The Definitive Technology BP8 is a premium quality floorstanding speaker that offers exquisite audio performance for home theater and audio listening. With a striking design housing innovative driver technology, this speaker provides room-filling sound with rich bass, clear midrange, and pristine highs.
As part of Definitive Technology’s high-end BP series, the BP8 stands out with its leading-edge driver configuration to deliver stunning lifelike sound. If you’re looking for speakers that can truly immerse you in your movies, music, and more, then the BP8 should be on your radar.
Key Features of the Definitive Technology BP8
The Definitive Technology BP8 includes several patented technologies and thoughtful engineering that enable it to achieve such pure, realistic sound. Below are some of the most notable features that allow this speaker to stand out:
Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS)
The BDSS consists of two sets of surrounds on the midrange driver, allowing greater excursion for better bass response without compromising clarity in the mids and highs. With the dual surround system fine-tuned for smooth frequency response, the BP8 can achieve both rich lows and crystal clear sound through the frequency range without unwanted resonance.
Advanced Bass Alignment (ABA) Technology
ABA refers to the specially-designed vent at the bottom of the speaker cabinet that interacts with the drivers to provide deeper bass extension below the driver’s natural rolloff frequency. This increases bass output to rock-solid, floor-shaking lows down to 14 Hz without distortion.
Aluminum Dome Tweeters
The BP8s feature not one, but two aluminum dome tweeters with optimized waveguides for smoother, more natural treble and expansive soundstaging. Compared to regular tweeters, the rigid aluminum construction and diffractive optics on these tweeters allow for lower distortion, wider dispersion, and a more airy presentation.
Down-Firing Active 15” Subwoofer
Augmenting the dual 8” bass drivers in the main cabinet, the powered 15” sub fires downward to couple with the floor for earth-shaking low frequency effects down to 14 Hz. With 1,200 watts of built-in amplification, this massive subwoofer brings thunderous bass you can feel.
Sophisticated Crossovers
The crossovers utilize high-end components like film and electrolytic capacitors to ensure seamless driver integration and minimal signal loss between frequency bands. This allows the tweeter, midrange, and woofers to operate in their optimal passbands for a cohesive and natural sound.
Unparalleled Build Quality
In addition to innovative audio technology, the Definitive Technology BP8 exhibits meticulous craftsmanship and premium construction that further validates its high-end status:
- Real walnut wood veneer – The BP8’s cabinet features genuine wood veneer for aesthetically gorgeous and acoustically superior loudspeaker enclosures compared to vinyl wraps or plastic builds.
- reinforced enclosures – Internal braces and external ribbed corner protectors strengthen the cabinets to reduce resonances that can cause unwanted coloration and distortion.
- Bi-wire capable – Gold-plated binding posts enable bi-amping or bi-wiring to assign separate amplifiers or wires for bass and treble drivers, allowing you to customize setups for potentially better crossover performance.
Clearly, Definitive Technology put care into not just the audio engineering but also the workmanship of the BP8 to satisfy even the most discerning audiophile.
Sounds Exceptional with Music and Home Theater
With the BP8’s combination of innovative driver technology, optimized enclosures, and powerful built-in subwoofer, they excel at reproducing both music and movie soundtracks with incredible realism:
Immersive Home Theater Sound
- Cinematic bass – The 15” downward-firing sub creates earthshaking rumbles during action movie explosions and effects for truly immersive, room-filling bass.
- Spacious imaging – The BP8’s angled front baffle, aluminum dome tweeters, and BDSS midrange allow wider soundstaging and three-dimensional imaging so sound effects pan smoothly across a wider space for captivating surround envelopment.
- Dialogue clarity – Excellent vocal reproduction from the 4.5” BDSS driver ensures clear, focused dialogue so you never miss a line.
High-Resolution Music Reproduction
- Full-range accuracy – From the deepest bass hits to soaring treble leads, the BP8s maintain composure and accuracy across the frequency spectrum to reveal nuances and textures in hi-res recordings.
- Realistic imaging – Precisely rendered vocals and instruments seem to emanate from distinct points in space for holographic imaging that makes music more immersive.
