In this review, we will be comparing Demand D7 and Demand D9, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Demand D7 and Definitive Demand D9 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Demand D7 | Definitive Demand D9 |
|---|
| 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 | 4.5" Polypropylene | 5.25" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 67-21k Hz | 64-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-125 watts | 20-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.45kg / 12lbs | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-7/8" x 5-9/16" x 9-1/8"
251.0 x 142.0 x 232.0mm | 11-13/16" x 6-9/16" x 12-7/16"
301.0 x 167.0 x 316.0mm |
|---|
Demand D7 and Demand D9 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 D7 and Definitive Demand D9 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 D7 |
Definitive Demand D9 |
| 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 D7 and Demand D9 are 2-way speakers.
Definitive Demand D7Definitive Demand D9
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 D7 |
Definitive Demand D9 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Demand D7 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Demand D9 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Demand D7 has a frequency range of 67-21k Hz whereas Demand D9 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 64Hz, the Demand D9 can go slightly deeper then 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 D7 and Demand D9 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Demand D7 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Demand D9's is at 88 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Definitive Demand D9 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 D9 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Demand D7 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Demand D9.
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 D9 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 D7's and Definitive Demand D9's external dimensions. 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) whereas Definitive Demand D9 has external dimensions of 301.0 x 167.0 x 316.0mm (11-13/16 x 6-9/16 x 12-7/16inch).
Definitive Demand D9 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 50mm taller and 84mm 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 D7 is approximately 329.4cm2 / 51.1inch2 and base area of the Definitive Demand D9 is approximately 527.7cm2 / 81.8inch2. The Demand D7 requires 38% less surface area than the Demand D9 which gives it a small advantage 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 D7 weighs 5.45kg / 12lbs and the Definitive Demand D9 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Demand D9 42% heavier than the Demand D7.
Here is a comparison of how Demand D7 and Demand D9'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 D7?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Demand D7:
- Left bookshelf loudpseaker
- Right bookshelf loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Definitive Demand D9?
Here are the items that come with the Demand D9:
- Left bookshelf loudpseaker
- Right bookshelf loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
 Height |
251mm
vs
301mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
329cm2
vs
527cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
749USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
64 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 |
| General |
Definitive Technology Demand Series D7 |
Definitive Technology Demand Series D9 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-125 watts |
20-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
67-21k Hz |
64-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.25" |
| 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 |
251.0mm (9.9") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
142.0mm (5.6") |
167.0mm (6.6") |
| Depth |
232.0mm (9.1") |
316.0mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
5.45kg (12lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Aluminum |
MDF/Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Gloss White,Piano Black |
Gloss White,Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-30" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
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 | B | Definitive Demand D9 digs deeper - 64Hz against 67Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Definitive Demand D9 is more sensitive (88dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (125W vs 150W). |
| Size | depends | Definitive Demand D7 is easier to place; Definitive Demand D9 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Expandability | B | Definitive Demand D9: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Definitive Demand D7 is cheaper - $499 against $749, about 33% less. |
A Definitive Demand D7 B Definitive Demand D9
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 D9 measures better, Definitive Demand D7 costs about about 50% 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. In a large or open-plan room, Definitive Demand D9 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. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Definitive Demand D9 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.