In this review, we will be comparing Dymension DM30 and Dymension DM20, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM30 and Definitive Dymension DM20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM30 | Definitive Dymension DM20 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4 x 5.25" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Polypropelene | 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 41-23 kHz | 91-23 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-300 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 24.50kg / 53.9lbs | 10.00kg / 22lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.5" x 31.5" x 15.9"
190 x 800 x 403 mm | 5.3" x 30.5" x 6.5"
134 x 775 x 166 mm |
|---|
Dymension DM30 and Dymension DM20 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 DM30 and Definitive Dymension DM20 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 DM30 |
Definitive Dymension DM20 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Dymension DM30 is a 3-way design whereas the Dymension DM20 is a 2-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 DM30Definitive Dymension DM20
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 DM30 |
Definitive Dymension DM20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
4 x 5.25-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
4 x 4.5-inch
|
Dymension DM30 features a 1" aluminum oxide Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 8" Polypropelene Woofer. On the other hand, the Dymension DM20 features a 1" aluminum oxide Hard-Dome Tweeter and 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Dymension DM30 has a frequency range of 41-23 kHz whereas Dymension DM20 has a frequency range of 91-23 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the Dymension DM30 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 DM30 and Dymension DM20 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Dymension DM30 sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the Dymension DM20's is at 89 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Definitive Dymension DM30 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 DM30 and the Dymension DM30 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 DM30 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 DM30.
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 DM30
Definitive Dymension DM20
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM30 features Binding post type posts and Dymension DM20 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive Dymension DM30's Binding post terminals
Definitive Dymension DM20'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 DM30's and Definitive Dymension DM20's external dimensions. Definitive Dymension DM30 has external dimensions of 190 x 800 x 403 mm (7.5 x 31.5 x 15.9 in) whereas Definitive Dymension DM20 has external dimensions of 134 x 775 x 166 mm (5.3 x 30.5 x 6.5 in).
Definitive Dymension DM30 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 56mm taller and 237mm deeper than Definitive Dymension DM20.
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 DM30 is approximately 3224.0cm2 / 499.7inch2 and base area of the Definitive Dymension DM20 is approximately 1286.5cm2 / 199.4inch2. The Dymension DM30 requires 151% more surface area than the Dymension DM20 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 DM30 weighs 24.50kg / 53.9lbs and the Definitive Dymension DM20 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the Dymension DM30 145% heavier than the Dymension DM20.
Here is a comparison of how Dymension DM30 and Dymension DM20's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive Dymension DM30
Definitive Dymension DM20
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
41 Hz
vs
91 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
134mm
vs
190mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1286cm2
vs
3224cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM30 |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM20 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-300 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-23 kHz |
91-23 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
4.5" |
| 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 |
5.25" |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
190.0mm (7.5") |
134.0mm (5.3") |
| Width |
800.0mm (31.5") |
775.0mm (30.5") |
| Depth |
403.0mm (15.9") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Weight |
24.50kg (53.9lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| 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 | A | Definitive Dymension DM30 digs deeper - 41Hz against 91Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Definitive Dymension DM30 is more sensitive (93dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Definitive Dymension DM30 takes more power (300W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Definitive Dymension DM20 is easier to place; Definitive Dymension DM30 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | B | Definitive Dymension DM20 is cheaper - $799 against $1,499, about 47% less; arguably a different class. |
A Definitive Dymension DM30 B Definitive Dymension DM20
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 Dymension DM30 measures better, Definitive Dymension DM20 costs about about 88% 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. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 91Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Definitive Dymension DM20 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Definitive Dymension DM30 the better fit for a large room and a very large room, and Definitive Dymension DM20 for a small room.
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.