s won out. One word of caution, those ITT "suitcase" capacitors can deteriorate and I have heard both the DM4 and DM2 sound a bit off if thats the case. They also seem to be strangely temperature sensitive. I once demoed a pair of DM2s on a very cold morning in an unheated workshop and they shrieked horribly. I told the customer to take them home and let them warm up for a few days and they sounded great again.

[@carlosvalinhas5637]

I have DM4 my favorites

[@TheRoby1kenobi]

Kef chorale. I still have a pair. I bought them to have spare tweeters for my LS3/5a and eventually kept them in my garage and sold the Rogers.

[@stereoreviewx]

kef corale are solid

[@siriosstar4789]

My favorite vintage speakers are the original Polk SDAs ., the BIG,ones. mind blowing sound stage and bass . however they are hungry for power.

[@bwatts27]

I have a pair of DM110 and I love sound!

[@MHM-records]

Great video. You have to get some DM2 speakers in. Bought a pair a few weeks ago and they are bloody good. Running them on an NAD 304 amp. The mid range is indeed spectacular. Another one under the radar is the Wharfedale 510.2 if you can find a pair. Soundstage and bass even better than the DM2. Such lucid, almost tangible, lovely bass. But overall a bit more analytic I feel, I think it’s due to the metal dome tweeter… but remarkably good speaker nevertheless if you don’t listen at ear-bleed levels. Best tweeters i’ve heard are dynaudio i think but you need to get lucky to find dynaudio speakers for a good price, much less ‘under the radar’ I guess.

[@alanlacey9437]

What about the DM3s?

[@stereoreviewx]

not the same accuracy

[@paulclark9873]

Brought a pair of Kef kit 3, brought and built in the UK, migrated out to Australia with owner,for $90 AUD,T27 needed dnomes popped out,new capacitors in crossovers. ,replaced a pair of Kef concord IV .

[@grao5jorge]

Celestion Ditton 200. If you have the chance, don't let them escape. Good, pretty and cheap. Wonderful sound.

[@bicyclechain]

The B&W DM4s and the Spendor SP1s were on my shortlist last September, but I spotted a pair of B&W DM2As in fantastic condition for £120 so went for them instead. They have the same three drivers as the DM4, but in a transmission line cabinet. They sound fantastic. I played a frequency sweep and they extend down to around 35Hz with possibly a bit more control than the DM4s, but as I've never heard the DM4s, I can't say with any conviction.

[@stereoreviewx]

there is a bargain for you nice work K

[@TaylaReprise]

Love your videos. I'm about to buy a pair of DM2A Transmission line speakers, and wondered what your opinion is of them?

[@stereoreviewx]

let us know ....tighten the bass driver eh K

[@Kouros-t6d]

Kelvin could you suggests a pair of amplifiers that you think are the best for these speakers? Thank you . I'm using at the moment a Nad 3155.

[@xavebolt6564]

Hello Kouros, I own one of these and enjoy it so much, on some forum in France they do use it often with a Scott 255s, still searching for one.

[@hnu-v8k]

Hi, the specs suggest to pair these wonderful speakers with a 10 to 30Watt amp. In my experience they sound lovely on 80s/90s british amps: Creek 4140s2, Onix OA-20. In both cases the DM4s do not sound light in bass at all. Best

[@vladbadragan]

Lately I'm enjoing Revox Forum B MK2, this is the commercial divizion of Studer(great company which produced recording equipments). Great quality in speakers which in my country seem under the radar. They sell ~200E. Try them If You have the chance! Cheers

[@Taketimeout3]

Some Dynatron speakers don’t get the respect they deserve. Not all of them. Some are crap or ordinary but some are superb.

[@kaplanyx]

Good to know. The bass is a bit soft? Change the iron core coil to air coil.

[@BenNewland-m4o]

I think my favourite bargain vintage speaker is probably the Mordaunt Short Pageant 2. Can often be picked up for very little. Need to be wary of dead tweeters though.

[@stereoreviewx]

yeah lots of those about K

[@fabriziocalzuola7247]

Ciao, guardando i tuoi video mi hai fatto venire voglia di questi diffusori e la settimana scorsa li ho comperati. Provati con il mio Luxman e sono fantastici, il problema che il Luxman eroga 110watt ed ho paura di fare danni, mi consiglieresti un amplificatore per questi B&W? Grazie Fabrizio

[@Kouros-t6d]

Io li uso con un NAD 3155 , chi me li ha venduti (collezionista esperto) mi ha però detto che il massimo lo si otterrebbe o con un ampli a valvole o con anche un classe D tipo il Cyrus one , io già con il Nad comunque sono soddisfatto.

