Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE Bookshelf Speakers
Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE Bookshelf Speakers
USER REVIEWS
[Dec 27, 2017]
Pute
AudioPhile
Jag vill börja med har du inge eller provat dom tycker jag du ska göra det.
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[Nov 06, 2017]
Michael E
Audio Enthusiast
Do you need a larger or more expensive speaker than these Dynaudios? I’ve had these for more than ten years now, compared them to a number of competitors from recognized brands, bass-monsters from Von Schweikert, super-clean analysts from B&W, Tecnocrats from Focal etc. All of them fantastic speakers and most of them larger and more expensive but as an every-day partner, the Dynaudios are untouchable. The sound is warm, rich, detailed and punch. Of course a speaker of this size will not crack the windows by earthquake sound but even so I’ve never found myself longing for more bass. Position these speakers carefully and the’ll give you deep, rich and wonderfully chiselled bass notes. Do not hesitate placing these quite close to the wall (however not directly in a room corner). I’ve tried lots of positions and find the perfect position to be around 15 cm from the rear wall with a very slight ”toe in’ (the distance between the speakers in my room is 2,1m). This will give a perfect mix of punch, bass support and imaging. Positioned 1-1,5 meters from the rear wall, surely will let the speakers ”breathe” and give you slightly more of a 3D effect but on the other hand the bass foundation and some of the speakers soul is lost. I’m keeping these until I can find something as good sounding, good looking and reasonably priced. |
[Jul 05, 2012]
Paul
Audio Enthusiast
Bought a used pair of these based on reviews. Speakers sounded great, but one of the speakers soon developed a problem. Dynaudio is impossible to contact. Support in the US is non-existent. Would agree with the other reviews here that this is a wonderful speaker, but you should think hard about buying them because of problems of getting them repaired. |
[Nov 07, 2010]
Eli72
AudioPhile
Dynaudio keeps making the same mistake over and over. They discontinue making some of their best speakers and perhaps some of the best speakers in the world. The 1.3SE is no exception, try and find a pair of these on the used market and you will be waiting months if not years, on top of that if you don't snatch them within the first hour they will be sold immediately. The 1.3SE provides tremendous bass for a bookshelf, the mids are neutral, the silk dome tweeters are some of the best I heard never sounding bright yet very smooth and sweet. Simply put you can listen to these speakers all day without fatigue. When connected to the best equipment the speakers will make you wonder if it is ever possible to upgrade. I have spoken to people who have even preferred the 1.3SE over the notorious Dynaudio C1. The new Confidence speakers with the silk dome Esotar 2 drivers can sound extremely dynamic which can also be mistaken for brightness, the 1.3SE will play deeper than the C1 in the bass region. Some audiophile's who have sold the 1.3SE have posted that they regret that decision and soon find themselves looking for another pair on the used market.
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[Jul 30, 2010]
Earl Yetman
AudioPhile
Having owned Dynaudio Audience 52s, Contour 1.3s and finally the Contour 1.3 SEs, I can definitively say that the 1.3 SEs are absolutely phenomenal monitors! They are superior to the Contour 1.3 MkI and MkIIs in every way. Highs and mids are effortless and ethereal. The bass response is stunning, not just for a small speaker, just stunning. The SEs play extremely loud with no perceived effort or strain.
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[Aug 24, 2006]
Hernani Braga
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
great resolution, neutrality, bass extension, soundstage
Weakness:
Requires a good set-up ( power, source, cables, stands ), otherwise, you can lose the "best of the party." 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 .
Similar Products Used: Sonus Faber Cremona, Acoustic Energy ( top Level ), Pro AC |
[Feb 26, 2005]
Thimmy118
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Neutrality, clarity, clean highs, out of box sound and extended bass.
Weakness:
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. 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. |
[Nov 12, 2004]
Roger Webster
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Perfect in every way - 3D soundstage, undemanding but addictive, build quality (Bird's Eye Maple finish brings many admiring comments)
Weakness:
None 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. Similar Products Used: Various Dynaudio, PMC, ATC, Accoustic Energy, Mission, B & W, Proac, etc. |
[Nov 10, 2004]
kris
AudioPhile
Strength:
Very good bass with the right amp. Soundstage and imaging!
Weakness:
None 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. Similar Products Used: Kef Definitive tech Aerial Silverline. |
[Oct 17, 2003]
helge
AudioPhile
Strength:
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.
Weakness:
It looks (mostly) harmless. 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. |
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