In this review, we will be comparing ES15 and Demand D7, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Definitive Technology. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk ES15 and Definitive Demand D7 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk ES15 and Definitive Demand D7 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk ES15 and Definitive Demand D7 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both ES15 and Demand D7 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Polk ES15 |
Definitive Demand D7 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
ES15 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Demand D7 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer .
Frequency Response
ES15 has a frequency range of 44-40k Hz whereas Demand D7 has a frequency range of 67-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the ES15 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Demand D7's min frequency of 67Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
ES15 and Demand D7 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 85 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
ES15 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas ES15 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the Demand D7.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
ES15 features 5-Way post type posts and Demand D7 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk ES15's 5-Way post terminals
Definitive Demand D7's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES15 Power Port Port
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Polk ES15's and Definitive Demand D7's external dimensions. Polk ES15 has external dimensions of 307.0 x 193.0 x 259.0mm ( 12-1/16 x 7-9/16 x 10-3/16inch) whereas Definitive Demand D7 has external dimensions of 251.0 x 142.0 x 232.0mm ( 9-7/8 x 5-9/16 x 9-1/8inch) .
Polk ES15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 51mm wider, 56mm taller and 27mm deeper than Definitive Demand D7.
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 Polk ES15 is approximately 499.9cm2 / 77.5inch2 and base area of the Definitive Demand D7 is approximately 329.4cm2 / 51.1inch2. The ES15 requires 52% more surface area than the Demand D7 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Polk ES15 weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs and the Definitive Demand D7 weighs 5.45kg / 12lbs. This makes the ES15 8% heavier than the Demand D7.
Here is a comparison of how ES15 and Demand D7's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk ES15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ES15:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grille (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetWall-mount templateOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
What's in the Box of Definitive Demand D7?
Here are the items that come with the Demand D7:
Left bookshelf loudpseakerRight bookshelf loudspeaker2 GrillesCleaning clothOwners Manual
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
67 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
251mm
vs
307mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
329cm2 (142x232mm)
vs
499cm2 (193x259mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES15 |
Definitive Technology Demand Series D7 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-100 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
44-40k Hz |
67-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
307.0mm (12.1") |
251.0mm (9.9") |
| Width |
193.0mm (7.6") |
142.0mm (5.6") |
| Depth |
259.0mm (10.2") |
232.0mm (9.1") |
| Weight |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
5.45kg (12lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Black,White,Walnut |
Gloss White,Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
28-30" |
| 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 |