[@fabriziocalzuola7247]

@Kouros-t6dgrazie mille

[@tomsrensen9382]

I'm still missing that Quad ELS57 review since, as per one of your recent videos, they were widely in use as reference speakers back in the day. Thanks.

[@pirate0jimmy]

Quad ESL57 when rebuilt are still fantastic. TREAT YOUR ROOM!

[@stereoreviewx]

i really want some

[@RichardNewson-b4z]

Hi Kelvin. Great video. I recently acquired some B&W DM2s and they are keepers. They are big lumps but with the grilles on they actually look very nice. My other best finds which go under the radar are Griffin speakers from the 70s. Made in Birmingham so I'm not sure how well travelled they are. They have KEF drivers and Coles tweeters etc. I have 2 pairs having managed to snag a pair of Griffin 27 aperiodic. I would be interested to know if you've ever heard of them. Slightly bass light but the bass is there when it's really there (if you know what I mean).

[@stereoreviewx]

yes aware of griffin not tons about

[@tonybeef1142]

I picked up a pair of B&W ZMF VM1 speakers at a thrift store for $10.00 Cdn..They look identical to the DM 110 's .They make a newer speaker with the same model name.I sent B&W pictures of the speakers.They told me that they do not have any information about the speaker?? Weird!!.For the $$$ that I spent I'm a happy guy😊.

[@matthewreynolds9695]

Another great video! Just bought a pair of DM4s. Please would you look at a couple of vintage goodmans speaks........60's early 70's such as the Achromat, maxim, magister, magnum etc? Would love to hear your opinion on them......

[@TomSherwood-z5l]

Loudspeakers can seemingly last forever if the materials are quality. As long as the materials in the drivers do not deteriorate and crossover caps are not electrolytics that maybe deteriorate. And assuming no one has abused them with too much power or clipping. Lot of the time used loudspeakers look like people used them as a workbench or something. Otherwise they function.

[@peterlarkin762]

Would just add to that I've seen a good few speakers from various decades with oxidised internal wiring - the copper reacts and builds a green coating which doesn't help sound wise. Also had an amp come in for repair three times... turned out all the spade connectors in his speakers were loose and the amp was trying to drive variable 100 to 200ohm loads!

[@alexissmart265]

Have you any Richard Allan speakers to review ? I recently purchased a pair of RA08 . I've changed the tweeter over to an isophon as the originals were a little shot and they now sound amazing. Just haven't seen much online about this brand although they do have a following.

[@stereoreviewx]

i dont know enough pretty old stuff i think

[@VetusMobile14]

Hi Kevin, never heard the Dm4 they look great, I do own a pair of Dm2a, I think the drivers are the same, I really like the Dm2a sound, nice bass thanks to transmission line. I wonder how they would compare? You have to pair the Dm2a with a nice vintage amp like Sansui or Luxman. Pair them with a modern class d amp and things get too bright to my ears. Even met my vintage Luxman R1500 I took down the highs a bit with the switch on the back of the speakers. The placing of the speakers and room has a lot to do with this as well.

[@MikeTVMedia]

Hi Kelvin, thanks so much for the great videos. They’ve truly been enlightening for me. I’m torn between pairing my Sansui AU 101 with a pair of Celestion Ditton 15XR’s or Bowers and Wilkins MA4’s based on your videos. Which ones would you go for? Thanks!

[@stereoreviewx]

dm4 s for sure though i do like sansui with celestion

[@florinmoldovanu]

two highly popular and widely available in the UK speakers the Mordaunt Short Pageant 2 and the B&W DM2 would be a fairer competitor to the DM4 than the BC1. Oh and lets not start with the bass, I'd be curious how the BC1 can keep up with the DM2's.

[@bisarowood]

don't think I ever seen a pair for sale here in Canada ... probably not very popular be curious to here comparaison with the ADS - fantastic mid range

[@jozefserf2024]

5:01 I suspect that most of its advantages are due to the cabinet. Back then, midrange killing MDF wasn't used in construction. MDF only came in later in order to lower production costs, not to improve sound. No matter how they spin its 'virtues', MDF was never particularly convincing.

