Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Whether they're bookshelf or floorstanding models, speakers aren't just for music anymore; so, along with the PF15TL+ came a C/L/R 2500 center-channel speaker and a pair of BP2X surround speakers to use in a 5.1-channel system with the PM700s. After I set it all up, I listened to the system without the sub, using only the powered woofers in the PM700s and the C/L/R 2500 to provide the bass response in my listening room. The system's performance on movies like Apollo 13 and Gladiator was very good—leagues better, in fact, than anything you'll get from other speaker systems this size (unless you have the benefit of a separate subwoofer). It's simply amazing that the three front speakers can generate as much soundtrack bass as they did.

Still, I refrained from making my final judgment until I'd run the system through the U-571 depth-charge torture test. I've heard systems that have absolutely pounded me during these scenes. I've also heard systems (nice, expensive ones) that have pulled up lame with blown woofers as a result of this submariners' vision of hell. I can't say that the PM700s pounded me as hard as I've ever felt—that would take these speakers out of the arena of the rare and into the realm of total fantasy—but they sure gave these scenes a hell of a run for their money. I was tremendously impressed, and I can't think of a small, subless system that even comes close to this one in terms of its bass performance. I did miss the excitement that a setup with bipolar speakers in the front can produce, such as Def Tech's BP2006TL system (November 2000). Still, for movies, I can't imagine a better bookshelf-only package than the PM700 system.

As was the case with music, adding in the PF15TL+ subwoofer gave the system that last bit of depth and dimension that took it from the level of simply outstanding to the "got to have it" category. Watching movies without the subwoofer was like awakening on a cool, crisp morning in the mountains, with your senses fully alive. You feel energized and fully in touch with the world after a wonderfully restful night's sleep. Hearing those same scenes with the addition of the PF15TL+ is like dropping acid on that same morning and suddenly having your consciousness expand to take in a whole extra dimension. (Not that I'm advocating psychedelic drugs—home theater gear is definitely a more-legal way to expand your mind.)

What it boils down to is this: If you need small speakers and can't or don't want to fit a subwoofer into your life, you must consider the PowerMonitor 700s for both two-channel and 5.1-channel systems. For an overall balance of sound, there is nothing else in this size range that performs as well. The PM700's adjustable bass-volume control lets you easily integrate this speaker into your room on a stand, on a wall-mount bracket (although it's kind of big for that), on a shelf, or in a cabinet. I'm not a big fan of putting speakers in cabinets, but lots of people do it (it pains me greatly that they don't take my feelings into account, but I'll get over it). If you're going to hide this speaker in a piece of furniture, the bass-level control offers enough flexibility to get the most out of such an installation. If you decide to add a subwoofer like the PF15TL+ later on, the volume control will make the task of integrating the speakers easier. Or, if you just do the right thing and add the subwoofer at the start, you'll simply have one kick-butt system to begin with—with enough bass to let your less-fortunate acquaintances come over for therapy sessions.

Definitive Technology seems to thrive on shaking up the speaker world, literally and figuratively. This time is no different. With the PowerMonitor 700 speaker, they've once again turned on the "Fasten Your Seat Belt" sign.

Hightligts
• Built-in amplified woofers slam like those of much bigger speakers
• Eminently entertaining
• This is not supposed to be possible