In this review, we will be comparing Descend DN10 and Descend DN15, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Definitive Technology. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Definitive DN10 and Definitive DN15 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Definitive DN10and Definitive DN15 have a single woofer setup however the Definitive DN10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Definitive DN15 features a 15-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Descend DN10 has a frequency range of 30-200 Hz whereas Descend DN15 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the Descend DN15 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Descend DN10's min frequency of 30Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Definitive DN10 and Definitive DN15 have Passive Radiator type cabinets. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Definitive DN10's and Definitive DN15's external dimensions. Definitive DN10 has external dimensions of 434.0 x 408.0 x 466.0mm (17-1/16inch x 16-1/16inch x 18-5/16inch) whereas Definitive DN15 has external dimensions of 634.0 x 596.0 x 640.0mm (24-15/16inch x 23-7/16inch x 25-3/16inch).
Definitive DN15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 188mm wider, 200mm taller and 174mm deeper than Definitive DN10.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Definitive DN10 and Definitive DN15 in scale.
Comparison image of Definitive DN10 and Definitive DN15 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Definitive DN10 is approximately 1901.3cm2 / 294.7inch2 and base area of the Definitive DN15 is approximately 3814.4cm2 / 591.2inch2. The Descend DN10 requires 50% less surface area than the Descend DN15 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Definitive DN10 weighs 20.73kg / 45.6lbs and the Definitive DN15 weighs 52.09kg / 114.6lbs. This makes the Descend DN15 151% heavier than the Descend DN10.
Here is a comparison of how Descend DN10 and Descend DN15's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Definitive DN10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Descend DN10:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Definitive DN15?
Here are the items that come with the Descend DN15:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- CR2032 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)
- Owners Manual
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
434mm
vs
634mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1901cm2
vs
3814cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Definitive DN15 needs about 101% more floor area. Definitive DN15 stands 174mm further into the room. Definitive DN15 is 200mm taller.
| General |
Definitive Technology Descend DN10 |
Definitive Technology Descend DN15 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-200 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
434.0mm (17.1") |
634.0mm (25") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
596.0mm (23.5") |
| Depth |
466.0mm (18.3") |
640.0mm (25.2") |
| Weight |
20.73kg (45.6lbs) |
52.09kg (114.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Siblings in Definitive Technology's Descend range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Definitive DN15 goes deeper - 20Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Definitive DN15 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 200W RMS, about 4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Definitive DN15 moves more air: 15" against 10" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Definitive DN10 is about 66% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | A | Definitive DN10 costs less - $799 against $1,799, about 56% less. |
A Definitive DN10 B Definitive DN15
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Definitive DN15 measures better, Definitive DN10 costs about 56% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $799 each, two Definitive DN10 cost about $1,598 against $1,799 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Definitive DN10 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.