Celestion Dittons

[CageyH]

Having blown the budget on some quality mono block amps, I was wondering how well the Ditton 44 compare to the 66?
Price for the 44 €220 with the 66 at €700. Quite a difference, hence the question.

[DSJR]

Apart from looking pig-ugly, the Ditton 44's, 33's and I think, the 22's as well, were smooth performers, the 44 having loads of weight and heft to it, as many similar late 60's speakers of this size did. Like all except the 25, which I could never get along with.

[Audio Al]

I have a pair of 33's and would say they are a very capable speaker ;)

[synsei]

I had a pair of 44's and the DM2's gave them a right whooping in my listening room. Mind you my room is very awkward, it argues with me incessantly over speakers... :eyebrows:

[Macca]

I've owned the 44 and I suspect they are a very different animal from the 66 which I've not heard.

For near or mid-field listening at reasonable SPL the 44 are fine and better than anything you will get new around that price level I reckon. But: They need near wall positioning, they won't do high SPL, and they are not massively dynamic despite the big bass driver. I was always a bit concerned I was going to damage mine driving them too hard in a big room. Oh and I thought the mid=range driver a bit of a weak point but others say it is a good 'un and that it is the tweeters that are not great despite what they sell for used. All in all a mixed bag, I reckon a pair in very good condition should be worth tops about £200 but they generally go for more.

[walpurgis]

I had a pair of 44's and the DM2's gave them a right whooping in my listening room.

Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Had a couple of pairs of 44s and can't say I was overwhelmed.

[The Barbarian]

'33' are my absolute faves 10'' units.. the smaller '22' use 8'' units..

[istari_knight]

I cant help but agree with the forum consensus. 44's are really quite average, there were fleeting moments of greatness but overall grandads radiogram on steroids summed them up... Unlike the 33's which are much more "modern" sounding and eminently likable.

[synsei]

I missed the 'backs against the wall ' thing, probs why bass output was a little light in this room. I found them to be very laid back, too laid back for my liking. Mine (and previously James') 44's went to a good home though where they are cherished ;)

[istari_knight]

I missed the 'backs against the wall ' thing, probs why bass output was a little light in this room. I found them to be very laid back, too laid back for my liking. Mine (and previously James') 44's went to a good home though where they are cherished ;)

Yeah, I had them hard up against a solid block wall... No shortage of bass this end. The fact that the new owner liked them so much just goes to show how subjective this malarkey is!

[Macca]

Taste in music too. Playing Red Hot Chilli Peppers through them it was like they were saying 'what is this uncouth racket you are forcing me to reproduce?' Bit of Dexter Gordon on the other hand and they sounded wonderful.

[synsei]

Indeedy. No regrets here though as I learned something useful from the experience. Now I can at least claim to have had a pair of 44's in one of my systems, which was one of my earliest bucket list desires going back to when I was a nipper :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

44'S are a capable pair of speakers, owned some in the past and they are very good at rock and prog. Try and bag a cheap pair you can always flog them and get your money back from ebay.

[The Barbarian]

Unlike the 33's which are much more "modern" sounding and eminently likable.

Aye they use the HF1000 Tweeter you find in the '15XR' First time i heard Klause Schulze 'Moondawn' on my old '33' i was well impressed.

[Idlewithnodrive]

44'S are a capable pair of speakers, owned some in the past and they are very good at rock and prog. Try and bag a cheap pair you can always flog them and get your money back from ebay.

Totally agree. My music diet is primarily Rock and Electronica and my 44's are fab, in a small room, backs to the wall, near'ish field listening at low - moderate sound levels.

Have seen off many pairs of more modern serious contenders.