Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX vs Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR Comparison

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Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX

Passive In-wall | 60-25k Hz

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Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR

Passive In-wall | 34-25k Hz

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Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX vs Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing DW 45 MAX and DW MAX SUR, two Passive In-wall speakers by Definitive Technology.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX and Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX	Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR
Brand	Definitive Technology United States · founded 1990	Definitive Technology United States · founded 1990
Design	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1"	1"
Woofer	4.5"	2 x 5.25"
Frequency response	60-25k Hz	34-25k Hz
Sensitivity	83 dB	89 dB
Impedance	6 ohms	4 ohms
Weight	1.87kg / 4.1lbs	—
Dimensions (H x W x D)	—	18-11/16" x 9-9/16" x 3-15/16" 474.7 x 242.9 x 100.3mm

DW 45 MAX and DW MAX SUR are members of Definitive Technology's DW series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Definitive Technology DW Series History

Model	Body	Frequency	Sensitivity	Impedance	Woofer
Definitive Technology DW 80 PRO	In-wall	35-25k Hz	87 dB	6Ω	1 x 8"
Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR	In-wall	34-25k Hz	89 dB	4Ω	2 x 5.25"
Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX	In-wall	60-25k Hz	83 dB	6Ω	1 x 4.5"
Definitive Technology DW 65 PRO	In-wall	46-25k Hz	86 dB	6Ω	1 x 6.5"
Definitive Technology DW 65 MAX	In-wall	56-25k Hz	85 dB	6Ω	1 x 5.25"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.

Drivers

Both DW 45 MAX and DW MAX SUR are 2-way speakers.

Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX

Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR

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 Technology DW 45 MAX	Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR
Driver Setup	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	-
Woofer	1 x 4.5-inch	2 x 5.25-inch

DW 45 MAX features a 1" Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the DW MAX SUR features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Woofer.

Frequency Response

DW 45 MAX has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz whereas DW MAX SUR has a frequency range of 34-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 34Hz, the DW MAX SUR can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DW 45 MAX's min frequency of 60Hz.

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

DW 45 MAX

DW MAX SUR

Min

Average

Median

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

DW 45 MAX is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the DW MAX SUR which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the DW MAX SUR can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. DW 45 MAX sensitivity is rated at 83 dB and the DW MAX SUR's is rated at 89 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

In-wall Speakers

DW 45 MAX

DW MAX SUR

Min

Average

Median

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.

Amplifier - change this

Distance

Playing as

Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX

Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

DW 45 MAX features Spring post type posts and DW MAX SUR 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 Technology DW 45 MAX's and Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR's external dimensions. Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX has external dimensions of () whereas Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR has external dimensions of 474.7 x 242.9 x 100.3mm ().

Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25.4mm wider, 152.4mm taller and 100.3mm deeper than Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX.

Size, drawn to scale

Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions. Depth is not published for both, so only the front view is drawn.

Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR is 152mm taller.

Reasons to choose Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX over Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR

Nominal Impedance	6 ohms vs 4 ohms	Less selective with amplifiers
Height	322mm vs 474mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area	0cm² vs 243cm²	Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR over Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX

Sensitivity	89 dB vs 83 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size	5.25 inches vs 4.5 inches	Larger woofer
Number of Woofers	2 vs 1	More woofers
Low Frequency Response	34 Hz vs 60 Hz	Generates deeper bass

Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX vs Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX	Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR
Brand	Definitive Technology	Definitive Technology
Speaker Type	Passive In-wall Speaker	Passive In-wall Speaker
Sensitivity	83 dB	89 dB
Impedance	6 ohms	4 ohms
Frequency Response	60-25k Hz	34-25k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	1	2
Woofer Size	4.5"	5.25"
Woofer Composition
Tweeter Size	1"	1"
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	No
Physical Specs
Height	322.3mm (12.7")	474.7mm (18.7")
Width	217.5mm (8.6")	242.9mm (9.6")
Depth	mm (0")	100.3mm (3.9")
Weight	1.87kg (4.1lbs)	n/a
Enclosure
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Other
Parts Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years	5 Years

Verdict

Siblings in Definitive Technology's DW series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.

Area	Better	Why
Bass	B	Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR digs deeper - 34Hz against 60Hz.
Amplifier needs	B	Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR is more sensitive (89dB vs 83dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
Amplifier match	A	Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it.

A Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX B Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR
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 Technology DW MAX SUR 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 60Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Definitive Technology DW MAX SUR is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.

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.