The Official Dynaudio Speakers Thread

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Twm1988

Ok, so I had my audition of the Focus 160’s with my demo MRX310 and I was truly surprised by the sound coming from those bookshelfs! The Anthem had no trouble driving them in 2ch, and then we also hooked up the 210 center and a couple of PSB’s for surrounds just to give a full surround experience. To my ears I don’t think the MRX310 was having much trouble driving all 5ch even through some tougher all ch driven movie scenes. Im sure it could sound much better and they were probably not showing quite near their full potential, but I was very impressed with the 160’s!

From what I remember listening to the 110’s, you guys were right that the 110’s were warmer. I initially thought the 160’s sounded a little lean, not bright just a little thin, but I realized that it was the neutrality of the 160’s that fools you a bit. The slight warmness of the 110’s was impressive to me when I first heard them, but now I appreciate the neutrality and transparency of a speaker and the 160’s definitely have it. Definitely more slam and a bit bigger soundstage over the 110’s plus much more transparent, to my ears anyway. I think if I go with Dynaudio it will surely be the 160’s and not look for used 110’s because I could not go back to the 110’s after hearing the 160’s!

I have taken a pair of 160’s home for the week and am now trying to get a demo in at my Totem dealer and will take the 160’s and the Anthem 310 to hear both speakers on the Anthem in the same room. I am very confident in the Anthem after my audition of the 160’s and I will probably try to get that demo 710 after I hear the Totems with it. I think it will have enough power for my ears, although im sure the Totem;s and Dyn’s aren’t to their full potential with just the Anthem, but it sounded pretty sweet to me with the 160’s!

Well basically it is the beauty with Anthem, Drive 2 channel with a Yamaha and add as you go you will see the difference in performance as the Anthem does not drop almost as you add speakers in the mix., The 710 if it is the same price as a brand new 310 becomes a no brainer if it is in good condition. The 160 are Impressive I'll tell you that much and basically they have been compared to a better bigger X-12.

Ironic and the X-12 does sound very transparent and very well balanced but never bright with the right recordings and cables.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Twm1988

Ok, so I had my audition of the Focus 160’s with my demo MRX310 and I was truly surprised by the sound coming from those bookshelfs! The Anthem had no trouble driving them in 2ch, and then we also hooked up the 210 center and a couple of PSB’s for surrounds just to give a full surround experience. To my ears I don’t think the MRX310 was having much trouble driving all 5ch even through some tougher all ch driven movie scenes. Im sure it could sound much better and they were probably not showing quite near their full potential, but I was very impressed with the 160’s!

From what I remember listening to the 110’s, you guys were right that the 110’s were warmer. I initially thought the 160’s sounded a little lean, not bright just a little thin, but I realized that it was the neutrality of the 160’s that fools you a bit. The slight warmness of the 110’s was impressive to me when I first heard them, but now I appreciate the neutrality and transparency of a speaker and the 160’s definitely have it. Definitely more slam and a bit bigger soundstage over the 110’s plus much more transparent, to my ears anyway. I think if I go with Dynaudio it will surely be the 160’s and not look for used 110’s because I could not go back to the 110’s after hearing the 160’s!

I have taken a pair of 160’s home for the week and am now trying to get a demo in at my Totem dealer and will take the 160’s and the Anthem 310 to hear both speakers on the Anthem in the same room. I am very confident in the Anthem after my audition of the 160’s and I will probably try to get that demo 710 after I hear the Totems with it. I think it will have enough power for my ears, although im sure the Totem;s and Dyn’s aren’t to their full potential with just the Anthem, but it sounded pretty sweet to me with the 160’s!

Wow so you have the mrx310 and the 160s being demod at home? So how do they sound at your house?

Yes the 160s are very open and transparent. Likewise I thought they might be a little lean, but like you I noticed that they're just neutral, and the nice thing is they don't have a dip they the 2k-5k hz range they hold flat and give you what you're supposed to hear. So many speakers dip in that range that we become used to that sounding accurate, but that's not accurate. In your next demo take something with soprano voices, violins, trumpets they tend to play in that upper mid - presence region, you'll learn a lot about the harmonics in that region, and the difference between a dip in that region and a flat frequency response in that region.

