Frank Abela: Upgrading my Dynaudio Speakers?
Posted by: Jaybar on 16 December 2003
Hi Frank-
Hope you will see this post. I am currently using the Dynaudio 1.3mk2, which work well in my room because they like being placed fairly close together. As you know I have gone through several speakers in this room from hell.
I am looking to raise the resolution capability without sacrificing what works.
I have just completed my cable changes to Cardas. I wanted to wait until after that.
Any suggestions of what to listen to in the Dynaudio family. Faster/tighter (slightly leaner bass might also be a plus).
Thanks in advance,
Jay
Hope you will see this post. I am currently using the Dynaudio 1.3mk2, which work well in my room because they like being placed fairly close together. As you know I have gone through several speakers in this room from hell.
I am looking to raise the resolution capability without sacrificing what works.
I have just completed my cable changes to Cardas. I wanted to wait until after that.
Any suggestions of what to listen to in the Dynaudio family. Faster/tighter (slightly leaner bass might also be a plus).
Thanks in advance,
Jay
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by Frank Abela
Hi Jay,
As you say, you have the room from hell. Anything I suggest may or may not screw up the sound completely!
The new Contour range is definitely off the cards. Although it has much better attributes in many ways, they all have a much bigger bass than the older Contour range. They're sounding like ported speakers to me and I am very disappointed with this new range. There are still some older Contour speakers going around. One of the best was the Contour 3.0. This had a superlative midrange driver that improved the resolution of the speaker over its compatriots quite significantly. A wonderful speaker and you can get a pair for an excellent price at the moment - provided it works in your room! the Contour 3.0's also like to be fairly close together, just like the 1.3. Another alternative may be the 1.3SE, but if memory serves that too had a big sound that may send your room off.
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
As you say, you have the room from hell. Anything I suggest may or may not screw up the sound completely!
The new Contour range is definitely off the cards. Although it has much better attributes in many ways, they all have a much bigger bass than the older Contour range. They're sounding like ported speakers to me and I am very disappointed with this new range. There are still some older Contour speakers going around. One of the best was the Contour 3.0. This had a superlative midrange driver that improved the resolution of the speaker over its compatriots quite significantly. A wonderful speaker and you can get a pair for an excellent price at the moment - provided it works in your room! the Contour 3.0's also like to be fairly close together, just like the 1.3. Another alternative may be the 1.3SE, but if memory serves that too had a big sound that may send your room off.
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by Jaybar
Thanks Frank,
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by ianrmack
jaybar-
i saw your post on audioasylum, too.
i have a naim system (cdx2/202/250)driving dynaudio special 25s. i have had, in the past, an ayre v-3 amp, 1.8mkIIs, cardas and tg audio speaker cables.
look into bob's speaker cables. i saw that he replied to your post. also, discovery cables are a great match with ayre/dyn.
www.discoverycables.com
they can be bought direct for -40%. look into the "essential" cable.
try a run of naca5....what the hell..?
cheers,
ian
i saw your post on audioasylum, too.
i have a naim system (cdx2/202/250)driving dynaudio special 25s. i have had, in the past, an ayre v-3 amp, 1.8mkIIs, cardas and tg audio speaker cables.
look into bob's speaker cables. i saw that he replied to your post. also, discovery cables are a great match with ayre/dyn.
www.discoverycables.com
they can be bought direct for -40%. look into the "essential" cable.
try a run of naca5....what the hell..?
cheers,
ian
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by Jaybar
Thanks Ian-
Its getting better.
1) What do you think of the Special 25's. Would they be a large improvement over the 1.3 mk2?
2) I need 45 feet of speaker cable so that rules out Bob's. I did use his power cords, though. They were a big improvement over stock, but not as synergystic as the Cardas.
3) How are you adhering the speakers to the stands (Spikes or blu-tak)?
Thanks Jay
[This message was edited by Jaybar on FRIDAY 19 December 2003 at 03:16.]
Its getting better.
1) What do you think of the Special 25's. Would they be a large improvement over the 1.3 mk2?
2) I need 45 feet of speaker cable so that rules out Bob's. I did use his power cords, though. They were a big improvement over stock, but not as synergystic as the Cardas.
3) How are you adhering the speakers to the stands (Spikes or blu-tak)?
Thanks Jay
[This message was edited by Jaybar on FRIDAY 19 December 2003 at 03:16.]
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by skraft
Frank,
I'm not sure I agree about your comments on the newer Dyn ranges. I've found them to be much more forgiving of room dynamics than the older Contour range. In particular the bass seems in much more control and less prone to boominess.
That said, speakers are very tricky beasts, Jay. You might want to try something like Epos. Very fast and bass lean (relatively). Great for apartments. And readily available in the US.
I'm not sure I agree about your comments on the newer Dyn ranges. I've found them to be much more forgiving of room dynamics than the older Contour range. In particular the bass seems in much more control and less prone to boominess.
That said, speakers are very tricky beasts, Jay. You might want to try something like Epos. Very fast and bass lean (relatively). Great for apartments. And readily available in the US.
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by ianrmack
quote:
1) What do you think of the Special 25's. Would they be a large improvement over the 1.3 mk2?
2) I need 45 feet of speaker cable so that rules out Bob's. I did use his power cords, though. They were a big improvement over stock, but not as synergystic as the Cardas.
3) How are you adhering the speakers to the stands (Spikes or blu-tak)?
Jay-
Well, I think the 25s are a terrific speaker. It's tough for me to make a direct comparison with the 1.3s since it was with completely different gear, I had the 1.8s and that was almost four years ago. However, for me, the new 25s are a phenomenal match with new Naim gear. ( I actaully just picked up a 282 tonote.)My dealer thinks the 25s are one of the best Dynaudios ever....?.....certainly, he says, better than the 1.3SE. Apparantly a lot of the parts and design comes from the Evidence or Temptation or something.
If you need 45' of speaker cable, the Naca5 cable may be just the thing if you take into consideration price and relative value.
I use blue-tak on 24" sand-filled Osiris stands.
Good luck,
Ian
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by Manu
Jay,
Are you sure your amp can stand such long speaker cables? Ask Ayre directly what is the max recommended length (your dealer could be in conflict of interest in this regard).
Most amps work better with short cables (except Naim amps of course). And 45' of NACA5 can be tough for your amp (too inductive).
James,
Perfectly agree, but there are not many closed speakers these days.
Emmanuel
All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Are you sure your amp can stand such long speaker cables? Ask Ayre directly what is the max recommended length (your dealer could be in conflict of interest in this regard).
Most amps work better with short cables (except Naim amps of course). And 45' of NACA5 can be tough for your amp (too inductive).
James,
Perfectly agree, but there are not many closed speakers these days.
Emmanuel
All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 19 December 2003 by silklee
quote:
Originally posted by James:
I've said this a dozen times, and I'll say it again. If you want fast and tight bass, go with a sealed box design. Even rooms from hell get on well with them. There is no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to bass weight and control.
James
I do have a room that also seems to be from hell but the SBL works wonders in it.