Saw the Dynaudio new Contour 20

M

Mr Peabody

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Messages
3,324
Location
St. Louis, MO, USA
I was in the local shop this weekend, not looking for speakers, but it was mentioned they had one of the new Contour models and I couldn't resist a look/listen. What a change, gone was the typical rectangle box, the cabinet was glossy, rounded opposed to corners, an aluminum baffle. I was told the Contour series was totally a new speaker, drivers, crossovers, everything. I wouldn't have recognized it.

I really can't say much about the sound, the 20's were being driven by a 50x2 Atoll integrated. Only because they were breaking in both. The new Contour was said to have the strengths of a Dynaudio speaker but more neutral and open. I knew they used some version of an Esotar tweeter, I was anxious to hear the finished product. I mean the system sounded alright, and I'm sure the integrated was decent for the money but the 20's need better upstream components to see what they can do. The sales guy also put on some female vocalist without much accompaniment. I like to audition with something that has more dynamics.
 
Bryan, Let us know if you go back for another listen. I guess during breakin it's ok, but gezz, play some Music for people to hear. Hopefully they will have them coupled with something with a little more juice than 50wpc.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I was in the local shop this weekend, not looking for speakers, but it was mentioned they had one of the new Contour models and I couldn't resist a look/listen. What a change, gone was the typical rectangle box, the cabinet was glossy, rounded opposed to corners, an aluminum baffle. I was told the Contour series was totally a new speaker, drivers, crossovers, everything. I wouldn't have recognized it.

I really can't say much about the sound, the 20's were being driven by a 50x2 Atoll integrated. Only because they were breaking in both. The new Contour was said to have the strengths of a Dynaudio speaker but more neutral and open. I knew they used some version of an Esotar tweeter, I was anxious to hear the finished product. I mean the system sounded alright, and I'm sure the integrated was decent for the money but the 20's need better upstream components to see what they can do. The sales guy also put on some female vocalist without much accompaniment. I like to audition with something that has more dynamics.
Click to expand...

I hope to hear the new Contour series also, as it's on my list of possible replacements when the time comes. I've heard the Excite X34 but was not impressed, but liked the Contour S3.4 LE. Would definitely like to hear the new Contour 30 and 60.
 
If it's the shop I'm thinking of they usually have a good set up in the big room. I've heard Dyna's on both big Claytons and Boulder amps there.
While the Dyna's have always sounded good, they just don't float my boat. Not sure how the new ones are though.
Different strokes for different folks
 
If I get another chance to listen I'll definitely update the thread.

I'm not sure what the deal is with the big room, it doesn't seem to be the best demo area for some reason. I heard the big Evidence in there and they paled by comparison to when I heard them at the old building. The Confidence 4's sounded pretty good in there and the Focal Utopia Scalla rocked. Some of the difference could be electronics as well, love them, or hate them, you have to admit it takes a good amp get your speakers off the ground like big Krell monoblocks.
 
I heard a pair of the Contour 20 with a 110 watt per channel Octave tube integrated. Incredible BIG sound from a two way stand mounted speaker. I don't remember ever hearing a pair of speakers image like those can.
 
Hey guys I'm Back!! I know I have been pretty much missing in action since AR dried up but I think I am wanting to get back into the forum thing. I miss talking it up about this stuff to people like me instead of my friends here that mostly look at me like I'm crazy.

Anyway I like the way the new Dynaudio Contour's look! not sure about the sound but to me it looks like they are ditching the huge voice coils in the woofers like their older speakers had. I think they had to change from the total boxy look so that they would not get lost in the crowd of other "boxy" looking speakers in today's looks over performance demographic.
 
http://www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/contour/contour-20/



attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • contour_20_grey_oak_high_gloss_front.jpg
    contour_20_grey_oak_high_gloss_front.jpg
    65 KB · Views: 85
attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • contour_20_grey_oak_high_gloss_half_profile.jpg
    contour_20_grey_oak_high_gloss_half_profile.jpg
    176.1 KB · Views: 85
Wow Joe it looks like you have yourself a few speakers there to play with, How do the 4367's compare? I know they are a different type of speaker than the others you have in your signature but I would still like to know how they compare. Not to take this thread off topic.

I am not surprised to hear that Dynaudio is changing things up a bit since being purchased by a Chinese company. I understand that they are keeping control of development but Dynaudio was due for some changes since there have been a LOT of new speakers and speaker companies trying to fight for the same size and price that Dynaudio shoots for with the Contour series.
 
OMG! I absolutely LOVE my JBL 4367s. Amazing speakers. With only brief rotations of my other speakers (minus the Strads), the JBL have been my dominant speaker since getting them about 10 months ago. Damn, they are addictive. Not a true audiophile speaker in the classic sense, but they are sweet, ballsy, dimensional, smooth and present in the room without much room interaction. A straight up fun speaker.

I hope to put the Strads back in soon, just to see what I'm missing. The Strads are my first real speaker love.
 
My new Dynaudio Contour 30. Temporary location off kitchen while I wait to have speaker cables routed behind fireplace. The 30s only have 50 hours on them but are sounding fantastic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
j3brow said:
My new Dynaudio Contour 30. Temporary location off kitchen while I wait to have speaker cables routed behind fireplace. The 30s only have 50 hours on them but are sounding fantastic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Very nice. Like the aluminum front panels. How do they compare to older dyns

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
The new Contour are Dynaudio at heart but lean a bit more neutral and said to be easier to drive. They also are said to be an entire new design from the ground up, drivers, crossovers, etc.

I love my 4367's, cymbals sound like cymbals, so much my ears are spoiled to them, bass guitar sounds more like a real rig being played in the room, tons of dynamics and fundamentals. I hope by saying "non-audiophile" it's meant in a good way, the 4367's sound like music, that's, "audiophile".
 
Absolutely meant in the best way possible. The 4367s let me stop thinking about all the crazy technical stuff and just let me enjoy the music. The musicians are in the room with me and it's dynamic, ballsy, sweet, smooth, and wonderfully engaging. They can definitely be my only speaker.


Mr Peabody said:
The new Contour are Dynaudio at heart but lean a bit more neutral and said to be easier to drive. They also are said to be an entire new design from the ground up, drivers, crossovers, etc.

I love my 4367's, cymbals sound like cymbals, so much my ears are spoiled to them, bass guitar sounds more like a real rig being played in the room, tons of dynamics and fundamentals. I hope by saying "non-audiophile" it's meant in a good way, the 4367's sound like music, that's, "audiophile".
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top