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Definitive Technology BP-8080ST Bipolar floor-standing speaker with built-in powered subwoofer

Item # 735BP8080

Here's how it works: direct sound from the front two midrange drivers and tweeter arrives at your ears first, to...

Here's how it works: direct sound from the front two midrange drivers and tweeter arrives at your ears first, to...

5 questions - 16 answers

Item # 735BP8080

About the Definitive Technology BP-8080ST

Kristen Schaub

Towering sound for movies and music

Here's how it works: direct sound from the front two midrange drivers and tweeter arrives at your ears first, to provide clear, focused imaging. That's followed by sound from the rear mid and tweeter, which is slightly delayed, to enhance spaciousness. The combination creates a lush, seamless soundstage that's more like the way we hear sounds in real life. And thanks to Definitive's Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) drivers, your music and surround effects will sound incredibly clear, allowing you to pinpoint the soloist in a band or the direction of a jaguar's call in the jungle.

Towering sound for movies and music

Don't just watch your favorite movies, live them with the BP-8080ST, the flagship speaker in Definitive's Bipolar SuperTowerT line. This innovative speaker uses a unique driver design with both front- and rear-firing speaker arrays to surround you with rich, lifelike sound. A potent powered subwoofer built into the bottom of the cabinet delivers intense bass. Even in large rooms, you'll experience a huge, three-dimensional soundstage that pulls you into your music concerts and movies as if you were there. Plus, this speaker has attractive high-gloss black top and bottom caps with a cloth grille-wrapped enclosure, making it a sophisticated addition to your home theater setup.


Bipolar speaker technology brings your favorite recordings to life

sound waves

Front and rear speaker arrays work together to create enveloping sound.

Here's how it works: direct sound from the front two midrange drivers and tweeter arrives at your ears first, to provide clear, focused imaging. That's followed by sound from the rear mid and tweeter, which is slightly delayed, to enhance spaciousness. The combination creates a lush, seamless soundstage that's more like the way we hear sounds in real life. And thanks to Definitive's Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) drivers, your music and surround effects will sound incredibly clear, allowing you to pinpoint the soloist in a band or the direction of a jaguar's call in the jungle.

Cutaway view

Cutaway view of the BP-8080ST's drivers

Powerful bass built right into the cabinet

At the base of the speaker is a 12" side-firing subwoofer coupled to two passive radiators. This trio creates a total surface area greater than that of a traditional 18" woofer, but with better bass control, speed, and detail than a single huge woofer could achieve. A built-in 455-watt amplifier powers the subwoofer, delivering hard-hitting bass that eliminates the need for an external sub. And because a subwoofer is built into the cabinet, bass output is already perfectly blended with the mids and the highs. All you have to do is set the bass volume to match your room and taste, then sit back and enjoy your music and movie soundtracks.

Build a complete Definitive Bipolar home theater system using perfectly matched centers (see the CS-8040HD, CS-8060HD, and CS-8080HD) and bipolar surrounds (see the SR-8040BP and SR-8080BP).


Got wire?

Most speakers don't include any. Learn about choosing and installing speaker wire at the Crutchfield Learning Center.
Shop our selection of speaker wire.

Did you know?
Your new speakers will probably sound better after several weeks of use than they do right out of the box. That's because the material surrounding the woofers will loosen up, allowing the drivers to move more fully. Definitive Technology estimates a break-in period of 24 to 48 hours of playback before the speakers will deliver optimum sound quality. For more information and helpful tips, check out this article from Definitive's website about conditioning your speakers.


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Product highlights:

  • Forward Focused Bipolar Array™ technology for lifelike imaging and pinpoint localization
  • Balanced Dual Surround System (BDSS) driver technology places rubber surrounds on both the outer and inner edges of each speaker cone for improved clarity
  • frequency response 18-30,000 Hz (±3 dB)
  • sensitivity 92 dB
  • 8-ohm impedance
  • handles up to 400 watts
  • front array: dual 5-1/4" mids and 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter
  • rear array: 5-1/4" mid and 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter
  • 12" woofer with dual 12" passive radiators
  • built-in 455-watt subwoofer amp
  • one set of 5-way binding posts
  • high-gloss black finish on top and bottom caps with cloth grille-wrapped enclosure
  • 12-1/8"W x 48-1/4"H x 16-9/16"D (with included stabilizer feet)
  • warranty: 5 years woofers, 3 years subwoofer amp
  • MFR # IDAA

What's in the box:

  • One tower loudspeaker (with black cloth covering and glossy black top cap installed)
  • 7' AC power cord (IEC 2-prong type)
  • 4 Black stabilizer feet
  • 8 Self-tapping screws (length=1.375")
  • 4 Threaded carpet spikes
  • 4 Threaded rubber floor glides
  • Owner's Manual
  • Feature booklet
  • Registration card

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More details on the Definitive Technology BP-8080ST

Stacey B.

Features & specs

General
Enclosure Passive Radiator
Finish Cloth-covered MDF
Color Black
Tweeter Dome
Tweeter Size (inches) 1
Midrange Size (inches) 5.25
Woofer Size (inches) 12
Woofer Composition Polymer composite
Woofer Surround Rubber
Built-in Powered Sub Yes
Dolby Atmos Drivers
Connector Type 5-way post
Bi-amp Inputs No
Parts Warranty 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years
Specifications
Power Range 20-400
Frequency Response 18-30k Hz
Sensitivity 92 dB
Impedance (Ohms) 8
Subwoofer Amp Power 455
Height (inches) 48-1/4
Width (inches) 12-1/8
Depth (inches) 16-9/16
Weight 66 lbs

Product Research

Speaker Features
Connections
Dimensions

Speaker Features

Bipolar Design: The Definitive Technology BP-8080ST is a 3rd generation "SuperTower." This bipolar speaker contains drivers on the front and rear of the cabinet. The BP-8080ST uses a new patent-pending design called Forward Focused Bipolar Array. By radiating sound both forward and rearward, the speaker produces sound as it is in real life, with improved pinpoint localization of soloists, greater placement flexibility, and superior intelligibility.

Non-Resonant Tapered Cabinet: The BP-8080ST features a highly-engineered inert and resonance-free heavy MDF (medium-density fiberboard) cabinet to prevent coloring the sound. The front of the enclosure is tapered to make it appear slimmer. Wherever a driver is attached to the cabinet, a second layer of MDF is attached to prevent the drivers from causing vibration to the rest of the enclosure. The sealed midrange enclosures serve as braces for the side walls, while MDF cross braces near the woofer further stiffen the cabinet. The entire enclosure is wrapped in a cloth "grille sock", while the high-gloss polymer composite end-cap and bottom panel add a touch of elegance.

High-Definition Drivers: The BP-8080ST utilizes two cast-basket 5-1/4" high-definition polymer composite midrange drivers surrounding a 1" annealed Pure Aluminum dome tweeter in a D'Appolito front array. On the rear, there is a single identical 5-1/4" driver and the same 1" aluminum dome tweeter as used in the front array. The front and rear arrays are housed in separately sealed MDF enclosures to isolate the midranges from the influence of the subwoofer. The drivers feature Definitive Technology's patented 2nd-generation Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) that supports the speaker cone at both the inner and outer edges, allowing longer, more linear excursion over a wider area. A new patent-pending Linear Response Waveguide smoothes off-axis frequency response and disperses sound over a wider area.

Built-in Powered Subwoofer: The BP-8080ST is equipped with a long-excursion, side-firing 12" subwoofer, driven by a 455-watt Class D amplifier with an integrated Digital Signal Processor. The subwoofer is pressure-coupled with two 12" Low Bass Radiators. The combination of the active subwoofer and two bass radiators gives you 33% more surface area than a single 18" woofer, but with better control, speed, and detail. The benefits of a built-in subwoofer include:

  • Eliminates the need for a separate subwoofer that takes up additional floor space.
  • More bass output from two subwoofers, compared to one.
  • Two subwoofers reduce standing wave room resonances and dead zones for more evenly distributed bass.
  • The subwoofers are perfectly integrated and blended with the mids and highs, eliminating the crossover and phase controls of a separate subwoofer.

Subwoofer Volume: The level of the subwoofer (relative to the other drivers) can be adjusted using the rotary dial on the back panel of the speaker. Once the bass level is set, the overall volume of the speaker system can be controlled by the receiver/amplifier.

Auto Power: The BP-8080ST has a special circuit that automatically turns on the amplifier when a signal is fed to the speaker. The LED on the back panel will glow when a signal is sensed and the amplifier turns on. After the signal ceases, it may take up to an hour for the amplifier to turn off. When first powering up after being unplugged, the LED will flash for about 30 seconds while the firmware is loading.

Stabilizer Feet: The speaker comes with four stabilizer feet which attach to the bottom of the cabinet, two per side, with the supplied self-tapping screws. Each foot has a threaded insert to allow you to screw in the supplied carpet spikes or smooth floor glides, depending upon the type of floor they're being placed upon. Four additional threaded inserts are provided on the bottom panel in case you decide not to use the stabilizer feet. The spikes and glides add approximately 1" to the overall height of the speaker.

Placement: The BP-8080ST Bipolar speakers have a lot of flexibility when it comes to placement and positioning. It is recommended that the speakers be placed at least 4" from a back wall, and at least 6" from a side wall. When used as left and right main speakers, you should set up the speakers and the listening position in an equilateral triangle, with the speaker cabinets turned slightly inward.

Connections

Binding Posts: The BP-8080ST is equipped with a pair of gold-plated, 5-way binding posts on the back of the cabinet to attach your receiver's speaker wire. The terminals will accept bare wire, pin connectors, spade lugs, single and dual banana plugs. Recommended amplifier power: 20 to 400 watts RMS.

LFE Input: For the powered subwoofer, the BP-8080ST has a single RCA LFE (low-frequency effects) input. Since you'll be using two speakers, you will need a Y-adapter to split the LFE output from your receiver to each subwoofer.

Wiring Options/Speaker Setup: You can connect the BP-8080ST in one of two ways, with or without the LFE connection. If you use only speaker wire, you should set the speaker setup on the receiver to "Large" and Sub to "No." If you connect the speaker with speaker wire and the LFE, the speaker setup should be "Large" and "Yes."

Note: It is recommended that you do not use the receiver's auto setup function, as it is often ineffective in setting up and adjusting speakers with built-in subwoofers.

AC Power: The speaker has an AC power input (IEC 2-prong type) on the back panel for plugging in the powered subwoofer. A 7' AC power cord is included.

Dimensions
  • Width:
    • 7" enclosure only
    • 12.125" with stabilizer feet
  • Height:
    • 48.25" enclosure only
    • 49.25" with carpet spikes or floor glides
  • Depth: 16.5625" including binding posts
  • Weight: 66 pounds

