Name: Definitive Technology CS-8080HD
Brand: Definitive Technology
SKU: 735CS8080
Rating: 5 (13 reviews)

Overview

by Crutchfield's Kristen Schaub

Hear and feel the power of Definitive Technology's best center channel speaker

The CS-8080HD has two 5-1/4" midranges flanking a 1" dome tweeter, for perfectly blended highs and mids. The pure aluminum dome tweeter has a silk surround, which helps it reveal lots of sonic detail without ever sounding harsh. And thanks to Definitive's Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) drivers, your movie dialogue and special effects will sound clear, never muddy. The upward-firing woofer requires only one inch of clearance, so this powerful speaker works whether it's placed in the open or in an A/V cabinet.

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Hear and feel the power of Definitive Technology's best center channel speaker

Treat your ears to the drama and intensity of home theater sound like they've never heard before. Unlike conventional center channel speakers, the CS-8080HD has a 5" x 10" subwoofer, reinforced by dual passive radiators and driven by a built-in 300-watt amplifier. It reproduces the vocal nuances of your favorite actors while ensuring that any special effects that are anchored to your screen have full bass impact. Get ready for dynamic performance and a huge, three-dimensional soundstage from all three of your front speakers.

High-tech drivers for exceptionally detailed sound

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 20-30,000 Hz
sensitivity 92 dB
8-ohm impedance
handles up to 300 watts
dual 5-1/4" midranges
one 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter
upward-firing 5" x 10" 300-watt subwoofer
dual 5" x 10" bass radiators
one set of 5-way binding posts
LFE line level input (optional) for subwoofer
detachable power cord
high-gloss black finish on side and bottom caps with cloth grille-wrapped enclosure
23-1/2"W x 6-7/8"H x 16-1/4"D
warranty: 5 years speaker, 3 years amp
MFR # KDAA

What's in the box:

Definitive Technology CS-8080HD owner's manual

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

Features & specs


Enclosure	Passive Radiator
Color	Black
Tweeter Type	Dome
Tweeter Size (inches)	1
Midrange size (inches)	5-1/4
Woofer size (inches)	5
Connector Type	5-way post/RCA
Power Range	20-300
Sensitivity	92 dB
Impedance (Ohms)	8
Frequency Response	20-30K Hz
Height (inches)	6-7/8
Width (inches)	23-1/2
Depth (inches)	16-1/4
Weight	33 lbs
Wall-mountable	---
Bracket Included	No
Parts Warranty	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years

Product Research

Features

Powered Subwoofer: The CS-8080HD features a 5x10-inch racetrack style subwoofer powered by the built in 300 watt amplifier. The active driver is pressure coupled to two 5x10-inch racetrack style passive radiators for a total bass radiating area larger than a 12-inch round woofer. The class D amplifier features an integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that equalizes the woofer system to extend and smooth the bass response. A Linkwitz-Riley crossover network maintains a smooth output around the crossover frequency. The upward-firing woofer requires 1" of clearance above the enclosure.

Midrange: The two midranges used in the CS-8080HD are 5-1/4" second generation BDSS (Balanced Double Surround System) drivers. The midrange 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).

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-8080HD is a full-range low-distortion center channel speaker, timbre-matched to blend perfectly with the Definitive Technology BP-8080ST 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.

Line Input: In addition to the speaker level inputs (which are required), if the connected receiver/amplifier has a center channel line level output, it can also be used to send signal to the powered subwoofer section of the CS-8080HD (this input should not be used with the receiver's LFE output).

Bass Level: A rotary knob on the back panel controls the output level (volume) of the powered subwoofer.

Auto Power: When a signal is delivered to the CS-8080HD the amplifier automatically turns on and the rear panel LED lights. Once the signal is removed the amplifier automatically turns off (after about an hour).

Accessories

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Q&A

1 question already asked

WITH SUCH A LARGE SUBWOOFER IN THE CENTER CHANNEL - HOW DOES THIS THING NOT SHAKE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT CENTER OR EVEN YOUR TELEVISION OR MAKE YOUR BLU RAY PLAYER SKIP?

jimmy w Feb 06, 2016

9 answers

Well, the center channel speaker is part of a 7:2 home theater surround system. We're using an Epson ceiling mounted projector from a ~15' distance, against a ~117" diagonal wall mounted fabric screen. The speaker is located in a cabinet below the screen with the cable box, BluRay player, Denon receiver, and a Trip Lite UPS/surge protector. The speaker is on a shelf by itself, above the other components inside the cabinet. The cabinet is a wall to wall installation, much like kitchen cabinets, set firmly on the floor and bolted into the back wall. There is no point for the speaker vibrations to interfere with the video image, either at the projector, or at the BluRay player.

gary n. Apr 18, 2016

I have a very low media center. This center speaker is sitting in between two large amplifiers which weigh 100 lb and 60lb. So the entire media center is very heavily loaded. This could be one of the reason it does not vibrate. Other thing I have noticed is that the sub woofer in the center speaker is not as large as my two front speakers. And the speaker itself is a little bit heavy. This could be another reason it does not create any vibrations. So far I am very pleased with this speaker and I am glad I bought it.

kirit Feb 08, 2016

I really like this center speaker because of the larger front speakers more than the sub it self. I have a kick ass sub to go along with my system. So bass is no problem the cool Thing about this box is that you can control how much bass is put out because of the handy dandy knob on the back. The larger front speaker make the dialog of the tv. That much more enjoyable. I throughly enjoy this speaker set up.

robert Feb 07, 2016

I put shard this center channel a few months ago. I have not experienced any of the issues you have concerns about. I use it with a projector and 110 inch screen hanging on wall above the center channel. Works great.

william k Feb 06, 2016

I have no problems like that. I love them, and am listening to them now. I still need 4 speakers. Two surround, and two rear speakers. I will be getting two very soon now. I hope they work out for you. Remember, you can always turn the bass down a bit. Heaven forbid.LMAO.

margie Feb 06, 2016

You don't turn up the bass level too high. There is a knob behind the speaker to adjust bass level. No need for high bass from center.

raymond Feb 06, 2016

It doesn't. Just leave the dial at the twelve o'clock or so position

marcos g. Feb 06, 2016

never have had this speaker cause any issues and my Blue ray player is right next to speaker. love the speaker and the bass output. no vibration. sitting directly on wood shelf in my set up

bryan Feb 06, 2016

I guess because of the weight (38 lbs.) it doesn't shake anything but your ear drums. It evens the sound, and believe me it's GREAT!

charles Feb 06, 2016

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