Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 Bookshelf Speakers Front

Check current pricing for Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 Bookshelf Speakers on Amazon

When you open the box you are likely to have to look around to find the ProMonitor 800s they are so small (8″ x 5″ x 5″ approx), when you pull them out you will find a solidly constructed speaker in a simple gloss black finish (white is also available) that will hide away unobtrusively in the decor of most rooms. In case you don’t want to put these on shelves they can also be wall mounted using the built-in keyhole mount or stand mounted using an optional floor stand.

They may be compact but don’t let the size fool you these are pretty impressive for speakers so small. Apparently they use “pressure-coupling of definitives BDSS technology driver to a mid/bass radiator placed on the top of the speakers which doubles the lower-midrange radiating area of the speaker without increasing the size of the speaker enclosure”. You can hear that quite obviously in the mids on these little beasts they definitely have detectable a strength and smoothness in the mid range. The bass is also actually pretty impressive for such small units and as a stereo pair performed very well at low to medium sound levels though to be fair did get a little overwhelmed at high volumes. If there is a short coming with the ProMonitor 800 speakers it is really the highs, the top end was a little raspy and aggressive in the top end when played at high volumes. In general though I found the ProMonitor 800s to have a very enjoyable sound when listened to at more normal levels with very decent imaging and overall soundscape (and remeber we were only testing 2 as a stereo pair). Overall the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 Bookshelf Speakers are a very good choice for small and medium sized rooms (say around 18 x 18ft or smaller) and will rival much larger speaker sets in that environment.

Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 Front

Check current pricing for Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 Bookshelf Speakers on Amazon

Manufacturers Specifications

• Speaker type: 4-1/2″ full-range Bookshelf
• Dimensions: HxWxD: 8-3/8″ x 4-3/4″ x 5″
• Maximum Power Handling: 150W
• Frequency Response: 57Hz – 30kHz
• Tweeter: 1″ Aluminum dome
• Midrange: 4-1/2″ cast basket
• Woofer: 4-1/2″ pressure-driven planar low-frequency
• Magnetically Shielded
• Sensitivity: 89dB
• Impedance: 8 ohms
• RRP: $145 each (Check current pricing for ProMonitor 800 Bookshelf Speakers on Amazon)

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The L830s feature a six-inch low-frequency driver, a one-inch tweeter and a three-quarter-inch high-frequency transducer. We found that sonically these produced a nicely smooth natural midrange with a strong and capable top end, though occasionally we found ourselves using a slight cut at the 4KhZ mark to make long term listening slightly less harsh. Bass wise the L830s stand out against most of their rivals in the bookshelf speaker category it is smooth but powerful with much of the power being provided via the rear Freeflow port so placing these too close to the wall has a slight tendency to make the bass ever so slightly mushy.

All in all JBL L830s are a definite the contender for best in class, and with recent price reductions you would find it hard to get a better pair of bookshelf speakers for the price. Highly recommended.

JBL L830 Bookshelf Speakers (Black)

Check current JBL L830 Bookshelf Speaker pricing on Amazon

Manufacturers Specifications

• Maximum Recommended Amplifier Power 150W
• Power Handling (Continuous/Peak) 75W/300W
• Nominal Impedance 8 Ohms
• Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 90dB
• Frequency Response (±3dB) 48Hz – 40kHz
• Crossover Frequencies 2.5kHz, 20kHz
• Ultrahigh-Frequency Driver 3/4″ (19mm) Mylar® dome, cast-aluminum chassis, mounted in a
  Bi-Radial® horn
• High-Frequency Transducer 1″ (25mm) Pure-titanium dome in JBL EOS™ waveguide, cast-aluminum chassis
• Low-Frequency Transducer 6″ (150mm) PolyPlas™ cone with rubber surround, cast-aluminum chassis, HeatScape™ motor structure, Symmetrical Field Geometry™ (SFG™), oversized Kapton® voice coil, magnetic shorting ring
• Magnetically Shielded
• Baffle Low-diffraction, IsoPower™ baffle
• Port Freeflow™, on rear
• Network Straight-Line Signal Path™ (SSP™)
• Terminals Gold-plated, 5-way binding posts, bi-wirable
• Dimensions (H x W x D) 15-1/4″ x 8-3/4″ x 12-3/4″ (385mm x 222mm x 320mm)
• Weight per Speaker 22 lb (10kg)
• General Pair-packed
• RRP: $550 (Check current JBL L830 Bookshelf Speaker pricing on Amazon)

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