Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Fills a large room with music energy
- Music reproduces with refinement and scale, handling both small sounds and large growls
- Full-scale music delivers from deep electronic sounds to symphonic sounds with force
- Moves a lot of air as music energy
- Superb fit and finish
Product Considerations
- Large size and weight (119 lbs each) requires effort to move
- Requires a powerful amplifier to drive them effectively
- Frequency response only goes up to 23kHz, which may be a limit for some audiophiles
Takeaway: The Dynaudio Contour 60i speakers can make a listening room come alive with power and grace. They deliver full-scale music and move a lot of air, making for an exciting listening experience.
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Contour 60i
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Status: Current
- Segment: Home
- Series: Contour i
- Type: Floorstand
- Sensitivity: 88 dB @ 2.83V/1m
- IEC Power Handling: 390W
- Rated Impedance: 4 Ohm
- Lower Cutoff: 28 Hz @ +/- 3 dB
- Upper Cutoff: 23 kHz @ +/- 3 dB
- Box Principle: Bass reflex rear ported
- Crossover: 3-way
- Crossover Frequency: 220 Hz / 4,500 Hz
- Crossover Topology: 2nd order
- Tweeter: 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis
- Midrange: 15 cm MSP
- Woofer: 2x 23 cm MSP
- Weight: 50 kg (110 lbs)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 255 x 1330 x 420 mm (10 x 52 3/8 x 16 4/8 inches)
- Dimensions incl. feet/grill/stand (WxHxD): 343 x 1359 x 454 mm (13 4/8 x 53 4/8 x 17 7/8 inches)
- Grille: Black
- Baffle: Black Aluminium
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Dynaudio meticulously crafts its own drivers in-house, from diaphragm to magnet, allowing for precise control over every aspect of sonic performance, a commitment extending even to entry-level models.
- They exhibit a characteristically refined, smooth, and non-fatiguing sound signature that is well-suited for extended listening sessions, which is very beneficial for mixing/mastering purposes.
- Dynaudio designs its speakers with the modern home in mind, offering features such as wireless connectivity, app-based control, and DSP room correction to seamlessly integrate into various living spaces.
Select products
Emit
- Positioning: The entry-level range, designed to introduce users to high-end audio.
- Description: Offers a great entry point into high-fidelity sound with MSP cone material and Cerotar tweeters, which are also found in the higher-end Evoke range. Compared to the Evoke, Emit is more budget-friendly, making it ideal for those new to high-end audio or with smaller rooms, while still providing a taste of the advanced technologies used in Dynaudio's premium models.
Evoke
- Positioning: Sits in the mid-range of Dynaudio's lineup, offering advanced technology at a more accessible price point.
- Description: Uses technology from Dynaudio's top-tier models, such as the Esotar Forty tweeter and MSP woofers, providing a detailed and dynamic sound.
Contour i
- Positioning: Positioned as a high-performance option for serious audiophiles, offering significant improvements over its predecessors.
- Description: Features the Esotar 2i tweeter with Hexis technology and updated woofers, delivering enhanced clarity and precision. It surpasses the Evoke series in terms of detail and soundstage.
Confidence
- Positioning: Represents Dynaudio's flagship range, showcasing the pinnacle of their audio engineering.
- Description: Features the Esotar3 tweeter and DDC Lens technology, providing groundbreaking sound precision and control. They are designed for the most discerning audiophiles who seek the ultimate in audio performance, offering a more refined experience than the Contour series.
Consequence Ultimate Edition
- Positioning: A limited-edition model, designed as a tribute to Dynaudio's legacy of high-end audio excellence.
- Description: Features a unique five-way crossover and advanced driver technology, providing a wide dynamic range and low distortion. It stands apart from the Evidence Master with its focus on musicality and exclusivity.
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Dynaudio
What if you spend more?
