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But superb though the Mythos ST system is in a home-theater con-
text, it is at its best when reproducing music — and the higher the res-
olution the better. In fact, the biggest “problem” you might encounter
with the Mythos ST system could be finding electronics, source compo-
nents, or recor
dings g
ood enough to tap its full potential.
Let’s start with the basics. The ST system is sensitive and easy to
drive, in part because its built-in power
ed subwoofers shoulder the
lion’s share of the bass workload. (Definitive’s Sandy Gross, for exam-
ple, drives his personal pair of Mythos STs with a modest 17Wpc tube
amplifier.) Further, the ST system offers smooth neutral tonal balance;
delicate and extended highs; deep, powerful, and lightning-fast bass
response; and the ability to capture very fine levels of detail. And there-
in lies the genius, but also the only potential drawback, of this system.
The good news is that the ST system r
e
solves subtle textural and
dynamic details more effectively than other systems at its price. For
instance, the ST shows how subliminal outdoor sounds — birds and
insects chirping or the rustle of a soft passing breeze — contribute
tremendously to the pastoral vibe of “The Park” from Feist’s The
Reminder [Cherrytree/Interscope]. But the not-always-good news is that
the Definitive rig sometimes exposes shortcomings in associated equip
-
m
ent or recordings. For example, the ST system shows how Feist’s
vocals vary in sound quality from track to track, ranging from dreamy
smoothness on “How My Heart Behaves” to a raw, hard-edged sound
on the closing chorus of “The Park.” For better or worse, the ST system
faithfully reports whatever it “hears.”
When recording quality is high, as on Sara Hickman’s luminous
vocals on “In the Fields” from Shortstop [Elektra], the ST system
becomes downright holographic, its rich details and overall sense of
“air” bringing vocals, instruments, and even the r
e
cording space to life
in a vivid way. And thanks to Definitive revamped tweeters, treble
details always remain smooth (a step forward from past Definitive
tweeters, which occasionally became a bit rough or coarse).
Bass textures and transients likewise exhibit clarity, punch, and
speed. Listen to a recording that showcases acoustic bass, such as the
Blue Chamber Quartet’s arrangement of the Astor Piazzolla composition
“Kicho” (First Impressions [Stockfisch SACD]), and you’ll be floored to
hear how this system captur
es the size, weight, and tightly focused
growl of the instrument. The STs simply don’t do bass boominess, and
the longer you listen, the mor
e you’ll appr
eciate their lithe, accurate low
end. The system has few drawbacks, and those that do arise almost
always result from excessive volume settings (a serious temptation,
given how gracefully the system plays at loud levels). On loud pro-
longed pipe organ passages and the like, the subwoofer can be over-
driven, resulting in momentary, atonal “chuffing” sounds. Similarly, at
very high levels the mid/bass drivers can exhibit hints of upper-
midrange forwardness that bespeak strain. But at sane volumes, the
system rarely breaks a sweat.
Let me also offer two small perf
o
rmance tips. First, check
periodically to make sure the speakers’ metal floor spikes remain
firmly tightened into the speakers’ granite floorplates; the spikes can
“buzz” a bit if they work loose. Second, when using the STs in home-
theater systems, run speaker cables to the STs as you normally would,
but also route line-level subwoofer signals to the speakers’ dedicated
LFE inputs. This subtle set-up touch gives the system fuller, better
balanced bass on movie soundtracks.
Definitive’s Mythos ST system is one of the rare few that sounds great
on movies, but even greater on music playback. Exceptionally revealing,
the ST package will show you how your system components and favorite
films or tunes really sound. Don’t be surprised to hear the ST system
expose rich new layers of information you’ve never heard before — even
on materials you think you know well. In simple terms, the Mythos ST sys-
tem places you in the performance ballpark of speaker systems
carrying five-figure price tags for about half the cost.
TAS
MYTHOS ST
Type: Three-way floorstanding
speaker with built-in powered
subwoofer
Drivers: One 1" aluminum
dome tweeter, two 5.25"
mid/bass drivers, one 6" x
10" “racetrack-shaped” woofer,
two 6" x 10" passive radiators
Frequency response:
14 Hz – 30 kHz
Built-in subwoofer amp:
300 watts
Sensitivity: 93 dB
Impedance: 4 – 8 ohms
Dimensions: 6.75" x 51.5"
x 9.5"
Weight: 70 lbs.
MYTHOS TEN
Type: Two-way center-channel
speaker
Drivers: Same tweeter and
mid/bass drivers as ST, but
with two 5" x 8" passive
radiators
Fr
equency response:
31 Hz – 30 kHz
Sensitivity: 92 dB
Impedance: 4 – 8 ohms
Dimensions: 6" x 34.5"
x 4.375"
Weight: 16.7 lbs.
MYTHOS GEM XL
Type: Two-way surr
ound
speaker
Drivers: One 1" aluminum
dome tweeter, two 4.5" mid/
bass drivers
Frequency response:
50 Hz – 30 kHz
Sensitivity: 89 dB
Impedance: 4 – 8 ohms
Dimensions: 4.5" x 12.625"
x 5.5"
Weight: 7.25 lbs.
Price: $5395
DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY
11433 Cronridge Drive
Owings Mills, MD 21117
(410) 363-7148
definitivetech.com
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
Oppo DV-98OH and NAD M55
universal players, Panasonic
DMP-BD10 Blu-ray disc
player, Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD
player, Arcam Solo Movie 5.1
universal player-A/V receiver,
Anthem Statement D2 A/V
controller and Statement P5
multichannel amplifier, JVC
HD-70FH96 70-inch HD RPTV,
RGPC 1200 power condition,
Ultralink/XLO cable system
SPECS & PRICING
“smooth neutral tonal balance; delicate and
extended highs; deep, powerful, and lightning-
fast bass response; and the ability to capture
very fine levels of detail.”
MAINSTREAM MULTICHANNEL
“downright holographic, its rich details
and overall sense of “air” bringing vocals,
instruments, and even the recording space to life
in a vivid way.”
“
Definitive’s Mythos ST system is one of the
rare few that sounds great on movies, but even
greater on music playback ... hear the ST system
expose rich new layers of information you’ve
never heard before.
”
11433 Cronridge Dr. • Owings Mills, MD 21117 (410) 363-7148
Visit us at www.definitivetech.com
The Absolute Sound magazine, January 2008