In this review, we will be comparing ProSub 800 and ProSub 1000, 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 ProSub 800 and Definitive ProSub 1000 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 ProSub 800and Definitive ProSub 1000 have a single woofer setup however the Definitive ProSub 800's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Definitive ProSub 1000 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
ProSub 800 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz whereas ProSub 1000 has a frequency range of 18-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the ProSub 1000 can go slightly deeper then the ProSub 800's min frequency of 20Hz.
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 ProSub 800 and Definitive ProSub 1000 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 ProSub 800's and Definitive ProSub 1000's external dimensions. Definitive ProSub 800 has external dimensions of 328.0 x 262.0 x 423.0mm (12-7/8 x 10-5/16 x 16-5/8inch) whereas Definitive ProSub 1000 has external dimensions of 366.0 x 307.0 x 486.0mm (14-3/8 x 12-1/16 x 19-1/8inch).
Definitive ProSub 1000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 45mm wider, 38mm taller and 63mm deeper than Definitive ProSub 800.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Definitive ProSub 1000 needs about 35% more floor or shelf area. Definitive ProSub 1000 is 63mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Definitive ProSub 1000 is 38mm taller.
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 ProSub 800 is approximately 1108.3cm2 / 171.8inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 1000 is approximately 1492.0cm2 / 231.3inch2. The ProSub 800 requires 26% less surface area than the ProSub 1000 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 ProSub 800 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs and the Definitive ProSub 1000 weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the ProSub 1000 19% heavier than the ProSub 800.
Here is a comparison of how ProSub 800 and ProSub 1000'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 ProSub 800?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ProSub 800:
- 8-inch Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille (installed)
- 7-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
What's in the Box of Definitive ProSub 1000?
Here are the items that come with the ProSub 1000:
- 10-inch Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille (installed)
- 7-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Height |
328mm
vs
366mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1108cm2
vs
1492cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
20 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 ProSub 1000 needs about 35% more floor area. Definitive ProSub 1000 stands 63mm further into the room. Definitive ProSub 1000 is 38mm taller.
| General |
Definitive Technology ProSub 800 |
Definitive Technology ProSub 1000 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-150 Hz |
18-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polymer |
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
328.0mm (12.9") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
262.0mm (10.3") |
307.0mm (12.1") |
| Depth |
423.0mm (16.7") |
486.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Siblings in Definitive Technology's ProSub range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (20Hz vs 18Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | Definitive ProSub 1000 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x 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 ProSub 800 is about 33% 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 ProSub 800 costs less - $399 against $499, about 20% less. |
A Definitive ProSub 800 B Definitive ProSub 1000
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 ProSub 1000 measures better, Definitive ProSub 800 costs about 20% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Definitive ProSub 800 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.