Name: Definitive Technology SR-8040BP
Brand: Definitive Technology
SKU: 735SR8040
Rating: 5 (34 reviews)

Overview

by Crutchfield's Kristen Schaub

Bipolar design creates wraparound sound

Experience that "I'm there" feeling on your next movie night with Definitive's SR-8040BP bipolar surround speaker. It contains left- and right-firing driver arrays that radiate full-range sound in an omni-directional pattern — you'll really hear the difference as on-screen action shifts seamlessly from one side of the room to the other. Part of Definitive's Bipolar Series, it combines advanced driver design and sturdy construction to give you exceptional detail and presence with ambient effects and multichannel music.

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Bipolar design creates wraparound sound

High-tech drivers for exceptionally detailed sound

Each driver array in the SR-8040BP has a 3-1/2" midrange paired with a 1" dome tweeter, for perfectly blended highs and mids. This bipolar design creates a big, immersive soundfield, which is really effective for surround speakers. Each pure aluminum dome tweeter has a silk surround, allowing it to reveal delicate, low-level ambient details in soundtracks. And thanks to Definitive's Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) drivers, your movie special effects and multichannel music will sound clear and detailed. These mid/woofers disperse the sound over a wide area in your room so that even viewers sitting off-axis hear smooth, engaging sound.

Versatile placement options

Definitive's bipolar surrounds aren't fussy about placement — they shine in a variety of room sizes and shapes. A pair of SR-8040BPs works well on your side walls for 5.1 systems, or on the side and rear walls for a 7.1 system. Each speaker has a keyhole slot for on-wall installations. You can also place this speaker on a shelf or stand and get great results.

Build a complete Definitive home theater system by adding perfectly matched bipole towers (see the BP-8020ST, BP-8040ST, BP-8060ST, and BP-8080ST) and a center channel (see the CS-8040HD, CS-8060HD, and CS-8080HD).

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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:

Linear Response Waveguide™ for wide dispersion and smoother sound for listeners sitting off axis
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 50-30,000 Hz
sensitivity 92 dB
8-ohm impedance
handles up to 150 watts
left array: 3-1/2" mid/woofer and a 1" aluminum dome tweeter
right array: 3-1/2" mid/woofer and a 1" aluminum dome tweeter
one set of 5-way binding posts
high-gloss black finish on top and bottom caps with cloth grille-wrapped enclosure
7-7/8"W x 9-5/8"H x 5-3/8"D
weight: 8 lbs.
warranty: 5 years
MFR # MDBA

What's in the box:

Definitive Technology SR-8040BP owner's manual

One black full-range bipolar surround speaker
2 Grilles
Owner's manual
Online product registration information

Reviews (34)

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34 reviews

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Details

Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Features & specs


Enclosure	Bass Reflex
Bipole or Dipole	Bipole
Tweeter Type	Dome
Tweeter Size (inches)	1
Midrange size (inches)	---
Woofer size (inches)	3-1/2
Connector Type	5-way post
Power Range	20-150
Sensitivity	92 dB
Impedance (Ohms)	8
Frequency Response	50-30k Hz
Height (inches)	9 5/8
Width (inches)	7 7/8
Depth (inches)	5 3/8
Weight (pounds)	8
Wall-mountable	---
Bracket Included	Keyhole
Parts Warranty	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years

The Definitive Technology SR-8040BP replaces these items:

Product Research

Features

Bipolar Design: The Definitive Technology SR-8040BP is a bipolar surround speaker, containing two full-range woofer and tweeter arrays. The speaker cabinet has three sides, with the driver arrays firing in phase approximately 100° apart to flood the area with sound (the third side mounts against the wall). Dispersing the surround channel's sound evenly over a broad area of the room creates an enveloping movie experience.

Drivers: The two woofers used in the SR-8040BP are 3-1/2" second generation BDSS (Balanced Double Surround System) drivers. 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 two tweeters are pure aluminum domes, heat-treated to relax the crystal structure, then coated with a ceramic to produce extended highs. The Linkwitz-Riley crossover networks maintain a smooth output around the crossover frequency.

Voice-Matched: The SR-8040BP is a full-range low-distortion speaker which is timbre-matched to blend perfectly with all of Definitive's BP series 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.

Mounting: The SR-8040BP is designed for easy placement; it has a keyhole slot for wall mounting, or it can be placed on a shelf or stand. It's designed as a surround speaker (surround or surround back channels), but can also be used for front effects channels in Audyssey DSX, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, or Yamaha DSP 3D (with presence speakers) systems.

