Definitive Technology ProCinema 400 - User Manual

fast facts
PROTOWER 400 PROCENTER C2 PROMONITOR
(left/right front) (center) 200 (surround)
TWEETER 1-inch dome 1-inch dome 1-inch dome
WOOFER 6
1
/2-inch cone two 5
1
/4-inch cones 6
1
/2-inch dome
SUBWOOFER two 6
1
/2-inch cones — —
ENCLOSURE vented vented vented
DIMENSIONS 7
3
/4 x 38
1
/2 x 11 20 x 6
5
/8 x 9
1
/4 7
3
/4 x 14 x 11
(WxHxD) inches inches inches
WEIGHT 40 pounds 17 pounds 14 pounds
FINISH textured dark gray textured dark gray textured dark gray
or white or white or white
MANUFACTURER Definitive Technology, Dept. S&V, 11433 Cronridge Dr., Owings Mills, MD
21117; phone, 410-363-7148; Web, www.definitivetech.com
test report BY DANIEL KUMIN
Definitive Technology
ProCinema 400 Speaker System
“ The
ProTowers
sounded
outstanding…
”
STEREO REVIEW’S SOUND & VISION
t one point, it almost seemed as if big tower
speakers were in danger of being killed off
by small subwoofer/satellite combinations.
But then along came the “power tower”—a
category that Definitive Technology
helped create in 1995 when it introduced
the big bad BP2000.
What, exactly, is a power tower? Pretty much any
floor-standing speaker whose woofers are driven by
dedicated amplifiers built right into each cabinet. Most
do away with the need for a separate powered sub-
woofer, which explains the genre’s growing popularity
with both music lovers and home theater enthusiasts—
and their significant others—throughout the land.
Equally valuable, the power-tower configuration per-
mits speaker makers to wring deep bass from relatively
compact cabinets by taking a “systems” approach in
combining a powered-subwoofer section with an upper-
frequency section driven by the external amplifiers.
Power towers are now available from numerous
brands in a wide range of prices and sizes. But Def
A
Tech’s new ProTower 400—its first power tower that’s not
bipolar—is the most compact model I’ve encountered yet.
Just over 3 feet tall, it’s easily moved by a single, ordinary
human, and it’s affordable by many ordinary folks, too.
Definitive is offering it both in stereo pairs and as part of a
ProCinema 400 home theater suite that includes the
ProCenter C2 center speaker and a pair of conventional
two-way bookshelf models, either the ProMonitor 100 or
200, for the surround channels. This array, with the larger
ProMonitor 200 surrounds, is what Definitive sent us, and
I installed the speakers in my studio, driving them with my
100-watt B&K AVR202 receiver and a Sony DVP-C6000
DVD changer.
The ProTower 400 has a stylish shape, with a smoothly
curved back and sides that flow seamlessly into the front
baffle. The grille frame is also rounded, leaving the bias-
cut top panel and the bottom as the only flat surfaces. (The
slanted top looks cool, but it means you can’t pile things
like CD jewel boxes on the speakers. Is that a good thing
or a bad thing?) The towers, center, and surrounds are
made of a composite Def Tech calls PolyStone, a man-
made mineral-filled polymer—plastic, in other words.
Unlike wood, PolyStone can be easily molded into com-
plex shapes and engineered toward a desired density to
reduce resonance. In the ProCinema 400 suite, the enclo-
sures include extensive internal bracing, multiple suben-
closures (including a “floating” mid-range/tweeter struc-
ture), and internal and external ribbing for strength, rigidi-
ty, and freedom from image-smearing diffraction effects.
The ProTower 400 has binding posts for a speaker-level
input from a receiver or amp. Like all power towers, it also
has internal filters to send deep-bass signals to the sub-
woofer section (its amp is rated at 125 watts) while the
“ the bass performance was remarkable… ”

Summary

Definitive Technology ProCinema 400 Speaker System Review

Introduction to the ProCinema 400 System

Introduces the Definitive Technology ProTower 400 and its integration into the ProCinema 400 home theater suite.

Design and Construction of ProTower 400

Details the stylish shape, PolyStone material, and internal bracing for rigidity and reduced resonance.

Connectivity and Bass Output Features

Discusses speaker-level inputs, binding posts, and internal filters for bass signal routing to the subwoofer.

Performance and Listening Experience

Bass Performance and Loud Volume Handling

Highlights remarkable bass performance down to 30 Hz, punchy lows, and ability to play loud with clarity.

Deep Bass for Cinematic Content

Describes solid reproduction of ultra-deep bass for movie scenes, noting it's good but not a thunderous roar.

Surround Sound and Music Playback

Covers good bass performance on surround music, satisfying organ pedals, and clear orchestral passages.

Center Speaker and Front Stage Imaging

Evaluates the ProCenter C2's tonal match and front-stage imaging, noting slight cupping on male voices.

Surround Speaker Performance

Assesses the ProMonitor 200 surround speakers as capable with good dynamic oomph and balance.

Overall Evaluation and Value

Summary of High and Low Points

Lists positive aspects like accurate tone, deep bass, sleek looks, and value, and negative points like tonal match and localizable surrounds.

Final Recommendation for Stereo Use

Recommends the ProTower 400s for stereo listening, especially for those concerned about space or cost.

Definitive Technology ProCinema 400 Specifications

General

Configuration	5.1
Impedance	8 Ohms
Satellite Speaker Driver Size	4.5 inches
Tweeter Size	1 inch
Subwoofer Type	Powered
Subwoofer Driver Size	8 inches
Type	Speaker System
Frequency Response	30 Hz - 30 kHz
Satellite Speaker Type	2-way
Weight (Subwoofer)	20 lbs