Dynaudio focus 360

viridian

5,224 posts

05-10-2025 at 11:47am 

Try moving the speakers closer to the front wall for a start.

I had them closer but moved them out to approx .22 inches to get clearer bass.

The issue with the vocals and everything dropping down in volume was present when they were closer also,but now the bass does sound more defined.

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for your suggestion's

I have tried all the usual things,and the problem is mostly with the vocals.

I have been listening tonight with the volume up about 8/10ths,and they sound pretty good.

They sound great with funk and R&B,it's mostly rock.

It seems they just run out of power when everybody is jamming out,and then they fallback to bring it down for a softer passage,that's when it sounds like I turned the volume down to 2.

I have a new more powerful amp coming,so we will see.

 

devinplombier

Thanks,that ’s really helpful.

 I have purchased a different amp(Conrad Johnson Premier 350),which I should get by the end of the month.

I was just asking if I could expect improvements in the area’s I described.

Sorry if my post annoyed you.

unclewilbur

Everybody has a bad day now and again.

I have had a great time hearing all the different approaches to obtaining sonic bliss.

I have enjoyed my  Adcom amps and Polk Audio Moniter 10's for 30 years.

I bet I will enjoy these Dynaudio's and Mac,Conrad Johnson amps for whatever time I have left..

Some times it easier on the pocket book to not know what your missing.

Thanks

devinplombier

I’am sorry if I angered you.

I'am new here ,I didn’t realize it was bad etiquette to make more than one post on the same subject.

I have got a lot of good advice here so I will try to watch that in the future.

Thanks

jeffbij

The amp  i'am going to get has been recently gone over,and the mac mx110 had a service with about half the tubes being replaced.

Everything was sounding much better,I just replaced the Polk m10's

with the Dynaudio.

Let me be clear,these speakers sound great on most things,it's just the classic rock that I'am very familiar with.

Some times the guitar sounds more in the background than I'am use to.

I have spoke to someone who had these,and said that should go away with the more powerful amp.

Viridian suggested moving the speakers closer to the wall,which I have and he was correct.The vocals are no longer getting to weak when music get's softer.

Thanks 

 

unclewilbur

I really like these speakers and will figure out a way to make them work.

I moved them closer to the wall and put foam inserts in the rear ports.

That made the bass tighter and the vocals sound more balanced.

Thanks

kennyc

1,836 posts

05-12-2025 at 05:21pm 

...right combination of power and current.

Agree you're on the right track- ample availability of current needed for high energy bass

Yes,when I explained to the gentlemen at dynaudio that the vocals and midrange  instruments seemed to drop at certain times,he said that it might be because there isn't enough available current for second or two.

Thanks

mrdecibel

3,108 posts

05-11-2025 at 02:17pm 

@twangy57 I was not trying to be negative, but I am familiar with the 360s as I have heard them a few times. A great speaker, for the right listener. @jeffbij The Mcintosh MX 110 has a mm phono stage. My best, MrD.

I agree.

I love the clarity on acoustic instrument's.

I have pulled out my old Tony Rice Unit CD's

Great bluegrass/jazz.

Thanks

mrdecibel

I think I need to clarify what I mean when I say loud guitar.

I just mean balanced within the particular song.

I don't listen to rock music that loud by most of the people I know standards.

I do not expect these speakers to sound like a real Marshall stack,or 1/10 as loud.

I just want the mix of the guitar in the song to be out front when it should be ,and clear and laid back when it should be.

Since I have moved the speakers back to about 18 inches from the wall and put foam inserts in the the baffle openings,we are almost there.

I listened to Who's Next last night and it was fantastic!

Baba O'Riley was amazing,and Won't Get Fooled Again had all the crunch I could ask for.

I might have to re-adjust things once I get more power,but I'am thinking it will work out.

Thanks

gano

374 posts

05-11-2025 at 04:58pm 

There are many posters who ask for advice and don't follow any, that they are given. It's just part of the game. It's also typical to refuse to research and listen properly.

Those are mostly "fly-by" members. 

 

Interesting,

I have never thought of listening properly,could you give a couple examples of how to listen properly.

Are there recordings you would listen to to test your system?

Thanks

 

Ok,

I thought you meant listening to certain recordings and how your system performed in different area’s.

To address where did I get 350 watts,I got that by reading many posts on here.

