Thanks RV for your thoughtful comments. After spending another hour or so with my friend's Dynaudios, I have ruled them out. Their high end and midrange are breathtaking, the low bass thumps the house's foundation, but low midrange-mid bass somehow gives tones a sense of being viewed on edge rather than a full meaty roundness--does that make sense? All edge and no body. I've spent hours listening to various Dynaudios and always come away with the same sense of being impressed, but missing something. One consideration--I think the Dynaudios I listened to were mostly powered by NAD amplifiers, which have always struck me as a little thin. Maybe I really want a "colored" sound, but if that is true so be it (my preamp is a British Fidelity 3B and I luvit). So far I still like the B&W DM603s best, despite their pretty noticeable coloration and boxiness on some vocals. At the store I compared the 603's to CDM7NT's--nearly twice the price--and overall still liked the 603's better overall. Satisfying in their own way. Still looking though.
Dynaudio Gemini vs. Audience 60 or 70?
Has anybody listened to a pair of Geminis compared to Dynaudio Audience 60 or Audience 70? I'm considering the Madisound Gemini kit, priced about the same as an Audience 60. The 60 does not have quite enuf bottom for my taste, but I think the 70 would (haven't heard a 70 but a friend owns the Contour 1.8's which have the same configuration although of course they are a higher line). The Gemini has a bigger published cabinet volume than the 60 (the 60 must have an internal baffle or something) and more driver area, so I'm thinking it might have better bass. Am awfully reluctant to get the Geminis without hearing them, despite the glowing reviews posted by their owners. Have also been attracted to B&W 603s2 (yes I know totally different, yet I like their depth and warmth, go figure). Any opinions welcome.