About the Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55
Get rich sound from a compact bookshelf design
Get rich sound from a compact bookshelf design
Don't let the StudioMonitor 55's size fool you — this compact bookshelf speaker belts out big bass that adds depth and richness to your movie soundtracks and stereo music. Each rock-solid cabinet features an advanced 6-1/2" mid/bass driver that's pressure-coupled to a top-mounted bass radiator for high-impact sound. Together, they provide more total bass radiating area than a 10" woofer, but with greater control, definition and speed than a single large cone. A 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter serves up crisp, extended highs that blend in beautifully with the mids and lows. The StudioMonitor 55 is the result of more than 20 years of research and development by Definitive in their quest to create speakers with a perfect balance of style, utility, and performance.
Definitive's second-generation patented BDSS driver
High-tech driver design for impressive performance
The StudioMonitor 55 is chock full of technology that's also found in Definitive's top-of-the-line speaker models. Its 6-1/2" mid/bass driver uses their latest Balanced Dual Surround System (BDSS) driver design, which places a surround on both the outer and inner edge of the speaker cone. This helps the cone remain more stable as it moves, resulting in clearer, more accurate sound — even at high volume levels. The '55's mid/bass driver also gets Definitive's second-generation Linear Response Waveguide™. This mushroom-shaped post in the center of the cone smooths off-axis frequency response for broad, even sound dispersion and a more realistic sonic "image." That means every listener in the room gets to hear balanced, open sound with lifelike vocals and instruments.
A second-generation pure aluminum dome tweeter yields smooth, extended treble.
Crisp, sparkling highs
Definitive also equipped the StudioMonitor 55 with their latest 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter. This advanced driver is first heat-treated to relax the crystal structure of the metal, then coated with a ceramic that helps produce clear, sparkling highs without a trace of edginess. You'll easily hear the subtle high-frequency details in your music, like the sound of wire brushes gently sweeping the snare head, or the bell-like ring of a brass cymbal.
A top-mounted bass radiator provides outstanding low-frequency response.
It's all in the details
Definitive paid close attention to other important design elements, too — both visible and hidden. At its heart, the StudioMonitor 55 uses a sophisticated crossover network with audiophile-grade components that include over-sized inductor coils and Mylar film capacitors. These give you a smoother, flatter frequency response, more powerful dynamics, and faster transients, for sound with real presence and immediacy. Sturdy, vault-like cabinet construction also plays a big role in this speaker's performance. The '55's well-damped, cross-braced enclosure features a specially contoured front baffle with tapered sides to minimize diffraction and vibrations that can color your sound and reduce accuracy.
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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.
Product highlights:
- second-generation Balanced Dual Surround System (BDSS) 6-1/2" mid/bass woofer for clear, accurate sound at high volumes
- Linear Response Waveguide technology smooths off-axis frequency response provides broad, even sound dispersion and more realistic imaging
- rigid die-cast aluminum driver basket resists vibration and twisting for lower distortion
- top-mounted bass radiator for outstanding low-frequency response
- second-generation 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter delivers clear, extended highs
- crossover network features oversize inductors and premium Mylar capacitors for audiophile-grade sound quality
- non-resonant braced enclosure ensures clean, uncolored sound
- wood grain matte black enclosure with high-gloss, anti-diffraction baffle and detachable cloth grille
- frequency response: 32-30,000 Hz
- sensitivity: 90 dB
- impedance: 8 ohms
- recommended amplifier power: 20-225 watts
- dual 5-way binding post speaker terminals for bi-wiring and bi-amping options
- 12-15/16"H x 7-7/8"W x 12-1/2"D
- warranty: 5 years
- MFR # MCBA
What's in the box:
Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55 owner's manual
- Black bookshelf loudspeaker
- Detachable black cloth grille
- 2 Jumpers (attached to speaker terminals)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owner's Manual
- Online Product Registration card
Customer reviews for Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55
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More details on the Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55
Features & specs
Enclosure | Passive Radiator | |
Finish | Wood-grain MDF | |
Color | Black | |
Tweeter Type | Dome | |
Tweeter Size (inches) | 1 | |
Midrange Size (inches) | N/A | |
Woofer Size (inches) | 6.5 | |
Woofer Composition | Polymer | |
Woofer Surround | Rubber | |
Power Range | 20-225 | |
Sensitivity | 90 dB | |
Impedance (Ohms) | 8 | |
Frequency Response | 32-30k Hz | |
Connector Type | Post | |
Bi-amp Inputs | Yes | |
Height (inches) | 12-15/16 | |
Width (inches) | 7-7/8 | |
Depth (inches) | 12-1/2 | |
Weight (pounds) | 15.5 | |
Wall-mountable | --- | |
Bracket Included | No | |
Recommended Stand Height (inches) | 28.5 | |
Parts Warranty | 5 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 5 Years |
Product Research
Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options
Driver Technology
StudioMonitor Series: The Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55 is a compact bookshelf loudspeaker designed for use in audio/video entertainment systems. Because the StudioMonitor 55 is a true full-range speaker with extended low-frequency response, it delivers superb performance both as stand-alone speaker and when combined with a separate subwoofer. Due to its compact size, wide-range, high-power handling, and natural articulate clarity; the StudioMonitor 55 loudspeaker is ideal for use as front, center, or surround speaker in a home theater environment.