I went back and read every post on the dynaudio focus 360’s I could find.

Many said these speakers need high currant,and while I agree that sounds like over kill,I also talked to someone at dynaudio and they said they have heard back from customers that these speakers like 200-300 watts per channel.

I have heard several conrad johnson tube amps and really liked them.

I know solid state is different but everyone that reviewed these have said there are excellent.

One other thing was the output impedance of my Mac mx110 is 10k,and macintosh recommends a input impedance of at least 100k on any amp you use with it.

There aren’t many solid state amps with that high of a input impedance.

Particularly in the under 5000 range.

I would be glad to hear what amps you think might work well with these speakers.

I was going to go with the Pass labs X250.5. But the input impedance is only 20/30 kohms.

I was told by a couple of audio shops this would not be a good match.

I’am starting to like these speakers even with the Adcom amp now that I have moved them closer to the wall and plugged the back ports with the foam inserts,but of course I know they would probably sound much better with a better amp.

Thanks

 

 

 

mrdecibel

3,109 posts

05-11-2025 at 06:14pm 

@twangy57 thank you for your response. I obviously read your meaning incorrectly. I hope everything works out for you. Music listening is awesome for many of us, so I always wish the best. As far as stuffing foam in the ports on the 360s, I never heard them that way, but my feeling and experience is that they were designed as a ported box and therefore would sound best this way, at least the way Dynaudio intended with the design. Just have to dial them in within the room, which can take a while. My best, MrD.

I know,I really don't like the idea of restricting the output,but they do supply these with the speakers.

I think they suggest using them when you don't have enough room to move them out far enough,and your getting muddy bass.

I will reevaluate this when I get my new amp.

Thanks for your help.

newbee

I can appreciate where you are coming from.

I grew up playing guitar since I was 12 years old,and I’am 67 now.

I don’t think I conveyed my expectations very well.

I was having problems with these speakers recreating the volume of the guitar in the mix of some rock recordings that I have listened to for 50 years.They just sounded neutered and to smooth.

I also understand what you mean by creating a more versatile system that can play most types of music well.

If I’am understanding what you are saying,don’t build a system striving to make some poorly engineered recording sound good,at the expense of all the excellent recordings out there.

If I have that right ,I agree with that.

Since the speaker location adjustments things are sounding better,and I have been enjoying listening for past the few hours.

The guitars are sounding like guitars.I listened to Who’s Next and it was really good.

Vocals are sounding better also,not dropping way down when the singer uses a softer delivery

I’am must admit,I was surprised  just how much difference it made by moving the speakers about 4 inches in closer to the front wall.

As the far as which amp to match with the mx110,I almost wish I would have just bought the speakers first,but I had already bought the preamp before getting on here.So I will keep looking,but at least this set up is sounding better to me now.

Thanks

mrdecibe

Great points.

I know classic rock was mostly recorded quickly and as cheaply as possible in many case’s,but it’s what moves me and It’s ingrained in most of the memories of my life.

So,I will find a way to enjoy it if it takes just listing to it in my car through some old Jensen coaxil’s.

I have began to really like these speakers and the problem’s I was experiencing have all but disappeared,since,since trying different placements.

You couldn’t be more right on your assumption that I would start to seek out better recordings.

I put Debussy on my tidal stream and just let it play for a hour or so.It sounded very good on these speakers to my novice classical ears

My dad used to play me Debussy and Stravinsky when I was little and I still remember parts of The Firebird,cool..

To address your question on the Polk monitor 10’s,no they did not have the problem I was having with the midrange

I was just wanting something more revealing and that’s what I got.

I’am feeling pretty good about these now.

Thanks 

 

 

unclewilbur

Yes,that what I get from what I have read.150 into 4 ohm.s

I think it only puts out 20 amps also,vs the Conrad Johnson’s 60.

What effect would not enough currant have on a speaker that likes a lot of current?

thanks

gano

Thank you,I will see if I can find the British Audiophile and see what he has to say.

 

immatthewj

2,910 posts

05-11-2025 at 10:14pm 

OP, if I looked at the specs correctly of the amp you are using, they list 100 wpc into 8 ohms?  And those speakers are listed as 4 ohm nominal impedance?  Does your current amp have any specs listed for what it does into 4 ohms?

 Yes,I puts out 150 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

I have been told the real problem is it puts out 20 amps and that these speakers like more than that.

