In this review, we will be comparing Dymension DM60 and Dymension DM80, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM60 and Definitive Dymension DM80 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM60 | Definitive Dymension DM80 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" 2 x Hard-Dome | 1" 2 x Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4 x 4.5" | 4 x 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Polypropelene | 12" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 34-23 kHz | 28-23 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-300 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 27.20kg / 59.8lbs | 37.70kg / 82.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 45.4" x 11.3" x 13.7"
1153 x 287 x 349 mm | 49.4" x 11.3" x 16"
1255 x 287 x 407 mm |
|---|
Dymension DM60 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 DM60 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 DM60 |
Definitive Dymension DM80 |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Are you nuts? |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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
Both Dymension DM60 and Dymension DM80 are 3-way speakers.
Definitive Dymension DM60Definitive 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 DM60 |
Definitive Dymension DM80 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
4 x 4.5-inch |
4 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
Dymension DM60 features a 1" aluminum oxide 2 x Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 4.5" Midrange and 1 x 8" 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 DM60 has a frequency range of 34-23 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 DM60's min frequency of 34Hz.
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 DM60 and Dymension DM80 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Dymension DM60 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Dymension DM80's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Definitive Dymension DM80 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Dymension DM60, 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 DM60 and the Dymension DM60 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 DM60 and Dymension DM80 have the same power range of 50-300 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 DM60
Definitive Dymension DM80
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM60 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 DM60'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 DM60's and Definitive Dymension DM80's external dimensions. Definitive Dymension DM60 has external dimensions of 1153 x 287 x 349 mm (45.4 x 11.3 x 13.7 in) whereas Definitive Dymension DM80 has external dimensions of 1255 x 287 x 407 mm (49.4 x 11.3 x 16.0 in).
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 DM60 is approximately 1001.6cm2 / 155.2inch2 and base area of the Definitive Dymension DM80 is approximately 1168.1cm2 / 181.1inch2. The Dymension DM60 requires 14% less surface area than the Dymension DM80 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 DM60 weighs 27.20kg / 59.8lbs and the Definitive Dymension DM80 weighs 37.70kg / 82.9lbs. This makes the Dymension DM80 39% heavier than the Dymension DM60.
Here is a comparison of how Dymension DM60 and Dymension DM80's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Definitive Dymension DM60
Definitive Dymension DM80
What's in the Box of Definitive Dymension DM60?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Dymension DM60:
- 4 Adjustable hard floor glides
- 4 Adjustable carpet spikes
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
 Height |
1153mm
vs
1255mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1001cm2
vs
1168cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2998USD
vs
4998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Optional
vs
No
|
Dolby Atmos Compatibility |
| General |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM60 |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM80 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
50-300 watts |
50-300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
34-23 kHz |
28-23 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropelene |
Polypropelene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
2 x Hard-Dome |
2 x Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4.5" |
5.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1153.0mm (45.4") |
1255.0mm (49.4") |
| Width |
287.0mm (11.3") |
287.0mm (11.3") |
| Depth |
349.0mm (13.7") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Weight |
27.20kg (59.8lbs) |
37.70kg (82.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
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 DM80 digs deeper - 28Hz against 34Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Definitive Dymension DM80 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (300W vs 300W). |
| Size | depends | Definitive Dymension DM60 is easier to place; Definitive Dymension DM80 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Definitive Dymension DM80: Atmos drivers. |
| Price | A | Definitive Dymension DM60 is cheaper - $2,998 against $4,998, about 40% less; arguably a different class. |
A Definitive Dymension DM60 B Definitive Dymension DM80
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 DM80 measures better, Definitive Dymension DM60 costs about about 67% 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 34Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Definitive Dymension DM60 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Definitive Dymension DM80 the better fit for a very large room; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.