Floorstanding loudspeakers — Definitive Technology Dymension DM70

The Dymension DM70 is a large bipolar tower from Definitive Technology, placed in the Dymension range between the DM80 and the DM60, with the slim DM40 below. Each cabinet combines a passive bipolar array for the main channels with its own powered woofer section, so the speaker needs mains power as well as a speaker cable. It was listed at USD 1,699 per speaker and is supplied only in black.

Key specs that matter

The front and rear arrays together use four 5.25 inch BDSS mid/bass drivers, each loaded by a Linear Response Waveguide, and two 1 inch aluminium oxide dome tweeters. Below them sits a 10 inch active woofer powered by its own Class D module with a 250 W peak rating, working with two 10 inch 3XR passive radiators. Definitive Technology quotes 30 Hz to 23 kHz within 3 dB and 25 Hz to 30 kHz at the minus 10 dB points. Sensitivity is 90 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, nominal impedance is 4 ohm with 8 ohm compatibility, and the recommended amplifier rating is 50 to 300 W. With outriggers fitted the tower measures about 120 x 29 x 41 cm and it weighs 33.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

In the bipolar layout one set of drivers faces forward and an identical set fires to the rear. The array is fully balanced by default, and a switch on the back panel selects a Forward Focus mode that lowers the rear tweeter by 6 dB, which helps when the tower has to stand closer to a back wall. Because the bottom of the range is produced by the integrated active woofer, the external amplifier handles only the passive array, and the woofer level is set on the speaker itself. The optional DM90 height module sits on top of the cabinet and turns the tower into a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capable speaker without ceiling drivers. The warranty runs 2 years on parts and labour. There are no wireless, USB, HDMI or optical inputs, so the DM70 is a conventional wired loudspeaker apart from its power cord.

Pairing

An AV receiver or two-channel amplifier able to drive low impedance loads is the natural partner, and the high sensitivity means that modest receivers stay within their limits in a 20 m2 room. In a home cinema the DM20 centre and DM90 modules complete a Dymension system, and because each tower carries its own active woofer, many owners can start without a separate subwoofer.

Alternatives

The Dymension DM80 is the larger bipolar tower of the series, using a 12 inch powered woofer with two 12 inch passive radiators at USD 1,999 each.