[@peterlarkin762]

It's certainly a compromise, regardless of the why (but yes probably cost reduction!). Modern speakers tend to go deeper though, so the bass does require more cabinet dampening to prevent bad measurements. Ideally woofer in MDF, then a separate wood cabinet for mids and trebs.

[@gino3286]

Hi the front baffle at least seems made out of fiberboard Nothing space science i mean It also seems quite thick and this is usually good I think that the secret in good sound could be a right combination of stiffness and damping like for woofer cones Too stiffness produces resonances too damping make the sound dead I agree that cabinet design and construction are very very important

[@jozefserf2024]

​@@peterlarkin762 Yes, some form of MDF composite is much better. Peter Comeau has done some great research in this area.

[@DsqueDure]

I own a pair of DM4 MK1 with the first white rubber surround in an average esthetical condition but working fine with no remarkable distortion, using them with Sansui AU-317, so I'm planning to replace the Mid/woofer driver with the latest version. My 1st question is it better to replace this driver, and if The Sansui AU-317 a good matching integrated amp. Thank you for your great Videos my friend. Regards, Yassine From Morocco

[@shifterboot1382]

cant just replace woofers without adjusting crossover

[@stereoreviewx]

sansui is great amp i think. tighten bass driver for a win K

[@stereoreviewx]

yeah i wonder bass driver he means

[@ruk2023--]

Possibly slow sales due to the more modern reputation of B&W's coloured sound? I say that as a 702 S2 owner. Love them but they are more forward than a gobby barmaid without a sub attached.

[@peterlarkin762]

Superb analogy 😂

[@deputy3690]

The photo on Ebay matches the stone in your place

[@rorymajeika9583]

Great video as always 👍

[@rixvspinner]

I have the DM2A which has the same drivers except the woofer I think.

[@davidottley9560]

I might buy a pair

[@borlibaer]

IMHO if your speakers got good or excellent midrange, you got 80%-90% of what you need for good, comfort listening. 🧐

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@borlibaer Yes, for me bass is 'easy' for manufacturers to achieve and just annoys the neighbours.

[@borlibaer]

@bananabrooks3836 no need to tell me that. I got Cabasse Sampan 311 and Infinity RS II. 😁

[@tonylayfield8750]

For what it's worth, I own two pairs of B&W DM4's and they are awesome !!! I also own two pairs of B&W DM2's.... and they're awesome too (that said, the DM4's sound better, imho). Some stats I've collected, wrt DM4's.... The DM4 is a three unit monitor loudspeaker comprising of the following driver units: - a Coles 4001 19mm plastic domed super-tweeter (also found on the Spendor BC1/SP1, IMF, Cambridge R50, B&W DM2 and DM2a). - a Celestion HF1300 MkII lower high frequency unit (used also on the BBC LS3/6 and on the Spendor BC1). - a highly developed 143mm Bextrene coned mid-bass unit (DW200/4, designed and produced by B&W) Power handling: 10W - 30W true RMS. Frequency Response: 80Hz to 20kHz or (depending upon what you read) 30Hz - 25,000 Hz (±2 dB). When actually measured (in axis in an anechoic chamber), the frequency response is 80Hz-20kHz ±5dB and 140Hz-14kHz ±3dB. Crossover: The crossover network is a third order, 18 dB/oct, Butterworth filter (3.5kHz - 14kHz). Impedance: 8Ω Nominal (with a minimum at 6Ω @ 200 Hz and a maximum at 25Ω @ ~2,000 Hz) Sensitivity: 3.6 watts nominal 8Ω to produce a sound pressure level of 95dB at 1m, at 400Hz. Finish: teak, walnut, rosewood or satin white. Dimensions: 531 x 254 x 255mm Weight per speaker: 11.1kg Years of manufacture: 1972 - 1979 When new (back in 1972) a pair of DM4 speakers cost $540 USD (that's $4,078 USD in 2024 money).

[@stereoreviewx]

great stuff thanks so £3.000 thats huge K

[@jhuc2869]

You need to get some Celestion 66

[@sethpk1]

And i paired my laser 400s with a sansui 551,130 quid bargain. Gave my 331 to my daughter, passing it forward.

