NEW! Ultra-performance shelf/stand monitor loudspeaker
$449.00 each
Feature Highlights
Redesigned From the Ground Up for Superior Performance, Utility and Beauty
The new Definitive StudioMonitor series is the culmination of over 20 years of research and development to create monitor-quality shelf speakers with the perfect balance of high style, utility and most of all performance.
The Most Advanced Technologies for the Most Advanced Performance
If you love great sound you must experience Definitive's StudioMonitor 65. Its combination of racetrack bass radiator technology, and our latest generation patented Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) bass/midrange drivers, all housed in a rock-solid attractive enclosure, delivers unsurpassed sonic performance.
Each SM 65 features a D'Appolito array consisting of two cast-basket 5-1/4" (13cm) second generation BDSS midrange drivers surrounding a 1" (25mm) pure aluminum dome tweeter. The drivers feature Definitive's patented Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) technology that supports the speaker cone at both the inner and outer edges allowing longer, more linear excursion for greater clarity and finely textured inner detail. A new patent pending Linear Response Waveguide™ smoothes off-axis frequency response and disperses sound over a wider area for crystal clear intelligibility for every listener in the room. The tweeter is a pure aluminum dome, which has been heat-treated to relax the crystal structure and then coated with a ceramic to produce extended highs that reveal nuance and shimmer without a trace of edginess.
The twin BDSS long-throw bass/midrange drivers are pressure coupled to a top mounted racetrack bass radiator to extend and amplify bass frequencies. The total bass radiating area of a SM65 is equivalent to a single 12-inch woofer but with far greater control, definition and speed than a single sluggish large woofer. The StudioMonitor's bass performance is nothing short of astonishing in its depth, detail and musicality.
Watch the Bass Radiator tech video
Slim Elegant Styling with Rambo-Like Brawn
All the driver and crossover technology in the world would be wasted if housed in a resonance-prone box. We devoted as much Design and Engineering attention to the styling and construction of the StudioMonitor 65's enclosure as any other part of its design.
The specially shaped high gloss baffle around the drivers and the tapered enclosure sides enhance sound quality by minimizing diffraction distortion. The decorative high gloss grille and cabinet accents add elegance to the matte black tower the way satin piping adds dash to a tuxedo.
But the enclosure's most important job is to be totally inert and resonance free so as not to color the sound. And that's just we did in engineering the SM enclosures. Internal MDF cross braces further stiffen the system. Tap on the side panel of a StudioMonitor 65 enclosure to hear the solid "thud" of a solid, well-damped cabinet instead of the hollow ring of a poorly constructed speaker.
Phase-Coherent Crossover Networks
The crossover network is the real heart of a loudspeaker as it is responsible for perfectly blending together the sound of the various drivers into a musically seamless whole. The sophisticated design used in the SM65 features premium audiophile-grade components such as oversized inductors, Mylar capacitors for linear phase and frequency response. An integrated Zobel network flattens the impedance of the system so that even budget amplifiers will be able to drive the SM65 (although a premium amplifier will bring out all the performance this remarkable speaker has to offer). This preserves the phase coherence, transient response and dynamic integrity of the signal for absolutely lifelike music and home theater reproduction in your home.
The Proof is in the Listening
This extraordinary speaker sets a new reference standard for high-accuracy loudspeakers in its class and achieves equally superb performance with both music and movies. The StudioMonitor 65 reproduces a silky smooth, incredibly detailed sonic image at lifelike volume levels with a sense of ease which is truly remarkable. Movies and music are reproduced with unequaled purity, transparency and lifelike realism.
Now that you're thoroughly impressed with the technology and passion we've poured into the StudioMonitor 65 it is time to find a stocking dealer near you to audition this remarkable achievement of art and science.
Driver Complement | |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Diameter | 1" (2.54cm) |
| Type | Pure Aluminum Dome |
| Mid / Woofer | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 5 1/4" (13.34cm) |
| Type | BDSS Midrange Driver |
| Tweeter/Mid Array | |
| Type | D'Appolito Direct Radiating |
| Bass Radiator | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Oval Height | 12" (30.48cm) |
| Oval Width | 6" (15.24cm) |
| Type | Racetrack Planar Bass Radiator |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Audio Inputs | |
| Speaker Level | 2 Pair (Bi-wire Ready) |
| Maximum Sensitivity | |
| 1 watt @ 1 Meter | 92 dB |
| Total Frequency Response | |
| Overall | 30 Hz - 30 kHz |
| Nominal Impedance | |
| Compatible with | 8 ohm |
| Crossover | |
| A/V Receiver Crossover Setting | Small (50 Hz) |
| Power Handling | 20 - 300 watts per channel |
Installation | |
|---|---|
| Placement | |
| Horizontal Orientation | On Shelf or On Stand |
| Vertical Orientation | On Shelf or On Stand |
| Product Weight | |
| Out of Box | 22 lbs |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Dimensions | |
| Height | 16 1/2" (41.91cm) |
| Width | 7 7/8" (20.00cm) |
| Depth | 15 1/8" (38.42cm) |
| Cabinet Type | |
| Speaker Enclosure | Internally Braced with Top Mounted Pressure Coupled Bass Radiator |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Accessories | |
| Included Accessories | Bumpers (4) |
| Optional Accessories | StudioMonitor Stand (Not Included) |
| Carton Size | |
| Height | 20 3/8" (51.75cm) |
| Width | 11 1/2" (29.21cm) |
| Depth | 18 3/4" (47.62cm) |
| Shipping Weight | |
| One per Carton | 24.25 lbs |
Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Drivers and Cabinet | |
| Parts and Labor | 5 |
| Fronts (L&R) | Center | Surrounds | Subwoofer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| StudioMonitor 65 | StudioMonitor 65 | StudioMonitor 55 | SuperCube 8000 |
| Quantity: 2 | Quantity: 1 | Quantity: 2 | Quantity: 1 |
| $449.00 each | $449.00 each | $299.00 each | $1499.00 each |
| System Total: $3,444.00 | |||
| Fronts (L&R) | Center | Surrounds | Subwoofer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| StudioMonitor 65 | CS-8040HD | StudioMonitor 55 | SuperCube 6000 |
| Quantity: 2 | Quantity: 1 | Quantity: 2 | Quantity: 1 |
| $449.00 each | $499.00 each | $299.00 each | $999.00 each |
| System Total: $2,994.00 | |||
| Fronts (L&R) | Center | Surrounds | Subwoofer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| StudioMonitor 65 | StudioMonitor 65 | StudioMonitor 45 | SuperCube 4000 |
| Quantity: 2 | Quantity: 1 | Quantity: 2 | Quantity: 1 |
| $449.00 each | $449.00 each | $199.00 each | $799.00 each |
| System Total: $2,544.00 | |||
Demonstration of how bass (passive) radiators work in loudspeakers and subwoofers.
Learn about speaker cone resonance, why it hurts sound quality and one technique for reducing it.
"Midrange that made vocal tracks sound like they were being performed live right in front of you... Imaging that was wide and boundless...may be the best bookshelf speakers I've ever heard for under $1500."
Clint DeBoer - Audioholics (Jul 01, 2012) Read More4 reviews with an average of 5
"from now on all bookshelf speakers are gonna be judged by the SM65"
SPECTACULAR SOUND. There is no other bookshelf speaker with the power & performance of the SM65. The bass is deep, tight and clean, if you close your eyes you might think there is a subwoofer built in or some where in the room. I really don't know how Def Tech did it, from now on all bookshelf speakers are gonna be judged by the SM65. The more you pushed the volume, the better they sound, I'm serious. My advice, keep the EQ at flat level, the tweeter could be a little bright if you touch the treble settings, but the clarity and detail is outstanding. I tested Eddie Palmieri's Latin Jazz album ARETE, I was amazed by the sound of the percussion, timbals, congas, and the beautifully mid range of the piano. Also the SM65 has superb movie performance, watching MI: Ghost Protol was an experiece, the explosion on the Kremlin felt powerful & robust while spreading the sound all over my living room with full amount detail. My only complaint is that they are a bit expensive but I' don't regret it.
