NEW Contour LE

joeinid: Thanks for the welcome! Been on AVS for some time, nice to see a new refreshing web site and hopefully you won't be a controlling on content as AVS has become. ;)

Just curious as I know the SCX and the S5.4 which I have owned in the past, if the other special edition Contours will be fitted with the new Esotar2 tweeter.. I am tempted to update my C2's as I might have a guy interested in buying my original C2s along with my matching Center Channel.
 
What's you first name?

As long as we are nice to each other (treat everyone with respect), don't discuss politics and religion, it's all good. We learn by sharing information and talking about it all. Chris has a better handle on Dynaudio. I had C1 Sigs and loved them at medium to high volume. They were amazing. At low volume, they were a little flat.
 
audionirvana said:
Yo CD: Gar here, so are they going to use the Esotar2 tweeter in these? If so they would be a great buy, as Dynaudio need to try to make there great technology more affordable.
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Based upon the details provided by CD in post #12 of this thread, it doesn't appear that they're using the Esotar2 tweeter (I think they would have mentioned it.)
 
Welcome AudioNirvana! I didn't realize it was "you"...because you changed your handle, from that other board.

As is to be expected...the rumors are flying, on this LE release. My info is from a reliable source; but...a) is by no means "definitive", and b) can be subject to "interpretation" (mostly, I'm talking about price quoted. My "source" told me, what I posted. If your "guy", tells you more or less; he might be building in a discount...or premium...for you personally, lol)

But I'm with Bill on this one; I can almost guarantee, the Esotar2...won't be in the 1.4LE, based on that price. I've heard a rumor, the 3.4LE will have it; but I think that's probably speculation...based on the fact, that the 5.4 has it (and the 3.4, is kind of the top of the LE chain).

But I think Dyn would have shouted about it, if true; and the talk, has always only been...about a new coating.
 
Hmm...just heard a second person; claim an Esotar2, will be in the 3.4LE. That changes EVERYTHING; and would be a pretty intriguing, mid-sized floor-stander.

I'm going to go back to my source...and maybe hit another one; to try and confirm, one way or another.
 
joe:

Garnet

CD Hopefully the price will not go up that much as the Esotar2 are about 600 bucks each minus the price of the Esotec, at the price you listed I would rather buy the S5.4 or Confidence C1s.....
 
octadyndude said:
The Contour LE upgrade looks to be the same as the C1 MKII/Sig upgrade. Maybe they waited to release the LE after the C1 Platinum to justify the cost and keep the cost difference proportional. Although with all the rapid upgrades I hope it doesn't hurt the overall value of Dynaudio speakers in general.

I heard an investment group is part minority owner now and that may be why all the upgrades????? Hope that's wrong because Dynaudio is a great value. Too many minor changes, too fast especially cosmetic could really hurt the value IMO
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And I read on another site Dynaudio may be for sale, what the CR@P! This like this makes me nervous, remember Thiel?

On the LE product, like I stated on another forum, this S3.4LE is a product Dyn should have had a long time ago. The S3.4LE is in essence a floor standing C1. I think Dynaudio is going to be shocked at how well it sells.
 
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Thanks Garnet!

audionirvana said:
joe:

Garnet

CD Hopefully the price will not go up that much as the Esotar2 are about 600 bucks each minus the price of the Esotec, at the price you listed I would rather buy the S5.4 or Confidence C1s.....
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wgerman said:
And I read on another site Dynaudio may be for sale, what the CR@P! This like this makes me nervous, remember Thiel?
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I heard that an investment group now owns 49% of Dynaudio BUT Wilfred has 51% so he makes all the final decisions. That was around the time Dyn was hinting at the new Excite or Xeo series. I don't remember where I heard/read that by I personally came to the conclusion that since Wilfred has the final word that's good enough for me up to point. What I mean is they keep making minor cosmetic changes every year or so it will IMO kill the Value that Dyn's are known for.

Where did you read they might be for sale and what date was it put out?

I have never read anything official regarding the investors. But it would make sense with all the rapid product changes. As long as the sound only gets better and the quality remains or gets better it isn't a problem. Unless the price goes up too much.
 
CDLehner said:
Welcome AudioNirvana! I didn't realize it was "you"...because you changed your handle, from that other board.

As is to be expected...the rumors are flying, on this LE release. My info is from a reliable source; but...a) is by no means "definitive", and b) can be subject to "interpretation" (mostly, I'm talking about price quoted. My "source" told me, what I posted. If your "guy", tells you more or less; he might be building in a discount...or premium...for you personally, lol)

But I'm with Bill on this one; I can almost guarantee, the Esotar2...won't be in the 1.4LE, based on that price. I've heard a rumor, the 3.4LE will have it; but I think that's probably speculation...based on the fact, that the 5.4 has it (and the 3.4, is kind of the top of the LE chain).

But I think Dyn would have shouted about it, if true; and the talk, has always only been...about a new coating.
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Well my inside source at Dynaudio just told me there be a very limited supply and that the LE versions will not have a matching center channel, upgraded finishes and most likely the Esotar2 in the 3.4s not sure about the 1.4 yet, but I will ask him. There are tons of other speaker manufactures making great speakers for a lot less money these days, but the fit and finish and sound you definitely pay for when it comes to Dynaudio... Heck even their DM line is made well.
 
Garnet...you're saying you were told, the 3.4 will have an Esotar2? My source, re-iterated...he didn't think so; and I'm waiting to hear, from a second.

I'd be tempted, to try a 3.4LE with an Esotar2; but I think you're right...at ~$7500-8k...lots of other good choices, even within the Dyn line-up. Plus...with limited availability, and likely high demand; there will be no (aggressive) discounts to be had. :(

I still think, they need to make this ;)

 
CDLehner said:
Garnet...you're saying you were told, the 3.4 will have an Esotar2? My source, re-iterated...he didn't think so; and I'm waiting to hear, from a second.

I'd be tempted, to try a 3.4LE with an Esotar2; but I think you're right...at ~$7500-8k...lots of other good choices, even within the Dyn line-up. Plus...with limited availability, and likely high demand; there will be no (aggressive) discounts to be had. :(

I still think, they need to make this ;)




My source is the Marketing manager and he hasn't specifically addressed what has been done to them yet internally. I just sent him a question about the tweeters. He did state they would have a limited allocation, it will be interesting to see if the Esotar makes it into the S3.4s or S1.4s. The S5.4s already has the the Esotar2 along with the SCX Center Channel which I currently have.
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audionirvana said:
My source is the Marketing manager and he hasn't specifically addressed what has been done to them yet internally. I just sent him a question about the tweeters. He did state they would have a limited allocation, it will be interesting to see if the Esotar makes it into the S3.4s or S1.4s. The S5.4s already has the the Esotar2 along with the SCX Center Channel which I currently have.
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Yeah; I have to admit...I'm not a fan of their marketing. At least of late.

It seems most of it, has been shrouded in a bit of mystery. They do the BIG countdowns; and they reveal little pieces of the puzzle. But what was the Platinum "upgrade"; cosmetic or internal? Then...they promise something "revolutionary"; and Xeo upgrade? Puh-lese :rolleyes:

Now...we can't get a straight answer, on the LE. I understand building anticipation...and I understand playing your cards, close to the vest before a launch. But I'm starting to wonder, what they're asking you to pay for? Is it...some new finishes? different wiring? updated caps and resistors on the XO? new tweeter...or just a coat-over?

Even dealers, are contradicting one another. Is it just too early...are we being too impatient; or do they need to be more transparent here?
 
CD: I am with you on that, the Platinum was cosmetic the Original C2-C2 MK II and C1-C1 MKII was a minimal upgrade at best, I have come to the conclusion when you have some thing good don't change it. I am currently listening to my C2s with a upgraded Chiro Amp and the Emotiva DC-1 and I am very pleased on what I am hearing and the equipment I am using is my back up system. I will most likely keep my C2s as a upgrade to this will be expensive with minimal gains, maybe nicer finish but with very little audible gain from what I have heard. I will keep my Maggies and KEFs and most likely buy another Dynaudio Monitor if they every come up one at a reasonable cost, the last one that I loved for the money was the Contour 1.3SE. They make a great products, no doubt, but not much has changed verses the new Focus coming into play and the XEO line. If they slapped the Esotar2 into the S1.4 I would be all over them if the price was right.

Here is a question: What is the XEO, is it a Focus speaker with power and the ability to do wireless or is it a Excite speaker with power etc... Curious on this one....
 
audionirvana said:
CD: I am with you on that, the Platinum was cosmetic the Original C2-C2 MK II and C1-C1 MKII was a minimal upgrade at best, I have come to the conclusion when you have some thing good don't change it. I am currently listening to my C2s with a upgraded Chiro Amp and the Emotiva DC-1 and I am very pleased on what I am hearing and the equipment I am using is my back up system. I will most likely keep my C2s as a upgrade to this will be expensive with minimal gains, maybe nicer finish but with very little audible gain from what I have heard. I will keep my Maggies and KEFs and most likely buy another Dynaudio Monitor if they every come up one at a reasonable cost, the last one that I loved for the money was the Contour 1.3SE. They make a great products, no doubt, but not much has changed verses the new Focus coming into play and the XEO line. If they slapped the Esotar2 into the S1.4 I would be all over them if the price was right.

Here is a question: What is the XEO, is it a Focus speaker with power and the ability to do wireless or is it a Excite speaker with power etc... Curious on this one....
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I would call the upgrade from the original to the MKII/Sig a significant upgrade. Re-designed crossover and upgrade to the internal wiring is significant and the new coating on the tweeter minor IMO. With the originals you really had to crank them to very high levels to get the clarity out of them. It is the only speaker I have heard to date that sounded better and clearer as you turned them up. With the MKII/Sig they sounded OK at low levels but once you got them up to a mid level and beyond they sounded great and didn't get better like the originals. I mean the clarity was only there when you turned the originals up to max. Maybe because I don't listen loud very often I could hear that easier than others.

