In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Definitive Technology. Definitive Technology Dymension DM20 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Dymension DM80 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM20 and Definitive Dymension DM80 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM20 | Definitive Dymension DM80 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" 2 x Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4 x 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene | 12" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 91-23 kHz | 28-23 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.00kg / 22lbs | 37.70kg / 82.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.3" x 30.5" x 6.5"
134 x 775 x 166 mm | 49.4" x 11.3" x 16"
1255 x 287 x 407 mm |
|---|
Dymension DM20 and Dymension DM80 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 DM80 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 DM80 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Are you nuts? |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Good |
(* 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Dymension DM20 is a 2-way design whereas the Dymension DM80 is a 3-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.
Definitive Dymension DM20Definitive Dymension DM80
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 DM80 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
4 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
Dymension DM20 features a 1" aluminum oxide Hard-Dome Tweeter and 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene Woofer. On the other hand, the Dymension DM80 features a 1" aluminum oxide 2 x Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Polypropelene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Dymension DM20 has a frequency range of 91-23 kHz whereas Dymension DM80 has a frequency range of 28-23 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Dymension DM80 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 DM80 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 DM80's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Definitive Dymension DM80 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 DM80 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Dymension DM20 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Dymension DM80.
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 DM80
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM20 features Binding post type posts and Dymension DM80 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive Dymension DM20's Binding post terminals
Definitive Dymension DM80'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 DM80'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 DM80 has external dimensions of 1255 x 287 x 407 mm (49.4 x 11.3 x 16.0 in).
Definitive Dymension DM20 is 1121mm shorter and 241mm less deeper than Definitive Dymension DM80 but it is also 488mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Definitive Dymension DM20 needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. Definitive Dymension DM80 is 241mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Definitive Dymension DM80 is 1121mm 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 Dymension DM20 is approximately 1286.5cm2 / 199.4inch2 and base area of the Definitive Dymension DM80 is approximately 1168.1cm2 / 181.1inch2. The Dymension DM20 requires 10% more surface area than the Dymension DM80 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Definitive Dymension DM80?
Here are the items that come with the Dymension DM80:
- 4 Adjustable hard floor glides
- 4 Adjustable carpet spikes