In this review, we will be comparing Demand D15 and S 809, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Definitive Technology and Jamo. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Demand D15 and Jamo S 809 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Definitive Demand D15 and Jamo S 809 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Definitive Demand D15 and Jamo S 809 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Demand D15 is a 3-way design whereas the S 809 is a 2-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.
Driver |
Definitive Demand D15 |
Jamo S 809 |
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
3 x 5-inch
|
Demand D15 features a 1" aluminum dome Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" Carbon-fiber Woofer . On the other hand, the S 809 features a 1" Tweeter and 3 x 5" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Demand D15 has a frequency range of 48-22k Hz whereas S 809 has a frequency range of 37-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the S 809 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Demand D15's min frequency of 48Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Demand D15 and S 809 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Demand D15 sensitivity is rated at 85.5 dB and the S 809's is at 90 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Jamo S 809 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Demand D15, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Demand D15 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S 809 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 180 watts less than the Demand D15.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Demand D15 features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. S 809 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Demand D15's and Jamo S 809's external dimensions. Definitive Demand D15 has external dimensions of 1023.0 x 231.0 x 324.0mm ( 40-1/4 x 9-1/16 x 12-3/4inch) whereas Jamo S 809 has external dimensions of 1042.0 x 191.0 x 252.0mm ( 41.0 x 7.5 x 9.9inch) .
Jamo S 809 is 40mm narrower and 72mm less deeper than Definitive Demand D15 but it is also 19mm 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 Demand D15 is approximately 748.4cm2 / 116.0inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 809 is approximately 481.3cm2 / 74.6inch2. The Demand D15 requires 55% more surface area than the S 809 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 Demand D15 weighs 23.60kg / 51.9lbs and the Jamo S 809 weighs 13.60kg / 29.9lbs. This makes the Demand D15 74% heavier than the S 809.
Here is a comparison of how Demand D15 and S 809'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 Demand D15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Demand D15:
Left floorstanding loudspeakerRight floorstanding loudspeaker2 Grilles4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)2 Bases8 Spike feet8 Floor-glides8 Lock-rings8 ScrewsCleaning clothOwners Manual
What's in the Box of Jamo S 809?
Here are the items that come with the S 809:
2 Floorstanding loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Mounting feet16 ScrewsUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Passive Radiator |
2 x 10-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
Height |
1023mm
vs
1042mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Optional Jamo S 8 ATM Dolby Atmos upward-firing speakers
vs
No
|
Dolby Atmos Compatibility |
Base Surface Area |
481cm2 (191x252mm)
vs
748cm2 (231x324mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
634USD
vs
2798USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Definitive Technology Demand D15 |
Jamo Studio S 809 |
Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Jamo |
Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
Power Range |
30-300 watts |
120 watts |
Sensitivity |
85.5 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
48-22k Hz |
37-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
3 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Carbon-fiber |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
dome |
n/a |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2000Hz |
Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
1023.0mm (40.3") |
1042.0mm (41") |
Width |
231.0mm (9.1") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
Depth |
324.0mm (12.8") |
252.0mm (9.9") |
Weight |
23.60kg (51.9lbs) |
13.60kg (29.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Aluminum |
MDF/Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Walnut |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |