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De nitive Technology Demand D11 Loudspeakers(/index.php/reviews/125-de nitive-technology-demand-d11-loudspeakers) Print
Details Edgar Kramer Reviews (/index.php/reviews) 01 March 2018
While on a personal level I have a vibrant zeal for high-end audio and the results from the creativity and imagination
of talented designers with less restrictions in production budgets, I’m also fascinated by what is possible to achieve
when boundaries are tightly set on products aimed at the entry level. There have been many occasions where budget
fare has impressed me with a sonic performance that is way above the expected. I found myself in such a scenario
when I popped-in to Audio Connection, one of Sydney’s most respected and longest-established high-end audio
retailers, while there to collect a Gryphon ampli er (Diablo 120 soon-to-be-reviewed). A zigzagging multi-dimensional
conversation with affable proprietor Josef Riedeger on all things audio somehow wound up in the following scenario…
“Hey, while you’re here Edgar, have a listen to these speakers that have just arrived…” says a teasingly enthused ‘Joe’
Riedeger.
“Really Joe? My review schedule is busting. My writers and I have commitments for months!”
“C’mon, let’s have some fun” hints he, a mischievous grin pulling from the corner of his mouth.
We walk into the large open space that is the main showroom upstairs. Casually set-up among the extensively spread
out audio is an inconspicuous system featuring a pair of mid-sized standmounts – modestly attractive yet unassuming
enough. He res up a track. I listen… and I reach up to support my dropping jaw.
“Freakin’ awesome Joe! What are they and what are we looking at, $5K or up?”
“Brand new De nitive Technology Demand D11. Under $1.8K”.
“Whaaaat? On what planet?” I yell.
“Yes, we’re blown away too…”
And this is how I found myself making an uncommon deviation from my usual high-to-über high-end review fare to
what may be, from memory, the lowest cost speakers I have ever reviewed (as I wrote this I remembered the Andrew
Jones-designed Pioneer entry level 5.1 package that retailed for roughly the same price and was ridiculously good).
So having read thus far, you’ve gathered that this will be a positive review. Well, yes it will be but read on because the
details and reasons behind these budget speakers’ rather extraordinary performance are most interesting.
Demand Quality
The new De nitive Technology Demand series was launched towards the latter part of 2017. At this stage, the
Demand series comprises of three models – D7, D9 and the subject of this review, the range-topping D11. All are
standmount designs.
The range is very attractively styled and reeks of quality way beyond its price level. The speakers’ solid MDF cabinets
are nished in a beautifully-applied six-stage gloss black and feature accents by way of a beat-blasted aluminium baf e
and a top panel aluminium strip deeply-etched with the company name. Very classy.
Def Tech (for short) has developed bespoke drivers for the D11 by way of a 25mm annealed aluminium tweeter and a
unique-looking 165mm mid/bass driver. Further, the company has inset an oval 155mm passive radiator on the
enclosure’s top below a protective non-removable black grille-style cloth. The speakers’ front can be dressed with a
removable and acoustically transparent grille which attaches to the baf e via embedded magnets. Neat.
The 25mm dome tweeter features a ‘20/20 Wave Alignment Lens’ and has been off-set by ve degrees to an off-centre
position on the baf e. Def Tech claims better dispersion by way of a more controlled off-baf e diffraction pattern
resulting in a claimed improvement in imaging. Each speaker is labelled with a ‘Left/Right’ imprint on the rear, with Def
Tech suggesting a starting point of tweeter-on-the-outside con guration.
The unusual mid/bass 165mm polypropylene driver also features a form of dispersion/response control, termed a
‘Linear Response Waveguide’ which has been designed to smooth out on/off-axis frequency response and crossover
point notch irregularities. It’s a mushroom-like protrusion extending out from where the dust cap would be and is
designed with a number of radially-arranged slots. The driver is terminated via what Def Tech calls a BDSS (Balanced
Double Surround System) which is said to provide greater output via increased excursion. Of course, the large-spider
oval passive radiator provides further subjective output while extending the low frequency reach.
De nitive Technology speci es the D11 as having a frequency range between 48Hz and 24kHz (61Hz and 22kHz with
-3dB limits), a sensitivity of 90dB (1 watt/1m) and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. This is one easy speaker to drive
and Def Tech suggests ampli ers capable of between 20 watts and 200 watts of output.
If you require speaker stands, Def Tech offers an optional pair of bespoke stands, the ST1 (AU$795), which have been
designed to elevate the D11’s tweeter (and the D9’s) to an optimal 32-inches. The stand features a steel column, a
heavy MDF base and a natural aluminium accent – matching the Demand series aesthetic – and they can be lled with
dry sand or lead shot for added mass.
While the performance assessments truly reinforce this, I should reiterate that the D11 is an extremely well-built and
engineered product which you’d swear is at least double the price. And I mean this in terms of overall construction t,
paint, aluminium trim quality and, most importantly, in terms of the high quality bespoke drivers. Decent binding posts
are also part of the package. As a bonus, remove the front grille and you’ll see a very attractive and modern styling… if I
owned them, I’d ditch the grilles; they’re quite beautiful sans.
