Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 – 2-Way Satellite or Bookshelf Speaker-Complete Features/Instruction Guide

: June 5, 2024
: DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY

Definite

Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 – 2-Way Satellite or Bookshelf

Speaker

Definitive-Technology-ProMonitor-800 - 2-Way-Satellite-or-Bookshelf-Speaker-
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Specifications

Product Dimensions
5 x 4.8 x 8.4 inches
Item Weight
3 pounds
Connectivity Technology
Wired
Speaker Type
Satellite
Recommended Uses For Product
Home Theater
Frequency Response
57 Hz – 30 kHz
Efﬁciency
89 dB
Nominal Impedance
4 – 8 ohms
Brand
Definitive Technology

Introduction

The ProMonitor 800 is a versatile, easy-to-place speaker that delivers clear, high-definition sound and spacious image in a small package. The Definitive BDSS driver is combined with a pressure-driven low-frequency radiator, a pure aluminum dome tweeter, and a non-resonant PolyStone speaker cabinet to provide rich, warm lifelike sounds with smooth high-frequency reproduction. The speaker can be safely placed on a stand or shelf, or mounted on the wall or ceiling. The ProMonitor 800 is a fixture in the famous Pro Series. Combine it with a ProCenter 2000 and any Definitive Technology powered subwoofer to create a full home cinema sound system.

What’s In the Box?

Black satellite speaker
Removable cloth grille (installed)
Removable pedestal foot (installed)
Plastic insert tab
Owner’s Manual
Online Product Registration card

Connecting Your Loudspeakers

It is critical for proper performance that both speakers (left and right) be connected in the proper phase. Note that one terminal on each speaker (the +) is colored red and the other (the -) is colored black. Please make certain that you connect the red (+) terminal on each speaker to the red (+) terminal of its channel on your ampliﬁer or receiver and the black (-) terminal to the black (-) terminal. It is essential that both speakers be connected in the same way to the ampliﬁer (in-phase). If you experience a great lack of bass, it is likely that one speaker is out of phase with the other.

Usually, if distortion is heard when the speakers are being driven at loud levels, it is caused by driving (turning up) the ampliﬁer too loud and not driving the speakers with more power than they can handle. Remember, most ampliﬁers put out their full rated power well before the volume control is turned all the way up! (Often, turning the dial halfway up is actually full power.) If your speakers distort when you play them loud, turn down the ampliﬁer or get a bigger one.

Using the ProMonitor in Conjunction with a ProSub

When a pair of ProMonitors is used in conjunction with a ProSub, they may be connected either directly to the left and right channels of your ampliﬁer or receiver, or to the left and right speaker level outputs on a ProSub (when the ProSub is connected via the high-level speaker wire inputs to the left and right channel speaker outputs on your receiver). Connecting the ProMonitor to a ProSub (which includes a built-in high-pass crossover for the ProMonitors) will result in greater dynamic range (the system can be played louder without overdriving the satellites) and is recommended for most installations especially when the system is being used for home theater. Because this is the most common set-up, the following instructions relate to wiring the ProMonitors to a ProSub.

Wiring 2 ProMonitors and 1 ProSub for Stereo (2-Channel) Use

First, wire the red (+) terminal of the left channel speaker wire output of your receiver or ampliﬁer to the red (+) terminal of the left channel speaker wire (high level) input of your ProSub.
Next, wire the black (-) terminal of the left channel speaker wire output of your receiver or ampliﬁer to the black (-) terminal of the left channel speaker wire (high level) input of the ProSub.
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the right channel.
Wire the red (+) terminal of the left ProMonitor to the left channel red (+) speaker wire (high level) out on the back of the ProSub.
Wire the black (-) terminal of the left ProMonitor to the left channel black (-) speaker wire (high level) out on the back of the ProSub.
Repeat steps 4 & 5 for the right ProMonitor.
Set the low-frequency ﬁlter control on the back of the ProSub to the setting described in a ProSub Owner’s Manual. Please note that the exact frequency will depend on many factors including speciﬁc positions of the speakers in the room, so you might experiment with a slightly higher or lower setting to achieve ideal blending between the sub and the satellites for your particular set-up. Listen to a wide variety of music to determine the correct setting for this in your system.
Set the subwoofer level control to the setting described in a ProSub Owner’s Manual. Please note that the exact level depends on many factors including your room size, the position of the speakers, etc. as well as your personal listening taste, so you might experiment with the subwoofer level while listening to a wide variety of music until you achieve the ideal setting for your system.
If your receiver allows you to choose whether or not the main speakers are to receive a full-range signal, choose full range (or “Large” Left and Right Main Speakers).

