In this review, we will be comparing DI 5.5BPS and 265-LS, two Passive In-wall speakers from Definitive Technology and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive DI 5.5BPS and Polk Audio 265-LS first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive DI 5.5BPS | Polk Audio 265-LS |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Ring Radiator |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.5" Polymer | 6.5" Aerated polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-30kHz | 28-33kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-225 watts | 10-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | — | 4.09kg / 9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.6250" x 6.8125" x 3.8750"
321.0 x 174.0 x 99.0mm | 19.1875" x 7.2500" x 3-3/4"
488.0 x 185.0 x 95.3mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive DI 5.5BPS and Polk Audio 265-LS 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 DI 5.5BPS |
Polk Audio 265-LS |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
(* 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 DI 5.5BPS is a 2-way design whereas the 265-LS 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 DI 5.5BPSPolk Audio 265-LS
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 DI 5.5BPS |
Polk Audio 265-LS |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
DI 5.5BPS features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Polymer Woofer. On the other hand, the 265-LS features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter, a 6.5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Aerated polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
DI 5.5BPS has a frequency range of 28-30kHz whereas 265-LS has a frequency range of 28-33kHz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall 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
DI 5.5BPS and 265-LS have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. DI 5.5BPS sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the 265-LS's is at 91 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Polk Audio 265-LS a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive DI 5.5BPS, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall 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.
DI 5.5BPS can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS, whereas 265-LS has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the DI 5.5BPS.
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
DI 5.5BPS features Spring post type posts and 265-LS has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 DI 5.5BPS's and Polk Audio 265-LS's external dimensions. Definitive DI 5.5BPS has external dimensions of 321.0 x 174.0 x 99.0mm (12.6250-inch x 6.8125-inch x 3.8750-inch) whereas Polk Audio 265-LS has external dimensions of 488.0 x 185.0 x 95.3mm (19.1875-inch x 7.2500-inch x 0.0000-inch).
Definitive DI 5.5BPS is 11mm narrower and 167mm shorter than Polk Audio 265-LS but it is also 3.7mm deeper.
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.
Near-identical footprints. Polk Audio 265-LS is 167mm taller.
What's in the Box of Definitive DI 5.5BPS?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of DI 5.5BPS:
- Bipolar surround in-wall speaker
- White grille (paintable)
- Four mounting screws (installed)
- Cut-out template
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
What's in the Box of Polk Audio 265-LS?
Here are the items that come with the 265-LS:
- In-wall loudspeaker
- White metal grille
- Power Port plug
- Mounting template
- Owners Manual