In this review, we will be comparing Dymension DM20 and RP-404C II, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Definitive Technology and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM20 and Klipsch RP-404C II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM20 | Klipsch RP-404C II |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene | 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 91-23 kHz | 87-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 94 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | up to 125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.00kg / 22lbs | 9.20kg / 20.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.3" x 30.5" x 6.5"
134 x 775 x 166 mm | 5-3/4" x 26-7/8" x 6-1/2"
147.0 x 683.0 x 166.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive Dymension DM20 and Klipsch RP-404C II 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 |
Klipsch RP-404C II |
| 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 RP-404C II are 2-way speakers.
Definitive Dymension DM20Klipsch RP-404C II
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 |
Klipsch RP-404C II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 4.5-inch
|
4 x 4-inch
|
Dymension DM20 features a 1" aluminum oxide Hard-Dome Tweeter and 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-404C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900 Hz.
Frequency Response
Dymension DM20 has a frequency range of 91-23 kHz whereas RP-404C II has a frequency range of 87-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 87Hz, the RP-404C II can go slightly deeper then 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 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the RP-404C II which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Dymension DM20 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Dymension DM20 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the RP-404C II's is rated at 94 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-404C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Dymension DM20, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas RP-404C II has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the Dymension DM20.
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
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM20 features Binding post type posts and RP-404C II has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive Dymension DM20's Binding post terminals
Klipsch RP-404C II'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 Klipsch RP-404C II'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 Klipsch RP-404C II has external dimensions of 147.0 x 683.0 x 166.0mm (5-3/4 x 26-7/8 x 6-1/2inch).
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 Klipsch RP-404C II is approximately 1133.8cm2 / 175.7inch2. The Dymension DM20 requires 13% more surface area than the RP-404C II 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 Dymension DM20 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Klipsch RP-404C II weighs 9.20kg / 20.2lbs. This makes the Dymension DM20 9% heavier than the RP-404C II.
Here is a comparison of how Dymension DM20 and RP-404C II's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive Dymension DM20
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-404C II?
Here are the items that come with the RP-404C II:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
134mm
vs
147mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
87 Hz
vs
91 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1133cm2
vs
1286cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM20 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-404C II |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
up to 125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
94 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
91-23 kHz |
87-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropelene |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1900 Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
134.0mm (5.3") |
147.0mm (5.8") |
| Width |
775.0mm (30.5") |
683.0mm (26.9") |
| Depth |
166.0mm (6.5") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
9.20kg (20.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut, 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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Klipsch RP-404C II digs deeper - 87Hz against 91Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-404C II is more sensitive (94dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Klipsch RP-404C II is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Definitive Dymension DM20 takes more power (200W vs 125W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-404C II is cheaper - $599 against $799, about 25% less. |
A Definitive Dymension DM20 B Klipsch RP-404C II
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?
Klipsch RP-404C II is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Definitive Dymension DM20 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch RP-404C II is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $200 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.