Using ProMonitors with a ProSub in Home Theater

There are many different variations of the basic Dolby ProLogic and Dolby Digital AC-3 formats and features, as well as a multiplicity of ways in which the speakers can be hooked up to these systems. We will discuss the simplest and most effective hookups and adjustments. If you have a particular question regarding your set-up, please call us.

For Dolby ProLogic Systems

Follow Steps 1-9 provided earlier. The subwoofer will receive its low- frequency signal through the full-range speaker level outputs. If, however, your system has a separate subwoofer RCA low-level output that has a remote control level adjustment, you might also want to hook this up using an RCA-to- RCA low-level cable to the LFE/subwoofer-in low-level input (the lower RCA input) on a ProSub. Then use your remote control sub-level adjustment to ﬁne- tune the low-frequency level for different types of program material. (You might ﬁnd you want a higher level for some music or for movies).

For Dolby Digital AC-3 5.1 Systems

Please note that Dolby Digital decoders have bass management systems (systems that direct the bass to the various channels) which vary from unit to unit.

Simplest Hook-Up

The simplest way to hook up and use your ProCinema System with Dolby Digital 5.1 Systems is to hook a ProMonitor to each of the front (main) left, front (main) right, rear (surround) left and rear (surround) right channels and a ProCenter to the front center channel outputs of your receiver or power ampliﬁer making sure that the red (+) terminal of each speaker is hooked up to the red (+) terminal of its proper channel out-put and the black (-) terminal is connected to the black (-) terminal of its proper channel output. Then connect the LFE RCA output on your receiver or decoder to the LFE input on your Deﬁnitive ProSub subwoofer.

Optional Hook-Up One

Hook up the left and right front ProMonitors and ProSub as described in Steps 1 thru 9 earlier. Wire your center channel to the center channel out on your receiver (or center channel ampliﬁer) and your left and right rear surround speak-ers to the rear channel outputs on your receiver or rear channel ampliﬁer, taking care that all speakers are in phase, i.e. red (+) to red (+) and black (-) to black (-). Set the bass management system of your receiver or decoder for “Large” Left and Right Main Speakers, “Small” Center and Rear Surround Speakers and “No” Subwoofer. All the bass information including the .1 channel LFE signal will be directed to the main left and right channels and into the subwoofer giving you all the beneﬁts of Dolby Digital AC-3 5.1.

Optional Hook-Up Two

An option on this hook-up (if your decoder will allow you to select “Large” Left and Right Main Speakers and “Yes” Subwoofer), in addition to the hook-up as described above, is to use an RCA-to-RCA low-level cable to connect the LFE sub-out on your receiver to the low-level LFE/sub-in (the lower RCA input) on a ProSub. Tell your bass management system that you have “Large” Left and Right Main Speakers, “Small” Center and Surrounds, and a “Yes” Subwoofer. You will then be able to raise the LFE .1 channel level being fed to the subwoofer by either using the LFE/sub remote level adjustment on your decoder (if it has one) or the LFE .1 channel level control on your Dolby Digital channel balancing procedure. This set-up has the advantage of allowing you to set the low-frequency level on the a ProSub for smooth balance with music while also allowing you to “juice up the bass” for movies with the controls on your decoder. It should also sound somewhat better.

Using ProMonitors with a ProSub for Rear Channel Surround Use

Since Dolby Digital is capable of delivering a full-range bass signal to the rear channels, some more elaborate systems will include an additional ProSub for the rear channels. In this case, simply wire the ProMonitors to the ProSub as described in 1 thru 8 earlier, except wire to the rear surround outputs. Set the bass management system for “Large” Rear Speakers.

Using ProMonitors with Separate Left and Right Channel ProSubs

You may also use a separate ProSub for the Front Left and Front Right channels. Simply follow all previous instructions except use only the left channel inputs and outputs on the left ProSub and the right channel inputs and outputs on the right ProSub.

Speaker Break-In

Your ProMonitors should sound good right out of the box; however, an extended break-in period of 20-40 hours or more of playing is required to reach full performance capability. Break-in allows the suspensions to work in and results in fuller bass, a more open “blossoming” midrange and smoother high-frequency reproduction.

Positioning the ProMonitor in Your Room

It is important that some simple set-up recommendations be followed in order to assure optimum performance in your room. Please remember that although these recommendations are usually valid, all rooms and listening set-ups are somewhat unique, so do not be afraid to experiment with the speakers. Remember, whatever sounds best to you is correct.

The ProMonitor Loudspeakers may be placed on a stand or shelf or mounted on the wall or ceiling. Placement close to the wall will increase the bass output while placement further from the rear wall will decrease the bass output.

