In this review, we will be comparing BP-9080X and BP-9040, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive BP-9080X and Definitive BP-9040 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive BP-9080X | Definitive BP-9040 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4 x 5.25" | 3 x 4.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Polypropelene | 8" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 16-40k Hz | 22-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-300 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 28.18kg / 62lbs | 16.36kg / 36lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 51-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 16-1/8"
1309.0 x 318.0 x 410.0mm | 39-1/16" x 11-1/16" x 13-13/16"
993.0 x 281.0 x 351.0mm |
|---|
BP-9080X and BP-9040 are members of Definitive Technology's BP series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Definitive Technology BP Series
History
What size room are the Definitive BP-9080X and Definitive BP-9040 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Definitive BP-9080X |
Definitive BP-9040 |
| Near-field |
Are you nuts? |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Good |
Average |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both BP-9080X and BP-9040 are 3-way speakers.
Definitive BP-9080XDefinitive BP-9040
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Definitive BP-9080X |
Definitive BP-9040 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
4 x 5.25-inch |
3 x 4.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 8-inch
|
BP-9080X features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Polypropelene Woofer. On the other hand, the BP-9040 features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter, a 4.5" Midrange and 1 x 8" Polypropelene Woofer.
Frequency Response
BP-9080X has a frequency range of 16-40k Hz whereas BP-9040 has a frequency range of 22-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the BP-9080X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the BP-9040's min frequency of 22Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Impedance and Sensitivity
BP-9080X and BP-9040 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 92 dB.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
BP-9080X and BP-9040 have the same power range of 50-300 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
BP-9080X features 5-Way post, RCA type posts and BP-9040 has a 5-Way post, RCA type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive BP-9080X's 5-Way post, RCA terminals
Definitive BP-9040's 5-Way post, RCA terminals
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 BP-9080X's and Definitive BP-9040's external dimensions. Definitive BP-9080X has external dimensions of 1309.0 x 318.0 x 410.0mm (51-1/2 x 12-1/2 x 16-1/8inch) whereas Definitive BP-9040 has external dimensions of 993.0 x 281.0 x 351.0mm (39-1/16 x 11-1/16 x 13-13/16inch).
Definitive BP-9080X is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 37mm wider, 316mm taller and 59mm deeper than Definitive BP-9040.
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 BP-9080X is approximately 1303.8cm2 / 202.1inch2 and base area of the Definitive BP-9040 is approximately 986.3cm2 / 152.9inch2. The BP-9080X requires 32% more surface area than the BP-9040 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Definitive BP-9080X weighs 28.18kg / 62lbs and the Definitive BP-9040 weighs 16.36kg / 36lbs. This makes the BP-9080X 72% heavier than the BP-9040.
Here is a comparison of how BP-9080X and BP-9040's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Definitive BP-9080X?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of BP-9080X:
- Tower loudspeaker
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Top-grille (installed)
- Stabilizer base
- 4 Floor guides
- 4 Carpet spikes
- 4 Screws
- 4 Nuts
- Owners Manual
- What Obsession Sounds Like card
What's in the Box of Definitive BP-9040?
Here are the items that come with the BP-9040:
- Tower loudspeaker
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Top-plate (installed)
- Stabilizer base
- 4 Floor guides
- 4 Carpet spikes
- 4 Screws
- 4 Nuts
- Owners Manual
- What Obsession Sounds Like card
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 12-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Built-in 1 x 5-1/4
vs
Optional
|
Dolby Atmos Ready |
 Height |
993mm
vs
1309mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
986cm2
vs
1303cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1998USD
vs
3998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology BP-9080X |
Definitive Technology BP-9040 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
50-300 watts |
50-300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
16-40k Hz |
22-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropelene |
Polypropelene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
4.5" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1309.0mm (51.5") |
993.0mm (39.1") |
| Width |
318.0mm (12.5") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
410.0mm (16.1") |
351.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
28.18kg (62lbs) |
16.36kg (36lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Aluminum/Cloth |
MDF/Aluminum/Cloth |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Definitive Technology's BP series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Definitive BP-9080X digs deeper - 16Hz against 22Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 92dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (300W vs 300W). |
| Size | depends | Definitive BP-9040 is easier to place; Definitive BP-9080X is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Definitive BP-9080X: Atmos drivers; Definitive BP-9040: Atmos drivers. |
| Price | B | Definitive BP-9040 is cheaper - $1,998 against $3,998, about 50% less; arguably a different class. |
A Definitive BP-9080X B Definitive BP-9040
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Definitive BP-9080X is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 100% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Definitive BP-9040 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Definitive BP-9080X appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 22Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Definitive BP-9040 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Definitive BP-9080X the better fit for a very large room; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.