"I am speechless"
I have SM 45's and BP10'S wich i consider to be fantastic just got the SM65'S for my front left and right SM55'S for surrounds. I am speechless as to how great these speakers sound, the bass they can put out with the radiators they have is unbelieveable, so good I do not have use a sub. I can tell you there is nothing else in the same size and class that comes close to sound quality and BASS that the SM65'S and 55'S produce!!!
"BRAVO!"
I found there a great deal on an open box Marantz 6006 at a Magnolia Home Theater store and bought it. As my rush started to fade I realized I need speakers! So as any happily married man knows purchases like these need to be done in steps. Right, so I jump on the computer to start my research for the best bookshelf speakers I can purchase on a father of four's middleclass budget, sigh- this is gonna be rough. I begin searching the usual trusted sources; audio advisor, home theater etc. and one name kept popping up, the New Bookshelf series from Def Tech. I read at least 10 glowing reviews and then I ran and auditioned the StudioMonitor 55. I was blown away by those little gems and bought them and a pair of stands. Once I had them hooked up I played some Steely Dan- Black Cow and I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. The highs were crisp and clean without brightness just a wonderful reproduction so realistic my son literally looked around for my daughter playing her cymbals. Midrange was just as perfect (so I thought) and the real show stealer was the incredible lows these little guys were driving out, seriously low and firm bass not at all boomy just really musical and LOW. So I sat back on my couch like the King of the world as far as I knew and just took it all in. I couldn't help thinking what a superb system I got for a fraction of cost of what a snobby so called "audiophile" would pay. In fact I was so thrilled I decided to write an email to the Def Tech guys for a job well done. Not expecting an actual response more than some boilerplate canned reply, but sure enough the very next morning I get an email response back from DeTech's VP! He wrote how glad he was that I was pleased with my purchase and referred me to his Head Tech Chet to go over whether or not a subwoofer was needed or worth the money due to the remarkable range the 55s had on their own (responding to a direct question of mine on the email). So about an hour later I got a call from Chet. We went over my system and my listening habits and so on. During the conversation I asked about the SM-65s. I wanted to know how much better they can really be compared to the 55s. He went on to tell me how much more midrange they pump out and that there is a huge difference between the two because of the additional driver. He also said the low end is also noticeably better due to the larger racetrack passive subwoofer on the top of the 65 as compared to the 55. At that point I heard enough I'm trading up to the 65s. After hooking up the 65s I sat down and started up King of Pain on The Police live cd I instantly felt goose bumps shoot up both arms. The sound these marvels produced practically took my breath away. The mid-range was room filling and filled in where I thought nothing was missing. The only way I can describe how incredible these speakers sound is by comparing them to my buddy's four-times-the-price Focal floor standing speakers and I've I've got to say if he shuts down the huge top of the line JL sub you really couldn't tell the difference between my system and his! These speakers really do sound like $4k+ speakers! The next day Hurricane Sandy ravaged Long Island and black out the region for weeks, my treasured SM-65s sat idle for a week and a half! I knew I had to write a review about these spectacular little beauts so all of you can know just how happy you ll be when you purchase these beautifully engineered masterpieces. I couldn't help re-listen to a good portion of my music library with the 65s being simply stunned by how they seemed to magnify little nuances and detail I haven't heard in them in some cases 33 yrs. of listening to these songs. By the way, I decided I'm getting a SuperCube subwoofer for sure, not because it needs it (it really doesn't) but because it will make the hair on the back of my neck stand up every time I play my music. This purchase put my system and my listening in a whole new category, Thanks to The StudioMonitor 65s I am officially an audiophile! Without the snobbery and the debt! Thank you Def Tech for nothing less than enhancing my life. BRAVO!
Purchased 2 - Studio Monitor 65, 2 - Studio Monitor 45 a CS8040HD and the SuperCube 6000 - receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR809. S/W with DefTech and they said 45's are good choice if rear/surround are just used mostly for movies. 65's are fabulous (as is whole system) - great bass and could be used without a sub-woofer. Excellent crisp sound. Normally use the 65's (with sub) in stereo mode for music, very impressed and great value! Pros: strong bass, great sound and value Cons: None
StudioMonitor Stand All Metal Speaker Stand
W x H x D