2-Way Loudspeaker: Each Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55 loudspeaker features a 6.5" second generation BDSS cast-aluminum basket midrange driver and a 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter.
- 2nd Generation BDSS Midrange: The 6.5" cast-aluminum basket midrange driver features Definitive's patented Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) technology that supports the speaker cone at both the inner and outer edges allowing longer, more linear excursion for greater clarity and finely textured inner detail.
- Pure Aluminum Dome Tweeter: The 1" tweeter is a pure aluminum dome, which has been heat-treated to relax the crystal structure and then coated with a ceramic to produce smooth, extended highs. A new patent pending Linear Response Waveguide smoothes off-axis frequency response and disperses sound over a wider area for crystal clear intelligibility for every listener in the room.
Pressure Coupled Radiator Design: The 6.5" BDSS midrange driver is pressure coupled to a top-mounted 6"x10" racetrack bass radiator to extend and amplify bass frequencies. The total bass radiating from a StudioMonitor 55 is substantially greater than that of a single 10-inch woofer but with far greater control, definition and speed than a single sluggish large woofer. The StudioMonitor 55 speaker's bass performance offers depth, detail, and musicality.
Note: Due to the top-mounted racetrack bass radiator, there should be at least 2" of space above the bookshelf loudspeaker.
Phase-Coherent Crossover Networks: The crossover network is the real heart of a loudspeaker as it is responsible for perfectly blending together the sound of the various drivers into a musically seamless whole. The sophisticated crossover network design used in the StudioMonitor 55 loudspeaker features premium audiophile-grade components; such as oversized inductors and Mylar capacitors for audiophile-grade sound quality, with linear phase and frequency response. An integrated Zobel network flattens the impedance of the system so that even budget amplifiers will be able to drive the StudioMonitor 55 loudspeaker (although a premium amplifier will bring out all the performance it has to offer). As a result, the audio signal's phase coherence, transient response, and dynamic integrity is preserved for absolutely lifelike music and home theater reproduction in your home.
Enclosure Design
Non-Resonant/Low-Diffraction Cabinet: The Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55 bookshelf loudspeaker employs a non-resonant MDF braced enclosure that ensures pure, uncolored performance. The specially contoured high-gloss baffle around the drivers and the tapered enclosure sides enhance sound quality by minimizing diffraction distortion.
Connections
Bi-amp/Bi-wire Binding Posts: Each StudioMonitor 55 bookshelf loudspeaker has two sets of heavy-duty, all metal binding post speaker terminals (connected by metal jumpers) to attach your receiver's speaker wire. Using the dual binding posts, you can bi-amp or bi-wire the speakers for even better sound. The binding post speaker terminals will accept bare wire (up to 10AWG), pin-connectors, spade-connectors, and banana-plugs (single only).
Color-Coded: The speaker's binding posts are color-coded (red/black) for easy identification between positive and negative.
Mounting Options
Table-Top Mounting: The StudioMonitor 55 loudspeaker can be simply placed on a bookshelf, table-top, or speaker stand (such as the Definitive Technology StudioStand, sold separately ). Four self-adhesive rubber feet are included to protect your furniture's surface.
Wall Mounting: The optional PinPoint heavy duty side-grip wall-mounting bracket (121AM41B, sold separately) can be used to wall mount the speaker.
Note: The speaker does not include any type of wall-mount bracket, threaded inserts, or keyhole slots.
The Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55 replaces these items
Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 450
- 10" passive radiator achieves bass down to 24 Hz
- handles up to 225 watts
- high-gloss piano black finish
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Customer Q&A
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Overwhelmed! Utterly . The amazed how detailed these speakers deliver my jazz CD's Looking forward to hearing them all over again. Movies are so much more detailed. The best part was receiving them the next day two days prior to Father's Day. Happy Fathers Day to me.
Julio Diaz from Delaware