thinking of buying used Dynaudio contour 5.4to replace totem Forest with 2 Rel 9x ‘s.

I’ve owned the TOTEM FORESTs in a prior system so I know it’s signature sound , warts and strengths very well 

A friend has the DYNAUDIO CONTOUR 20i stand-mounts paired to a quality HEGEL streamer/ amp and CHORD dac,  so I am very familiar with their fine signature sound, strengths, and compromises  too.

MY TAKE: 

(A) These are two very different speakers in terms of their bespoke signature sounds . Have you compared the two personally ? I would not buy the DYNAUDIOs blind …. They may not stir your drink if you want a more forward signature like TOTEMs.

I noted  your expressed (need?):desire for added bass boost with a pair of subwoofers being important added emphasis performance drivers for you. If it’s more slam and dynamics you are looking for, I would evaluate your source and/or amp retention or upgrade as part of the new decision matrix. 

IMO,

- TOTEMS are arguably more rock-centric or huge classical orchestral music genre passage choice options if opened up to play louder,  ….…

- DYNAUDIO have  a “smoother” silky top-end and midrange that I would choose as a better all-rounder for all music genres…especially played at moderate levels.

(B) Both do share a common decision tree issue: Your genre of favourite music may dictate which way you lean first….but they share a common need : both need a lot of amp “grunt” (…..current = amps ….not WPC to drive them properly . WPC by themselves are meaningless. ) 

(C) The audio performance capabilities in your upstream components do matter a lot IMO  in your decision matrix, The DYNAUDIOs can and frequently do expose more upstream warts and compromises in your source and amp . As you go farther up the DYNAUDIO chain , they are more revealing and more sensitive / critical of upstream strengths and compromises .

I am unfamiliar with your exact model, but I’ve done a deep dive into the COUNTOUR stand-mounts ,  and especially in the top CONFIDENCE standmount models. Yes, the latter do have a premium price tag attached .

TAKEAWAY:

If you have the requisite high-end source and amp, and you satisfy yourself with  their system synergy with DYNAUDIOs ( issue omitted here cuz not listed ) then it’s the DYNAUDIO as my choice for all audio music genres. 

Yes ,,,. TOTEMs can  really boogie to rock and big orchestral passages, especially if played loud …. But they are my second choice at moderate loudness levels. 

Note : If it’s these other genres (jazz, classical , blah blah)  music you favour, then it’s the DYNAUDIO but I would play them without any need for the subwoofers. 

Regardless .,,,audition DYNAUDIO sfirst…. They are very different in presentation and their bespoke  signature  compared to TOTEMs.,

Thank you so much for a detailed response.  
Im using either a Hegel 390 or a Naim supernait3 

I like the totem sound   I also have the hawks

detail warm good imaging great soundstage  

@harkey 

My summary postscript…..

Sure…some  drive Fords, some drive Chevys, some drive Bimmers, and some drive Jags; because it depends on …..(insert bespoke reasons…).

Since you already own the two closest floorstander models of TOTEMs paired with subs, and you do like that resulting “bassy” bespoke forward sonic signature (…nobody else’s opinions matter..) , then I’ll venture you decided to stay put with a “if it ain’t broke, dont fix it “ mentality..

If you experience listening fatigue and now seek to scratch your evolving audiophile itch of a “new” presentation then here is my précis comparison of DYNAUDIO CONTOURs to your TOTEM FORESTs or HAWKs.

Simply put in brief:  

- they are a very different “ laid-back”  choice from your familiar “ forward”  TOTEMs and thus present a high risk of confusion or disappointment if purchased blindly, IMO.

In detail:

- Assuming your model chosen has their newest ESOTAR 3  tweeter   (…it’s an important upgrade,,,) , it’s their silky top-end and midrange that defines them to the new fan or uninformed.

- “ …. Immediate impressions are a clear and transparent portrayal with very high detail retrieval, fast and controlled transient response, and superb musical timing, both in articulating rhythms and tempi, and in placing instruments within the temporal flow and context of the performance….” 

- And IMO, they do not need pairing up to your current subs ( all subs below a $5K- ish pricepoint actually)  and will perform better without them  ( … other than for Bach church deep bass pedal organ recitals fans …);

- They do impress because 80+% of most music genres resides in the midrange band, (excluding most rock with their usual bass bloat )   Get the midrange right and everything else will fall into place. Get it wrong, and all the king’s horses…

happy listening …..and carry on sir!

PS I am not a DYNAUDIO owner, I’m a card-carrying HARBETH owner because of their class-leading legendary midrange paired up seamlessly with a sealed ATC bottom firing subwoofer to bridge their bespoke bottom-end roll-off defined by physics.

Nevertheless , I do consider the DYNAUDIO CONFIDENCE as true contenders and no pretenders should I get my next insatiable “itch”…

I am familiar with the Totem and DynAudio sound. I like both. The DynAudio are more high end sounding… precise, faster and accurate… not in a bad way. They can be more warm and natural when coupled with good natural tube (or warm ss) equipment or fast and precise imagers. The DynAudio are less forgiving but more sophisticated sounding.