[Twm1988]

Yes callas I have the Anthem and 160's at home. My two week demo of the Anthem ends this Saturday and the one week demo of the 160's is a bit later but ill take everything back on Saturday. The 160's sound pretty good at home, still would need to adjust and tweak things quite a bit but is good for now to give me a good idea of what they are like here.

Totem dealer said I could stop by anytime Thursday/Friday so I will get that done before I return the Anthem and Dyn's. As long as I like the Anthem with Totem, I will buy that demo 710 when I return the 310.

[callas01]

What are you gonna do if you don't like the anthem/totem combo?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

What are you gonna do if you don't like the anthem/totem combo?

Yeah I really don't see what he could not buy the Demo 710 alone and get the Focus 160 alone, I don't expect that combo to sound bad either, John had them hooked up to the MRX500 at some point and it only encouraged him to move up the Totem ladder, now will TWM be more happy with the M1S or the 160, I'd say it's a tough Decision, know the 160 can move more and go lower but it does not mean the M1S cannot play loud with that 3 inch voice coil Dynaudio driver.

[Twm1988]

I'm hoping the Totems work nicely on the Anthem, but if not then I may just stick to the 160's for my next upgrade because the Anthem works awesome with them, and my Energy's and also was of course great with the Digms.

The Anthem was the best sounding to me of all the AVR's I listened to for movies, so I can't imagine any other receiver driving the Totems better for me, unless the Totems are very bright sounding in the highs and need something smoother/warmer like a Marantz.

I find the 160's to be huge sounding for me, maybe just coming from the 4.5" woofers in my Energy RC-Mini's. So I would be fine if the Totems didn't push quite as much or go as low, as long as they are equal or greater than the 160's in other area's up the frequency spectrum. I have a couple good subs in my system so low frequency extension of the bookshelfs is not a concern for me and wont affect my decision on which speaker.

I think what I may do when I buy my next speakers is just get a center channel and a pair for left and right, and then keep my Energy RC mini’s for surrounds, saving me around $3000 for another pair of Dyn’s or Totems that would just be used for surrounds anyway. Then I could use that money that would have gone to the surrounds to get a nice 3ch amp at the same time I get the speakers.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Twm1988

I'm hoping the Totems work nicely on the Anthem, but if not then I may just stick to the 160's for my next upgrade because the Anthem works awesome with them, and my Energy's and also was of course great with the Digms.

The Anthem was the best sounding to me of all the AVR's I listened to for movies, so I can't imagine any other receiver driving the Totems better for me, unless the Totems are very bright sounding in the highs and need something smoother/warmer like a Marantz.

I find the 160's to be huge sounding for me, maybe just coming from the 4.5" woofers in my Energy RC-Mini's. So I would be fine if the Totems didn't push quite as much or go as low, as long as they are equal or greater than the 160's in other area's up the frequency spectrum. I have a couple good subs in my system so low frequency extension of the bookshelfs is not a concern for me and wont affect my decision on which speaker.

I think what I may do when I buy my next speakers is just get a center channel and a pair for left and right, and then keep my Energy RC mini’s for surrounds, saving me around $3000 for another pair of Dyn’s or Totems that would just be used for surrounds anyway. Then I could use that money that would have gone to the surrounds to get a nice 3ch amp at the same time I get the speakers.

Although Totems and Dynaudio have slightly different presentation, normally what works good with one will work good with the other. The Naim gear should be pretty transparent if you ever put an Naim to use a power amp and you will realize both sound fabulous with Naim products and for HT I am sometimes running the X-12 for fun in my front soundstage and seriously although the musical presentation is different they are very close tonally speaking with my Model One S-C. Transition is very seamless.


