Name: Definitive Technology CS-8040HD
Brand: Definitive Technology
SKU: 735CS8040
Rating: 5 (28 reviews)

Overview

by Crutchfield's Kristen Schaub

Hear the detailed dialogue and special effects you've been missing

Add some oomph to your movie night with Definitive's CS-8040HD center channel speaker. It uses advanced driver design and solid build quality to reproduce movie dialogue and on-screen action with exceptional detail and presence. Add this compact speaker to a pair of Definitive's Bipolar Series home theater speakers to enjoy a huge, three-dimensional soundstage with both music and movies.

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Hear the detailed dialogue and special effects you've been missing

High-tech drivers for exceptionally detailed sound

The CS-8040HD has two 4-1/2" midranges flanking a 1" dome tweeter, for perfectly blended highs and mids. The pure aluminum dome tweeter has a silk surround, allowing it to dish out loads of sonic detail without ever sounding harsh. And thanks to Definitive's Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) drivers, movie dialogue and special effects will sound clear, never muddy. This center-channel design also features an upward-firing bass radiator in the top of the cabinet, so you'll hear just a little more boom in TV explosions and depth in bombastic movie scores.

Build a complete Definitive home theater system using perfectly matched bipole towers (see the BP-8020ST, BP-8040ST, BP-8060ST, and BP-8080ST) and surrounds (see the SR-8040BP and SR-8080BP).

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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.

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Product highlights:

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 40-30,000 Hz
sensitivity 92 dB
8-ohm impedance
handles up to 200 watts
dual 4-1/2" midranges
one 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter
upward-firing 5" x 10" bass radiator
one set of 5-way binding posts
high-gloss black finish on side and bottom caps with cloth grille-wrapped enclosure
20-1/2"W x 5-3/4"H x 12-1/4"D
warranty: 5 years
MFR # KDCA

What's in the box:

Definitive Technology CS-8040HD owner's manual

Black center channel speaker
2 End caps (installed)
Cloth grille sock (installed)
Owner's manual
Online product registration information

Features & specs


Enclosure	Passive Radiator
Color	Black
Tweeter Type	Dome
Tweeter Size (inches)	1
Midrange size (inches)	---
Woofer size (inches)	4-1/2
Connector Type	5-way post
Power Range	20-200
Sensitivity	92 dB
Impedance (Ohms)	8
Frequency Response	40-30k Hz
Height (inches)	5-13/16
Width (inches)	20-1/2
Depth (inches)	12-1/4
Weight	20 lbs
Wall-mountable	---
Bracket Included	No
Parts Warranty	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years

The Definitive Technology CS-8040HD replaces these items:

Definitive Technology C/L/R2300

Product Research

Features

Woofers: The two woofers used in the CS-8040HD are 4-1/2" second generation BDSS (Balanced Double Surround System) drivers. The cones are injection molded polymer composite with cast aluminum baskets. BDSS is Definitive's patented technology that supports the speaker cone at both the inner and outer edges allowing longer and more linear excursion for greater clarity and detail. The new Linear Response Waveguide (patent pending) smoothes off-axis frequency response and disperses sound over a wide area (the HD in the part number stands for High Dispersion). The drivers are pressure coupled to a 5x10-inch racetrack style passive radiator to improve the bass output. The upward-firing passive radiator requires 1" of clearance above the enclosure.

Tweeter: The tweeter is a pure aluminum dome, heat-treated to relax the crystal structure, then coated with a ceramic to produce extended highs.

Voice-Matched: The CS-8040HD is a full-range low-distortion center channel speaker, timbre-matched to blend perfectly with the Definitive Technology BP-8040ST or BP-8020ST SuperTower main speakers.

Binding Posts: The speaker terminals are gold-plated, 5-way binding posts and will accommodate spade connectors, single or dual banana plugs, pin connectors, and bare wire up to 10 gauge.

The Definitive Technology CS-8040HD replaces these items

Definitive Technology C/L/R2300

Center channel speaker with built-in powered subwoofer

2 reviews

built-in 8", 150-watt subwoofer
frequency response 21-30,000 Hz
handles up to 225 watts

Accessories

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Q&A

5 questions already asked

I have BP6 front speakers and BP8B rear speakers. I know they are a little older, but I want a center speaker and I was wondering if the CS-8040HD is a good match?

craig Jul 30, 2016

1 answer

Thanks for your question. For information on selecting the best match for your speakers I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences between the models and help you make the best choice for your system.

kenneth Jul 30, 2016 (Staff)

Is it magnetically shielded?

