NEW Contour LE

Here's my take, IF the LE version of the s1.4 is truly a notch more transparent it may well be THE dynaudio to buy. I owned the s1.4 and loved it, but it was darker and a bit less transparent than the C1 or even the new focus 160 which sells for less. But the s1.4 has superior bass performance than either the c1 or the 160 IMO. So if you increased transparency a smidge I think you're potentially looking at the star of the dyn lineup.
 
audionirvana said:
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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Don't know why but I love your username....

:)

BIENVENIDO !!!

WELCOME !!!

N.
 
audionirvana said:
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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G...get a pair of the "old" Excites; 12s or 16s. Yes, I sold the LS-50s; and good thing. Right now...I have 4 pairs of "real" speakers; and 2 "lesser" pair :amazing:

Of course, if you added them all up; they still don't cost, what Joe's 40.1s did...much less, his Strads :P
 
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jaxwired said:
Here's my take, IF the LE version of the s1.4 is truly a notch more transparent it may well be THE dynaudio to buy. I owned the s1.4 and loved it, but it was darker and a bit less transparent than the C1 or even the new focus 160 which sells for less. But the s1.4 has superior bass performance than either the c1 or the 160 IMO. So if you increased transparency a smidge I think you're potentially looking at the star of the dyn lineup.
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That's kinda what I said too JW. If you stuck an Esotar2, in the S1.4; and especially, gave it a fancy new cabinet. Why would you buy a C1?

Maybe that's why Dyn is going this way? I've been saying for 5 years...Contours were going to get squeezed out of the line-up. They haven't, of course; and I can only think of one of two reasons. One...they actually sell the best; even though though don't get all the love. Two...they don't; but Dyn knows, to upgrade them...pushes them too close to the Confidence line.

Why stop selling them, if you still have them; but then at the same time...you've got customers, bitching for a re-fresh ("answering customer demand...Dynaudio presented two updated models of the world renowned Contour series). So you do a one-off...and kill two birds with one stone?
 
CD: I had a pair of the Excite X12, the Dali Ikon MKII I like better for about $400 bucks less.... If I am interested in the Contour S1.4LE but I could aways pop out the tweeters and put in a pair of Esotars2 much like RaceTripper did with his S3.4s. :) If I go for another pair of Monitors it's going to be all in for a really good pair, or a decent but less expensive pair, like the D/M line, which is like an Excite but not as nice of a box. I have 3 floor standers right now 2 bookshelves and 1 cheapo bookshelf that sound decent for testing purposes. KEF REF would' t be bad either except the price! ;) Just curious on the exodus from the KEF, I was skeptical on all the hype but once I heard them on a really good Amp it was a done deal for me. My backup system sounds good with them along with my KW-500 Int. Amp.

highEndGuy: I have used this before on other user groups.
 
audionirvana said:
CD: I had a pair of the Excite X12, the Dali Ikon MKII I like better for about $400 bucks less.... If I am interested in the Contour S1.4LE but I could aways pop out the tweeters and put in a pair of Esotars2 much like RaceTripper did with his S3.4s. :) If I go for another pair of Monitors it's going to be all in for a really good pair, or a decent but less expensive pair, like the D/M line, which is like an Excite but not as nice of a box. I have 3 floor standers right now 2 bookshelves and 1 cheapo bookshelf that sound decent for testing purposes. KEF REF would' t be bad either except the price! ;) Just curious on the exodus from the KEF, I was skeptical on all the hype but once I heard them on a really good Amp it was a done deal for me. My backup system sounds good with them along with my KW-500 Int. Amp.

highEndGuy: I have used this before on other user groups.
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I was just been naughty because thats my Business name in Dominican Republic
:D
 
audionirvana said:
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
Click to expand...
I have the DM2/6s. I mostly use them as surrounds in my setup, but I do move them to the front once in a while. When I first got them they surprised me with their performance because they have a sound very close to that of the X12s. I found my old Excites a little better with inner detail and delicacy but for use as surrounds, I didn't need delicacy, I wanted something that was a bit more aggressive and easy to power. Sometimes I wonder if they're too good for surrounds.
 
Well hopefully all is revealed soon :D I was pretty stoked to see the announcement though. I'm more excited to see what they do next with the evidence line. It'd be killer if they brought out a bookshelf specifically made for the lineup.
 
the interesting thing about the "evidence" bookshelf is that one exists already, it was the Special 25. evidence woofer, esotar2 tweeter... priced less then the C1... how would you now justify a $18k monitor speaker?

