In this review, we will be comparing Defiance V8 and ProSub 800, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm and 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 Paradigm Defiance V8 and Definitive ProSub 800 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.Paradigm Defiance V8and Definitive ProSub 800 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
Defiance V8 has a frequency range of 34-200 Hz whereas ProSub 800 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the ProSub 800 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Defiance V8's min frequency of 34Hz.
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
The Paradigm Defiance V8 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the Definitive ProSub 800 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. 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 Paradigm Defiance V8's and Definitive ProSub 800's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance V8 has external dimensions of 361.0 x 326.0 x 399.0mm (14-3/16inch x 12-13/16inch x 15-11/16inch) whereas 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).
Definitive ProSub 800 is 64mm narrower and 33mm shorter than Paradigm Defiance V8 but it is also 24mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Defiance V8 and Definitive ProSub 800 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Defiance V8 and Definitive ProSub 800 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 Paradigm Defiance V8 is approximately 1300.7cm2 / 201.6inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 800 is approximately 1108.3cm2 / 171.8inch2. The Defiance V8 requires 17% more surface area than the ProSub 800 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Paradigm Defiance V8 weighs 12.05kg / 26.5lbs and the Definitive ProSub 800 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the Defiance V8 2% heavier than the ProSub 800.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance V8 and ProSub 800's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm Defiance V8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Defiance V8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feetAC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Important Unboxing Information
What's in the Box of Definitive ProSub 800?
Here are the items that come with the ProSub 800:
- 8-inch Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille (installed)
- 7-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
328mm
vs
361mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1108cm2
vs
1300cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
480USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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.
Paradigm Defiance V8 needs about 17% more floor area. Definitive ProSub 800 stands 24mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance V8 is 33mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance V8 |
Definitive Technology ProSub 800 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
75 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
34-200 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
75-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
361.0mm (14.2") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Width |
326.0mm (12.8") |
262.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
399.0mm (15.7") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Weight |
12.05kg (26.5lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Definitive ProSub 800 goes deeper - 20Hz against 34Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Definitive ProSub 800 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 75W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Paradigm Defiance V8 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; Definitive ProSub 800 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Phase control | A | Paradigm Defiance V8 has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Definitive ProSub 800 is about 23% 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 | B | Definitive ProSub 800 costs less - $399 against $480, about 17% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance V8 B Definitive ProSub 800
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?
Definitive ProSub 800 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
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.