In this review, we will be comparing CS-9040 and R-34C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Definitive Technology and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive CS-9040 and Klipsch R-34C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive CS-9040 | Klipsch R-34C |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" BDSS | 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-40k Hz | 82-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.09kg / 20lbs | 5.91kg / 13lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6" x 20-13/16" x 12"
153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm | 4-15/16" x 26-1/16" x 6-1/4"
126.0 x 662.0 x 159.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive CS-9040 and Klipsch R-34C 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 |
Klipsch R-34C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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 CS-9040 and R-34C are 2-way speakers.
Definitive CS-9040Klipsch R-34C
TweeterWoofer
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 |
Klipsch R-34C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
4 x 3.5-inch
|
CS-9040 features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer. On the other hand, the R-34C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG Woofer.
Frequency Response
CS-9040 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz whereas R-34C has a frequency range of 82-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the CS-9040 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-34C's min frequency of 82Hz.
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 R-34C 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 R-34C's is at 96 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-34C 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.
CS-9040 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas R-34C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the CS-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 Binding post type posts and R-34C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-34C's Binding post 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 Klipsch R-34C'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 Klipsch R-34C has external dimensions of 126.0 x 662.0 x 159.0mm (4-15/16 x 26-1/16 x 6-1/4inch).
Klipsch R-34C is 27mm shorter and 146mm less deeper than Definitive CS-9040 but it is also 133mm wider.
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 Klipsch R-34C is approximately 1052.6cm2 / 163.2inch2. The CS-9040 requires 53% more surface area than the R-34C 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 CS-9040 weighs 9.09kg / 20lbs and the Klipsch R-34C weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs. This makes the CS-9040 54% heavier than the R-34C.
Here is a comparison of how CS-9040 and R-34C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
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 Klipsch R-34C?
Here are the items that come with the R-34C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
3.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
82 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
upward firing one 8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
126mm
vs
153mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1052cm2
vs
1613cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology CS-9040 |
Klipsch Reference R-34C |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-40k Hz |
82-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
3.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
BDSS |
copper spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
153.0mm (6") |
126.0mm (5") |
| Width |
529.0mm (20.8") |
662.0mm (26.1") |
| Depth |
305.0mm (12") |
159.0mm (6.3") |
| Weight |
9.09kg (20lbs) |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
textured wood grain viny |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Definitive CS-9040 digs deeper - 50Hz against 82Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch R-34C is more sensitive (96dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Definitive CS-9040 takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch R-34C is easier to place; Definitive CS-9040 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($549 vs $499 a pair). |
A Definitive CS-9040 B Klipsch R-34C
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 CS-9040 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 82Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Definitive CS-9040 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch R-34C for near-field listening and a small room.
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.