Definitive Technology BP-8040ST Bipolar Tower with Built-in Powered Subwoofer, Each

I purchased these recently to replace a pair of Polk TSI series speakers and a Klipsch SW-450 subwoofer. While this setup was pretty darn good, I didn't like the size of the subwoofer taking up so much floor space and although the sub was very powerful, I thought the sound quality was muddy when playing music. Being a Bass player, I love low frequencies and wall shaking bass, but when listening to music, I like to hear note definitions of the Bass guitars and this sub didn't produce a clear tone, just a powerful low end blur. Taking a chance with the Definitive Tech 8040's right away I noticed the Bass tones on music playback was more defined. Plus the 8040's give you 2 subs without taking up extra floor space! Even better is the fact you don't have to worry about phase problems and cross-over settings, these are factory calibrated and matched precisely for these speakers, just turn up the amp on the rear of the speaker for as much bass response as you desire. I only turn them up to 1:00 and that's plenty.You have your choice of hooking these up to your receivers LFE jack so you can set up the some of the crossover amounts within your receiver yourself or I prefer to just run speaker wires to them and use the speakers internal crossover. As for watching movies, these sound great with plenty of low end rumble and realism due to the bi-polar design of the mid-woofers and tweeters. Just be sure to leave some room between the rear wall and the speakers to let them breathe. I keep mine about 2 feet away. About the only thing I would change in the design would be to make separate right and left speaker cabs with the subwoofer on corresponding sides. As it is, Both subwoofers are on the same side only. Bass frequencies tend to be somewhat omni-directional but with these, one subwoofer is facing directly at my large TV stand while the other faces outward in my living room. So in essence with the sub facing my TV stand, some of the the sound waves are being blocked or diverted because of this. I have recently spread the speakers further apart to compensate best I can in my limited living room. All in all my search for the perfect floor speakers are done! I also did away with my cheap little rear surrounds and now I'm using my former main floor Polk TSI series speakers for my rear surrounds and sold the Klipsch SW-450! While these speakers are pricey, consider the cost of buying 2 High quality tower speakers and 2 subwoofers, and you still wouldn't have the realism the bi-polar design offers not to mention a lot of floor space used up for all those speakers if you have a small to medium sized living room. Next consideration would be the Definitive Tech's powered center channel speaker...hmm

I shopped many brands and was able to audition only a couple of other similarly priced towers. Unfortunately, I was not able to audition the Definitive products, but on a whim (and after reading several great reviews), I purchased these.My first impression was good. It was not until the family left the house and I was able to play around with different types of music at variable volume levels and bass levels that I became VERY impressed.My Marantz home AV receiver does not push a tremendous amount of power, and my previous speakers (B&W iSeries Towers) never really sounded all that good on this AV setup. They just needed more power. Enter the Def Tech BP SuperTowers. Having the on-board 300w amps with integrated 8" subs is perfect for anyone running a receiver rather than a high-power 2-channel system. The bass response is outstanding - especially at lower volume levels. You still hear full-spectrum sound without in-your-face volume. Having said that, when you want some in-your-face type of volume, the bass balance and imaging from the bi-polar design is appreciably different and superior to others I shopped or to what I was ever able to get out of my B&Ws. I was not sure what to expect with the Bi-Polar design, but the highs are somehow a bit softer seeming and overall, rich/smooth.I think there may be better options if you are looking for 2-Channel listening and you already have a high-power amp, but I highly recommend these for anyone looking to improve on an AV setup... Amazing bass without having to add a sub and great sound/efficiency - all in a very attractive package!

After relinquishing a pair of large Synergistics speakers from college days after getting married, I switched to Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble II with passive subwoofer. While they were adequate for a small room with hardwood floors, I found the lack of bass noticable in a carpeted room with vaulted ceilings. After reading a number of reviews of various speakers and considering Cerwin Vega, JBL, Klipsch, Paradigm, and Polk, I stumbled accross these. I was initially concerned that they might not produce enough sound but did not want to pay the additional expense of the 8060s. I was able to get these at 600 each instead of 800 through an Amazon seller. They are more than adequate for a large room. Some reviewers complained that they do not come as a left and right. But this actually does not seem to matter. The single most striking thing I found was that I no longer notice a right and left channel. The sound is dispersed over a wide area but with such accuracy that I can understand the words of songs that sounded mumbled on other speakers. I listen with the sub at midway where manufacturer recommends you start and even that can be a bit too much at higher volumes if you live in an apartment. Given the clarity, I will probably replace my center channel with the CS 8040 when budget allows.

They sound good, but they don't have nearly the volume that I was expecting.

Very disappointed in the sound compaired to my older speakers (bose 701 series). You have to adjust the sound of your receiver to get any punch out of the bass component in these speakers. I should have sprung for the 9000 series instead of these or even the Klipse series would be an upgrad compared to these.

Definitive Technology speakers appear to be low-end products at a very high price. My second set of over $2,200 speakers died. I should have known after the first set stopped working, so now I will stay away from an unknown brand which, just because they sell at a premium price, does not make them good. Very disappointed in myself for not choosing a product which has a history of quality, over Best Buy pushed overpriced product.

excellent sound. A pleasure.