In this review, we will be comparing Demand D11 and Demand D7, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Demand D11 and Definitive Demand D7 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Demand D11 | Definitive Demand D7 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Polypropylene | 4.5" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 61-22k Hz | 67-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-200 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.64kg / 19lbs | 5.45kg / 12lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-1/16" x 7-5/16" x 12-15/16"
332.0 x 186.0 x 329.0mm | 9-7/8" x 5-9/16" x 9-1/8"
251.0 x 142.0 x 232.0mm |
|---|
Demand D11 and Demand D7 are members of Definitive Technology's Demand series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Definitive Technology Demand Series
History
What size room are the Definitive Demand D11 and Definitive Demand D7 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 Demand D11 |
Definitive Demand D7 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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
Both Demand D11 and Demand D7 are 2-way speakers.
Definitive Demand D11Definitive Demand D7
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 Demand D11 |
Definitive Demand D7 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Demand D11 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Demand D7 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Demand D11 has a frequency range of 61-22k Hz whereas Demand D7 has a frequency range of 67-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 61Hz, the Demand D11 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Demand D7's min frequency of 67Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Demand D11 and Demand D7 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Demand D11 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Demand D7's is at 85 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Definitive Demand D11 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Demand D7, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
Demand D11 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Demand D7 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the Demand D11.
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
Demand D11 features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Demand D7 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive Demand D7's 5-Way 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 Demand D11's and Definitive Demand D7's external dimensions. Definitive Demand D11 has external dimensions of 332.0 x 186.0 x 329.0mm (13-1/16 x 7-5/16 x 12-15/16inch) whereas Definitive Demand D7 has external dimensions of 251.0 x 142.0 x 232.0mm (9-7/8 x 5-9/16 x 9-1/8inch).
Definitive Demand D11 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 44mm wider, 81mm taller and 97mm deeper than Definitive Demand D7.
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 D11 is approximately 611.9cm2 / 94.8inch2 and base area of the Definitive Demand D7 is approximately 329.4cm2 / 51.1inch2. The Demand D11 requires 86% more surface area than the Demand D7 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 D11 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs and the Definitive Demand D7 weighs 5.45kg / 12lbs. This makes the Demand D11 59% heavier than the Demand D7.
Here is a comparison of how Demand D11 and Demand D7's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Definitive Demand D11?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Demand D11:
- Left bookshelf loudpseaker
- Right bookshelf loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Definitive Demand D7?
Here are the items that come with the Demand D7:
- Left bookshelf loudpseaker
- Right bookshelf loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
61 Hz
vs
67 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
251mm
vs
332mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
329cm2
vs
611cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology Demand Series D11 |
Definitive Technology Demand Series D7 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
61-22k Hz |
67-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
332.0mm (13.1") |
251.0mm (9.9") |
| Width |
186.0mm (7.3") |
142.0mm (5.6") |
| Depth |
329.0mm (13") |
232.0mm (9.1") |
| Weight |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
5.45kg (12lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Aluminum |
MDF/Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Gloss White,Piano Black |
Gloss White,Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
28-30" |
| 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 |
Siblings in Definitive Technology's Demand series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Definitive Demand D11 digs deeper - 61Hz against 67Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Definitive Demand D11 is more sensitive (90dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Definitive Demand D11 takes more power (200W vs 125W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Definitive Demand D7 is easier to place; Definitive Demand D11 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability | A | Definitive Demand D11: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Definitive Demand D7 is cheaper - $499 against $999, about 50% less; arguably a different class. |
A Definitive Demand D11 B Definitive Demand D7
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?
The usual trade-off: Definitive Demand D11 measures better, Definitive Demand D7 costs about about 100% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 67Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Definitive Demand D7 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Definitive Demand D11 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Definitive Demand D7 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.