For people discovering this old thread via google, I’d add HEDD Type 07 or 20 to this. |
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. |
Well after listening till about 1am here are my impressions so far.
Not analytical whatsoever. If anything voiced slightly romantic but you gotta give these the juice to open up. To get to reference level I have to turn the Lyngdorf to -5 or so. Kind of hard to determine how loud you are listening since it never gets harsh. I wanted to keep cranking it up but got to the point where I went 2 stories up to next to my daughter's bedroom to check the volume. I could here the lyrics. So it was obviously very loud.
SMOOTH to the point of almost liquid but still very detailed. I dont really know audiophile terms but you can walk around the stage on well recorded music. Voices are very very good and there seems to be a bit of lower midrange fullness which is pleasing.
Here's how I would rate the music genres on these.
Metal is ok not great. I haven't tried any well recorded metal yet such as Tool or Opeth.
Anything acoustic is phenomenal.
Well recorded rock is phenominal.
Country and bluegrass is phenominal.
I keep reading the first impression of these is neutral. I dont get that. They seem to be voiced to somehow sound better than reality. I think they walk a line between sounding high fi and natural.
In conclusion I need some more time with them. If I wasn't a metalhead these would be end game for me. I found myself playing all kinds of acoustic rock, Alice in Chains, Nirvana Unplugged, Eric Clapton, Hank3, Hank Jr etc. On my Tektons I gravitate more towards Metallica, Lamb of God, Slayer etc since they have that amazing mid bass punch. |
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. |
I have to say for about the same volume level as my Tektons need to crank the wick on the Lyngdorf quite a bit more as I expected. |
Way too early to make a solid determination. I can say they are definitely smooth, detailed, and dynamic. The were pretty stiff at first. Went upstairs and let them crank for a couple hours in the basement then had about an hour listen while the creep was taking a nap. So far really digging them. |
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I also had the Focus 140's and found them too dark sounding and not really good for low volume listening. Very power hungry as well. While speaker shopping last year I heard the C20s and loved them, I think Dynaudio did change their house sound a bit, the speakers are more efficient now and they play much better at lower levels. Their speakers do have that low mid warmth we all love. And the Esotar2 is an excellent tweeter. I think at 7K the monitors are overpriced (as compared to the towers) but I loved the sound. |
Well going to go buy them tomorrow. We shall see. I'll have tomorrow night to give them a good run in after the kid goes to bed.
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Listen to a set of Legacy Audio Calibre.
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I love my Lyngdorf. Got the 3400 earlier this year and Room Correction really works. Cool thing is that you can do two speaker profiles with and without sub and really dial it it in. I have PSB Imagine T3s and a REL S2.
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I need a speaker that does rock and some metal well. I dont think the BBC type speakers would fit the bill. I could be wrong.
The Lyngdorf really eliminates any kind of bass problems with Room Perfect. |
A rear ported speaker does not seem to be a good choice in that size room. Since you have a nice subwoofer you should check out a LS3/5A type of speaker. With a sealed woofer they are non placement critical. Harbeth, Spendor, Stirling, Falcon, etc., all make outstanding monitors! |
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! |
Chip,
What did you move on from?
Also thanks for the feedback! |
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. |
I've heard the C1s for a couple hours at a dealer and liked them quite a bit. Has anyone compared directly the C20 and C1? I didn't care for the S1.4 much. Too dark and slow in the audition I had. I've internet stalked a bit and seen some say the C20 is better than the C1 and Vice Versa.
I'll probably just see if I can make the deal happen. I could at least bank a couple hundred if I dont like them I feel. |
If you can get them at a nice price I would try them. Nice speakers and the sub and Lyngdorf will play nice with them. I've owned earlier model Contours 1.4s and the Contour 3.4s as well. Very clear and detailed sound. I wasn't impressed with the Joseph Audio Pulsars although I thought I would be. The Dynaudio sound is definitely different than the Harbeth sound. Dynaudio is like ripping the plastic off the Harbeths. Harbeths do have great mid range. |
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And the Fritz Carrera 3 Be. See numerous comments in other recent threads. |
Also, at a lower price point, $4K, Ryan S610
And at $2400, Studio Electric M4. |
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“Too often we evaluate cars like we are going to race them, when the reality is we're going to be stuck in traffic most of the time. :)”
Great analogy. This became very apparent to me during my last visit to an audio show. Many high end speakers sounded thin and dull at lower volumes to my ears. Interestingly, the ones that sounded lively at low listening levels were either horn-based or full-range single drivers, albeit missing lower octaves which could be amended using an outboard subwoofer.
Regarding OP’s question, I think Joseph Audio Pulsars are worth consideration as a possible option.
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@mojofo -
Depends. Some Dynas have a W shaped curve which IMHO is best for low volume listening. On the other hand, a demanding impedance curve can make them more power hungry than average.
Honestly I've never been called to the brand, but either way, it is important to note how you actually listen to music most of the time, and evaluate apropriately.
Too often we evaluate cars like we are going to race them, when the reality is we're going to be stuck in traffic most of the time. :)
Best,
E
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The ones I am looking at are called White Ash I think. I like the look although I think I like the more unconventional look of the C1 more. My room is pretty dark. Dark floors walls and even black ceilings this may give it a little pop.
@eric, I've always heard Dyns really open up at higher volumes and low volumes is one of their weak points which has been my experience with the Focus 140 I had. Your opinion that they are good low volume speakers is interesting. |
I love the grey oak finish
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Excellent quality but at least one owner on another forum sold his because he didn't get the bass output he was looking for? I wouldn't blame the speakers for that. Esotar 2 tweeter is considered one of the best. worth a listen for sure. |
Dynaudios are generally quite power hungry. Be sure that your amp can supply the high current required by their mid bass drivers. Listen to some dynamic music with wide variations. They will play quite deep for their size. Well designed, with strong history of great sound! |
The Dynaudio's I've heard have a distinct house sound. IMO best for background / low volume listening where they can bring out details you'd otherwise miss.
Not all Dynaudio's fit this description. My advice is to listen at the levels you actually listen to and decide for yourself.
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