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Customer Q&A

5 questions already asked

Q
can I play my BP8080 outdoor?
manfred  Jun 09, 2019
1 answer
A
Hi Manfred! The BP8080 isn't designed for outdoor use, but Def Tech does make some impressive outdoor speakers. Unless you're ok with moving the BP8080 back inside when you're finished with them for the day, I would suggest checking out the Def Tech AW6500. Feel free to get in touch if you need anything else! www.crutchfield.com/I-rET1c000/contact
jessica  Jun 16, 2019 (Staff)
Q
can you connect the A90 to this?
jason  Mar 16, 2017
5 answers
A
YES, you can
charles  Mar 18, 2017
A
I am not the ultimate answer guy but if you have atmos the your effect might be better if you strategically please in ceiling difinitive 8inch speaker in the ceiling it self. Just a suggestion. Coming off the the tower speaker heads might not give you he difference that you might b looking for. The tower already has a rear shooting speaker that softens the sound. In cieling you can really put the sound where you want instead of shooting straight up in the air. Hope this helps
robert  Mar 18, 2017
A
Hey Jason. I have the 8080s myself. I found that the 8000 series are about 1" wider and 3" longer than the A90s. Additionally, the A90s were made with a physical connection that is a direct fit to the top of the 9000 series. With some time and creative woodwork a nice looking transition baseplate could be built for the aesthetics part. Since there is a built in plug that connects these to the 9000s I can't speak to the sound signal part. I don't know how the sound signal actually gets to the A90s through the 9000s. Separate channel wire routed through 9000 from AVR? Signal processed inside the 9000s? Probably have to go to DefTech for that info before I would buy them for my 8080s. R/John
john  Mar 17, 2017
A
I sure that can't connect A90 to BP-8080st. But just to make sure please chat or call with the Crutchfield expert. They are amazing in providing details.
kirit  Mar 17, 2017
A
Yes you can. Made to sit right on top
christopher  Mar 17, 2017
Q
I bought Definitive Technology BP-8080ST speakers and set up with Emotiva XMC-1 receiver and Emotiva XPR-2 amplifier. Speakers are about 9" from the back wall and about 2' from both side walls. The sweet spot is 14' from both speakers. I don't get proper stereo imaging in the music. Do you have any suggestions/recommendations?
kirit  Feb 08, 2016
2 answers
A
Mine are set in corners of the room set at 45 degree angles to adjacent walls and approximately 30ft. apart. With this set up the imaging seems OK.
richard  Feb 09, 2016
A
I'm sorry but because of the un-ideal configuration of my set up, I knew i was giving up "holographic" imaging from the start. There is a large cabinet between my speakers and they really aren't far enough from the back wall. I don't know if the components mentioned have any delay setting for dolby sound or such but if they do I would check those settings. Also dipole speakers are very sensitive to placement so, if possible, keep experimenting with that. Every speaker has tradeoffs and the strengths of the Definitives fit what I was looking for. But I Really understand how pinpoint location in imaging is important to some critical listeners. Sorry I can't be of more help.
king  Feb 09, 2016
Q
My receiver Yamaha RX-A2020 has only one LFE input. How do I go about of connecting a pair of this 8080st into my receiver?
sophol  Dec 11, 2015
5 answers
A
Get a Y connecter. Male to 2 female.
charles  Feb 06, 2016
A
The back Chanel's are assignable so you can run 2 sets of speakers at the same time for music listening. Look thru your manual to see how to reassign them. I have a Marantz 9.1 so far only use it for music. I have the 8080STs and Bose 701s sounds good. The 8080s are Soooo much better than the Bose. My room acoustics suck though, Tile floors and 11.5 ft ceilings.
joel  Dec 11, 2015
A
Hey Sophol T; I own a pair of these guys and if I didn't have tow sub-outs I'd pick up a quality RCA splitter since Deftechs have built in lamps you fusty need to feed the signal and they do the rest. You could also just feed one for now since the subs in these are that good.
john  Dec 11, 2015
A
I have mine connected to a Maranz power amp that had two sub outputs; however, you can connect the Deftecs to the right and left stereo outputs on your Yamaha and let the Deftecs sort out the sub woofer frequencies.
art  Dec 11, 2015
A
Get a rca 1 into 2 splitter. Run cord to each speaker. Works great
bryan  Dec 11, 2015
Q
what amplifier, a/v receiver, preamplifier do you recommend for the 8080s?
hien  Dec 12, 2013
3 answers
A
Hi, I am using Emotiva XPA-2, 300 watts x 2 per channel and a Emotiva XSP-1 Difference Reference preamp with home theater bypass into a Marantz AV7701 and a Emotiva XPA-5 200 watts x 5 channels for home theater.Amplifier and Peramp is the best way to go,Nad make a very good amp and peramp you do not need all the power I have the speakers will sound great with less,you have powered subwoofer built into the speaker that will deliver excellent bass.
michael  Dec 12, 2013
A
I have the Def Tech 8080 speakers in a 7.3 surround mode. I say 7.3 since theres 3 subs between the center and both towers. Theres alot of good receivers out there, figure your budget out and then narrow down your choices. I looked, researched, read reviews and finally decided on a the Pioneer Elite SC-79 flagship receiver since it has dual sub outs I just pigtailed one of the sub outs to accommodate the three subs. I figured these are some serious speakers with some serious power so for my budget, I went all out, IMO on the receiver. The receiver is sexy, heavy, has performed great and is capable of running 9 channels so I ran a pair of speakers to the patio and its very nice being able to split the source for the patio speakers. The sound is great! The receiver is a beast and so are these speakers, movies and music and the Xbox1 all sound great and with a Harmony remote, switching sources is a breeze! I spent around 15k on my setup, 3k of that was the receiver, so imo, decide what youre willing to spend, then research the receivers in that price range, i bet youll be happy with whichever receiver you decide on, +1 for the Pioneer Elite SC-79! Hope this helps.
jason s  Dec 12, 2013
A
I can't recommend any specific setup. I have an NAD 40W per channel, 5 channel receiver. I also have a DT center channel with a powered sub. My rig is superb. There is more than enough power, and the DT speakers are as clear as any that I have owned. All of my music and movies are stored on an Apple Mac. I also have an 8 terrabite Drobo server. I use an Apple IPad to access, sort, and playback. It all works very well, and I am very happy with it. I would suggest a higher quality amp/preamp, etc as these speakers are very revealing. I would imagine a budget priced front end would not be adequate. The NAD has a great midrange and flat response across the audio spectrum. I require absolutely no EQ massage to enjoy my music.....from Pink Floyd to Appalachian strings.....vocals are amazingly good. Good Luck
steve  Dec 12, 2013
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