In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Definitive Technology. Definitive Technology Demand Series D9 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Demand D5C is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Demand D9 and Definitive D5C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Demand D9 | Definitive D5C |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Polypropylene | 2 x 5.25" BDSS |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-22k Hz | 42-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 85.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 watts | 30-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.73kg / 17lbs | 10.91kg / 24lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11-13/16" x 6-9/16" x 12-7/16"
301.0 x 167.0 x 316.0mm | 6-5/8" x 19-1/16" x 11-3/8"
169.0 x 485.0 x 289.0mm |
|---|
Demand D9 and Demand D5C 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 D9 and Definitive D5C 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 D9 |
Definitive D5C |
| 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 D9 and Demand D5C are 2-way speakers.
Definitive Demand D9Definitive D5C
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 D9 |
Definitive D5C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Demand D9 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Demand D5C features a 1" aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" BDSS Woofer.
Frequency Response
Demand D9 has a frequency range of 64-22k Hz whereas Demand D5C has a frequency range of 42-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Demand D5C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Demand D9's min frequency of 64Hz.
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 D9 and Demand D5C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Demand D9 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Demand D5C's is at 85.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Definitive Demand D9 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive D5C, 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 D5C can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Demand D9 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Demand D5C.
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 D5C has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive D5C'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 D9's and Definitive D5C's external dimensions. 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) whereas Definitive D5C has external dimensions of 169.0 x 485.0 x 289.0mm (6-5/8 x 19-1/16 x 11-3/8inch).
Definitive D5C is 132mm shorter and 27mm less deeper than Definitive Demand D9 but it is also 318mm wider.
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 D9 is approximately 527.7cm2 / 81.8inch2 and base area of the Definitive D5C is approximately 1401.7cm2 / 217.3inch2. The Demand D9 requires 62% less surface area than the Demand D5C which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Definitive Demand D9?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Demand D9:
- Left bookshelf loudpseaker
- Right bookshelf loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Definitive D5C?
Here are the items that come with the Demand D5C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual