In this review, we will be comparing ProCenter 1000 and CS-9040, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive ProCenter 1000 and Definitive CS-9040 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive ProCenter 1000 | Definitive CS-9040 |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" BDSS | 2 x 4.5" BDSS |
|---|
| Frequency response | 47-30k Hz | 50-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-200 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.64kg / 8lbs | 9.09kg / 20lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-7/8" x 14-5/8" x 5"
124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm | 6" x 20-13/16" x 12"
153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive ProCenter 1000 and Definitive CS-9040 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 ProCenter 1000 |
Definitive CS-9040 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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 ProCenter 1000 and CS-9040 are 2-way speakers.
Definitive ProCenter 1000Definitive CS-9040
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 ProCenter 1000 |
Definitive CS-9040 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
ProCenter 1000 features a 1" pure aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer. On the other hand, the CS-9040 features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer.
Frequency Response
ProCenter 1000 has a frequency range of 47-30k Hz whereas CS-9040 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the ProCenter 1000 can go slightly deeper then the CS-9040's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
ProCenter 1000 and CS-9040 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. ProCenter 1000 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the CS-9040's is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Definitive ProCenter 1000 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive CS-9040, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
Both handle the same maximum of 200 watts RMS, though ProCenter 1000 is rated 10-200 watts and CS-9040 50-200 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 ProCenter 1000
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
ProCenter 1000 features 5-Way post type posts and CS-9040 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 ProCenter 1000's and Definitive CS-9040's external dimensions. Definitive ProCenter 1000 has external dimensions of 124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm (4-7/8 x 14-5/8 x 5inch) whereas Definitive CS-9040 has external dimensions of 153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm (6 x 20-13/16 x 12inch).
Definitive CS-9040 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 157mm wider, 29mm taller and 178mm deeper than Definitive ProCenter 1000.
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 ProCenter 1000 is approximately 472.4cm2 / 73.2inch2 and base area of the Definitive CS-9040 is approximately 1613.5cm2 / 250.1inch2. The ProCenter 1000 requires 71% less surface area than the CS-9040 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 ProCenter 1000 weighs 3.64kg / 8lbs and the Definitive CS-9040 weighs 9.09kg / 20lbs. This makes the CS-9040 150% heavier than the ProCenter 1000.
Here is a comparison of how ProCenter 1000 and CS-9040's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive ProCenter 1000
What's in the Box of Definitive ProCenter 1000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ProCenter 1000:
- Black center-channel speaker
- Removable cloth grille (installed)
- 2 Plastic inserts
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
What's in the Box of Definitive CS-9040?
Here are the items that come with the CS-9040:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Owners Manual
- What Obsession Sounds Like card
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
124mm
vs
153mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
472cm2
vs
1613cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 |
Definitive Technology CS-9040 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker (Black) |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
10-200 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
47-30k Hz |
50-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
BDSS |
BDSS |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
124.0mm (4.9") |
153.0mm (6") |
| Width |
372.0mm (14.6") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Depth |
127.0mm (5") |
305.0mm (12") |
| Weight |
3.64kg (8lbs) |
9.09kg (20lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Year |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Definitive CS-9040 costs roughly 2.2x what Definitive ProCenter 1000 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Definitive ProCenter 1000 digs deeper - 47Hz against 50Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 89dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | Definitive ProCenter 1000 is easier to place; Definitive CS-9040 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Definitive ProCenter 1000 is cheaper - $249 against $549, about 55% less; arguably a different class. |
A Definitive ProCenter 1000 B Definitive CS-9040
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 ProCenter 1000 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. In a large or open-plan room, Definitive CS-9040 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Definitive ProCenter 1000 is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $300 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.