Definitive Technology BP2000

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ince its inception, Definitive

Technology has specialized in

bipolar loudspeaker designs.

Bipolar speakers typically have duplicate

groups of drivers, facing to the front and

rear and driven in phase. That conﬁgura-

tion gives nearly omnidirectional

response in the horizontal plane, with just

a slight reduction in output to the sides at

middle and high frequencies.

Bipolar speakers, when placed a few

feet from the wall behind them, tend to

add a quality of spaciousness to the

sound, creating a somewhat more realis-

tic soundstage than conventional speaker

designs. In addition, the multiple drivers

can handle more power than a standard

conﬁguration for a given distortion level

(or, conversely, will generate less distor-

tion for a given sound pressure level).

Another potential beneﬁt of the bipolar

conﬁguration is a narrower cabinet width,

since low frequencies can be handled very

effectively by two modestly sized woofers

instead of a single larger one. That enables

the designer to use a smaller panel width

for a given level of bass performance,

minimizing the enclosure “footprint.”

But in the case of Definitive

Technology’s latest bipolar speaker, the

BP 2000, the most distinctive (albeit virtu-

ally invisible) feature is a built-in powered

subwoofer. The result is a reasonably

compact speaker system with truly prodi-

gious bass extension and output capability.

Stereo Review

SPECIAL TEST REPORT

Julian Hirsch, Hirsch-Houck Laboratories

That is not to say that the BP 2000 is

exactly a small speaker—each one mea-

sures 50 inches high, 9 inches wide, and

16 7/8 inches deep and

weighs an impressive

120 pounds—yet it can

be used effectively in

almost any size room

without visually domi-

nating the decor.

Styled like most pre-

vious Definitive

Technology bipolar

speakers, the BP 2000

is a slender column cov-

ered with a black elastic

“sock” over its full

height on the front,

sides, and about two-

thirds of the rear panel.

The top is a piano-fin-

ish, black-lacquered

wooden plate that is

easily removed for

pulling down the cloth

sock and exposing the

drivers. The speaker’s

base is a similarly fin-

ished wooden plate.

The system is also

available with cherry

endcaps. For a tighter

contact with the floor,

optional spikes are

available.

Although the BP 2000 is relatively tall

and deep, side placement of the subwoofer

driver enables the cabinet to remain as

narrow as those of most other Deﬁnitive

Technology speakers, and it occu-

pies only about a square foot of

floor space. If the speakers are

DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY

BP2000 LOUDSPEAKER

“Frankly, if circumstances allowed, I would

choose these speakers for myself.”

BP 2000 Loudspeaker

Latest BP2000TL speaker

is even better

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Summary

Understanding Bipolar Speaker Design

Definitive Technology BP2000 Introduction

Introduces the BP2000 as a bipolar loudspeaker with a built-in powered subwoofer for prodigious bass.

BP2000 Physical Design and Construction

Cabinet Dimensions and Finish

Describes the speaker's 50-inch height, 9-inch width, 16 7/8-inch depth, and its black elastic sock finish.

Driver Arrangement and Subwoofer Placement

Details the D'Appolito driver configuration and the side-mounted 15-inch subwoofer driver.

BP2000 Connectivity and Controls

Input and Connection Options

Covers five-way binding posts for bi-wiring and RCA input for the powered subwoofer amplifier.

Subwoofer Level and EQ Adjustment

Explains how to adjust subwoofer level and low-frequency equalization for optimal bass response.

BP2000 Performance Measurements

Frequency Response and Dispersion Tests

Details measurements of room response, horizontal dispersion, and impedance characteristics.

Sensitivity, Power, and Distortion

Reports on measured sensitivity, amplifier power handling, and subwoofer distortion levels.

Listening Impressions and Value

Summarizes the reviewer's overwhelmingly positive listening experience and the speaker's remarkable value.