Short answer: the Definitive Technology Demand D11. It ranks #48 of 105 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $999; the Technics SB-C700 ranks #49 and costs $1699, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Technics SB-C700 side: Distinctive coincident “Phase Precision Driver”: a 1.9cm dome tweeter mounted at the exact acoustic center of a 16cm flat-diaphragm carbon-fiber/honeycomb-sandwich woofer, giving true point-source geometry. Set against that: 85dB sensitivity paired with a 4-ohm nominal impedance wants a fairly capable amplifier.
What the Definitive Technology Demand D11 gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly flat, well-controlled response - close to class-leading if not for one narrow resonance. The tradeoff: A narrow but real ~600Hz jaggy shows up consistently in on-axis and off-axis measurements.
Buy the Definitive Technology Demand D11. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Technics SB-C700 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Technics SB-C700 | Definitive Technology Demand D11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 | $999 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 13.2" x 11.3" (220 x 336 x 286 mm) (8.7 x 13.2 x 11.3 in) each | 13H x 7.25W x 12.5D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | Coaxial "Phase Precision Driver": 1.9cm dome tweeter + 16cm flat-diaphragm woofer | 6.5" BDSS polypropylene woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter (offset), 6x10" oval passive radiator |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs / 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) each | 17 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex | passive radiator |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 24kHz (61Hz - 22kHz -3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 20-200W recommended |
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- Yamaha NS-800A vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- ELAC DB63 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Infinity Reference R162
- Technics SB-C700 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Technics SB-C700
The Two Speakers In Full
Technics SB-C700: $1,699.00 Value Electronics USA Tube Audio
Pros: Distinctive coincident “Phase Precision Driver”: a 1.9cm dome tweeter mounted at the exact acoustic center of a 16cm flat-diaphragm carbon-fiber/honeycomb-sandwich woofer, giving true point-source geometry. Directivity is unusually symmetric front-to-back and top-to-bottom (both horizontal and vertical average exactly 60°) and spdi_stddev (3.09) is tight for the passive-large tier. Die-cast aluminum chassis and a high-gloss convex “Entasis form” cabinet with side panels up to 42mm thick for extra rigidity.
Cons: 85dB sensitivity paired with a 4-ohm nominal impedance wants a fairly capable amplifier. Bass extension is shallow relative to its 6.5”-class woofer at -3dB (85.0Hz), though it reaches a more usable 40.5Hz at -10dB - a fairly steep low-end rolloff shape once past the reference band. At $1,699.99/pair, some in the ASR community have questioned the value proposition against similarly-measuring alternatives at lower prices.
Full Technics SB-C700 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 13.2" x 11.3" (220 x 336 x 286 mm) (8.7 x 13.2 x 11.3 in) each |
| Drivers | Coaxial "Phase Precision Driver": 1.9cm dome tweeter + 16cm flat-diaphragm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs / 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Technics SB-C700 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Technics SB-C700 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Technics SB-C700 vs ELAC DBR62
- Technics SB-C700 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Technics SB-C700 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Technics SB-C700 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Technics SB-C700 vs JBL HDI-1600
- Technics SB-C700 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- See all 10 comparisons
Definitive Technology Demand D11: $999 Discontinued Amazon
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.
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. Discontinued.
Full Definitive Technology Demand D11 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13H x 7.25W x 12.5D in |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
| Weight | 17 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs ELAC DBR62
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs Infinity Reference R162
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs JBL HDI-1600
- See all 12 comparisons