In this review, we will be comparing Dymension DM80 and Dymension DM70, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Dymension DM80 and Definitive Dymension DM70 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive Dymension DM80 | Definitive Dymension DM70 |
|---|
| 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 5.25" | 4 x 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Polypropelene | 10" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-23 kHz | 30-23 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-300 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 37.70kg / 82.9lbs | 33.60kg / 73.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 49.4" x 11.3" x 16"
1255 x 287 x 407 mm | 47.4" x 11.3" x 16"
1204 x 287 x 407 mm |
|---|
Dymension DM80 and Dymension DM70 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 DM80 and Definitive Dymension DM70 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 Dymension DM70 |
| 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 Dymension DM70 are 3-way speakers.
Definitive Dymension DM80Definitive Dymension DM70
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 Dymension DM70 |
|
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 10-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 Dymension DM70 features a 1" aluminum oxide 2 x Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 10" Polypropelene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Dymension DM80 has a frequency range of 28-23 kHz whereas Dymension DM70 has a frequency range of 30-23 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Dymension DM80 can go slightly deeper then the Dymension DM70's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 DM80 and Dymension DM70 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 90 dB.
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 DM80 and the Dymension DM80 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 DM80 and Dymension DM70 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
Definitive Dymension DM70
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dymension DM80 features Binding post type posts and Dymension DM70 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Definitive Dymension DM80's Binding post terminals
Definitive Dymension DM70'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 DM80's and Definitive Dymension DM70'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 Dymension DM70 has external dimensions of 1204 x 287 x 407 mm (47.4 x 11.3 x 16.0 in).
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.
Near-identical footprints. Definitive Dymension DM80 is 51mm 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 DM80 is approximately 1168.1cm2 / 181.1inch2 and base area of the Definitive Dymension DM70 is approximately 1168.1cm2 / 181.1inch2.
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 Dymension DM70 weighs 33.60kg / 73.9lbs. This makes the Dymension DM80 12% heavier than the Dymension DM70.
Here is a comparison of how Dymension DM80 and Dymension DM70's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Definitive Dymension DM80
Definitive Dymension DM70
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 Dymension DM70?
Here are the items that come with the Dymension DM70:
- 4 Adjustable hard floor glides
- 4 Adjustable carpet spikes
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1204mm
vs
1255mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 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 Dymension DM70 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
50-300 watts |
50-300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-23 kHz |
30-23 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| 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 |
5.25" |
5.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1255.0mm (49.4") |
1204.0mm (47.4") |
| Width |
287.0mm (11.3") |
287.0mm (11.3") |
| Depth |
407.0mm (16") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Weight |
37.70kg (82.9lbs) |
33.60kg (73.9lbs) |
| 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (28Hz vs 30Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| 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 Dymension DM70: Atmos drivers. |
| Price | B | Definitive Dymension DM70 is cheaper - $3,998 against $4,998, about 20% less. |
A Definitive Dymension DM80 B Definitive Dymension DM70
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.