Price Paid:  $3000.00 from Brazil

Summary:
I have been listening to a pair of 1.3 MKII for more than 5 years and I had enjoyed a lot its neutrality and sound in general. In fact, I have not found any other bookshelf to replace it up to this moment. The moment when I had the opportunity of listening to a 1.3SE and I became absolutely shocked by the improvement in all areas Dynaudio has gotten in this special model. They have a great resolution, dynamic, bass extension that can put you in doubt about spend more in some exotic speakers . In additional, without loosing any of positive areas I enjoyed in the 1.3 MKII .
Frankly speaking, I have also listened to the Dynaudio 25th and, even if it can sound strange to someones, I prefer the 1.3SE to the 25th. ( in fact, i thought the 1.3 MKII even more neutral and enjoyable than the 25th). The 1.3SE has a more "integrated" sound, a more natural sound. For me, at least for while, THAT´S THE SPEAKER.
Pay attention to the set-up. Need a good power as well as sources, stands and cables of very good level, otherwise, due its high resolution and low sensitivity, you can not get the best it can offer you.
My set up is a Gryphon Callisto 2200, Cd Player Gryphon CDP-01, VDH Inspiration, Combak Power Cables and XLR interconnect, and Power Plant 300 and HIGh Current Out Let.

Strengths:
great resolution, neutrality, bass extension, soundstage

Weaknesses:
Requires a good set-up ( power, source, cables, stands ), otherwise, you can lose the "best of the party."

Similar Products Used:
Sonus Faber Cremona, Acoustic Energy ( top Level ), Pro AC

Thimmy118

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.44 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1500.00

Summary:
These are wonderful speakers that can make my spine tingle with their clear midrange, airy highs and subtle but powerful bass. The integration between the mids and highs are seamless and the 'out of box' sound is clear and rich. Has the ability to differentiate tonal colours but remain highly neutral when doing so. I have previously owned many spaekers starting with Advent, Spendor, Mordaunt Short, Dynaudio Audience 50 and 70 and now the Contours 1.3se. I have listened to many other exotic speakers some good and some not so good and these speakers are able able to compete with them easily. Highly recommended.

Strengths:
Neutrality, clarity, clean highs, out of box sound and extended bass.

Weaknesses:
Need powerfull amp (not in wattage but in drive factor). I used a prepower combo from Jungson running Class A all the way and thses speakers love them.

Roger Webster

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.13 of 5, 8.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2200.00 from second-hand

Summary:
Agree with all the positive comments made on these wonderful speakers - I had used Contour 1.3's for about three years, as well as other Dynaudios - all impressive - but these are just ineffably brilliant. So perfect in every way - they draw you in to the music and become invisible. Exquisite highs and lows, combined with sensational midrange - what more can I say? Such a shame Dynaudio discontinued them for future generations of listeners - makes these a highly desirable classic. Beautiful Danish minimalist design - combines sonically and aesthetically with my Danish Bow Technologies Wizard and Wazoo - the amp drives them easily - though only rated @ 75 watts into 8 ohms.

Strengths:
Perfect in every way - 3D soundstage, undemanding but addictive, build quality (Bird's Eye Maple finish brings many admiring comments)

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Various Dynaudio, PMC, ATC, Accoustic Energy, Mission, B & W, Proac, etc.

kris

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2400.00 from internet

Summary:
Just a top notch speaker that just blew me away when I first heard it. I use a Pass labs amp to drive them and the can fill me room (17x22) with full bass. They soundstage like nothing that I have ever had in my house. The birds eye maple is just amazing to look at. Power thes with a good amp and stands and you will be shocked at how good they can sound.

Strengths:
Very good bass with the right amp. Soundstage and imaging!

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Kef Definitive tech Aerial Silverline.

Price Paid:  $850.00 from 2. hand (7months old

Summary:
I was looking for a powerful but relatively small speaker, one that would funktion well together with my Electrokompaniet amps and cd player. I was testing a lot of speakers in this class, as well as reading reviews. A time consuming effort, but time well spent! Amongst the ones I tested, Elak, Sonus Faber, JBL, Dynabel and more.., I found the 1.3SE to be the most balanced an honests of them all. So it was not difficult to fall in love with this compact dane, this wonderpiece of a speaker. Luckily I found a pair, almost new, at half the price of new ones, and I concider them the best buy I have done so far, in my everlasting pursuit of perfect sound. If it is perfection you are looking for, this is your speaker. If you prefer to impress your friends with a wrongly colorated sound picture, you better buy a massive and cheap american speaker.

Strengths:
Together wit my Electrokompaniet (NEMO) amps and good cables (Proson top model), the 1.3SE provides a very well balanced and relaxed sound picture. Clarity and neutrality are also terms that spring to mind, to describe what I feel about these speakers. I also think they will funktion well together with a smaller amp. They seem very litle demanding when it comes to power.

Weaknesses:
It looks (mostly) harmless.