I’ve owned these speakers for 1 year now and I can honestly say that there’s nothing better at this price range. It’s true that the cabinet design is very plain, but I’d rather have my dollars go into drivers and crossovers then into superficial things like fancy cabinets. When you do a side-by-side comparison with other speakers it’s very clear that these destroy the competition. These speakers are extremely neutral, yet they draw you into the music like a live performance. They’re incredibility musical and non-fatiguing. I really have a hard time turning them off. The bass is very tight, just like my first high school girlfriend.

I must say that I love these speakers. The bass is very tight, just like my cheap ex-husband. Being a woman, I wished that the cabinets were a little more curvy and sexy. I’m really passionate about jazz and I adore the soundstage that these speakers create. The speakers produce vivid detail that puts me into ecstasy, even when I’m home alone. Everything sounds so silky and neutral, as it should. Male voices sound very handsome. I bought these speakers from ProMusica in Chicago. Those guys are really helpful, plus they’re hung like horses.

good craftsmanship, solid parts

Not enough airiness, timbre. Clearly too expensive for what you get sonically and in comparison with the smaller contours.

I got the Contour 1.1 for 7 years now and I must say, I was disappointed by the 1.8 Mk2. You get more detail, but you lose a lot in beauty of tone, airyness and depth. Tried with a great number of wall distances, does never become really good. Ok, the 1.1 perhaps has its effect probably just because it leaves out some detail, but I am sure that many Contour buyers buy them because of timbre and that is just where the 1.8 II is a lot weaker. Will try the two 1.3s next.

Mid-range clarity, ability to be played loud without compression, appearance,ability to listen off axis.

3-4 ohm load (if that is a problem), that is about it. No plans on selling.

A very flat and neutral speaker. I used to have Pro AC Response 2 but the Dyns better the Pro Acs in every way. Flatter, cleaner, go louder, much more detail and look better too. I run a ARC VT100 and I can play them as loud as I want. No problem driving the speakers. I have them in an Apt. and there is plenty of base. They come with a foam insert that goes in the rear port and I have to use the foam to keep the bass from overloading the room. Suprisingly they are not too revealing of poor material.

Similar Products Used:

Pro AC Response 2, Arc vt100, AI 2D, vpi jr, Jolida CD Player, Audioquest bedrock and coral cables.

Imaging Lifelike sounding vocals dynamic reproduction of sound

makes some poorly recorded music almost unbearlble to listen to. Will show weaknesses in your system. If you have these speakers and and the music does not sound right - it's your source or amplification.

Just wanted to put in my two cents: After an extensive search for what I would deem the perfect system (this is of course subjective as each person has his/her own musical likes) I added the Dyn 1.8's to my system. I had purchased or listened to many mid to high end audio speakers in the $1,000 to $6,500 price range (see list below) and for the money I don't think the Dyn 1.8's can be beat for clarity, imaging and overall musicality. I should state that the components in my system make up a big part of the sound. I think matching the components is key. Sure the watt Puppy's I listened to were a bit more dynamic and the Quads were the best imaging speaker I had ever heard, but one was far out of my price range (Watt Puppy) and the other was far to fidgety for my listening room (Quad). The Dyn's just do everything right. Excellent imaging, great sound stage and an litening experience that is truly musical without coausing fatigue. All of this without mortgaging the home or building a acoustically perfect room. System: Naim CD-5 with flatcap Naim NAP150 amp with NAC 112 preamp Naim interconnects and speaker cable

Similar Products Used:

Thiel 2.3, Quad 988 & 989, Wilson Watt Puppy, System Audio (several models), Joseph Audio (several models), ProAc, B&W (several models), Revel (several models) Spendor S3/5, KEF, the list goes on and

Nuetral. Deep bass. Plays loud without strain. Surprisingly small for a floorstander with such an exended bass range. The finishes are so nice, the significant other will welcome them.

They need some volume to really show you what they are capable of. At very quiet levels, they are not as dynamic.

Surprising bass from a small floor stander. It is tight, tuneful and into the 20's (Hz). The deserve to be away from the wall, or interaction with the room boundaries may make the bass sound overripe. With proper positioning, however, it is tight and deep. They can play really loud without strain. My ears give out well before the 1.8's do. I think the previous reviewer may be clipping his amplifier. The 1.8's need a quality amplifier to really show you what they can do - but a decent receiver can make them sing too.The midrange has the typical Dynaudio neutrality and clarity. The high end is a little more laid back than the 1.3 mk II's. Because of this, the 1.3mkII's can beinitially more engaging, but everytime I switch back to the 1.8's, I realize that they are even more neutral than the 1.3's. I keep them both because they are both that much fun. The 1.8's make a great pair for fronts in a home theater. If you center channel goes deep, you won't need a sub. If you are considering spending up 1800. on spekers, find a used pair of these. You won't be sorry, they are much better than almost anything at that price - new or used

Similar Products Used:

Dynaudio 1.3 mk II, Dynaudio Audience 50, Apogees, Acoustat 1+1, Magnepans.

realistic, natural, tight, deep bass, beautiful cabinetry, great on vocals, piano

average imaging; a bit power-hungry

Leader in this price range. Only speaker equal or superior was Sonus Faber Grand Piano, but they are ugly. Looks count in a close call.

