Definitive Technology Bipolar SuperTower BP7002 User manual

By Bryan Southard
July 2004
Introduction
As much as you love speakers and all the lust-worthy toys that
go along with them, one thing you are glad you don’t do for a living
is running a start-up speaker company. With names like Infinity,
Bose and Boston Acoustics gracing the interiors of some of the
finer automobiles and taking out many big-dollar ads in magazines
and newspapers, the task of competing in the loudspeaker market
has become nearly impossible—actually, it has been that way for
more than 20 years. I say “nearly” impossible because one man,
Sandy Gross, has been at the head of launching two speaker
companies—Polk and Definitive Technology – that have not only
made it but prospered. Definitive Technology, Gross’ current
company, makes some of the sleekest, most powerful speakers
designed for home theater systems. Have they sold their souls to
the Devil to be able to rock Axis: Bold as Love in your living room
in ways that make you think that you are sitting in Electric
Ladyland Studio listening to archived master tape?
The speakers that I have been going gaga to review are the
Definitive Technology 7002 Bipolar Super Towers, which are
floor-standing speakers that employ Definitive’s world-class
SuperCube subwoofer technology, retail for $2,200 per pair
and are available with black cloth finish and your choice of
either piano black or golden cherry end-caps. The 7002s
measure seven-and-one-quarter inches wide, 16 inches deep,
46-and-one-quarter inches in height, with a stated frequency
response of a remarkably low 15Hz to 30kHz….
At the heart of this floorstanding loudspeaker is Definitive’s
12-inch SuperCube subwoofer technology, along with their
internal 300-watt digital amplifier. This allows the 7002 to dive
down to an earth-rumbling 15Hz. The 7002s have a bipolar
design with matching dual five-and-one-quarter inch cast basket
mid-bass drivers on the upper front and rear of the speaker, along
with an aluminum dome tweeter on both sides of the speaker.
The bipolar design emits information that is in phase from both
the front and rear. This allows for a much more airy and open
sound when implemented correctly. Keep in mind that any bipolar
design means that careful placement is necessary to assure best
performance. Along with a grand new crossover network designed
to seamlessly blend the extreme low frequency with the upper
range drivers, this speaker is positioned in Definitive’s line to
Definitive Technology 7002 Bipolar SuperTowers
“a really special speaker ... the 7002s
did a remarkable job ... Definitive has
hit the nail on the head”
“top end quality ... The Definitive
Technology 7002s captured something
that few achieve in any price class, an
emotional connection”
audio video
REVOLUTION
Definitive Technology’s BP7002, BP7004, BP7006
Bipolar SuperTower Loudspeakers
“Definitive Technology, Sandy Gross’
current company, makes some of the
sleekest, most powerful speakers designed
for home theater systems”
E
QUIPMENT R EVIEWS

take advantage of much of the trickle-down technology they
have previously developed.
Setup
I positioned the 7002s in the same location where my Revel
Salons normally reside, a position that has been deemed by
audio professional Bob Hodas as the best location in my room.
I found a positional preference with the 7002s towed considerably
towards my listening position. I played with having the speakers
positioned with the sub drivers facing both in at each other and
toward the other walls; I achieved a more balanced response with
them facing in. I set the volume of the 7002 subs at approximately
5 dB above the volume of the speakers and turned off the Linn
Sysmik subwoofer that I have been using to complement my
reference Revel loudspeakers. This volume setting was
approximately in the 1 o’clock position on the dial at the rear
of the 7002s. I then placed the spikes and began evaluation.
The Movies and Music
I started my critical listening with some Johnny Lang from
his 1997 release Lie to Me (A&M Records). In the title track,
the 7002s quickly established themselves as speakers that
could reproduce the impact of live rock. The bass and snare
drums had solid impact and the necessary energy to sound live.
Initially, I was concerned about this speaker’s ability to provide
tight bass with its powered on-board subs. Although I had
reviewed the impressive Definitive Technology BP3000s a couple
years back and was able to blend their bass very well, I am now
in a smaller room, one known for easily overloading if the subs
are not positioned precisely and at the proper level. Surprisingly,
it took little set-up and the bass sounded remarkably well blended
and tight darn near right out of the box.
Lang’s voice was also displayed very well and the 7002s
captured the soul and presence of his performance. In Track Two,
“Darker Side,” the distant piano had the necessary information
to position it nicely in the stage, and also made the piano strikes
sound both immediate and real. As the hammer strikes the strings,
the sound can either be dull and sluggish or almost startling upon
impact. The 7002s provided the latter and had the energy and
quickness to make this piano sound realistic and exciting.
