In this review, we will be comparing SuperCenter X and CS-9040, two Passive Center Channel speakers from GoldenEar and Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar SuperCenter X and Definitive CS-9040 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar SuperCenter X | Definitive CS-9040 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" | 2 x 4.5" BDSS |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-35k Hz | 50-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-200 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.82kg / 15lbs | 9.09kg / 20lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-7/8" x 20-1/16" x 11-1/8"
150.0 x 510.0 x 283.0mm | 6" x 20-13/16" x 12"
153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the GoldenEar SuperCenter X 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* |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both SuperCenter X and CS-9040 are 2-way speakers.
GoldenEar SuperCenter XDefinitive 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 |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
Definitive CS-9040 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
SuperCenter X features a " HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Woofer. On the other hand, the CS-9040 features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer.
Frequency Response
SuperCenter X has a frequency range of 45-35k Hz whereas CS-9040 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the SuperCenter X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
SuperCenter X and CS-9040 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SuperCenter X sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the CS-9040's is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the GoldenEar SuperCenter X 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 SuperCenter X is rated 20-200 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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SuperCenter X 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 GoldenEar SuperCenter X's and Definitive CS-9040's external dimensions. GoldenEar SuperCenter X has external dimensions of 150.0 x 510.0 x 283.0mm (5-7/8 x 20-1/16 x 11-1/8inch) 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 19mm wider, 3mm taller and 22mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperCenter X.
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 GoldenEar SuperCenter X is approximately 1443.3cm2 / 223.7inch2 and base area of the Definitive CS-9040 is approximately 1613.5cm2 / 250.1inch2. The SuperCenter X requires 11% 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 GoldenEar SuperCenter X weighs 6.82kg / 15lbs and the Definitive CS-9040 weighs 9.09kg / 20lbs. This makes the CS-9040 33% heavier than the SuperCenter X.
Here is a comparison of how SuperCenter X and CS-9040's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperCenter X?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperCenter X:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 3 Leveling feet
- 3 Threaded-inserts
- Owners Manual
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 |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
150mm
vs
153mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1443cm2
vs
1613cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
749USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
Definitive Technology CS-9040 |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-35k Hz |
50-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
BDSS |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
150.0mm (5.9") |
153.0mm (6") |
| Width |
510.0mm (20.1") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Depth |
283.0mm (11.1") |
305.0mm (12") |
| Weight |
6.82kg (15lbs) |
9.09kg (20lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X digs deeper - 45Hz 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 |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price |
B |
Definitive CS-9040 is cheaper - $549 against $749, about 27% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperCenter X
B Definitive CS-9040
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
GoldenEar SuperCenter X is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 27% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Definitive CS-9040 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the GoldenEar SuperCenter X appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 50Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Definitive CS-9040 much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $200 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.