Revealing of source components. Really bloomed with Cardas interconnects, then bloomed even further with Analysis 9 speaker cable. An honest speaker; imparts none of its iwn personality. Extremely neutral. Commands respect, then with familiarity and longevity affection builds. Can listen to them for hours.

Other speakers image better or might be superuior in one or another feature, but this speaker is unsurpassed in sub - $5K range in the gestalt. Highly recommended for audition.

Associated Equipment:

McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe Powwer Amp w/Rev. A
Conrad-Johnson PF-R Preamp
Arcam FMJ CD23 CD Player
Cardas Quadlink 5 Interconnect (CD to Preamp)
Cardas Cross Interconnect (Preamp to Amp)
Analysis Plus copper 9 Speaker Cable

Similar Products Used:

Spendor SP1; ProAc 2S; Sonus Faber Grand Piano; Vienna Acoustics Mozart

relaxed, easy-going naturalness, realistic vocal, fine mid + bass, natural transparency, perspective for a mid band, very detail, and ability to define program quality.

lacks dramatics. also must use a good source. otherwise, poor equipment can sound as bad as it get.

my systems:

Amp: CaryAudio CAD-300SE Signature monoblocks
CD player: Mark Levinson No.39 (connect directly to amp)
Speaker: Dynaudio Contour 1.8 MKII
Speaker cable: SilverSounds 12/2
Interconnect: Audioquest Lapis Hyperlitz

Sound:

for a 15k systems budget, i'm very enjoy my systems very much with the promise of long term satisfaction. but my 300B must burn in at least 4-6 hours before it's giving you a best shot!:( i disagree to whom that saying the 1.8 MKII need more power, my 300B w/15w can drives it with a fully deep bass. and i'm using only one soure as a cd. even i used to play the Linn turntable from my friend, god! i don't need anything else. also i listen all kind of music. mostly with vocal and acoustic guitar music including soul, jazz, funk, and pop, etc. i also use this system as my monitor studio references for editing and testing. the 1.8 MKII is a purely truth music lover. you can hearing the breath of a singer or the air of string bass. if the first time you're listening the 1.8 MKII, you must take your time. the 1.8 MKII will not hit you right away like other speaker. But it is for a long listening music in the sunday afternoon.

the classic 1.8 MKII is excellent for a mid-band as a two way speaker can give at this price. if you need more, then get a big three way speaker. Also the 1.8 MKII may not be for everyone. Because of none-coloured and lacks dynamic dramatics.

Also a note, for a bad equipment (including a bad quality record cd) can sound unexceptable!!

Similar Products Used:

Proac, Spendor, i think 1.8 MKII sound open than all Thiel speakers.

total neutrality; tight bass; lovely highs; beautiful cabinetry

power hungry; grills must be removed for best sound; not cheap

These are great speakers, period. They have it all: frequency response, dynamics (with a big amp, in my case a Plinius 8200), soundstage/imaging (though a narrow sweet spot), tight bass, beautiful wood work. As many reviewers have stated, they reveal any faults in the downstream, esp. with brightly recorded source material. I suspect the Dyns are probably a happier tonality match with big tube amps than most solid-state, but my solid-state does just fine. As mentioned, they don't need a sub, unless you have HT and want LFE.

Hard to believe anyone can find serious fault with these speakers aside from their price. They're probably not best suited for a small room owing to their considerable (but honest) bass, but one can always plug their ports with the plugs provided by Dynaudio. The plugs also help tame bass-exaggerated CDs (Like Fiona Apple's Tidal).

One note: They do sound better with their grill covers removed. Serious listening means seeing all the drivers and that beautiful cabinetry (rosewood in my case).

Similar Products Used:

none; but I've listened to lots of top speakers in this class

Deep Bass, accurate imaging

Not as attractive as B&W Nautilus 804, none really.

I auditioned these along with the 804's on a krell KAV 300il integrated amp and krell KAV cd player. The 803's were played until the 804's were brought in and if I had the money, I would be buying the 803's. The deeper bass and overall clarity of the 803's lessened somewhat when the 804's were put on, and the soundstage was less precise. The midrange had a warmth to it though that made me keep listening, and I think the emotion that is expressed throught the 804's midrange is lost with the Dynaudio 1.8 mk II's, which I auditioned next. The first song I put on with the Dynaudio's didnt really grab me, so I changed the CD, and WOW, the bass is suprising out of such small drivers. The soundstage is more accurate than the 804's in my opinion and there is a level of resolution that just isn't there with the B&W's.

I'm going back today to get the 1.8's in Rosewood!

Similar Products Used:

B&W Nautilus 804, 803