Clarity, pin point accuracy, tight bass, able to create a huge soundstage

Demands the very best amplification and source

I have tried and owned those speakers mentioned above. Apart from the Totems and the similar dyns, nothing else came close to the sonic mastery of the Contour 1.1.

Upon hearing this for the first time, I was stunned. The refined highs, clear midrange and super tight bass caught me off guard. These speakers can be used in a small room as well as a large one, they scale very well and can go very loud with signs of strains (provided your amp can do it also). I get speed, accurate portrayal of the music and absolute enjoyment.

To the review below, this speaker only knows how to speak the truth, cos if your amp/source is not musical, it will juz reveal it. What you hear from this speaker are actually the sound from your electronics. So choose you amp and source carefully and you will be rewarded appropriately.

enjoy the music

Similar Products Used:

Sonus faber COncertino, Proac Tablette 50, Focus Audio FR6, JMLab Cabalt 807, Triangle Titus, Ruark Prologue, Totem Arro, Totem Model 1, Dynaudio Audience 50, Dynaudio Contour 1.3 MKII, Monitor Audio Bronze 2, Tannoy R1.

listen en you'll find out

considering price and size: nothing. Probably the only thing to take care about is to match them with a powerful quality amplifier. To get the best out of them I would advice at least 75 watt per channel

I wonder why Audioreview didn't put the Dynaudio Contour 1.1 alongside the Audience 52 as choicewinner. The Contour received an average rating of 5!! stars from 18 reviewers, which is even better than the Audience 52. The next 5-star review will be mine. The Contour is only 35% more expensive than the Audience 52, but considering built quality and sonic performance it's a big step forwards. It delivers a more refined and natural sound compared to the more 'popular' sounding Audience 52, due to the better components used in the Contour range. The 1.1 uses the same tweeter as the 1.3 MK II, which is almost 90% more expensive.
After extensive listening over more than 15 years, there is only one conclusion IMHO: Dynaudio delivers the most natural performance considering reproducing audiosignals via conventional loudspeakers.
I think the Contour 1.1 offers the best value for money of all Dynaudo products. Because many dealers choose the Contour 1.3 MKII over the 1.1 as demo-loudspeakers, the 1.1 is not as well known as some other Dynaudio products.

I hope this will help.

As far as my Contour 1.1's are concerned: I bought them used for $ 400,-. They are beautifully finshed in wallnut vineer (this is an optional vineer, which cost 10 % extra). A lot has been written about this speaker and I can only suscribe it's qualities. At first there is nothing obvious, but after a while a whole new world opens up to your ears. When you buy them new, you have to be patient, give them at least 100 hours to open up.
I have partnered them with:
- Rotel RA 980 BX amplifier
- Rotel 950 BX tuner
- Sony CD XB 920 CD-player
- Van den Hul D102 MKIII and QED Qunex 2 interconnects
- Audioquest Type 4+ speakercable.

This is certainly not a high end setup, but the overall performance is very satisfying. Of course the Contours will reward better equipment, but for now I am happy with this equipment.

Similar Products Used:

B&W, Mission, Monitor Audio, Tannoy, Chario, etc. etc.

Wonderful sound from beautifully constructed dimunitive cabinets.

None that I am aware of.

I have now almost completed upgrading my 10-12 year old hifi system. My system now consists of:
Marantz CD63 CD player (only remaining historic piece)
Musical Fidelity A300 amplifier (surprisingly clearly superior to the A3)
REL Strata III subwoofer (excellent)
Dynaudio Contour 1.1 speakers
In summary I am so pleased with the current sound, I am in no hurry to upgrade the CD player as I think this will have the least audible impact compared with changes made to date.
I was looking for a pair of small stound-mount speakers even though my system is in a large room. I did not want the room to be visually dominated by large speakers and I also believe that small speakers offer significant benefits in soundstaging and speed of response when compared with large speakers. In fact small speakers mated with a top class subwoofer (REL definitely) can seamlessly combine these advantages with better bass speed, control and depth than almost all so-called full range floor standers. The Dynaudio/REL combination offers convincing proof of this theory at (in hifi terms) a bargain price. What is even more amazing to me is how the tiny Dynaudios maintain their unstressed detail and clarity when requested to fill a large room at high volume.
After experimentation I found the best results were obtained with the port plugs inserted. Soundstaging precision in particular improved further.
The A52 and N805 to which I listened are both fine speakers but I preferred the Contours which, to me, sounded a more convincing rendition of live music, both in reproduction of voice and dynamics.
The Contour 1.1 and 1.3 mkII utilise a similar tweeter and differences are subtle. The 1.3 offers an improvement over the surprisingly good bass performance of the 1.1 but this was irelevant for me as I use a subwoofer to augment bass. Therefore the Dynaudio Contour 1.1 represents the best bang for my buck.

Similar Products Used:

Wharfedale 505.2 (now replaced by Dynaudio Contour 1.1)
Dynaudio A52, Contour 1.3 mkII
B&W N805

Room size made a mini-monitor a must. I listen to DYNAUDIO, B&W, PROAC'S, AND A SPENDOR LS3/5a with a side mounted "sub" woofer in the base/stand of the speaker. My budget was +/- $2k.The speakers were very detailed, taut bass and, considering the size, had very good bass extention. Great sound stage, very balanced and uncolored. PROAC's midrange was tempting but lacked in too many other areas in comparison. THEN I got them home. I have a good tube amp but the speakers just weren't "TUBE" friendly. After purchasing and room heater diguised as an SS amplifier (and lots of break-in time) that sound was back again. It is also a very revealing speaker that allows you to hear small changes made at your sources.

