(NEW) Definitive Technology Descend DN15 15" Subwoofer
$919.99
$1,799.99
49% off
Reference Price
Condition: New
Top positive review
3 people found this helpful
Excellance³
By RBJ on Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
EDIT: May 10, 2025 I added the large DN10 to the extra-small DN8, and it all worked as hoped for. I figured that mixing the DN10 with the DN8 would do no harm, and that's what happened. However, I do use Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for calibration, so that simplifies room calibration tremendously. I see that PolK and such are way more popular on Amazon, and subwoofers such as those are probably very good. But, weeks ago, after hearing the DN8 to replace the SVS SB12 NSD, I was sold on the Definitive Technology Descend subwoofer line. That's complete by adding the DN10 with the DN8. Bass is better than it has ever been and way more musical. One more thing, I use "Auralex Acoustics SubDude II isolation platform" for both subwoofers, I can only hope they are doing their jobs. LOL EDIT: MARCH 31, 2025 Well, the SVS SB-12 works OK with the DN8, but they are not twins. A lot of the time the SVS "wakes up" boomy, but the DN8 deftly and seamlessly attacks the LFE [low-frequency-effects] as if the sub-bass were a part of the ELAC towers. As soon as I see Amazon put the DN8 on another good sale, I'm getting the second DN8 for my setup and putting the SVS someplace else. I will never buy SVS again. EDIT: NOVEMBER 26, 2024 I still highly recommend the DN8. It works well across all genres and sounds great; plus it has a small footprint. If you have the space and don't worry about transferring sound to others disturbing them, then by all means go for the DN10, DN12, or DN15. You can always return for a refund in the Amazon return window for a full refund if not satisfied. But I don't think you will be returning these guys. CAVEAT: You must calibrate with an AVR room calibrator [Audyssey MultEQ XT32], or some calibration gadget, or you take an unnecessary risk to receive the full benefit of the Definitive Technology expertise. ORIGINAL REVIEW: NOVEMBER 02, 2024 I think of Excellence Cubed when I listen to my setup now. Before installing the DN8, my system consisted of: 1. Marantz SR6015 AVR 2. Outlaw 5000 AMP 3. LG OLED 65CX HDTV 4. Apple TV 4K 2021. (Can hardly wait for the 2025 model) 5. Sony UBP-X800 Blu-ray 6. ELAC Uni-Fi 7.X.4: Fronts, Center, Surrounds, Surround Backs; and 4 Heights 7. SVS SB12 NSD (which corresponded to SVS SB1000) for Left/Right channels My system was structured as listed above until this past October 2024, when one of the SVS subwoofers died, moreover after only seven years of service. In hindsight, it turns out to be a good thing, because I was able to audition the Descend DN8, which is excellent in every way compared to the SVS SB12. I figured after hearing the remarkable improvement presented by the DN8 that I would need another DN8 and get rid of the one remaining SVS, but after room-calibration with Audyssey MultEQ XT32, the SVS SB12 and DN8 behave like twins. 🤣 I can worry about what happens with the surviving SVS SB12 later. My room is 15’ W x 13’ D x 9’ H, and is now very nicely pressurized with the SVS SB12 and Descend DN8 working together. When I had both SVS subs installed, the SPL came nowhere close to what it is now. Sound Pressure Level is more important than many might know or understand. I live in an apartment, so I should never have the DN10 or higher. It doesn’t matter because the DN8 is just . . . excellent. I swear I can hear all kinds of bass notes never heard before. And, probably due to Audyssey calibration, the integration of the center, towers [front L/R; surround L/R], stand speakers [surround back L/R], heights, and subwoofers is flawless. I had calibrated the dual SVS subs with Audyssey as well. There is the saying that “a chain is no greater than its weakest link,” which applies to my system wherein the Descend DN8 has lifted all my equipment to a whole new level, and the Descend DN8 has opened up possibilities in the Marantz SR6015 that the SVS SB12 was not capable of. To clarify the "weakest link" statement: SVS SB12 may have held back my system before by just creating "boom," in everything, music, explosions, etc., now, the SB12 is on a whole new level of musicality and not the weakest link anymore because of exposure to the DN8.
Top critical review
5 people found this helpful
Nice concept, but...
By Jeff on Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2022
This subwoofer looked great and I could barely wait to hear it. I was disappointed that it accepted speaker level input but not stereo preamplifier input, apart from the designated sub output from a receiver. I used one preamp channel while waiting for a stereo to mono converter. (Y-cable is only good for mono to stereo.) I turned everything on at low volume, set the low pass filter at 60-70Hz, and tried to adjust the sub volume. At the first touch of the volume knob, I was assaulted by awful thunderous noise. I turned off the power, stopped the CD player, and tried again. There was no input signal coming from the preamp, but all I had to do was touch the sub volume knob and it made very loud noise again. I packed it up, attached a return label, and sent it back. I ordered a different brand to replace it.
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