I think the S25 might be the only way I would go back to a monitor to replace the 260s I have now. However I do believe that Id have to upgrade electronics to do so also...
 
callas2218 said:
the interesting thing about the "evidence" bookshelf is that one exists already, it was the Special 25. evidence woofer, esotar2 tweeter... priced less then the C1... how would you now justify a $18k monitor speaker?
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Steve the C1 MKII is closer to an Evidence monitor. It uses the woofer from the Evidence Temptation where the S25 was from the Evidence Master. But the advantage of the Evidence over the original Confidence was it would sound better at lower volumes. The S25 - Sapphire and Consequence UE are Dyn's specialty speakers for those who think the the others in the line up are too 'laid back or dark' sounding. They are more dynamic/punchy or in your face kind of sound compared to all the others (but still retain the Dyn house sound). When I heard the C4MKII and Evidence Platinum they are more similar in sound than different unlike comparing the original C4.

A little story. Tyler was coming to my place for a cable demo. Got a call from him rescheduling because at the last min he was invited to dinner with the Dyn reps and Wilfred. Tyler asked if I had any questions or comments for Wilfred. I had 2. First would Dyn come out with a Sub with high levels inputs? Second would they come out with a Evidence monitor? When I saw Tyler the next day I asked what Wilfred had to say regarding my ??'s. Tyler said I asked him about the sub and he closed his eyes and shook his head back and forth and said nothing. Then I asked about the Evidence monitor. Wilfred opened his eyes smiled while nodding and said very soon. In a few months the Confidence MKII/Signatures were released.

In my personal opinion the S25 - Sapphire and Consequence UE is an audiophile's ultimate party speaker. What I mean is when you have a party and no one is listening seriously - talking and dancing around it's a fantastic punchy sound. I personally get listeners fatigue after listening for more than an hour or 2.
 
callas2218 said:
the interesting thing about the "evidence" bookshelf is that one exists already, it was the Special 25. evidence woofer, esotar2 tweeter... priced less then the C1... how would you now justify a $18k monitor speaker?

I think the S25 might be the only way I would go back to a monitor to replace the 260s I have now. However I do believe that Id have to upgrade electronics to do so also...
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A big Shark welcome, to some of our "new" members. I see some familiar faces out there ;)

The S25 v. C1 comparison...continues to have legs! As it pertains to the current discussion...let's look at it this way. In theory...you'd have to argue, the drivers in the S25 are, if anything, "better". Same tweeter, and "Evidence-level" midbass...vs. "Confidence-level" midbass.

Not to minimize their importance...but when I say "a crossover is a crossover"; all I mean is it's not like Dyn would put a sh*tty one in the S25. So, for the purposes of this argument; let's call them a wash. If memory serves...the S25 was $5250 retail; the C1 MkII $8500?

Let's just call it, 3 grand; for the cabinet? The S25, is certainly well-made enough; but it's a box...lol. The C1, will have higher WAF (for what that's worth; guess I've just been lucky...I've never had to deal with it). And they are very different sounding, IMO. I'd call them a "tie", in performance; just different signatures. If I had to choose...I might say the C1 is a "9", to the S25s "8.5"; because I think "refinement" is the hardest thing to pull off in a speaker...without it being a total hot-house flower. And the C1 accomplishes that. The C1s bass, might not be that of the S25s (what stand-mount is? ;)); but it's not bass-shy. So...with the C1, you get "refinement" and good bass; whereas with the S25...you get GREAT bass, and IMO...NO refinement, whatsoever...lol.

But...if you're a 'phile, that leans mostly toward Rock; I think the S25 is clearly the choice. My problem is...genre-wise; I needed much more, of an all-arounder. But maybe our friend, "the dog"...is right; maybe the S25 is such a "bargain"...it's a smart purchase, even if you have to build a room around it.

Moving on, to Focus 160s...vs. a new Contour S1.4LE; I guess it remains to be seen. I agree; though I haven't had the please, of hearing the new Focus yet...reports of great bass, and a slightly tipped-up house sound...would seemingly give it the edge, over the slightly dark stock S1.4. But...if Dyn tips that up as well; then the edge might go to the LE.

For the record...I did finally, get my second response about the Esotar2 in an LE. Again...I'm told, this (reliable) source; has heard nothing to that effect...and finds it, from a configuration standpoint, highly unlikely. So for now...I'm choosing to believe, no Esotar2; just a new coating, on an existing tweeter (as the lit says!)...until I see evidence, to the contrary.
 
CDLehner said:
A big Shark welcome, to some of our "new" members. I see some familiar faces out there ;)

The S25 v. C1 comparison...continues to have legs! As it pertains to the current discussion...let's look at it this way. In theory...you'd have to argue, the drivers in the S25 are, if anything, "better". Same tweeter, and "Evidence-level" midbass...vs. "Confidence-level" midbass.

