Definitive Technology now offers
the ProCinema 80. At $999, it’s
less expensive than the ProCinema
100 but no less impressive. The
ProCinema 80 comes packaged
with four identical ProMonitor 80
satellites, a ProCenter 100 center
speaker, and the ProSub 80
powered subwoofer.
The satellite is a two-way design
incorporating a 4.5-inch, cast-
basket bass/midrange driver and
a 1-inch aluminum-dome tweeter.
It’s not easy putting a high-quality,
1-inch aluminum-dome tweeter in
a $999 speaker package, and how
Definitive Technology managed it
I’ll never know. The ProMonitor 80s
come with a keyhole on the back for
wall mounting. (Definitive also sells
an optional pivoting bracket and an
optional floor stand.) The gold-plated,
five-way binding posts are a rare find
on such an inexpensive speaker.
The ProCenter speaker uses
the same 1-inch tweeter found
in the satellites, two of the same
midrange drivers, and the same
binding posts. A cool little fea-
ture found on the center is the
adjustable foot, which can raise
the speaker in the back in order
to aim it at the listening position.
Of course, the speaker is magnetical-
ly shielded to allow for placement
atop a TV.
Isn’t it horrible when you see
something that you really, really
want, but it’s just out of your reach
financially? Say you’re buying furni-
ture, and you really want that sweet
bedroom set from Ethan Allen, but
all you can afford is IKEA. Is the
Ethan Allen furniture really that
much better? Or is it perceived as
being that much better because it
costs more?
You’re stuck compromising
the thing you want for the
thing you can afford. Why
does it have to be that way?
Well, as far as furniture is
concerned, that question
may never be answered, but
when it comes to speakers,
Definitive Technology shows
us that you don’t have to break
the bank to own a quality product.
Working on the same design
concept used to create the highly
acclaimed ProCinema 100 system,
Definitive Technology
ProCinema 80 Speaker System
“I was immediately
awed”
C
B
A.
The ProMonitors
produced a very
large, convincing
soundstage.
B.
The ProCenter
is magnetically
shielded, so you
can put it on top
of your TV.
C.
The 8-inch
ProSub (Joe’s
favorite in the
series) is a depar-
ture for Def Tech,
who usually
manufactures
10- to 18-inchers.
“it’s near
perfect”
You’d never know by listening that
Definitive Technology’s ProCinema 80
system costs only $999.
Joe Hageman gives you the scoop
on the new king of sub-$1,000 speaker systems.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Excellent system integration
• Monstrous sound from
tiny speakers
• Deep, and we mean
deep
,
bass from a relatively
small subwoofer
A
“the ProCinema 80
system kept my jaw
on the floor”
“Monstrous sound
from tiny speakers”