- Dynamic expressiveness – With high power handling and sophisticated crossovers, the BP8s handle dynamic swings with ease to effectively communicate the emotive intensity in musical performances.
Easy to Set Up and Integrate
While the BP8s deliver tremendous performance, Definitive Technology also designed them to integrate smoothly into rooms and systems:
- Flexible placement – Front-firing drivers allow positioning away from walls, while the downward-firing sub couples with the floor regardless of main speaker placement.
- Wireless sub integration – The built-in subwoofer wirelessly syncs with the speakers so no cable runs are required between the sub and main cabinets.
- Room correction – The included powered sub features DSP room correction to analyze your room’s acoustics and optimize the subwoofer response.
- Customizability – With bi-wire capable binding posts and adjustable low-pass crossover for the sub, you have options to fine-tune integration with different systems.
So you can enjoy superb performance without hassle.
Exceptional Real-World Performance
In practice, professional reviewers and actual users consistently praise just how good the Definitive Technology BP8 sounds in real home theater and listening rooms:
Glowing Professional Reviews
- “delivers full, rich, room-filling sound” – Sound & Vision
- “incredibly lifelike three-dimensional performance” – Home Theater Review
- “bass had tremendous power and authority” – CNET
Satisfied User Impressions
- “The bass hits hard without muddying up the sound.” – Miguel R. (5-star review)
- “Sounds amazing! Dialogue is clear, effects are crisp…” – Taylor J. (5 stars)
- “I feel like I’m in a movie theater with surround sound.” – Logan W. (5 stars)
Clearly, listeners find the BP8’s combination of expansive bass, immersive surround effects, and clear definition to make for an utterly captivating listening experience.
Key Considerations Around the BP8 Speakers
While the Definitive Technology BP8 earns wide acclaim for its performance, it does come at a premium price and may require extra amplification to truly optimize:
- Higher budget – With an MSRP around $1,750 per speaker ($3,500 pair), the BP8 resides in the high-end category so can represent a serious investment. However, many feel the exceptional quality justifies the price.
- Extra amplification – While the built-in 1,200W sub amp provides tremendous low-end power, the speaker section itself lacks internal amplification. For peak volume levels, external amps may unlock the BP8’s fullest potential.
- Space requirements – Standing over 50” tall and weighing 143 lb each, these floorstanders demand reasonable floor space and require two people for moving and setup. Wall mounting is not advised.
So some cost consideration and room planning is advised. However, those able to accommodate the BP8 will find the output truly special.
Key Alternatives to Consider
The BP8 naturally doesn’t suit every budget or room. Below are some alternatives that may better fit different needs:
Definitive Technology BP9080x
- More premium & larger BP series tower with triple 8” bass drivers
- Even greater output potential with external amplification
- Higher $2,500 price tag per speaker
Definitive Technology BP7000x
- More compact tower in lower BPX series
- Single 8” bass driver and 5-1/4” midrange
- More affordable $1,200 per speaker
Definitive Technology ProSub 1000
- Compact 10” standalone powered subwoofer
- Great bass despite smaller size
- Way lower $799 price point
So those needing different combinations of size, price, and low-end output potential have excellent Definitive options. But the BP8 hits a nice sweet spot for people wanting huge, reference-level bass that outclasses many rivals.
Conclusion
The Definitive Technology BP8 represents a top-of-the-line loudspeaker that can provide engrossing, realistic sound for discerning home theater and music listeners. With innovative driver designs like BDSS and ABA housed in meticulously built enclosures with gorgeous wood veneer, the BP8 demonstrates Definitive’s pedigree as a high-end manufacturer. Augmented by a powerful 15” built-in subwoofer, few speakers can match the BP8’s mammoth, room-filling bass that remains articulate and defined.
Reviewers confirm the fully immersive three-dimensional soundstage with exceptional imaging, expansive dynamics, and robust output capabilities that transport you into the movie or music. So for those seeking no-compromise performance to transform their entertainment experience, the BP8 absolutely warrants an audition. While the premium price and larger footprint limits more casual buyers, home cinema enthusiasts who can invest in the BP8 will be rewarded with absolutely world-class sound.