They are growing on me as I listen more,so I think they will work if I can get the right combination of power and current.

Thanks

 

gano

thanks for the link.

I have watched him before.

I think he did a review on the dynaudio special forties.

Yes,but he has a expensive speaker habit .lol

ronboco

902 posts

05-12-2025 at 07:45pm 

@twangy57 

How about some good class d Monoblocks? 

I believe I looked into them and I couldn’t find any with input impedance of 100koms or greater,which is what macintosh recommends for my mx100 tube pre/tuner.

I must also admit I’am a little leery of them because I remember reading quit a few articles stating they thought they sounded sterile.

I know that they have come a long way over the years ,but I’am old school.

I guess I’am waiting for all the tube folks to start selling everything and buying them

Is there a brand or model in particular they you were thinking of?

Thanks

 

 

mrdecibel

I can see your point,.

I always wondered why on even expensive guitar amp's they never seem to put anything better than a run of the mill IEC power cord.

 

gano

I almost forgot to ask you about damping factor.

Could you give me a example of what mine is or what it should be?

My speakers are 4 ohm and the output impedance of the Adcom is rated down to 4 ohms,as far as the resistance of my cables I don't know.Just figure towards the high end of the spectrum.

Thanks

goodlistening64

I’am glad you made that point about the impedance.

Yes ,I believe you when you say the  impedance mis-match is probably not really the main problem.

I do know that when I replaced my Adcom pre with the Mac,I loved what it did to the vocals on most of the music I listen to.

And that is with the mis-match of the Mac pre and my Adcom amp.

I have found that by moving the speakers closer to the front wall and turning the bass down on the preamp that 90% of the problem I was having with the vocals has gone away.

I guess I'am saying I know you are right about not counting on a better impedance match to solve all issue’s,and I’am not.

I have been reaching out to owners of these speakers and they say the extra currant should fix that last 10% of the issue with any weakness in the midrange

I really like the way it sounds now,and see no reason to change the preamp at this time.

If I find I don’t like the sound of it later I already have someone that wants to buy this preamp/tuner.

I also will take your advice on exploring a cable upgrade.

I was wanting to wait until I got the new amp,but I guess I should at least start looking now.

Thanks again for clarifying the impedance issue.

mrdecibel

I know you are probably correct in saying a this amp will show how noisy a old Mac can be.

I called Conrad Johnson just to make sure I could get this serviced down the road,and I was pleasantly surprised.

Someone picked up the phone on the 3rd ring.

I asked to speak to customer service and he said I.am the head of the service dept. can I help.

I asked about setting parts or service for the amp and was told they have a ample stock of any part for the amp.

I also asked him about the matching my old Mac to this amp,He said it will work fine and the high input impedance was chosen to reduce the noise when using with tube pre-amps.

He said try the Mac,but he said I would be amazed if I paired it with a Premire 17 or 18 CJ pre-amp as it was designed to complement this very amp.

When I described the earlier problem I was having ,he said it was probably both the amp and the cables.

I was told the Adcom does not have the currant to really power a somewhat inefficient speaker at 4ohms,and cheap cables will just make it worse.

He also said this amp is the one they get the most requests to do a reissue of.

Anyway,it was nice to be treated with respect,and without being told to get the latest model.

Thanks

 

 

 

 

jeffbij

I have received so much great information,and I have taken notes trying to put in a logical format to have a practical check list.

Well I know its a little late for that.

I have looked at lot of the suggestions for amps given,and most of the newer amps do not either have the correct impedance or currant to work with the speakers and pre-amp I now have.

Some have said get rid of the Mac and then you will have so many more options.

I really like the sound of this pre-amp,and since making adjustments as far as speaker location and just listening to lot of different music and realizing I can turn the bass way down with these speakers and I will get much more vocal clarity,I have come to the conclusion that I could be happy with everything just the way it is.

I will probably try the CJ amp to see if it will sound as good as I think,and if it doesn't I will sell it and try something else.

I going to sell a lot of my guitar gear so maybe I can get one of those sweet modern amps next.

I really appreciate all the help 

 

jeffbij

Thanks Jeff,

I have been  listening for a least a couple hours a day since getting these speakers and the tidal streaming.

