Short answer: the Definitive Technology Demand D11, unless you want the SVS’s measured consistency. The D11 is mostly flat and well controlled apart from a narrow but real 600Hz jaggy on and off axis. The SVS Ultra Bookshelf is noticeably more neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, holding within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average, but it still has a boosted upper mid-range that gives mixes a slightly forward character.
Buy the Definitive Technology Demand D11 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the AsciLab C6B instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Definitive Technology Demand D11 | SVS Ultra Bookshelf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 per pair Discontinued | $1,200 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #59 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” BDSS polypropylene woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter (offset), 6x10” oval passive radiator | 6.5” composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 13H x 7.25W x 12.5D in | 14.9”H x 8.5”W x 10”D |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 24kHz (61Hz - 22kHz -3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 20-200W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.12 (spinorama.org) | 5.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.48 (spinorama.org) | 8.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Recommended Power | - | 20-150W |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Definitive Technology Demand D11: $999 per pair Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly flat, well-controlled response: close to class-leading if not for one narrow resonance. Distortion is well controlled and the deep cabinet lets it play loud without bottoming out except on the deepest bass content. Cabinet construction and finish are a clear step above budget speakers. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: A narrow but real ~600Hz jaggy shows up consistently in on-axis and off-axis measurements. Horizontal directivity is uneven because of the offset tweeter position, giving the left and right channels slightly different off-axis energy. There’s a low-frequency rattle/noise at very deep bass levels the reviewer called “horrendous.” Discontinued; the Demand series has moved on to newer models.
Full Definitive Technology Demand D11 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13H x 7.25W x 12.5D in |
| Drivers | 6.5” BDSS polypropylene woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter (offset), 6x10” oval passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 24kHz (61Hz - 22kHz -3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 20-200W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.12 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.48 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
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SVS Ultra Bookshelf: $1,200 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: Noticeably more tonally neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, with response staying within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average: a genuine step up in linearity for roughly double the price. Slightly higher sensitivity than the Prime (about 87.8dB) with similarly wide, consistent horizontal radiation. Toeing the speakers out about 30 degrees smooths the in-room response nicely if the on-axis tonal balance runs a bit forward for your taste. Distortion and dynamics hold up well; this is a mature, well-regarded design (roughly a decade old at review time) that’s aged better than many contemporaries. Measured bass extension of 69Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.8dB.
Cons: Still has a boosted upper mid-range/mid-range area, though less severe than the Prime: the reviewer suspects a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue rather than a resonance, giving mixes a slightly forward, occasionally tinny character. Bass extension is modest for the price (F3 69Hz, F10 48Hz measured): SVS is clearly counting on you pairing this with one of their subwoofers rather than expecting full-range performance from the bookshelf alone. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 3.8 ohms, so a 4-ohm-stable amplifier is recommended rather than a basic 8-ohm-only AVR. Radiation pattern is wide (around 80°), wider than the reviewer’s typical ~60° sweet spot preference, so acoustic treatment on nearby walls helps tame reflections and keep the off-axis response from diverging too much from on-axis. Discontinued; SVS replaced the Ultra line with the Ultra Evolution series.
Full SVS Ultra Bookshelf review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.9”H x 8.5”W x 10”D |
| Drivers | 6.5” composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.10 |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Infinity Reference R162
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Yamaha NS-800A
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC DBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
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