In the end I think it will just come down on the speaker you prefer. Even if the 160 sounds so huge the M1S will sound much much bigger than it's size will let you suggest but will not sound as bass heavy altho you will get a great amount of it but seriously by setting up the X-over on the receiver for Movies low frequencies would go to the subs. For music it's not a bad idea to just listen to the 160 without subs in stereo direct, they can deliver. The M1S deliver also but don't go as low. I never run my sub for 2 channel playback with my Forests Signature.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Twm1988

I'm hoping the Totems work nicely on the Anthem, but if not then I may just stick to the 160's for my next upgrade because the Anthem works awesome with them, and my Energy's and also was of course great with the Digms.

The Anthem was the best sounding to me of all the AVR's I listened to for movies, so I can't imagine any other receiver driving the Totems better for me, unless the Totems are very bright sounding in the highs and need something smoother/warmer like a Marantz.

I find the 160's to be huge sounding for me, maybe just coming from the 4.5" woofers in my Energy RC-Mini's. So I would be fine if the Totems didn't push quite as much or go as low, as long as they are equal or greater than the 160's in other area's up the frequency spectrum. I have a couple good subs in my system so low frequency extension of the bookshelfs is not a concern for me and wont affect my decision on which speaker.

I think what I may do when I buy my next speakers is just get a center channel and a pair for left and right, and then keep my Energy RC mini’s for surrounds, saving me around $3000 for another pair of Dyn’s or Totems that would just be used for surrounds anyway. Then I could use that money that would have gone to the surrounds to get a nice 3ch amp at the same time I get the speakers.

Have you listened to the Excite X14s? They sound like a smaller sounding 160. AND.... They're only $1500 so you could replace the center and fronts all at once!

Totems are not bright, if anything they'll sound laidback and a little dark.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

Have you listened to the Excite X14s? They sound like a smaller sounding 160. AND.... They're only $1500 so you could replace the center and fronts all at once!

Totems are not bright, if anything they'll sound laidback and a little dark.

This means they sound close to the x-12 but just new and improved as the 160 has been compared to the x-12 for their great balance and tonal similarities.

As for you comment on totem it's a bit general M1S don't sound dark but laid back I'll give it to you. Get that Sttaf out of your mind when you have not listened to the M1S.

DM 3/7 sound dark

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

This means they sound close to the x-12 but just new and improved as the 160 has been compared to the x-12 for their great balance and tonal similarities.

As for you comment on totem it's a bit general M1S don't sound dark but laid back I'll give it to you. Get that Sttaf out of your mind when you have not listened to the M1S.

DM 3/7 sound dark

3/7s dark??? When I heard them the highs seems a bit bright and bass a a little too warm and the mids recessed a smidge cause of the other parts of the frequency being more prominent.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

3/7s dark??? When I heard them the highs seems a bit bright and bass a a little too warm and the mids recessed a smidge cause of the other parts of the frequency being more prominent.

Just making you react what the 3/7 truly lack is better midrange and bass is a bit slow for me. The M1S have a little more sparkle in the upper frequencies then the Sttaf, they are laid back but never sound dark. They are well balanced and they flow very well. Seriously a special minimonitor.

[Twm1988]

Callas I did not listen to the Excite range, I was so impressed with the 110's from my very first audition that I didn't want to step down a model line, plus the Excite center has only a 4.5" drivers in it and I don't think it would keep up with the output of the 5.5" or 5.9" in the Focus. Not sure what the actual size of the Focus center is.

I know the soft domes help the Dyn's to be so silky smooth, but still detailed. Ive read some people find the Rainmakers highs a little bright, but I never found that in my listening. Some say the Model One's are more laid back than the Rainmakers, some say they are a bit too forward, so you never know what someone's version of bright or warm really is.

Because th Anthem is a little more detail oriented over warmth I found the Dyn's to work well with the Soft Domes to resist getting very shrill if the Anthem it a bit too forward sometimes. I just don't know if the Totem M1S metal domes will have the same effect, or if they will harden/brighten some of the high frequencies. I think ill prefer whichever speaker sounds a little more smooth and laidback in the highs, it may be hard for the Totem metal domes to compete with the Dyn's soft domes in that area, but I will hear for myself pretty soon.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Twm1988

Callas I did not listen to the Excite range, I was so impressed with the 110's from my very first audition that I didn't want to step down a model line, plus the Excite center has only a 4.5" drivers in it and I don't think it would keep up with the output of the 5.5" or 5.9" in the Focus. Not sure what the actual size of the Focus center is.

