In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Definitive Technology. Definitive Technology Dymension DM40 is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the Dymension DM10 is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM40 and Definitive Dymension DM10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM40 | Definitive Dymension DM10 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" 2 x Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 4.5" Polypropelene | 2 x 5.25" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23 kHz | 81-23 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-250 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 17.30kg / 38.1lbs | 13.20kg / 29lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 37.4" x 10.3" x 10"
950 x 261 x 255 mm | 7.3" x 19.5" x 12.2"
186 x 496 x 311 mm |
|---|
Dymension DM40 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 DM40 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 DM40 |
Definitive Dymension DM10 |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
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
Both Dymension DM40 and Dymension DM10 are 2-way speakers.
Definitive Dymension DM40Definitive 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 DM40 |
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 DM40 features a 1" aluminum oxide 2 x 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 DM40 has a frequency range of 55-23 kHz whereas Dymension DM10 has a frequency range of 81-23 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Dymension DM40 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dymension DM10's min frequency of 81Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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 DM40 and Dymension DM10 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Dymension DM40 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Dymension DM10's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Definitive Dymension DM10 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Dymension DM40, 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 DM40 and the Dymension DM40 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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 DM40 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Dymension DM10 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Dymension DM40.
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 DM40
Definitive Dymension DM10
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM40 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 DM40'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 DM40's and Definitive Dymension DM10's external dimensions. Definitive Dymension DM40 has external dimensions of 950 x 261 x 255 mm (37.4 x 10.3 x 10.0 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 DM40 is 235mm narrower and 56mm less deeper than Definitive Dymension DM10 but it is also 764mm taller.
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 DM10 needs about 132% more floor or shelf area. Definitive Dymension DM10 is 56mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Definitive Dymension DM40 is 764mm 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 DM40 is approximately 665.6cm2 / 103.2inch2 and base area of the Definitive Dymension DM10 is approximately 1542.6cm2 / 239.1inch2. The Dymension DM40 requires 57% less surface area than the Dymension DM10 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Definitive Dymension DM40?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Dymension DM40:
- 4 Adjustable hard floor glides
- 4 Adjustable carpet spikes