Another indication of their top end quality, the cymbals in this
song had a harmonic ring and subsequent decay that were both
liquid and very detailed.
Something that quickly caught my attention, like many speakers
that I review in this price range and above, this has great bass,
and a very detailed upper spectrum—great individual attributes.
However, a speaker should be judged not by its individual
characteristics but rather by how it emotionally captures your
feelings. The Definitive Technology 7002s captured something
that few achieve in any price class, an emotional connection.
Definitive Technology’s Complete BP7002
Bipolar SuperTower Home Theater System
“At the heart of this floorstanding
loudspeaker is Definitive’s 12-inch
SuperCube subwoofer technology ...
This is ideal for the minimalist set-up
and a perfect chance to get well-
integrated low bass in your AV system”
“the 7002s quickly established themselves
as speakers that could reproduce the impact
of live rock ... with the necessary dynamic
range to make it sound as if I was in the
first few rows of an intimate outdoor
amphitheater”
“the bass sounded
remarkably well
blended and
tight darn near
right out of the
box ... the piano
strikes sound
both immediate
and real”
“The bipolar design emits information
that is in phase from both the front and
rear. This allows for a much more airy
and open sound”
“great bass, and a very detailed upper
spectrum ... able to rock [Jimi Hendrix’s]
Axis: Bold as Love in your living room
in ways that make you think that you
are sitting in Electric Ladyland Studio”

I personally know of speakers that cost upward of $10,000 and
beyond that sound fantastic yet have failed to make me excited
about my music. Probably the best compliment that I can bestow
upon the 7002s was that throughout the duration of my audition,
I always looked forward to hearing them.
Next I used one of
my favorite musicians,
Doug MacLeod, and his
Come to Find release
(AudioQuest). In the
opening cut, “Bring It on
Home,” the acoustic bass
was portrayed very well.
It was deep in the stage
and had great acoustical
textures. It struck me that
the 7002s had a similar
midrange sound to that of
the Revel F30s, a speaker that retails for nearly twice the price.
MacLeod’s acoustic guitar solo had the aggressiveness of a live
acoustic instrument, with the necessary dynamic range to make it
sound as if I was in the first few rows of an intimate outdoor
amphitheater. This recording is simply awesome and the 7002s
complemented it. In the song “Master Plan,” MacLeod’s voice had
the quickness and liquidity necessary to make reproduced music
sound live. Unique to this speaker, the mids and highs were so
airy on live acoustical music that it almost sounded like a planar
speaker, such as an electrostatic in its ability to convey not only the
music but also the air that surrounds the instruments, making live
acoustic music all the more engaging.
What speaker evaluation
would be complete without some
car chases and explosions?
I loaded up a new copy of the
classic “Terminator 2: Judgment
Day” (Artisan). This flick is
chock-full of challenges for any
speaker. In the fight that ensues
following the scene where a
naked Arnold Schwarzenegger
walks into the bar looking for
some clothes, the sounds of
cracking wood and shotgun
blasts were both dynamic and
detailed. I am no stranger to big
sound with my Revel Salons and
professionally tuned sub, yet the 7002s did a remarkable job of
making this exciting, with abundant bass. It takes something
unique to truly excite me and the fact that a $2,200 speaker pair
was providing powerful sub performance and detailed dialogue at
the same time was eyebrow-raising. In this price class there are
speakers that do low bass, but typically the bass is slow and
struggles to keep pace. Definitive has hit the nail on the head
with built-in, high-quality powered subs. This is ideal for the
minimalist set-up and a perfect chance to get well-integrated low
“I loaded up a new copy of the classic
‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (Artisan) ...
the sounds of cracking wood and shotgun
blasts were both dynamic and detailed ...
the 7002s did a remarkable job of making
this exciting, with abundant bass”
The BP7002s
are available with black cloth finish and your
choice of either piano black or golden cherry end-caps
“It takes something unique to truly excite me
and the fact that a $2,200 speaker pair was
providing powerful sub performance and
detailed dialogue at the same time was
eyebrow-raising”
“Unique to this speaker, the mids and highs
were so airy on live acoustical music that it
almost sounded like a planar speaker ...
