Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE Bookshelf Speakers
Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE Bookshelf Speakers
USER REVIEWS
[Dec 05, 2021]
Zsazsa
Strength:
Finally bought the SEs after spending years with the 1.3 mk1, the SE is more balanced FAT bass beautifull mids usual Dynaudio but there is this extra power in the music which unfolding easily giving them good quality feed and I'm not talking about thousands here. I got the speakers for 1200 and would pay the same without a blink. Using Tidal Hifi via Bluesound and I kept my old Pioneer streamer to use its DAC and feeded into my Densen Beat 100 no fuss here people!! This amp does 75 Watts into 8 ohm so bit more to 6 ohm it's not a power machine BUT I never use the amp over 11 o'clock and I like to listen loud:) So overall very happy with the purchase and if you think about buying a pair don't hesitate especially if you know the Diny sound and like it, you won't regret it. Weakness:
NONE :D 😀 Price Paid: 1200
Purchased: Used
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[Feb 19, 2021]
Zsazsa
Strength:
I was lucky enough to manage to buy a set of SEs a couple of weeks ago to upgrade my original 1.3s. The difference is really big between the 2 speakers, the SE has a much more balanced sound and the bass appears beautifully on low level listening also. The tweeter is just reproducing the original recording nothing over the top but still a wow experience very detailed very clean sound. I’ve red a lot about-you need this and that strong amp- and was ready to sell and replace my Densen B100 60w/ch @8ohm but surprisingly it sounds much better and stronger than my previous 1.3s so no need to panic a good 60 watt amp can do the job nicely in a mid size room. 1 more thing !about speaker cables lots of people say you need a good cable-true- I bought a Van der Hull 352 and it’s ruined the sound (even after burning in) and I discovered that my old fat Dynavox 70€ cables are hugely outperformed the 300€+ top noch cables what makes me think about my physics lessons learning about bigger diameter smaller impedance so you need less power. By the way I never believed that a cable can make a big difference but it was proven on my setup same as the branded products are not always better if we talk cables anyway. Weakness:
Too true sound maybe? ohh that’s not a weakness for me sorry 😁 Price Paid: 1150
Purchased: Used
Model Year: 2000
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[Feb 19, 2021]
Zsazsa
Strength:
I was lucky enough to manage to buy a set of SEs a couple of weeks ago to upgrade my original 1.3s. The difference is really big between the 2 speakers, the SE has a much more balanced sound and the bass appears beautifully on low level listening also. The tweeter is just reproducing the original recording nothing over the top but still a wow experience very detailed very clean sound. I’ve red a lot about-you need this and that strong amp- and was ready to sell and replace my Densen B100 60w/ch @8ohm but surprisingly it sounds much better and stronger than my previous 1.3s so no need to panic a good 60 watt amp can do the job nicely in a mid size room. 1 more thing !about speaker cables lots of people say you need a good cable-true- I bought a Van der Hull 352 and it’s ruined the sound (even after burning in) and I discovered that my old fat Dynavox 70€ cables are hugely outperformed the 300€+ top noch cables what makes me think about my physics lessons learning about bigger diameter smaller impedance so you need less power. By the way I never believed that a cable can make a big difference but it was proven on my setup same as the branded products are not always better if we talk cables anyway. Weakness:
Too true sound maybe? ohh that’s not a weakness for me sorry 😁 Price Paid: 1150
Purchased: Used
Model Year: 2000
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[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. |