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Most affordable way into the true 800 series form factor, with the solid aluminum turbine head and the fully curved matrix-braced cabinet
- Features a one-inch diamond dome tweeter, which is a standout strength
- Midrange and vocal region from the Bowers favor a leaner, more technically accurate sound, going for outright clarity, and vocals sound particularly clear and clean
- Bases have casters integrated or built into them, making them easy speakers to move around for optimal positioning, and integrated spikes can then be used to securely position them
- Show-stoppingly gorgeous and sound simply fantastic
Product Considerations
- A much fussier speaker in every regard and require more thought and work to get the sound balance right
- Possible to come across maybe a little bit too lively in the treble
- Amplifier power, quality, and capability is hugely influential—hugely important for these speakers
- Due to their revealing nature, they don't play particularly well with poorer recordings such as metal and older rock
- Tweeter can get fairly harsh when the volume is turned to the extreme, pushing 90+ db for louder music
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Bowers & Wilkins are a much fussier speaker in every regard than the Mission 770
- Paradigm Persona 5H is a little more "liquid" sounding
- Wilson Audio SabrinaX's finish is superior to that of the Bowers & Wilkins, dynamic, easy to drive, with a very familiar and very resolute sound
- Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4s are refined like an Aston Martin, and Tekton Ulfberhts are more like a Corvette C8
- Bowers & Wilkins 805D4 lacks the midrange prowess that the 803 has, and will most definitely need a subwoofer for even mild extension into bass
Takeaway: The 803 D4 speakers offer a fantastic listening experience with clear vocals and a grand soundstage, making music more engaging. They are an investment that can potentially improve over a long period of time through system upgrades and continued optimization.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The flagship of The Reference Series is the model that all other high-performance loudspeakers compare themselves against. Now with the extraordinarily capable 12th generation Uni-Q® driver array with MAT™, Reference 5 Meta exemplifies the passion for innovation that underpins KEF’s design philosophy.
Product Strengths
- Delivers a large, detailed—and scalable—sound that doesn't lose quality at different volumes
- Excels in creating a wide and deep soundstage, enhancing the listening experience with a sense of expansiveness
- Is emotionally engaging, creating a connection between the listener and the music
- The Uni-Q driver with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) significantly improves sound quality by absorbing unwanted frequencies, resulting in clearer and more accurate high-frequency reproduction
- Offers customisation for bass tuning with different port options to suit various room acoustics
Product Considerations
- Is a large and heavy speaker, requiring a substantial space and stable flooring
- Represents a significant investment
- While generally easy to drive, benefits from high-quality amplification to reveal its full potential
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audiovector R6 Arreté: R6 Arreté sounds extremely weightless and transparent, but doesn't have the same depth of bass as the Reference 5 Meta
- Vs Sonus Faber Serafino Tradition: The Serafino deliver the music nicely wrapped in a warm envelope that's very addictive, while the Reference 5 Meta focuses on detail and transparency
Takeaway:
The KEF Reference 5 Meta is a high-end loudspeaker that provides a detailed, emotionally engaging—and expansive—sound experience. With its advanced technology and customizable features, it is a great option for those looking to invest in a top-tier audio system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The SCM50 ASL (active) and SCM50 SL (passive) are designed to perform at their best in the recording studio or at home with the finest quality hi-fi equipment. The monitors' ability to reproduce music and speech with phenomenal accuracy, transparency and dynamics lies mainly in the SM75-150S soft dome midrange driver. However, recent modifications that include the new ATC SH25-76S tweeter and enhanced port profile have brought about further improvements to all performance parameters.
Each drive unit in the active model has its own dedicated and individually matched MOS-FET amplifier, while the 234mm/9″ bass driver incorporates ATC's unique Super Linear Magnet technology. Our active crossover network consists of a wide band-width, electronically balanced input stage with high common mode rejection and very low distortion. Like the HF, mid and bass drivers, all electronics are designed and manufactured in-house to create a no-compromise active system.
In passive form, the SCM50 SL provides broad and symmetrical dispersion, excellent amplitude and phase characteristics throughout the frequency range. Speakers are supplied with stands and fabric wrapped grills.
Available Finishes
Standard Veneers – Cherry, Walnut, Oak & Black Ash.
Standard Paints – Satin Black, Satin White
Premium Veneers (up-charge applies) – Rosewood, European Crown Cut Walnut, Pippy Oak, Burr Magnolia, Burr Poplar.
