Wharfedale Super Denton vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000

Last updated: August 25, 2026

Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Denton for better sound quality, the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Super Denton ranks #19 of 87 bookshelf speakers at $1499. The Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 ranks #79 at $249, $1250 cheaper.

What the Wharfedale Super Denton offers: A 3-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, a 2” soft dome midrange offset to the side of a centered 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer - a more compact alternative to Wharfedale’s own Linton 85 with a similar overall character. Measured sensitivity around 86.6-87dB with on-axis linearity within about ±3dB. No cabinet or box resonances turned up in impedance testing, and there are no spike feet to install. Harmonic distortion looks good at both 86dB and 96dB, with about 20dB of usable dynamic range up to 96dB before compression starts to affect the midrange more noticeably near 102dB. Because bass rolls off starting around 60Hz, placing it closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet) than usual boosts low-end punch without the midbass bloat a deeper-extending speaker would get from the same placement. In the reviewer’s own comparison, its estimated in-room response actually measured more linear than the pricier Linton 85’s, despite being a bit less linear on-axis. Watch for: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character. A resonance around 660-700Hz shows up in measurement, though the reviewer couldn’t reliably hear it with real music in his own blind-ish A/B testing. The offset tweeter-and-midrange layout makes horizontal off-axis response noticeably asymmetric - response drops as much as 8dB more to one side than the other at wider angles - so the reviewer recommends aiming the speakers directly at the listener (not toed out, which loses upper treble) and suggests sidewall absorption to control uneven reflections. Must be listened to with the grille on - measurements are noticeably worse with it off (wider 2-4kHz dip, extra treble bump). Horizontal soundstage width felt a bit narrower than the reviewer personally prefers, likely related to the same offset driver layout. Multitone distortion gets high in the midrange at 96dB/1m, a concern mainly in larger rooms where you’d need to play louder.

What the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 offers: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $500/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”

Buy the Wharfedale Super Denton if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 if the price matters more than sound quality.

If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. It ranks near the bottom of the 87 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.

Wharfedale Super Denton vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000

Specifications Side By Side

Wharfedale Super Denton Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
Price$1499$249.00
Ranked#19 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers#79 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers
Drivers1" soft dome tweeter, 2" soft dome midrange, 6.5" woven Kevlar woofer1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator
Sensitivity86.6dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner)86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB)
Woofer Cabinetportedpassive radiator
Dimensions14.2"H x 9.7"W x 10.8"D (360 x 246 x 275 mm)10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in
Weight20.3 lbs / 9.2 kg (20.2 lbs) each7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each
Impedance6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)8 ohms nominal
Frequency Response52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Bass Extension (-3dB)61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Crossover Frequency940Hz, 4.6kHz-

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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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

Wharfedale Super Denton: $1499 Crutchfield eBay

Wharfedale Super Denton ranking card

Pros: A 3-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, a 2” soft dome midrange offset to the side of a centered 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer - a more compact alternative to Wharfedale’s own Linton 85 with a similar overall character. Measured sensitivity around 86.6-87dB with on-axis linearity within about ±3dB. No cabinet or box resonances turned up in impedance testing, and there are no spike feet to install. Harmonic distortion looks good at both 86dB and 96dB, with about 20dB of usable dynamic range up to 96dB before compression starts to affect the midrange more noticeably near 102dB. Because bass rolls off starting around 60Hz, placing it closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet) than usual boosts low-end punch without the midbass bloat a deeper-extending speaker would get from the same placement. In the reviewer’s own comparison, its estimated in-room response actually measured more linear than the pricier Linton 85’s, despite being a bit less linear on-axis.

Cons: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character. A resonance around 660-700Hz shows up in measurement, though the reviewer couldn’t reliably hear it with real music in his own blind-ish A/B testing. The offset tweeter-and-midrange layout makes horizontal off-axis response noticeably asymmetric - response drops as much as 8dB more to one side than the other at wider angles - so the reviewer recommends aiming the speakers directly at the listener (not toed out, which loses upper treble) and suggests sidewall absorption to control uneven reflections. Must be listened to with the grille on - measurements are noticeably worse with it off (wider 2-4kHz dip, extra treble bump). Horizontal soundstage width felt a bit narrower than the reviewer personally prefers, likely related to the same offset driver layout. Multitone distortion gets high in the midrange at 96dB/1m, a concern mainly in larger rooms where you’d need to play louder.

Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)61Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Crossover Frequency940Hz, 4.6kHz
Dimensions14.2"H x 9.7"W x 10.8"D (360 x 246 x 275 mm)
Drivers1" soft dome tweeter, 2" soft dome midrange, 6.5" woven Kevlar woofer
Frequency Response52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz
Impedance6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Sensitivity86.6dB (measured by Erin's Audio Corner)
Weight20.3 lbs / 9.2 kg (20.2 lbs) each
Woofer Cabinetported

Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: $249.00 Amazon eBay

Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 ranking card

Pros: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight.

Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $500/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”

Bass Extension (-10dB)80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Dimensions10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in
Drivers1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator
Frequency Response47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Impedance8 ohms nominal
Sensitivity86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB)
Weight7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each
Woofer Cabinetpassive radiator