When used as fronts, the speakers should usually be placed 6 to 8 feet apart and kept away from the side walls and corners. A good rule of thumb is to place the speakers separated by one-half the length of the wall they are positioned along, and each speaker one-quarter the length of the wall behind them away from the side wall. When used as rear speakers, take care never to locate the speakers forward of the listeners.

Speakers may be angled in towards the listening position or left parallel with the rear wall according to your personal listening taste. Normally, angling the speakers in so that they point directly at the listeners will result in more detail and greater clarity.

Wall Mounting the ProMonitors

The ProMonitors can be wall-mounted using the optional ProMount 80, which should be available from your Deﬁnitive dealer. Your ProMonitor also has a built-in keyhole wall-mount on the back. Use toggle bolts or other similar anchored fasteners to fasten the ProMount 80 to the wall or to hold the keyhole mount. Do not use an unanchored screw in the wall. Please note that if you wall-mount the speaker, there is an optional plug included that covers the hole in the bottom of the speaker which you will see after you remove the built-in stand.

Technical Assistance

It is our pleasure to offer assistance if you have any questions regarding your ProMonitor or its set-up. Please contact your nearest Deﬁnitive Technology dealer or contact us directly at 410-363-7148.

Service

Service and warranty work on your Deﬁnitive loudspeakers will normally be performed by your local Deﬁnitive Technology dealer. If, however, you wish to return the speaker to us, please contact us ﬁrst, describing the problem and requesting authorization as well as the locations of the nearest factory service center. Please note that the address given in this booklet is the address of our ofﬁces only. Under no circumstances should loudspeakers be shipped to our ofﬁces or returned without contacting us ﬁrst and obtaining return authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the ProMonitor 800 speakers with their rounded shape come with a way to use them horizontally, laying on their side?
The manufacturer has no special provisions for horizontal use. This is a fantastic-sounding speaker. World Wide Stereo is 36 years old and a very proud Definitive Technology dealer.
Can someone suggest a good amp? Don’t want to buy a full receiver right now?
I would need a little more information as to what exactly you’re looking to do or achieve before I could give a good answer. But if you wanted to some good names to be safe with I’d say Onkyo, Marantz, and Denon would be safe pics. But I’d like to point out that a good amp is pretty close to the price of a good receiver with a built-in amp. Might as well buy a receiver, could end up saving some coin in the long run. But I guess if you’re a true sound purist and want a separate tuner and amp then I get it. Like I said, hard to make a recommendation not knowing what type of system you’re trying to build and for what reason, just music or surround or both.
What pedestal work with these?
It can use the universal stand. The threads on these are all the same. I’d go with the ones approved by the Manufacturer as these are a bit heavy. They do have feet for the bottom or you can mount them to the wall (that is what I did).
Do these speakers come with the cable to connect to an avr receiver?
The speaker has the usual pair of red and black binding posts on the back which is powered by a speaker wire from the receiver.
Thought to use these as the rear speakers in a 5.1 setup. how would these compare with the definitive technology sm45 bookshelf speakers?
Pro monitor 800 is small & lightweight so they are suitable to use as wall mount surround speakers.
Are these suitable for running without a subwoofer? Just using an amp and these speakers to listen to a turntable?
These are very small speakers with little to no bass response. They will play the mid-range and high frequencies well, but will not reproduce the bass frequencies well. I would recommend if you need a full-range speaker, select a different speaker.
Is there a hole through the middle of the binding posts to make wiring easier? (I don’t want to use banana plugs).
Yes, there is a hole in the posts, that’s how I have mine wired. I am very happy with these as my surround sound speakers. I have 2 ProMonitor 1000 speakers as the front and ProCenter 1000 center channel. Along with a Yamaha subwoofer and receiver.
Are these speakers sold as a set or individually?
I’m not 100% positive. I think they are sold individually, but I think the description in the price will tell you. Really nice rear speakers for a 5.1. Not overbearing but filling.
Need rear surrounds that will mesh well with Martin Logan SLM front speakers. Thoughts?
That is a toughie. They utilize a totally different scheme in sound reproduction. A fine audiophile produces. In the fact that for surround sound, the bulk of the heavy lifting is done with the center speaker. I assume that your center is a Martin Logan as well? At any rate, the Def Techs are more efficient as well. You could always return them if you’re not happy with the results. My system is easier as i have the Def Tech BiPolar speakers in the front.
Is this price for a single speaker or a pair?
It’s for one. They are sold individually.
How many watts per channel can these speakers handle?
150 watts per channel RMS at 8 ohms.