De nitive Power
As mentioned above, Def Tech suggests setting up the tweeters on the outside for a larger soundscape and claimed
improved imaging. While I agree with the company’s assertion that the presentation is somewhat more expansive in
that con guration, I preferred the more precise image focus I achieved in my room context (with minor sacri ce in
lateral sound stage spread).
D11 launch at Kramer’s was reminiscent of my rst impression at Audio Connection’s establishment. There – and here
– the D11s immediately impressed with their extremely dynamic and seemingly almost full range sound. This is scale
way beyond the size; I’m talking small oorstander-like here.
Yes, despite the contrary tweeter con guration, the D11s projected an enormous soundstage in all perspectives, even
the tricky-to-reproduce height perception. And because of my contrary con guration, in my room, the imaging of
appropriate recordings was exemplary too. Instrument placement within the large sound stage was accurate and
realistically proportioned.
Some aluminium tweeters can be a tad abrasive, especially with compressed or closely-mic’ed recordings. Not this
baby. Yes, there was stunning detail retrieval, and by no means would I suggest this is a mellow tweeter, but its
integration and overall balance between detail and resolution has been thoroughly accomplished. The complexities
and demands of Yello’s “Drive/Driven” from Essential Yello were clearly resolved – every nuance and electronic trick
dispensed by this Swiss duo was clearly discernable via the D11s, while the synth low end punched hard.
And that bass… it’s a deep bass register subjectively way beyond what’s suggested by the speci cations. “Sergio Leone”
from Jackson Browne’s The Naked Ride Home had much of what I hear with small oorstanding speakers I’ve had in-
house. But in the case of the D11s, it’s not the bass you hear in small standmount speakers. You know, the ones have
been pushed within an inch of their life in the mid-bass in order to trick the listener. This is surprisingly linear bass with
punch, detail and scale. The kick drum intro in “Casino Nation” from the same Browne album was textured, tight and
impressively potent while the D11s demonstrated superb control and pace to the electric bass line that follows.
Vocals were clear, nuanced and accurate. No syrup here, however. Lively recordings such as Ryan Adams’ Live at
Carnegie Hall have Adams placed in a large hall with his image locked in centre stage. As he strums the D11s resolve
the complexities of string, nail and vocal sibilance – this last being calmly reproduced without harshness but with the
accuracy and immediacy of the close-mic’ed live-to-mixing-desk signal ow.
Even large orchestral works come across with superb scale and dynamic expression. Several samplers I have residing
permanently on the coffee table feature a whole variety of recordings from a multitude of composers, orchestras and
conductors. All recordings displayed these speakers’ extreme capabilities juxtaposed with their size. Cue Lawrence ofArabia’s Overture, Cincinnati Pops’ orchestration and movie soundtrack, and the enormous drum rolls and big
orchestral sections can be mesmerising in their expanse and muscular scale.
Conclusion
As I mention in the introduction, these are among the lowest priced speakers I’ve actually formally reviewed (I’ve had
plenty in-house for evaluation and playground duties). But don’t let the Def Tech’s affordability fool you – the D11s are
a stunning achievement and clearly show that when a large company goes all-out to produce a value proposition, it
doesn’t mean the end result has to be crippled by compromise.
In fact, De nitive Technology’s engineering chops have produced somewhat of a rare freak: a truly affordable, high
performing, beautifully nished, constructed and styled speaker that possesses the indisputable inherent cachet a
sizable speaker-producing concern can provide. The D11 has oored me… colour me conclusively and de nitively
impressed.
…Edgar Kramer Editor-in-Chief
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
(mailto:[email protected])
Associated Equipment
Speakers— Wilson Audio Alexia Series 2, Axis Loudspeakers VoiceBox S (near eld monitor)
Ampli er— Gryphon Audio Antileon EVO, Gryphon Audio Diablo 120 (in for review)
Preampli er— Supratek Cortese, Lightspeed Attenuator LDR passive
Sources— Digital: Yamaha CD-S2100 used as transport, Totaldac d1-core DAC, MacBook with BitPerfect
software, AIFF les. Analogue: Michell Engineering Orbe with Gert Pedersen Level 3 modi cations and Origin
Live Ultra upgraded motor, Trans-Fi Terminator air bearing linear-tracking arm, Grado Reference cartridge,
REDGUM Audio RGPH2ENR phono stage
Processor— DEQX PreMate
Cables— sILENzIO loom, Vermouth Audio Black Pearl Mk.II loom
Audio Rack — SGR Audio Signature
Miscellaneous — Les Davis Audio Viscoelastic CLD discs, Nordost Sort Kone BC
De nitive Technology Demand D11 Loudspeakers
Price: AU$1795
Warranty: Five Years
Australian Distributor: Advance Audio Australia
+61 2 9561 0799
www.advanceaudio.com.au (http://www.advanceaudio.com.au/)
De nitive Technology
1 Viper Way, Vista, CA 92081
United States of America
+1 410 363 7148
www.de nitivetechnology.com (http://www.de nitivetechnology.com)