The Xeo is wireless Excite speaker
 
Couple of thoughts G.

Again...I'm not crazy about Dyn's transparency; or lack thereof. I know back when we had contact, with someone from inside the organization (name withheld, to protect the innocent...lol); we used to ask, like "is the driver in this speaker...any different from that speaker". Because to look at them...often times, they would look one in the same.

The story we always got was "each driver, is crafted to that particular model". OK...I'm certainly not calling them "liars"; but...there's marketing, and there's mar-ket-ing, lol. Now...all the issues, we've covered; it just makes me question where the value lies. That's not to say Dyns are over-priced; just...is the Platinum, really "worth" more. Is the MkII, over the MkI; and...is the LE? If we don't know, what the real changes are...how are we suppose to surmise?

Also...that is a good point, about the Xeo. The "MkI"...looked like Excite X-12s, and X-32s. In fact...speculation was; when they started producing the new Excites...that's what they did with the NOS. I'm not trying to make unfounded accusations; it just goes to my point, they could do a better job of sharing info.

But...they have a pretty loyal/blind following; which is starting to show. IMO, you won't see a S1.4 with an Esotar2; wouldn't be very far removed, from a C1 if it were. OK...better cabinet maybe; but what would you have to price the S1.4 at...that people wouldn't think twice about buying it, instead of the C1. That's a little confusing :weird:

What I'm trying to say is..."stock" 1.4s, are $3500 currently. If you stuck an Esotar2 in it, and raised the price by $1,000; wouldn't you buy it...at $4500...instead of an $8500-9k C1? So...they'd either have to price it, so high; that it's not a no-brainer. Or...not do it at all, which is my contention.

BTW...you mentioned you had 1.3SEs? Always wanted to try a pair...as it seems to be, a "baby" Special 25 to me. :D But...and please, don't spill the beans just yet; I just jumped back into the Dyn club...by picking-up a pair of 1.3 MkIIs.

I know SEs are the ones to own; but I haven't seen them, in quite some time. These popped-up, and the time and price was right. Ever heard them; have any thoughts, as compared to the (highly-regarded) SEs?
 
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CDLehner said:
Couple of thoughts G.

Again...I'm not crazy about Dyn's transparency; or lack thereof. I know back when we had contact, with someone from inside the organization (name withheld, to protect the innocent...lol); we used to ask, like "is the driver in this speaker...any different from that speaker". Because to look at them...often times, they would look one in the same.

The story we always got was "each driver, is crafted to that particular model". OK...I'm certainly not calling them "liars"; but...there's marketing, and there's mar-ket-ing, lol. Now...all the issues, we've covered; it just makes me question where the value lies. That's not to say Dyns are over-priced; just...is the Platinum, really "worth" more. Is the MkII, over the MkI; and...is the LE? If we don't know, what the real changes are...how are we suppose to surmise?

Also...that is a good point, about the Xeo. The "MkI"...looked like Excite X-12s, and X-32s. In fact...speculation was; when they started producing the new Excites...that's what they did with the NOS. I'm not trying to make unfounded accusations; it just goes to my point, they could do a better job of sharing info.

But...they have a pretty loyal/blind following; which is starting to show. IMO, you won't see a S1.4 with an Esotar2; wouldn't be very far removed, from a C1 if it were. OK...better cabinet maybe; but what would you have to price the S1.4 at...that people wouldn't think twice about buying it, instead of the C1. That's a little confusing :weird:

What I'm trying to say is..."stock" 1.4s, are $3500 currently. If you stuck an Esotar2 in it, and raised the price by $1,000; wouldn't you buy it...at $4500...instead of an $8500-9k C1? So...they'd either have to price it, so high; that it's not a no-brainer. Or...not do it at all, which is my contention.

BTW...you mentioned you had 1.3SEs? Always wanted to try a pair...as it seems to be, a "baby" Special 25 to me. :D But...and please, don't spill the beans just yet; I just jumped back into the Dyn club...by picking-up a pair of 1.3 MkIIs.

I know SEs are the ones to own; but I haven't seen them, in quite some time. These popped-up, and the time and price was right. Ever heard them; have any thoughts, as compared to the (highly-regarded) SEs?
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Nice to see you have a pair again.... I would like to try another monitor by Dynaudio and I am sure I will pick up a pair soon, it could be the DM series as they are less expensive cabinets but they get rave reviews from everyone but are looked over by almost everyone because every dealer wants you to go up the food chain when it comes to speakers which is ironic! ;) What did you do with your KEFs? I saw you sold the LS50s on AudioMart but I thought you still had a pair?


G
 
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