These speakers took some time to get used to after my previous ones, which had a very warm mid-range presentation. In contrast, the Dynaudio's seem to be very neutral, and are merciless in exposing shortcomings in the system!The Contour's took a long time to break in, and revealed so much about the ancilliary equipment that I was forced to upgrade from an integrated amp (Roksan Caspian) to a pre-power combo.
First, I purchased a valve pre-amp (Audio Note M2; huge improvement) to counter the hard treble these speakers revealed from the Caspian. I was still using the Caspian as a power amp. Still not satisfied with the presentation, I've now replaced the Roksan with Musical Fidelity X-A200 monoblocs. The 200 watts these amplifiers produce have made a big difference, allowing much more ambient detail to come through. They're still breaking in, so I expect the sound to improve further.
I've not felt the need to change my Rega Planet CD player - I'm more than satisfied with this machine, though some may think it's out of its depth with the rest of my equipment.
The moral of the story is - if you are thinking of using the 1.1's in your system, make sure your other equipment is of sufficient quality, or else be prepared to spend lots of cash upgrading! Partner these speakers with the right gear, and you'll be astounded by their naturalness.
They present a very open soundstage, and reveal every nuance of the music. The timbre of acoustic instruments and vocals are superbly portrayed.
Music is very much more involving with these loudspeakers - complex classical pieces in particular. The frequency range is very smooth - no peaks - so unlike many other speakers, you don't get an overly warm midrange. This can take a little getting used to, but live with the Contours for a while, and you wouldn't go back. I enjoy the music much more now than I did before buying these boxes. I rate them very highly!

Just picked up a pair of Contour 1.1's used for about $950 and they just sound wonderful. I was most impressed by the bass extension for these diminutive speakers. In normal music listening situations (not home theater or rap) a subwoofer is not necessary in small to medium sized rooms. Female vocals are excellently reproduced along with great imaging and accurate accoustic timbres.
I audtioned many loudspeakers in this price range (Sonnus Faber, Theil, Infinity Overtures to name a few) and these definitely took top honors especially at the price I paid, however a few suggestions. These speakers will push you to upgrade your electronics, especially power amps. While they sounded fine with my old HK A402 at low levels, 40 wattts RMS is not enough when playing complex or loud material. I also noticed a difference when upgrading to a 20 bit D/A CD transport. So be prepared for a cash infusion in your system (for me it was about time) PS. Instead of spending mucho bucks for "audiophile" power amps, check out pro audio lines from Sansom, Alesis and QSC. There built for the road and have great specs. You can get tremendous savings if you can "live" with rack mount ears and adapting to 1/4" terminals. In double blind tests with an "audiophile" friend of mine, he could not distinguish between a Krell and a Samson amplifier at over a $1000.00 savings

I have now had the contours 1.1 since Friday and gosh what they sound good. Immediately when unpacked I realised that this speaker is something very special, finish and construction is way above my A40’s. The ones I have has the cherry finish and really feels heavy and well made I spent ten minutes just looking after scratches, could not find anything. Also their sound impressed me at the first moment (remember that Dynaudio speakers is synonymous for long break-in time over two weeks). Anyway the biggest improvements over the A40’s is clearer bass and a much more detailed tweeter with less aggressive high’s ???. I have also noticed that the A40’s sometimes has some port turbulence sounds which generally is audible at fairly high volumes, the contours doesn’t have this problem. In my small room of 10 sqm they seam to fit very well with a synergy that so far has made me very emotionally engaged, I love them.

Well, I' ve had these two boxes called Dynaudio C 1.1 for over two years now. Actually, see my review (the first one?). I have changed my gear since then. Now they are linked to the Accuphase E406 via OCOS Black cables and to Pioneer PDS904.Basically, these are the only one speakers that really can put me to sleep - it is praise, as you know the speakers which are very euphonic, detailed (oh, those highs), full of pumping bass (look at the dinosaurs...) at the first listen. Unfortunately this is true also about Dynaudio Audience 5 which I had at home for couple of months. The sound of them was TOO detailed that distract your ears from the music. With Contours it is different. What is in the beginning perceived as a slight veil over the sound is neutrality in disguise. Whatever you feed them with they just let the sound flow out, easily and with grace.
They need to be carefully positioned (which don't?) and need stable base. For two or three months I had them on stands (a massive narrow wood cabinet filled with sand, absolutely inert) with the bassreflex port dampen (to increase detailness as the bass went quite low) and they sound great. Then I insert between the box and the stand rubber spikes - the sound became more spacious and controlled. Well, later on they were on brass spikes (three each, the points stabbed in the speakers) - it increased the detail and front-back spaciousness. The last and final stage: I put an interlink between the spikes points and speaker = small pices of brass, just imagine bottom up bowls (something similar is with Sonus Fabers' stands). The refinement was astonishing.
So, decouple them carefully from whatever you put them on.
I will come back in a few weeks as I am chasing now for an adequate CD player and interconnects - I will report on their influence.

I am using the 1.1s as my rear speakers in a HT system. They match up very well with the 1.8s up front. I needed to dampen the bass port because of proximity to the wall. Placement is important with these little guys. They and all dyns take a while to break in but it worth the wait. I would highly recommend these and the 1.8's. Sys: ATI 1505, B&K ref20, Sony DVD7700, Straightwire..

The more you listen to them the more you are woven in to their performance. Although not on the top they should really match in the higher price category for the value they offer.Sound: excellent midrange, very smooth - velvety detailed sound, there is no danger of listener´s fatigue, with appropriate components almost you-are-there presentation, dynamic, well defined in high frequencies. Bass drivers with quick and accurate response - you know, Dynaudio...
Cons: need to be careful with the amplifier (very high W demand), needs plenty of room around (not near-to-wall or even bookshelf positioning), generally for smaller rooms
To end: a perfect worksmanship, OCOS terminals........the best buy for their price