[@NoNORADon911]

$400 on eBay and another $200 if you want them delivered, in the USA.

[@BP-rn3nl]

My DM2s look fantastic, definitely don’t look like the DM2s you showed.

[@stereoreviewx]

yes lot of variations

[@peripheral1258]

Had these for a while. Easy to take in my 8 foot triangle... But Then... I scored some Celestion 5000's... 8" woof and 24" electrostat-strip. How do I know these are great ? If I level the levels between the 5000's and my STAX L-300 phones... they each produce an entertaining and worth-while time well spent. An apartment dweller: so energetic conversation levels are my max; but the 5000 produces great imitations of just about all of FZ's music.

[@michaelvincent8306]

I have a pair of celestion county with a supper tweeter added by matt haycross terrific value for money

[@stereoreviewx]

intersting

[@bananabrooks3836]

"Don't tell him Pike"...

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

They’ll not be cheap now 😂 once kelvin gives them the okay

[@marnixtellings6583]

Has these. Nice but severely lacking lows

[@martyw]

I have had DM2/a's, they have phenemonal bass - unfortunately a domestic decision was made where no place was left for them......

[@bananabrooks3836]

Ah, the price of domestication.

[@ruk2023--]

I used to have a lot of trouble getting things past the committee. I have since fired the committee and all is well.

[@jonboy9912]

I have a killer pair of Mordaunt Short 906's one behind the side of the sofa and the other hidden behind the TV because they offend She Who Must Be Obeyed!

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@jonboy9912 l have found the surprise flower bunch (Not the petrol station kind!) or bespoke jewellery piece works wonders and are cheaper than a new kitchen!

[@gtric1466]

Dali speakers at Danish prices.

[@LoMoCo-i6v]

Just try to find a pair in the USA!

[@troll7697]

Dziękujemy.

[@stereoreviewx]

Thanks so much Kelvin.

[@Robert.Chauval]

Lovely speakers.. if they havent already id def replace the capacitors with modern MKP polyprops and absolutely if you like loud listening levels i would rotate the inductors so that they are not all in the same magnetic alignment and coupling.. a big no no...

[@wadegarret]

JBL L110 are, I think a bargain. A fantastic sounding 3 way speaker. So much better than the sought after L100 and at a fraction of the price...I paid £100 for mine!

[@stereoreviewx]

thats a steal isnt t it

[@artvanwag3257]

Just looked these up going for £180 nowadays

[@sethpk1]

I swear by my wharfedale laser 400 speakers that i paid 80 quid for in a charity shop. 66cm tall, 3 way, ribbon tweeter, 10 inch woofer, only ever seen 1 pair on ebay (currently) for 175. Massive sound, tight bass, ugly monsters!

[@stereoreviewx]

i like the sound 10 inwoofer

[@sethpk1]

Very airy Kelvin, the latter difficult Radiohead albums have opened up too me. Thanks for all your advice Kelvin. You crack me up!

[@stringaudio84]

Avoid this ones because of the Coles supertweeter.

[@gregbenefield7658]

I would run those B&W through a subwoofer with my Sansui 661

[@stereoreviewx]

sounds good to me

[@Luke-qs2cg]

No. The infinity il60 is. They are dirt cheap, even with combos with all the other speakers from the lineup. good luck matching the performance. 20-20k no problem.

[@beslemeto]

Meeeh something like Spendor BC1 or SP1..I don't think they sound much different...

[@ricdontap1]

I've GOT TWO PAIRS OF dm2's

[@stereoreviewx]

now i feel like two pairs is normal😅

[@ricdontap1]

@@stereoreviewx Yes I guess you have many more.I Just have to check them both as they haven't been used in years, As I'm just down the road I thought you might like a pair to try out.

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

I have 2 pairs, if you ad 2 top subs you have a top high end speaker

[@stereoreviewx]

yeah i bet

[@boris994]

As our friend Toecutter would say - keep your sweet sweet mouth shut

[@stereoreviewx]

whis toecutter

[@rompstar]

because most of your viewers are not in England... not sure if KZbin can show you demographics of your traffic... check, i would buy them, they simply not available here in the US, never see them.

[@stereoreviewx]

thanks i wondered that K

[@harryhoesch3793]

150 pound is heavy.

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

A secret is tesla speakers , better then Altec ....heco, braun, grundig professional series...