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Definitive Technology CS-8040HD

Center channel speaker with passive bass radiator

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Item# 735CS8040 offer details

Item# 735CS8040

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$499.00
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Definitive Technology

Your home theater's most important speaker

The center channel speaker is the workhorse in a home theater system. It has to reproduce clear dialogue and special effects that keep your eyes and ears glued to the movie action. A high-quality center speaker is a great investment for any surround sound setup. Try to choose one that's as closely matched as possible to your front right and left speakers, so that as sound moves across the front stage, it stays seamlessly realistic.

Our take on the Definitive Technology CS-8040HD

by 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.


High-tech drivers for exceptionally detailed sound

cutaway view

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).


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.


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
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee
Shop all Definitive Technology Center Channel Speakers
     

    Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

    Features and Specs

    Features and Specs
    Enclosure
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    Passive Radiator
    Tweeter
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    Dome
    Midrange size (inches)
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    ---
    Woofer size (inches)
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    4-1/2
    Connector Type
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    5-way post
    Power Range
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    20-200
    Sensitivity
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    92 dB
    Impedance (Ohms)
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    8
    Frequency Response
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    40-30k Hz
    Height (inches)
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    5-13/16
    Width (inches)
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    20-1/2
    Depth (inches)
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    12-1/4
    Weight
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    20 lbs
    Parts Warranty
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    5 Years
    Labor Warranty
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    5 Years

    Product Research

    Product Research
    What's in the box?

    Download owner's manual

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

    Our Product Research Team

    At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

    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.

     

    Product Reviews

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    Reviews for the Definitive Technology CS-8040HD

    Average Customer Review:

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    Showing: 1-10 of 10
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    5 out of 5

    The tradition continues...

    Written By VictorAriel, San German, PR on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    I`ve been a fan of Def. Tech. for a long time. First, the pro-center 100, later pro-center C-2 (what a difference) and now this...The CS-8040hd. The blend of the CS-8040HD with the SM55s is superb, especially in a movies in which dialogue morphs into song or "bang" without a moment's notice. Knowing that in home theater set-ups, over the 70% of the work is in the hands of the center channel, this center could be without problem your working horse. Outstanding performer...Highly recomended...
    Pros:
    Brute force but with finesse,..Outstanding performer
    Cons:
    none...
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    Definitive Tech 8040 center channel

    Written By Greg G, Houston Tx on Thursday, May 16, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Excellent mids and highs, matches the 8060 towers seamlessly
    Pros:
    Excellent soundstage for DVD's and movies
    Cons:
    Bass radiator tends to "pop" at higher volume levels during music playback
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    Great Center

    Written By bsbuskirk, Parkersburg, WV on Sunday, April 28, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    I researched for a couple months before making this purchase. I have a fairly strong 7.1 setup now, but am making plans for a step up in the theater department for my next house. I plan to add a couple BP10s and hope to use 4 BP6Bs for my surrounds. The center was available as an open box so I went ahead and picked it up. It's even better than I had hoped, especially at the low end. I'm even more sure of my choice for Dev Tech BP's all around. Don't hesitate, get one!
    Pros:
    Good sensitivity, clarity, and low end. Great dispersion.
    Cons:
    None!
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    3 out of 5

    early impressions were great, but exchanged for a Def Tech SM65

    Written By B Hans, Dallas on Monday, April 22, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    I used the Def Tech CS-8040HD with StudioMonitor 65 front speakers with the hope that the CS-8040HD would fill in the range of the 65s with its 4.5" woofers. Instead, I found that the CS-8040HD accentuated particular frequencies to the point of being a distraction from the rest of the sound. I am exchanging the Def Tech CS-8040HD for a third Def Tech StudioMonitor 65 that I will use as my center chanel. I switched back an forth between the CS-8040HD and the SM 65 and, while the 8040HD may have performed slightly better while playing sound effects, the SM65 really outperformed while playing the human voice.
    Pros:
    great for sound effects and musical instruments
    Cons:
    did not reproduce the human voice as well as others, did not balance well with the SM65s
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    The Best

    Written By Mrbill, los angeles on Sunday, March 31, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Love this center
    Cons:
    none
    1 out of 2 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    your ears will thank you!!

