In this review, we will be comparing Dymension DM20 and Dymension DM10, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM20 and Definitive Dymension DM10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM20 | Definitive Dymension DM10 |
|---|
| 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 x 4.5" Polypropelene | 2 x 5.25" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 91-23 kHz | 81-23 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.00kg / 22lbs | 13.20kg / 29lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.3" x 30.5" x 6.5"
134 x 775 x 166 mm | 7.3" x 19.5" x 12.2"
186 x 496 x 311 mm |
|---|
Dymension DM20 and Dymension DM10 are members of Definitive Technology's Dymension series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Definitive Technology Dymension Series
History
What size room are the Definitive Dymension DM20 and Definitive Dymension DM10 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 Dymension DM20 |
Definitive Dymension DM10 |
| 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 Dymension DM20 and Dymension DM10 are 2-way speakers.
Definitive Dymension DM20Definitive Dymension DM10
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 Dymension DM20 |
Definitive Dymension DM10 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 4.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Dymension DM20 features a 1" aluminum oxide Hard-Dome Tweeter and 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene Woofer. On the other hand, the Dymension DM10 features a 1" aluminum oxide Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Polypropelene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Dymension DM20 has a frequency range of 91-23 kHz whereas Dymension DM10 has a frequency range of 81-23 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 81Hz, the Dymension DM10 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dymension DM20's min frequency of 91Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
Dymension DM20 and Dymension DM10 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Dymension DM20 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Dymension DM10's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Definitive Dymension DM10 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Dymension DM20, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Dymension DM20 and the Dymension DM20 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Dymension DM20 and Dymension DM10 have the same power range of 50-200 watts.
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.
Definitive Dymension DM20
Definitive Dymension DM10
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM20 features Binding post type posts and Dymension DM10 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive Dymension DM20's Binding post terminals
Definitive Dymension DM10's Binding 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 Dymension DM20's and Definitive Dymension DM10's external dimensions. Definitive Dymension DM20 has external dimensions of 134 x 775 x 166 mm (5.3 x 30.5 x 6.5 in) whereas Definitive Dymension DM10 has external dimensions of 186 x 496 x 311 mm (7.3 x 19.5 x 12.2 in).
Definitive Dymension DM20 is 52mm shorter and 145mm less deeper than Definitive Dymension DM10 but it is also 279mm 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 Dymension DM20 is approximately 1286.5cm2 / 199.4inch2 and base area of the Definitive Dymension DM10 is approximately 1542.6cm2 / 239.1inch2. The Dymension DM20 requires 17% less surface area than the Dymension DM10 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 Dymension DM20 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Definitive Dymension DM10 weighs 13.20kg / 29lbs. This makes the Dymension DM10 32% heavier than the Dymension DM20.
Here is a comparison of how Dymension DM20 and Dymension DM10's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive Dymension DM20
Definitive Dymension DM10
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
134mm
vs
186mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1286cm2
vs
1542cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
81 Hz
vs
91 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
1 x 9-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
699USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM20 |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM10 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
91-23 kHz |
81-23 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropelene |
Polypropelene |
| 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 |
134.0mm (5.3") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
| Width |
775.0mm (30.5") |
496.0mm (19.5") |
| Depth |
166.0mm (6.5") |
311.0mm (12.2") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
13.20kg (29lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Definitive Technology's Dymension series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Definitive Dymension DM10 digs deeper - 81Hz against 91Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | Definitive Dymension DM20 is easier to place; Definitive Dymension DM10 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Passive Radiator. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | B | Definitive Dymension DM10 is cheaper - $699 against $799, about 13% less. |
A Definitive Dymension DM20 B Definitive Dymension DM10
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 Dymension DM10 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 91Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Definitive Dymension DM10 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Definitive Dymension DM20 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.