Definitive Technology ProCinema 1000 5.1-channel Speaker System

There’s nothing generic about the sound

One small criticism I would offer, however, is that Definitive’s aluminumdome tweeters, though respectable, are not in the same performance league as the new low-distortion ProCinema mid/bass drivers discussed above. While the two drivers generally integrate well, the tweeters sometimes exhibit a slightly coarse, hard-edged quality that stands out in contrast to the mid/bass drivers’ smooth, open sound. Though these discontinuities are relatively minor in an absolute sense, they do at times undercut the system’s otherwise fine imaging. But remember that the ProCinema tweeters are arguably as good if not better than those found in most competing surround systems at this price.

Completing the system is the 300- watt ProSub 1000, which draws much of its technology from Definitive’s award-winning SuperCube subwoofers. In practice this means that the ProSub goes very low and produces energetic bass with dynamic capabilities that are well matched to the rest of the system. Pitch definition is good, though not quite on a par with the best I’ve heard, either from full-range speakers or other subs in this price range (for example, from Epos’ highly articulate ELS sub). But that said, I would observe that the ProSub1000 also offers considerably greater bass wallop than most of its competitors, putting a solid midbass foundation beneath music and film soundtracks alike.

Overall, I consider the $1649 ProCinema 1000 system a bargain. It looks small, plays big, and gives listeners a substantial taste of the revealing midrange qualities normally associated with higherend two-channel speaker systems. TAS