Not to minimize their importance...but when I say "a crossover is a crossover"; all I mean is it's not like Dyn would put a sh*tty one in the S25. So, for the purposes of this argument; let's call them a wash. If memory serves...the S25 was $5250 retail; the C1 MkII $8500?
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The retail of the C1 MKII was $7500 and the Signature was $8500 - difference being cabinet finish and double the warranty. I believe when re-released the S25 the retail was $5750 but then only came in the Bordeaux finish.

Chris I highly disagree regarding the crossover. I had heard that the parts used in the MKII/Sig came from the Evidence/Consequence UE when availability got to be more plentiful which in turn brought the price down too. I'm guessing but based on what I heard and looking at the fact the bass driver and cabinet did not change it is what gave the MKII the edge in clarity at lower (not lowest) listening levels. The upgraded (one notch) wiring added just a hair over what the crossover gave IMO. I don't think the coating on the Esotar2 made any difference in the midrange clarity but gave the highs a 1/2 hair smoother response. Again my opinion;)

Since the Contour LE's have an upgraded crossover I think that would really help them out
 
amatuerholic said:

I never realized they shared drivers; you would think Dynaudio would have advertised that fact.
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i think everyone new that the S25 had an evidence woofer. That was no secret.
Like the first edition, the Special Twenty-Five is equipped with the finest Dynaudio driver technology: The legendary Esotar² tweeter with neodymium magnet and vented rear chamber, mated to a 20 cm (8 inch) woofer. This driver[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]is a technical descendant to the driver in Dynaudio's unparalleled flagship Evidence Master model. Equally advanced is the 1st order crossover, using select components on a glass fibre enforced PCB. High-quality ceramic resistors are mechanically and thermally stabilised by the cabinet's aluminium back plate. With all this technology, the Special Twenty-Five performance delivers the substantial sonic impact of a floor standing loudspeaker with the homogenous balance and precise imaging characteristic of a fine two-way compact speaker. With an excellent sensitivity of 88 dB and a linearized impedance, the Special Twenty-Five offers an ideal match for a very wide range of high-quality amplifiers.
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amatuerholic said:
I never realized they shared drivers; you would think Dynaudio would have advertised that fact.
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Well they are not exactly the same but derived from the Evidence (part numbers are different). It may be like Mission did when they bought out Cyrus back in the 70's. When they made mission speakers they just grabbed drivers and made a speaker. With Cyrus they matched all the drivers to each speaker than matched the pair of speakers.
 
octadyndude said:
Steve the C1 MKII is closer to an Evidence monitor. It uses the woofer from the Evidence Temptation where the S25 was from the Evidence Master. But the advantage of the Evidence over the original Confidence was it would sound better at lower volumes. The S25 - Sapphire and Consequence UE are Dyn's specialty speakers for those who think the the others in the line up are too 'laid back or dark' sounding. They are more dynamic/punchy or in your face kind of sound compared to all the others (but still retain the Dyn house sound). When I heard the C4MKII and Evidence Platinum they are more similar in sound than different unlike comparing the original C4.

A little story. Tyler was coming to my place for a cable demo. Got a call from him rescheduling because at the last min he was invited to dinner with the Dyn reps and Wilfred. Tyler asked if I had any questions or comments for Wilfred. I had 2. First would Dyn come out with a Sub with high levels inputs? Second would they come out with a Evidence monitor? When I saw Tyler the next day I asked what Wilfred had to say regarding my ??'s. Tyler said I asked him about the sub and he closed his eyes and shook his head back and forth and said nothing. Then I asked about the Evidence monitor. Wilfred opened his eyes smiled while nodding and said very soon. In a few months the Confidence MKII/Signatures were released.

In my personal opinion the S25 - Sapphire and Consequence UE is an audiophile's ultimate party speaker. What I mean is when you have a party and no one is listening seriously - talking and dancing around it's a fantastic punchy sound. I personally get listeners fatigue after listening for more than an hour or 2.
Click to expand...


Octadyndude: Is that some thing your local retailer told you about lower volumes? Because there efficiency rating didn't change, so I am just curious on how some new coating can make them sound better at lower volumes? You would think at a lower volume it would be very difficult to pick out the differences. Now my doctors tell me I have near bionic hearing as I can hear a nat fart 10 feet away. ;) Now I lived with the C1 and C1 MKII for over a year and I listened to the C2 and C2 MKII side by side and I didn't notice any difference. Now the Mocca looked better........ ;) I also had several pairs of C4s original and MKII version, which were too big for my room. Sure they might have made some internal tweaks to them, but there specs didn't change. For me the cabinet upgrades/new Warr and the fact my speakers are now getting older would be my only concern for an upgrade but according to Dynaudio any of there speakers should last 20+ years.
 
amatuerholic: Well I don't think they would want to advertise that just incases it takes away from Evidence sales. But in the US I doubt they sell that many of these, I have already seen a few on Audiogon.
 
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