MacLeod’s voice had the quickness and
liquidity necessary to make reproduced
music sound live”
“ability to convey not only the music but
also the air that surrounds the instruments,
making live acoustic music all the more
engaging”

bass in your AV system. In the chase that follows where the liquid
metal dude chases a young John Connor (Edward Furlong) through
the storm runoff canal, the rumbles from the Harley Davidson
motor were fantastically real-sounding and impactful, as well
as the shearing metal sounds from the truck scraping the cement
embankments. When mixed with the sounds from Connor’s two-
stroke motorcycle, the high-frequency detail and low-frequency
rumble never got confused or congested in any way—a very solid
demonstration for the Definitive 7002s.
In Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill
Bill Volume One” (Miramax), a
movie full of musical influence,
the 7002s again performed well.
I paused at the intro menu for
five minutes and listened to
the musical sounds in interest.
The 7002s actually blended
pretty well with my Revel Voice
and S30 surrounds. This is quite
a compliment, as I think the
sound of Revels is amongst the
very best our industry has to
offer. They portrayed the fight
scenes with great ease.
It is worth noting that the
7002s were exceptionally easy to drive. I found them hitting the
highest volumes with relative ease. In fact, they were easier to
drive than any speaker I have reviewed in a long time. This means
that you can simply drive them with higher-watt receivers and any
lower-watt separate amplifiers.
Downsides
Perhaps the largest downside to this powerful performer is
the need to plug it in and therefore the necessity to have an A/C
outlet positioned nearby. This means that there needs to be some
forethought to avoid unsightly power cables running across the
floor of your living room or theater. Additionally, the power cord is
hard-wired to the speaker, meaning that you either need an outlet
very close by, or will need an extension cord. This shouldn’t be
a huge deal, because you would otherwise need to plug in your
sub(s), yet there might be greater flexibility in a stand-alone sub’s
position within the room.
The speaker connections on the 7002s will accept any and all
wire termination types, making them friendly to all, yet they are
positioned very close together, making them difficult to tighten by
hand with any authority. I recommend that owners use a pair of
pliers to make an unquestionably solid connection.
The 7002 is a tall, narrow speaker, meaning that it is easily
susceptible to tipping. For this, Definitive Technology offers
extender feet at no cost, to help alleviate this issue.
Definitive Technology offers only a single black cloth finish and
a choice of piano gloss black or golden cherry top and bottom
caps. Some may find this limiting in trying to match home décor,
yet you must consider that this is most definitely a cost-cutting
strategy that makes it possible to offer this level of performance at
this price. Although I’d like to see more available finishes, I find
their value an exceptional alternative.
Conclusion
When buying a speaker, there are several things to consider.
Sound is of course a huge consideration, along with size, look and
many other individual necessities. The Definitive Technology
7002 is a great-sounding speaker that provides very controlled
and detailed sound, along with rock-solid bass performance. A
little better than a year ago, I reviewed the Definitive Technology
SuperCube and found it to be the best-sounding sub in its mini-
cube class. The 7002s have captured that sub energy, along with
the rest of the fixings, to make this a really special speaker. This
is a great speaker for a wide variety of consumers. Its tall slender
cabinet makes perhaps the smallest footprint of any available full-
range floor-standing speaker. Couple all that performance with a
brand that is as solid as any speaker manufacturer in the world
and you have a no-lose purchase.
In a market where speaker companies come and go, Definitive
Technology is making their mark with value-oriented speakers
that shine brighter than their more famous competition. Looking
at Definitive Technology’s list of retailers, there’s hardly a corner
of the Earth that isn’t represented, making auditions easy. If new
speakers are in your future, you’ll want to check this one out first,
even if you planned on spending more.
audiovideorevolution.com, July 2004.
“Couple all that performance with a brand
that is as solid as any speaker manufacturer
in the world ... Definitive Technology is
making their mark with value-oriented
speakers that shine brighter than their
more famous competition”
reference • Johnny Lang – Lie to Me (CD)
software: • Doug MacLeod – Come to Find (CD)
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (DVD)
• Kill Bill Volume 1 (DVD)
manufacturer: Definitive Technology
address: 11433 Cronridge Drive
Owings Mills, MD 21117
phone: [phone]
website: http://www.definitivetech.com
“The 7002s have captured that sub energy,
along with the rest of the fixings, to make
this a really special speaker. This is a great
speaker for a wide variety of consumers”
“It is worth noting that the 7002s were
exceptionally easy to drive. I found them
hitting the highest volumes with relative
ease. In fact, they were easier to drive than
any speaker I have reviewed in a long time”