Definitive Technology Dymension DM80

Immersive sound from a high-tech "powered tower"

When big, room-filling sound is your goal, Definitive Technology's flagship Dymension DM80 tower speaker is ready to serve. It uses a high-tech bipolar array with front- and rear-firing drivers for sound that's especially spacious and three-dimensional, whether you use it for home theater or stereo music. Plus, this floor-standing speaker's built-in 12" powered subwoofer delivers deep, intense bass that's perfectly blended with the midrange and high frequencies.

There's lots of interesting technology under the hood that makes this speaker stand out from the pack. Read on, and we'll dive in.

Fully balanced front- and rear-firing drivers

Most speakers only have drivers that face forward, toward the listener. Definitive's DM80 features one set of forward-facing drivers that deliver clear, focused detail: a 1" aluminum oxide dome tweeter and dual 5-1/4" woofers. On the back, a second set of identical drivers fires in the opposite direction. These extra drivers help create a bubble of sound that's big, wide, and involving.

Flexible setup options let you dial in the bipolar array

Wiring connections on the back of the DM80 give you access to some sound adjustments. You can set up the bipolar array for a "balanced" sound profile — with the front and rear drivers both producing the same volume level. Or, if you prefer a "forward-focused" sound profile with emphasis on pinpoint instrument and sound localization, you can wire them up with the rear drivers firing at roughly half the volume (-6dB).

For even more flexibility in adjusting the front/rear driver balance, this flagship speaker has a dedicated input for the rear drivers that lets you connect a separate amplifier with volume control. That way, you can dial in the amount of rear-firing sound so it's exactly what you like best.

A 12" built-in sub brings the bass

The bottom section of the speaker houses a big, side-firing 12" subwoofer plus a pair of mechanically coupled 12" passive bass radiators. Definitive calls this arrangement 3XR™ Architecture, because it provides three times the sound-radiating surface area compared to more standard subwoofer designs. It allows better control over the low frequencies and reduces the potential for noise and unwanted resonances that can happen with port tube designs. Bottom line: deep, precise bass that eliminates the need for a separate subwoofer.

(Note: when you're using a pair of these towers, the subwoofer will fire to the left on both speakers, and the bass remains well-balanced.)

Advanced amp design and bass control

The Dymension DM80's built-in 400-watt subwoofer amplifier features cutting-edge GaN FET circuitry. This all-new amp design offers high efficiency and a high damping factor to exert precise control over the active 12" woofer cone's movement. Use the rear-panel knob to set the subwoofer level according to your preference. Definitive's patented Intelligent Bass Control keeps the upper bass and midrange from ever getting muddy, even when you crank it.

Add-on height module for Dolby Atmos®

Looking to take your surround sound to new heights? The matching DM90 speaker module (sold separately) fits perfectly on top of the floor-standing DM80's cabinet. Use it with your Dolby Atmos® home theater receiver's height channels to add a vertical dimension to your surround sound, for an even more enveloping soundstage. The DM90 module snaps into the top of the matching tower speaker for convenient signal connections and secure mounting. From there, it literally bounces height-channel sound effects off the ceiling and back down to your listening position.

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