The Sound
Contents
Normally, we are not a “fan” of floorstanders in the entry and mid-range. We then almost always recommend the bookshelfs because it probably sounds better. For less money. Or choose a similarly priced monitor to get a better experience. With this Teufel is simply not the case. The Definion 3F really sounds better than the Definion 3S. More spacious, more complete, better controlled. How is that possible? No idea… Perhaps in this floorstanding model everything falls into place better.
Space!
What really stands out with the Teufel Definion 3F is the space this speaker creates. Without a doubt, the coaxial unit is to be praised for this. We also see in the measurements that the off-axis performance is incredibly good. In our room this works out perfectly and so we hear a large and generous stereo image. In a good living room with decent acoustics this will also work just fine. However: in a not well treated room with little damping, this can cause some harshness. However: not a single system sounds good in a room with bad acoustics.
Detail and matching
We initially connected the Teufel Definion 3F on our reference system. That went fine, of course, but…. the Yamaha A-S2200 matched better in our opinion. The Pass with Bryston is almost too much of a good thing which, while everything is tight and detail-packed, makes it seem a bit forced.
The Yamaha is a bit more nimble and less round and raw in the low end. This gives a little more smoothness and looseness which works better. So you see: more expensive is certainly not always better. Once we get going with the Definion 3F, connected to the Yamaha A-S2200 we notice that this is a system that sounds remarkably well balanced. However, matching is therefore a prerequisite. We can imagine that a somewhat rough amplifier will accentuate the wrong things. Especially in the midrange. The bass is complete but can become too much with a mismatch. Now it is always important to find the right combinations. However, some speakers are more sensitive to this than others. And this Teufel Definion 3F likes a neutral amplifier with the accent on neutrality and air. Not a rawer or overly tight playing model.
Listen to lossless samples of the Teufel Definion 3F here