I have to agree I should at least get a standalone phono preamp,

A lot of Rega users don't really like there MM cartridges from what I have read. I have the Exact,which isn't the best or the worse from the things I have read.

I will have to decide if changing to MC would be better considering my system and budget.

I have been enjoying this learning experience.

I think the one thing I never realized,is how much the recording quality of the music maters.

I was listening to steely Dan Aja yesterday,a recording that I thought I heard enough of to last the rest of my life and can't believe how great it sounds through these speakers.

So I'am already enjoying listening more then I have in a long time.

Thanks again.

gano

I didn't know anything until about damping factors or amp output current,until I was schooled on it here.

From what I have been told it was the focus floor standing speakers that like a lot of current.

I think Musical Fidelity slipped thru the cracks.

I know I wrote it down to check,and a lot of folks like them.

Thanks for reminding me.

 

 

goodlistening64

Yes,I have the p6 with the exact 2.

I will look into a phono pre-amp once I decide if I ’am going to keep the Mac pre-amp or not.

I have been listening to 75% streaming as I don’t have much vinyl that is in good condition.

Thanks

knownothing

I have no doubt that a good set of speaker cables would do wonders for the Dynaudio Focus 360's.

I need to get the amp first and listen a bit to hear how that sounds before the next improvement.

I have really been enjoying what I have now,but occasionally I still run into a recording where when the singer seems more laid back in the mix than I remember.

I will be getting the new amp sometime this week,so I will have to see what that does.

I'am also curious to see what the noise levels will be with this old Mac going into a amp with that much power.

I will let you know.

I have been looking at CJ Premier 17 pre-amp as well as a Musical Fidelity pre-amp In case I don't like this match.

Thanks 

zarf

Glad to hear you like your dynaudio's with the CJ pre and MF amp

I should get my cj350 by the end of the week and will let you know my impressions after I get some listening time with it.

I'am curious about the cj 17LS2 ,do you miss tone controls?

I use mine a lot on my Mac mx110,and love the separate treble and bass controls for each channel.

Thanks

zarf

Yes,I have seen that,having a left and right volume would take the place of a balance I'am assuming.

I think I would miss the tone controls as a lot of older stuff I listen to has to be eq'd just to make it tolerable.

Thanks for the response. 

knownothing

Yes and no.

First off,the amplifier made a huge difference in the clarity and bass response.

I was still getting a less than stellar mid range performance on Rock music.

I ended up going direct from my Auralic streamer to the CJ amp.

I was amazed at the way the mid range opened up and  revealed a lot more musical information.

The crunchy rhythm guitars were now heard clearly.

Gentle female vocals were made even more life like.

Sounds great doesn’t it.

Well along with the newfound clarity came a annoying abundance of harsh treble on some recordings,with no way to turn it down.

There are some tone settings on the auralic but they were not up to the task.

I know I will hear about this on here,but I put a 31 band dbx EQ between the streamer and the power amp to tame the treble and the over powering bass..

It worked very well.

Now I have to learn how to leave it alone,and not get up 5 times per song to fine tune it.

Then I realized they I could no longer play my vinyl with out the pre-amp.

So I put it back in and was greeted with some muddy midrange.

I was able to dial most of it out but still think things could be improved with a better pre-amp and or phono stage.

I had switched out the last 2 JJ’s in the macintosh pre-amp with telefunken’s hoping that would clearer things up.

No such luck.

It is a really good pre-amp for instrumental music and jazz and blues IMHO.

I will be on the look out for another pre-amp in the future.

The Dynaudio’s sound very good,they are the best sounding speakers I have had any experience with.

I don.’t think they excel at classic rock though.

When there is to much information in the mid range they kind of just get blurry.

I put my old Polk monitor 10’s back in to see what was what.

They sounded just like I remembered,pretty good but not near the detail or the vast sound stage the the Dynaudio’s can have on occasion.

But you know what,when I crank the Who,Pete’s guitar comes through loud and clear.

I can hear all the strings,and all the noise that comes with that.

I love the Dynaudio’s and have began to listen to so many new artists’s and styles since I got them,they are going nowhere for the conceivable future.They are fantastic for prog,and folk as well as any pop from the 70's on up.They have me listening to more Jazz then ever before.Miles Davis Bitches Brew was just fantastic through them.

I think I will just get some JBL’s or Klipsch’s for a dedicated classic rock speaker when I need to go all in..

Thanks