High Gloss (up-charge applies) – Clear High Glossed Veneer, Piano Black, Piano White
Our summary
Product Strengths
- ATC designs and builds every drive unit in-house, including voice coils, crossovers, and active amplification, allowing for complete control over every loudspeaker design decision
- In the active version, a more clearly defined soundstage has clearer, more well-defined individual elements, where everything pops out more from the background
- The active version has more energy, drive, and a more vivid overall presentation, resulting in a more tactile, energetic, and higher resolution sound
- The SCM50's woofer has an enviable ability to resolve textures and timbral colors, capably rendering the skins of bass drums, the flutter of tom-toms, or the dark voicing of orchestral bass viols as bows are dragged across their strings
- The SCM50 has an almost eerie immediacy that seems to glean the intent of the musician before their bow touches the string or a note escapes their lips, making piano reproduction breathtaking
- Connectivity is limited to a single XLR input, which may require adapters for single-ended sources
Product Considerations
- The active version is heavier than the passive version
- The owner must manually turn each speaker on and off, as there is no trigger or auto startup circuit
- The active version may pose challenges for owners of subwoofers needing high-level wiring connections, although workarounds exist
- Careful attention must be paid to positioning a pair of SCM50s, as the full-bandwidth—ported design means that placing them too close to a boundary wall will result in bass bloom
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- SCM50 wins hands down over PureAudioProject Duet 15s for resolution, clarity, and dynamic shading
- The active version excels over the passive in solidity of soundstage, neutrality, and ultimate detail retrieval
Takeaway: The ATC SCM50 offers exceptional sound quality, whether in its active or passive configuration, thanks to ATC's engineering and in-house design. The ATC SCM50 is a choice that will bring musical joy for years to come.
Video review
Our take on the brand
MASTERFULLY BUILT FOR AN ENDURING LEGACY
A nod to Santo Serafino, the legendary Italian luthier.Serafino delivers world-class sound on any stage.
MATCHING BEAUTY AND SOUND
In eighteenth century Venice, Santo Serafino masterfully built violins with matching beauty and sound. In keeping with his legacy, the second generation of the Sonus faber Serafino speaker marries artistry and sonic excellence. With upgraded drivers and a refined crossover, Serafino's second generation recreates the magic of a live performance.
VIOLIN-MAKING HERITAGE
Crafted like a fine instrument, Serafino draws inspiration from the artisanship of master luthier Santo Serafino. Its rounded cabinet design mirrors the graceful curves of a violin, enhancing both its visual allure and acoustic purity by reducing internal resonances.
Handcrafted in Sonus faber's Vicenza, Italy factory, each Serafino loudspeaker seamlessly melds nine layers of natural wood, carefully paired according to grain, and culminates with nine meticulous lacquer coats. This meticulous process, rooted in Sonus faber's tradition of wood craftsmanship, ensures each speaker embodies both quality and elegance.
Italian artisan hand-sands wood for a Sonus faber Serafino G2 floorstanding speaker, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship
A FULL SOUNDSTAGE CUSTOMIZED TO ANY SPACE
Serafino G2 harnesses cutting-edge technology from our Homage collection to encapsulate the emotional resonance of a live performance within a relatively compact design - much like a finely crafted violin.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Stunning and unique aesthetics with a high-quality finish, including nine layers of natural wood and lacquer
- Very impressive audiophile soundstage that is layered with depth, allowing the listener to look 'through' the speakers
- Balanced sound with a sweetness to the treble and clear, focused vocals, regardless of the music content or volume
- Tight and controlled bass delivery that's detailed, articulate, and has a bouncy character—suitable for various room sizes
- Easy to drive with high sensitivity and works well with a range of amplifiers, even those significantly less expensive than the speakers themselves
Product Considerations
- Some audiophiles might find the overall dynamic liveliness a little too polite
- The bass, while satisfying, might be considered modest and not provide huge amounts of bass for bass enthusiasts
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Serafino has a warmer sound than the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4
- Serafino is smoother and more relaxed in the higher frequencies than the Gryphon EOS 2
Takeaway: The Serafino speakers offer a unique blend of beautiful design and balanced sound, making them great for enjoying music for extended periods. Their elegant appearance and easy-to-listen-to nature make them worth considering for an all-around listening experience.
Video review
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What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Focus 50 offers a unique proposition by bridging the gap between audiophiles and Sonos customers, offering a solution for both
- A pleasing mixture of being quiet, easy going and relaxed, but also with very good timing, clarity and information
- The Dynaudio app is simple and easy to use; it lets users adjust the frequency balance of the speakers sound between dark, neutral and bright
- The Focus 50 delivers a lot of bass output with fantastic extension, tightness, control, grace, and smoothness if placed correctly in the room
- The sealed cabinet design likely makes the Focus 50 more flexible for placement
Product Considerations
- The most important connectivity option missing is HDMI, which is a big omission
- Sometimes, the overall sonic resolution could be higher
- The treble can be a little too smooth at times
- Although wireless connection is possible, the Focus 50s sound noticeably better if the two speakers are connected together with a cable
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Evoke 50 paired with $5,500 worth of gear, the Focus 50's performance could not be matched
Takeaway: The Focus 50 provides excellent sound quality combined with flexibility and ease of use, making it a great choice for those with limited space but who still desire stellar sound. It fits different needs and offers high end sound that can be very impressive.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- A low end combines genuine impact and dexterity
- A balanced and consistent high end.