I know the soft domes help the Dyn's to be so silky smooth, but still detailed. Ive read some people find the Rainmakers highs a little bright, but I never found that in my listening. Some say the Model One's are more laid back than the Rainmakers, some say they are a bit too forward, so you never know what someone's version of bright or warm really is.

Because th Anthem is a little more detail oriented over warmth I found the Dyn's to work well with the Soft Domes to resist getting very shrill if the Anthem it a bit too forward sometimes. I just don't know if the Totem M1S metal domes will have the same effect, or if they will harden/brighten some of the high frequencies. I think ill prefer whichever speaker sounds a little more smooth and laidback in the highs, it may be hard for the Totem metal domes to compete with the Dyn's soft domes in that area, but I will hear for myself pretty soon.

If you refer back to my post above about the 2k-5k hz region a lot if times having a dip in the frequency range, that will be the model 1 sig. So it will sound laidback, not bright. This is a deliberate move by totem to soften the upper mid frequencies.

Dont worry anout those 4.5" drivers on the X24 center, that little center channel kept up with my older X16s 7.1" woofers.

[Twm1988]

Right, about the dip in 2-5khz range... I guess if I didn't find the Dyn's bright with no dip, then the Totems can't be bright either... but what about 5-20khz range? Could that not have brightness effect in there or are Dyn's and Totem's pretty even in that range too?

I had at one point considered getting the Excites (or Rainmakers if I go with Totem) to save money and also get the speakers much sooner, but I think I would rather have to wait a little longer and go for the Focus or Model One's. Even if the Excite/Rainmakers each had 80-85% of the performance of their higher models, I would still rather wait and get some thing that I really love, rather than get something that I like but I may get the itch to upgrade it again not long after purchasing it. Kind of cutting out the middleman and jumping right to the higher end.

Theres a new review on Sound and Vision and the reviewer uses Paradigm Studio 20's as his reference and said there were a couple times during the review when he missed his Digm's in some areas.

Dunno... the excites would have to be pretty dang close to the Focus, like 90% or more of the Focus, minus the bass output and low frequency extension. Do you think the Excite X14 and X24 are like 90%+ of the Focus 160/210? Cause I really do love these 160's, I wont want to give them back on Saturday!!!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Twm1988

Right, about the dip in 2-5khz range... I guess if I didn't find the Dyn's bright with no dip, then the Totems can't be bright either... but what about 5-20khz range? Could that not have brightness effect in there or are Dyn's and Totem's pretty even in that range too?

I had at one point considered getting the Excites (or Rainmakers if I go with Totem) to save money and also get the speakers much sooner, but I think I would rather have to wait a little longer and go for the Focus or Model One's. Even if the Excite/Rainmakers each had 80-85% of the performance of their higher models, I would still rather wait and get some thing that I really love, rather than get something that I like but I may get the itch to upgrade it again not long after purchasing it. Kind of cutting out the middleman and jumping right to the higher end.

Theres a new review on Sound and Vision and the reviewer uses Paradigm Studio 20's as his reference and said there were a couple times during the review when he missed his Digm's in some areas.

Dunno... the excites would have to be pretty dang close to the Focus, like 90% or more of the Focus, minus the bass output and low frequency extension. Do you think the Excite X14 and X24 are like 90%+ of the Focus 160/210? Cause I really do love these 160's, I wont want to give them back on Saturday!!!

Best thing you could do is see if the X14s would be good for you and worth the purchase. But if you already don't want to give the 160s back, then you're not going to want go backwards I'm betting.

Reading that review he only missed his 20s during the one orchestral song. Also, looking at the review graph of the frequency plots, it see a like his room where he measured the speakers may have a dip in the mid frequencies, where looking at sterophiles(quasi-anechoic chamber) graphs of both the X14 and studio 20s show the X14 are fairly flat frequency speakers and the 20s have a rise in the upper mids(2k-5k hz), which will exaggerate the level of detail, again another thing that manufactures do in designing speakers. Graphs won't tell you how the speakers sound, but they'll tell you what's going on when you listen to them. But that could explain why he felt that they were slightly reticent during that orchestra. Of course there really isn't a perfect speaker, you'll just have to find what speaker offers you the most value.