john Mar 25, 2016

3 answers

I don't know but this may help. If your TV is newer than like 20 years old then it doesn't really matter. I'm guessing if you're looking at this speaker then you don't have an old CRT monitor.

jacob m Mar 26, 2016

Yes, this is a high end speaker, will not cause any interference.

dave h Mar 25, 2016

Hi John G., I had trouble finding any specific documentation from Definitive Technology directly stating the speakers in this series are "magnetically shielded." That being said, I do not think you have anything to worry about, I assume you are asking because you have a CRT that will be in close proximity to the speaker. Definitive Technology has added high quality (and in some cases proprietary) materials and technology to minimize any kind of distortion within the speaker box so I can't imagine magnetic fields outside of the cabinet would be an issue. Here is a quote directly from the manufacturer's website regarding the drivers in this series, "While most brands use stamped steel baskets for the speaker's frame, Definitive has always used cast aluminum baskets. Cast aluminum baskets are more rigid and less prone to "ringing" (vibration of the basket material) that adds distortion and colors the sound. Steel baskets interfere with the magnetic field that controls the movement of the cone, while non-magnetic aluminum does not. All of the magnetic Gauss (strength) is focused in the voice coil gap instead of being wasted in magnetizing a steel basket. The benefit to you is a driver that plays louder, with lifelike dynamic impact and vanishingly low distortion." These are not particularly cheap speakers and my experience has been that I've gotten what I paid for. I have never had a sound system sound as crisp and clear with such incredible bass response as this system. I matched the specific center channel speaker in question with a pair of BP-8040ST tower speakers for front/sub-woofer and added two SR-8040BP speakers for the back-channel surround speakers and it sounds incredible. These are high-end speakers and I highly recommend them.

ronald Mar 25, 2016

Can I put this speaker inside of tv console or it has to be open on the top?

igor Dec 24, 2015

14 answers

Open on the top is better to get most benefit from the superb sound of this speaker.

norbert Jan 02, 2016

This speaker can be placed inside of a TV console. Depending on your components and setup features, you should be able to select a cross-over frequency for you center channel that will push your bass frequencies subs or bass speakers. The best practice is to use your ears and try with both open and closed options.

steven Jan 01, 2016

I would give it 18" or so above. I do really like this speaker. I paired it with a couple of Infinity 60 tower speakers. You won't go wrong. Crutch field has been wonderful. Tech. Support is excellent. Hope that helps!

tedd Dec 24, 2015

In my opinion, it should be set on top. Great speaker.

derek Dec 24, 2015

Mine is inside my console, but there are about 5" of clearance above it. It sounds great in there.

daniel Dec 24, 2015

It will go inside a console just fine. No ports on the top,as long as it is open front and back all will be well.

chad t Dec 24, 2015

this speaker will need room above it. mine is on a shelf with 4 inches of space above it, sounds fantastic.

steve Dec 24, 2015

on top of the console for better sound

victor Dec 24, 2015

It needs some space above it, so you would be best to leave it open on top if your console doesn't have at least a couple inches above the top of the speaker.

jacob m Dec 24, 2015

You can try...see how it sounds... Supperb sound...awesome speakers... If not leave outside...best dpeakers ever

yuri Dec 24, 2015

Sure it would work. The main thing I found of importance is the height it sits. It sounds it's best at head level or so

meredith Dec 24, 2015

The speaker in the top of the cabinet needs some clearance. I have it on top of a cabinet open all around and it sounds great.

brandon m Dec 24, 2015

Well, you can put it where you want, however the speakers (inside) are in the front and on top, you will loose the effect of the speaker.

eduardo Dec 24, 2015

I have mine in a console, just check the dimensions it's rather large. It sounds great! I love mine!

micah Dec 24, 2015

Iam using def tech BP8020st what is a good def tech match for these speakers?

joseph ardito Jul 15, 2015

2 answers

Definite tech tower speakers... Any of them I got the 60's and would do it again in a heartbeat. No regrets, they are brilliant.

tedd Dec 24, 2015

It depends on the size of the room. If you look at the picture entitled "Family Portrait", that's the setup I have.I got the bigger FL and FR speakers so I could use them for music in addition to home theater but they are a little big just for home theater.

joshua Jul 17, 2015

I am using definitive studio monitor SM 65 as left and right speakers, my question if I buy CS-8040 will be a proper choice as a center channel speaker to match SM 65 speakers ?

aslam Mar 23, 2014

1 answer

I forwarded your question to an Advisor and they responded with the following: Since the CS-8040 uses the same tweeter (aluminum dome) as the SM65's, it'll be a perfect match for you. If you would like to discuss further you can contact an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat.

kristina Mar 25, 2014 (Staff)

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