- The cabinet, veneered in American walnut, provides a subtle but exquisite finish.
- A large and three-dimensional soundstage with detail.
- They are able to balance detail and energy without being restless or wearing.
Product Considerations
- The limited edition nature of the Contour Legacy means they are not readily available for sale.
- Some may find their analytical sound is not always preferable.
- They reveal flaws in recordings.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Contour Legacy provides more drama, scale and excitement, compared to Vienna Acoustics Limited Edition Bach Ultimates.
- Contour Legacy sings a bit sweeter and sounds a bit more natural as compared to the Perlisten S5t Towers' more resolving and detailed presentation.
- Contour Legacy delivers more energy and dynamic contrast in the soundstage and is more open and better focused, compared to Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4.
- Contour Legacy gives an even greater insight into the music, compared to KEF Reference 3 Meta.
Takeaway: The Dynaudio Contour Legacy is a well-made speaker with modern sound and a nod to the past—great for those who want both excellent performance and something special. They offer a wonderful listening experience that's both detailed and engaging.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional imaging and soundstage.
- Detailed high-frequency reproduction.
- Tight and accurate bass.
- Elegant design and high-quality build.
- Good value for the price.
Product Considerations
- Midrange response may have a 'hole' or 'scoop'.
- Sweet spot is narrow.
- Amplifier matching benefits from good current delivery.
- Positioning requires careful attention.
- Speakers are only available in black or white.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs GoldenEar Technology T66—the X3's tweeter is in 'a whole other class of high-frequency reproduction'.
- Vs PureAudioProject Duet 15s—the X3 was faster, clearer, and had better transient response.
- Vs KEF Reference 3 Meta—the X3 seems like a faster, clearer, more transparent speaker.
- Vs Audiovector R3—the X3 has more pronounced and deeper bass.
- Vs Audiovector R6—the R6 offers more visceral dynamics and seems to go lower.
Takeaway: The Børresen X3 is a well-built and visually appealing loudspeaker known for its exceptional imaging, detailed highs, and refined sound. It is a compelling option for those seeking a high-performance speaker in its price range.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Striking aesthetic design is repeatedly praised, seamlessly blending into living spaces
- Exceptional soundstage and imaging are consistently highlighted as standout features
- Balanced presentation across the frequency range offers a smooth integration of bass, midrange, and treble
- Well-controlled and detailed bass integrates well with the other drivers
- Clear and detailed midrange and treble contribute to a fast presentation of vocals and instruments
- Connectivity options are solid
Product Considerations
- The Aura's impedance can drop to a low 2 ohms at 58 Hz, making it a demanding load for amplifiers
- Bass output may not suit all tastes, particularly those who prefer bass-heavy music or have larger rooms
- System matching with warmer components may be necessary to achieve a preferred sound balance
- The placement of the binding posts and the tight space around them are a bit challenging when connecting speaker cables
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to SVS Titans, the Aura is a clear step up in clarity and transparency, but the Titans deliver more bass output
- Compared to YG Acoustics Peaks Ascent, the AURA speaker has a very different frequency profile
Takeaway: The Estelon Aura speakers combine striking aesthetics with high-end sound, offering a balanced and engaging listening experience that works well in various rooms. They are a strong contender for audiophiles seeking a speaker that is both visually appealing and sonically refined.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Clarity and seamless presentation, along with excellent dynamics and punch
- Impressive bass power, agility, and grip
- The design makes it less obtrusive in a domestic setting than most alternatives
- AMT tweeter provides a crisp, revealing treble
- Damping feature allows for a degree of flexibility in matching the speaker with amplifiers
Product Considerations
- The design lacks the visual elegance of other high-end Audiovector speakers
- Stereo imaging could be more expansive
- The Freedom Grounding cable is expensive as an optional purchase
Takeaway: The Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined combines retro inspiration with modern technology, creating a speaker that puts entertainment first with clarity, dynamics and impressive bass. With its unique design and adaptable sound, it's a great pick for music lovers that want fun and high-end performance.
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