    Written By Jim, boston ma on Monday, March 11, 2013
     
    First off I love this center channel!!! Crisp highs smooth lows and a great overall tonal balance. Iron man 2 sounded like is was in mr.starks living room!! the eagles hell freezes over dvd was so detailed and enveloping I thought I was watching them live at the garden. if you love music and movies a like...Get this center channel you'll be glad you did. My system consists of def tech 8060 towers and bp1.2x surrounds. powering my deftechs is a pioneer elite sc-61 receiver and bdp-62fd Blu-ray player. I recently put money down on the 8060hd after hearing one in the store. Def tech is the way to go for quality, price and a very sweet sound at any volume.
    Pros:
    build quality,finish and sound ...sound... sound!!!!
    Cons:
    none
    1 out of 1 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    great sound - clear voice

    Written By Bob, White Plains, NY on Friday, February 08, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Purchased as part of a system that includes 2 - Studio Monitor 65, 2 - Studio Monitor 45 and the SuperCube 6000 - receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR809. S/W Hunter @ Crutchfield who was very helpful.

    CS-8040HD (as is whole system) is great - clear and crisp sound and dialogue, very impressed and great value! More than adequate bass - see need for powered sub in center channel (CS-8060 & 80)
    Pros:
    crisp and clear sound with adequate bass @ a very reasonable price
    Cons:
    none
    1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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    5 out of 5

    crisp clear and precise

    Written By big daddy, Toledo Oh on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this speaker looks and sound as great as it looks. Awesome response. listening to eric church I could hear the natural sounds of the pick hitting the strings. very clear dialouge while watching movies. have owned for 3 weeks and only expect the sound to get better and better. if you can purchase this speaker you will not be disappointed. highly recommend
    Pros:
    very accurate sound imaging nice looks solidly built excellent warranty
    Cons:
    have not heard a thing
    2 out of 2 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    Definitive Technology CS-8040HD

    Written By Anonymous, Littleton. Co on Thursday, December 27, 2012
     
    Excellent detail
    Pros:
    Great sound
    Cons:
    None
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    great sounding centerspeaker

    Written By mr roy, baton rouge la on Saturday, August 25, 2012
     
    you be amazed with the sound quality this speaker put out i am pushing it with the denon 3313 receiver and wow with the eagles live in melbourne dvd sounds like you are in the front row i even cranked it up to 80 on the receiver and no distortion at all just clean sound just buy it will be the best investment you ever made period
    Pros:
    great dialouge
    Cons:
    nothing to complain about just praises
    10 out of 10 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    1-10 of 10

    Accessories

    Add accessories for the Definitive Technology CS-8040HD

    You'll need wire to connect your center channel speaker to your amp or receiver.Cut your speaker wire to the exact length you need with a spool of bulk speaker wire. No wire is included with this speaker. See all categories & accessories

    AudioQuest X2 Speaker Cable 14-gauge cable, connectors optional (30 feet, Gray)
    8 people say 
    Your Price: $58.99
    Add to Cart
    AudioQuest G2 Speaker Cable 16-gauge cable, connectors optional (30 feet, Gray)
    7 people say 
    Your Price: $38.99
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    Monster XP® Speaker cable with clear jacket, connectors optional (100 feet)
    16 people say 
    Your Price: $64.95
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    Monster XP Navajo White Speaker cable, connectors optional (30 feet)
    4 people say 
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    7 people say 
    Your Price: $13.95
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    Monster Cable SuperFlat™ Mini Decor-friendly speaker cable with gold pin connectors (50-foot spool)
    19 people say 
    Your Price: $34.95
    Add to Cart
    AudioQuest Type 4 Single center speaker cable with pre-attached banana connectors (10 feet)
    5 people say 
    Your Price: $114.50
    Add to Cart
    Sanus NFC18 Single 18" center channel speaker stand (Black)
    2 people say 
    Your Price: $99.99
    Add to Cart

    Smart people protect with SquareTrade- The best warranty at the best price

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    100% parts and labor - no deductibles

    All mechanical and electrical failures covered, includes normal wear and tear.

    Your item's repaired or the full item price returned withing 5 days

    Runs concurrent with manufacturer's warranty

    Rated 5-stars by consumers

    For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Definitive Technology CS-8040HD, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/S-gpnwmVYSOTz/p_735CS8040/Definitive-Technology-CS-8040HD.html ).

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    Definitive Technology CS-8040HD
    Definitive Technology CS-8040HD
    Center channel speaker with passive bass radiator
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    Speaker Wire without Connectors

    AudioQuest X2 Speaker Cable
    14-gauge cable, connectors optional (30 feet, Gray)
     
    $58.99
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    Connectors & Clamps

    Speaker Wire with Connectors

    Monster Cable SuperFlat™ Mini
    Decor-friendly speaker cable with gold pin connectors (50-foot spool)
     
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    Speaker Stands

    Sanus NFC18
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    • Front

      Definitive Technology CS-8040HD
    • Back

      Definitive Technology CS-8040HD
    • Cutaway view

      Definitive Technology CS-8040HD
    • Family portrait

      Definitive Technology CS-8040HD