In this review, we will be comparing Dymension DM80 and BP-9080X, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM80 and Definitive BP-9080X first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM80 | Definitive BP-9080X |
|---|
| 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" dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4 x 5.25" | 4 x 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Polypropelene | 12" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-23 kHz | 16-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-300 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 37.70kg / 82.9lbs | 28.18kg / 62lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 49.4" x 11.3" x 16"
1255 x 287 x 407 mm | 51-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 16-1/8"
1309.0 x 318.0 x 410.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive Dymension DM80 and Definitive BP-9080X 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 DM80 |
Definitive BP-9080X |
| Near-field |
Are you nuts? |
Are you nuts? |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Good |
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 DM80 and BP-9080X are 3-way speakers.
Definitive Dymension DM80Definitive BP-9080X
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 DM80 |
Definitive BP-9080X |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
4 x 5.25-inch |
4 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 12-inch
|
Dymension DM80 features a 1" aluminum oxide 2 x Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Polypropelene Woofer. On the other hand, the BP-9080X features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Polypropelene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Dymension DM80 has a frequency range of 28-23 kHz whereas BP-9080X has a frequency range of 16-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the BP-9080X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dymension DM80's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
Impedance and Sensitivity
Dymension DM80 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the BP-9080X 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 DM80 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Dymension DM80 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the BP-9080X's is rated at 92 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Definitive BP-9080X a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Dymension DM80, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 DM80 and BP-9080X 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 DM80
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM80 features 5-Way post, RCA type posts and BP-9080X has a 5-Way post, RCA type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive Dymension DM80's Binding post terminals
Definitive BP-9080X's 5-Way post, RCA 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 DM80's and Definitive BP-9080X's external dimensions. Definitive Dymension DM80 has external dimensions of 1255 x 287 x 407 mm (49.4 x 11.3 x 16.0 in) whereas Definitive BP-9080X has external dimensions of 1309.0 x 318.0 x 410.0mm (51-1/2 x 12-1/2 x 16-1/8inch).
Definitive BP-9080X is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 31mm wider, 54mm taller and 3mm deeper than Definitive Dymension DM80.
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 DM80 is approximately 1168.1cm2 / 181.1inch2 and base area of the Definitive BP-9080X is approximately 1303.8cm2 / 202.1inch2. The Dymension DM80 requires 10% less surface area than the BP-9080X 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 DM80 weighs 37.70kg / 82.9lbs and the Definitive BP-9080X weighs 28.18kg / 62lbs. This makes the Dymension DM80 34% heavier than the BP-9080X.
Here is a comparison of how Dymension DM80 and BP-9080X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Definitive Dymension DM80
What's in the Box of Definitive Dymension DM80?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Dymension DM80:
- 4 Adjustable hard floor glides
- 4 Adjustable carpet spikes
What's in the Box of Definitive BP-9080X?
Here are the items that come with the BP-9080X:
- Tower loudspeaker
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Top-grille (installed)
- Stabilizer base
- 4 Floor guides
- 4 Carpet spikes
- 4 Screws
- 4 Nuts
- Owners Manual
- What Obsession Sounds Like card
 Height |
1255mm
vs
1309mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1168cm2
vs
1303cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Built-in 1 x 5-1/4
vs
Optional
|
Dolby Atmos Ready |
 Price per pair* |
3998USD
vs
4998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology Dymension DM80 |
Definitive Technology BP-9080X |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
50-300 watts |
50-300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-23 kHz |
16-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropelene |
Polypropelene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
2 x Hard-Dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
5.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1255.0mm (49.4") |
1309.0mm (51.5") |
| Width |
287.0mm (11.3") |
318.0mm (12.5") |
| Depth |
407.0mm (16") |
410.0mm (16.1") |
| Weight |
37.70kg (82.9lbs) |
28.18kg (62lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Aluminum/Cloth |
| 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 |
A generation apart: Definitive Dymension DM80 is the newer design, against a 2016 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Definitive BP-9080X digs deeper - 16Hz against 28Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Definitive BP-9080X is more sensitive (92dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Definitive BP-9080X is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (300W vs 300W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Definitive Dymension DM80: Atmos drivers; Definitive BP-9080X: Atmos drivers. Definitive Dymension DM80 sits in a wider range (8 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Definitive BP-9080X is cheaper - $3,998 against $4,998, about 20% less. |
A Definitive Dymension DM80 B Definitive BP-9080X
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?
Definitive BP-9080X is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Definitive Dymension DM80 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 28Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Definitive BP-9080X is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.