Short answer: the Yamaha NS-800A for better sound quality, the Definitive Technology Demand D11 for the lower price. The Yamaha NS-800A ranks #43 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $4800. The Definitive Technology Demand D11 ranks #44 at $999, $3801 cheaper.
What the Yamaha NS-800A gets right: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all - confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. The catch: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character - notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison.
What the Definitive Technology Demand D11 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly flat, well-controlled response - close to class-leading if not for one narrow resonance. Watch for: A narrow but real ~600Hz jaggy shows up consistently in on-axis and off-axis measurements.
Buy the Yamaha NS-800A if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Definitive Technology Demand D11 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha NS-800A | Definitive Technology Demand D11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4800 | $999 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #44 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1.25" dome tweeter, 6.5" mid-woofer | 6.5" BDSS polypropylene woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter (offset), 6x10" oval passive radiator |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs / 13.0 kg (28.7 lbs) each | 17 lbs each |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.1"W x 14.1"D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) | 13H x 7.25W x 12.5D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex | passive radiator |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz | - |
| Output Power | 40W nominal, 120W max | - |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 24kHz (61Hz - 22kHz -3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 20-200W recommended |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha NS-800A: $4800 The Music Room
Pros: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all - confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. Good, wide directivity (~75 degrees horizontal) that stays consistent enough to EQ successfully. Distortion is low, staying under 3% at 96dB, and dynamic range holds up well until right near its 102dB limit. A shallower, higher-frequency bass rolloff profile (F3 68Hz, F10 35Hz) means it can be placed closer to the wall (about a foot) without turning boomy, actually gaining bass presence rather than losing it.
Cons: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character - notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison. On top of that, treble breaks up badly above 10kHz, swinging up as much as 8dB - a significant, named flaw. Sounds inconsistently voiced as a result (bright on some material like cymbals and shakers, dull/laidback on vocals and instrument attack) until corrected with real parametric EQ (the reviewer needed a +2dB boost around 4.5kHz at Q0.5 plus taming the treble spike to bring it to life) combined with near-wall placement and 30-degree toe-out. Without that combination, it’s a tough sale for a $4,800 bookshelf speaker.
Full Yamaha NS-800A review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.1"W x 14.1"D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.25" dome tweeter, 6.5" mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 40W nominal, 120W max |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs / 13.0 kg (28.7 lbs) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Yamaha NS-800A vs ELAC DBR62
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Yamaha NS-800A vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Yamaha NS-800A vs JTR Noesis 210HT
- Yamaha NS-800A vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Yamaha NS-800A vs JBL HDI-1600
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Infinity Reference R162
- 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 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
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs Klipsch RP-600M II