Dynaudio C20 vs other monitors in the 4-7k range

I have the Contour 20's and I'm really happy with it. Its my first Dynaudio and first "proper" bookshelf speaker. I was accompanying a friend at the local dealer as he was auditioning speakers and by chance I heard the C20's with a Pass Labs integrated and I was smitten.

My room size is 12.5 x 15 feet almost identical to the OP. I too found the bass wanting on more than one occasion (previous speakers were floorstanders) so I got an entry level REL T5i sub. After obsessively fiddling around with the crossover and sub volume settings I could not be happier.

It's a fantastic speaker, musical and refined. They just need really good stands. I made the mistake of not getting the factory Dynaudio stands in an effort to save $ and ended up regretting it. 

Mofojo,

Welcome! My floorstander was a Dali Ikon 6, it served me well for 9 years. The Dyns are in a completely different league imaging and resolution wise thanks to the esotar tweeter, granted my Ikon 6 was quite old already. 

Since I was missing bass I auditioned the contour 30 as well but for some reason preferred the contour 20's, it sounded better to my ears. As long as you get your sub dialed in and have proper stands I think you will enjoy!

Mofojo,

Congratulations on getting the C20. Glad that you’re enjoying, it does take some time for it to break-in. I have the same issue with the volume, I’m currently using a Cayin 80wpc KT88 tube integrated. I asked a friend to bring over his 250wpc Krell integrated so we could listen to the C20’s and we had the same observation, he had to crank up the volume significantly higher compared to other speakers. 

Other than that quirk he was quite happy with how it sounded with his Krell. 

Mofojo,

I don't listen to any metal so that isn't an issue for me. An argument could be made that it's a neutral speaker because if you play a well recorded album, you will hear it. Conversely, if a sub-standard recorded album is played you will know that it is precisely that, a poorly recorded album.

I do occasionally miss the punch and bass slam of my floorstanders, but I'm at a stage in this "hobby" where I'm willing to forgo punch and slam for better imaging and refinement. Maybe in the future I can afford a speaker that can do both well!

Try listening to Nils Lofgren "Keith Don't Go" acoustic live, that song I feel brings out the best qualities of the contour 20's.