Again the only person that could decide what you want is you. Worth a 1/2 hour listen while you're turning the 160s back in?? Maybe.

[BigAl87]

TWM As Callas Said you will not wan to go backwards since you alredy have tried the 160s, regardless of the metal dome or soft dome this is a pure myth that metal dome tweeters are bright if anything they will not forgive amplifiers and source to have high THD or else the tweeter will snap crackle an pop if you can picture what I mean.

Everything is in the x-over and Callas is right about the graph on the Model One, as I said they will sound laid back but I would not say they go dark, they are a speaker very easy to listen and should pair well with the Anthem, again even analog interconnect can actually give the impression of brightness and I'll tell you everything should work together as a whole, I am sure you will enjoy the M1S, now will it be more than the 160 or less, it's entirely up to you to choose what you prefer, I know I 'd be happy with either or for different reasons but both truly have little weaknesses.

[Twm1988]

Pretty excited to hear the Totems tomorrow! After that I will do a serious listening session at home with the 160's all day Friday before taking them back Saturday.

Callas, I may just listen to the x14's when I return the 160's. At half the price of the 160's I guess it couldn't hurt to see how close they can sound to them.

[Spurrier Sucks]

Originally Posted by Twm1988

Pretty excited to hear the Totems tomorrow! After that I will do a serious listening session at home with the 160's all day Friday before taking them back Saturday.

Callas, I may just listen to the x14's when I return the 160's. At half the price of the 160's I guess it couldn't hurt to see how close they can sound to them.

I'll be interested in seeing what you think of the M1S compared to the 160s and X14s.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Spurrier Sucks

I'll be interested in seeing what you think of the M1S compared to the 160s and X14s.

I know it crushes the X-12 and so are the 160s, you understand why the are half the price, bass extension on my x-12 are not nearly as good as I was getting with the Rainmakers I have a reference cd where the Rainmaker performed well in the low end extension I have a vid of that somewhere, and the X-12 just can't reproduce those frequencies the same way, now the x-12 as I said many time is more transparent is better in the 60-100 hz region than the Rainmakers, it does have better upper mids and high frequencies but not by far I will tell you that much, they also can take a little more abuse than the Rainmaker so it's a close matchup to me, Now the M1S is whole other speaker.

I think the 160 will edge the M1S in many departments but we shall see. The M1S is impressive for their size and for my musical style they transcend music like no other speaker to my ears, it's just magical with female vocals and Jazz, now if you want more humph the 160 are it with all the neutrality and transparency.

John I think the 160 vs M1S you would pick the 160s.

[Spurrier Sucks]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I know it crushes the X-12 and so are the 160s, you understand why the are half the price, bass extension on my x-12 are not nearly as good as I was getting with the Rainmakers I have a reference cd where the Rainmaker performed well in the low end extension I have a vid of that somewhere, and the X-12 just can't reproduce those frequencies the same way, now the x-12 as I said many time is more transparent is better in the 60-100 hz region than the Rainmakers, it does have better upper mids and high frequencies but not by far I will tell you that much, they also can take a little more abuse than the Rainmaker so it's a close matchup to me, Now the M1S is whole other speaker.

I think the 160 will edge the M1S in many departments but we shall see. The M1S is impressive for their size and for my musical style they transcend music like no other speaker to my ears, it's just magical with female vocals and Jazz, now if you want more humph the 160 are it with all the neutrality and transparency.

John I think the 160 vs M1S you would pick the 160s.

Just basing this off of my musical taste compared to some others that I know of, Steve and Factor, but I think I probably would too. Of course I've never heard the 160s so it's only speculation on my part. I do know, however, that I really do enjoy the Totem speakers that I have heard. They just leave me wanting a little more each time I upgrade. That may be a me problem and not Totems problem. I may not have the money to put into a speaker that keeps me satisfied.