In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Definitive Technology. Definitive Technology CS-9040 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the BP-9040 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive CS-9040 and Definitive BP-9040 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive CS-9040 | Definitive BP-9040 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 3 x 4.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" BDSS | 8" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-40k Hz | 22-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.09kg / 20lbs | 16.36kg / 36lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6" x 20-13/16" x 12"
153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm | 39-1/16" x 11-1/16" x 13-13/16"
993.0 x 281.0 x 351.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive CS-9040 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 CS-9040 |
Definitive BP-9040 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that CS-9040 is a 2-way design whereas the BP-9040 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Definitive CS-9040Definitive 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 CS-9040 |
Definitive BP-9040 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
3 x 4.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 8-inch
|
CS-9040 features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS 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
CS-9040 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz whereas BP-9040 has a frequency range of 22-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the BP-9040 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CS-9040's min frequency of 50Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
CS-9040 and BP-9040 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. CS-9040 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the BP-9040's is at 92 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Definitive BP-9040 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive CS-9040, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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-9040 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas CS-9040 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the BP-9040.
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
CS-9040 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-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 CS-9040's and Definitive BP-9040's external dimensions. Definitive CS-9040 has external dimensions of 153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm (6 x 20-13/16 x 12inch) 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 CS-9040 is 840mm shorter and 46mm less deeper than Definitive BP-9040 but it is also 248mm wider.
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 CS-9040 needs about 64% more floor or shelf area. Definitive BP-9040 is 46mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Definitive BP-9040 is 840mm 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 CS-9040 is approximately 1613.5cm2 / 250.1inch2 and base area of the Definitive BP-9040 is approximately 986.3cm2 / 152.9inch2. The CS-9040 requires 64% more surface area than the BP-9040 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Definitive CS-9040?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CS-9040:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 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