The Definitive Technology SR-8040BP replaces these items

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Q&A

3 questions already asked

Whats the best location for these speakers? . To the side or behind wall of the seating position?

marco Feb 27, 2016

11 answers

I have them set up to the sides of the seating position. Each speaker actually sits in a corner, where the side wall meets the back wall. Because of the omnidirectional nature of the SR-8040BP's, they project the surround signal equally along the back wall axis as well as the side wall axis, filling the room with a nice ambient sound. I don't think you can go wrong with the placement of these speakers, even if you opt to place them behind the seating position.

gregory Feb 28, 2016

I place my on the side wall just above head level and it sounds great....

ralph Feb 28, 2016

It's assumed you're referring to a 5.1 setup and not a 7.x setup where you would have a pair both at the sides and at the rear of the listening position. Pulled from their manual, it states "For use as rear surround speakers, position the speakers approximately 6' (2 m) high and 6' (2 m) apart directly behind the listening area. For use as side surround speakers, position the speakers approximately 6' (2 m) high and directly beside or 1-2' (30-60 cm) behind the listening area." Personally, I have these arranged in a 7.2 configuration with each speaker on a 36" stand (I rent) less than 2 feet behind my primary listening position about 6 feet apart, and about a half foot forward of the seating position on the far sides of the wall, about 6 feet to either side for the side units. Using the calibration built into my Yamaha RX-A3020 I've been able to get very good blends between my front towers and the rear units so that they aren't overwhelming nor distracting and virtually no gap as sound transitions front and rear. Ideally, I'd prefer to wall-mount each unit to the recommended locations that the manual states, but that will have to wait for another home.

daniel Feb 28, 2016

I have mine on the side wall. These are great speakers. I have them set up in the omi-directional mode or bipole so the sound bounces off the back walls helping to limit isolation in my room. Every room is different so you should play around with the location if possible.

lisa Feb 28, 2016

I use this as a surround back in a 6.1 system. This speaker should serve well in either surround L/R or surround back L/R as well.

cary Feb 28, 2016

I have mine positioned to the side of the listening position and they sound great.

mark Feb 28, 2016

l have these speakers in the back and on the sides. Great sound youn can't go wrong with these speakers

anthony Feb 28, 2016

i have mine on the sides. I have them a little lower than ear level. I think the placement is just fine.

micah Feb 28, 2016

Depends on where the seating is in the room. If the seating is centered perfectly, then the speakers will sound equally as good in any part of the room. If the seating is in the back of the room, the speakers will sound the best in the front, assuming the largest speakers are in the front as well. You don't want to hear the small speakers before the others, you want to hear them all simultaneously. For example, We sit to the back of the room and have two Definitve towers and these two small ones surrounding the screen. With our sound all at the front of the room and us seated at the very back, the sound is delivered full, clear, and balanced. BTW...Because Definitive is so good, with this set up it can still, at times, deliver a surround realistic effect. I hear dogs, doorbells and cars beside me. For music it is a whole new experience, combined with the Definitive towers.

toni Feb 28, 2016

Yes, it does not matter if you locate behind or sides. The sound is Superb, full sound that fill room. Worth every penny....y.n

yuri Feb 27, 2016

I have mine behind the seating area and I love the effect! I wouldn't put them anywhere else

robert Feb 27, 2016

Does anyone know if this speaker can be securely used atop the ProStand 1000 speaker stands?

john Nov 11, 2014

3 answers

I'm not sure about the speaker stands but I installed mine onto a studded sheet rocked wall and it's fine.

pasquale Nov 12, 2014

don't know, mounting is from the upper back. hung mine from the wall. great sounding speaker

kevin Nov 11, 2014

Hi John, Answer to your question is no, because of the triangular stand. I called a custom installer and he put it to the walls. Enjoy your shopping. But the speaker quality is great. Thanks

har Nov 11, 2014

Can the SR-8040BP be installed neat the ceiling angled down toward listening area? Im using them with BP 8040ST speakers.

charles Jun 17, 2014

2 answers

I have 4 of these as side and rear surround speakers in a 7.1 system. I too have BP 8040ST front tower speakers and an 8040 center as well. The 4 SR 8040's are slightly angled downward and mounted about 12 inches from the ceiling (room has 8 1/2' ceiling and is 17' w x 34' long). They work great and provide "theater-like" surround sound. Great product from my experience and Crutchfield advisors are always very helpful.

richard Jun 17, 2014

The SR-8040 is factory designed for vertical wall mount only.

daniel Jun 17, 2014

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