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DCM Time Windows were one of the speakers that defined the ‘cheapskate’ high end of the late ‘70s. Looking at the speaker was anything but awe inspiring. It was a small two-way tower, with drivers that were nothing to write home about. It was one of those situations of synergy – the whole was much greater than the sum of the parts. It was also a speaker that made magic with some restrictions – it wouldn’t play very loud, and it was not the most dynamic sounding speaker. However, if you were into chamber music, or acoustic jazz, you were set.

That is the main reason I never considered them for my own system. I had to have speakers that sounded good with all types of music, and when I wanted, had to ‘rock me like a hurricane’.

Almost 30 years of practice seems to have given us a set of speakers from DCM that retain the magic of the Time Windows, but make the window open up, and get real.

 DCM TimeFrame TFE200 Home Theater Speaker System   -  the magic comes into the whole room, but at a price.

DCM is now owned by Mitek, which is known for their auto audio products, and any other relationship is purely coincidental. The new TFE200 is a quite large (for today), tall, and narrow-but-deep three-way tower that boasts bass extension and output to match its imposing size. Conventionally ported through a wide, bottom-front duct and equipped with a striking perforated-metal grille, it’s a handsome structure. DCM included complementary center- and surround-channel models in our kit, as well as one of its new 12-inch subwoofers, the 150-watt TB1212.

the center channel

Upon listening, the TimeFrame shows that it suffers from little of the niggling problems of the original for which it shares part of the name. It has excellent balance from top to bottom, showing strength in the lower registers that was never in evidence in the original. No doubt the larger cabinet, increased number of drivers, and simple porting are to be credited for that. A single 6.5” woofer loaded into a transmission line was hardly capable of impressive bass. Lesson learned. Actually, the midbass was a touch strong at times, but nothing that was unable to be adjusted out with careful room positioning.

the subwoofer is capable of substantial output, and is very stylish, like the rest of these speakers!

 The rest of the system, the center channel, the rear speakers, and the powered sub, all integrate into a system that will give credible theater sound in almost any size room encountered. The Donald Trumps of the world might be disappointed, but then, they can afford to have the actual performer in house!

Another view of the stereo pair

In today’s market, with the declining dollar, and the declining quality of sound, due to the mp3-listening of the youngest generation of buyers, these speakers make the statement that quality sound can be had at a price that will not break the bank (or anger the banker).

the rear channels function well as rear augmentation, and allow adjustment of the tweeter phase to get the most coherent sound, the cabinet allows for placement either vertically, as shown, or horizontally, hanging from the rear wall or ceiling.

The full system will give (I almost said impressive, but that is a very wrong choice of wording) relaxed, accurate sound, that will be natural and give none of the listening fatigue of inferior speakers. These are keepers, whether listening as a stereo pair, or a 5.1 system for theater. The total price is $2350, with $1000 devoted to the stereo pair.

Circuit City is one of the retailers carrying the line from DCM. Other national retailers might carry these, but a simple search has not found any. I would imagine, that, as before, these are going to be carried by boutique dealers for the most part. Casual looking may make you think that these speakers are comparable to similar looking models from Polk Audio, but in my opinion, is not so. DCM built a reputation on quality sound, and these continue that tradition.

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