High End 2024: Four on the Floor—Dynaudio Debuts a Gaggle of Speakers

There’s one thing inherently gonzo about making an attempt to report on one among these large hi-fi reveals. It’s nigh-impossible to strip oneself of the sensory overload one experiences on the present in order that one can write about it in a wise means.

The writer taking pictures a Dynaudio Confidence 20A (see beneath)

As I sidled as much as the Dynaudio exhibit promptly at 10:00 within the morning, the champagne was already flowing. Goodness, that is the type of partying that even Hunter S. Thompson would possibly politely decline, except he was persevering with a bender from the night time earlier than. The Danish loudspeaker firm is right here in Munich to indicate not one, not two, however a complete of 4 completely new loudspeakers—plus an sudden shock.

The Bookshelf

The first speaker I noticed in Dynaudio’s exhibition area was the Bookshelf—yeah, that’s actually its title. The Dynaudio reps couldn’t present extra particulars than those who had been already apparent, particularly that the Bookshelf is a two-way standmount loudspeaker. I realized that the Bookshelf is predicated on the Dynaudio Confidence 20 loudspeaker, however that the aesthetic design was created in collaboration with Karimoku, a Japanese furnishings producer.

The distinctive cupboard proportions are supposed to complement Karimoku’s furnishings, and it has the type of understated magnificence that’s come to be anticipated from the Danish college of design. Each hardwood cupboard will are available in a natural-oak or smoked-oak end. I used to be informed that Dynaudio has a couple of unfastened ends to tie up with Karimoku, so this speaker gained’t be obtainable till 2025. Since it’s nonetheless within the prototype section, there isn’t any worth but.

The Contour Legacy

The subsequent loudspeaker revealed was the Contour Legacy, which is the second entry into Dynaudio’s Heritage Collection. Like Dynaudio’s Heritage Special two-way standmount, the Contour Legacy is completed on all surfaces in American walnut veneer. This narrow-profiled tower is a 2.5-way passive design that takes inspiration from the audio system of Dynaudio’s previous—specifically, the now-discontinued Contour 1.8 tower.

The Contour Legacy makes use of the famed 28mm Esotar3 tweeter, which I used to be informed is the very best tweeter Dynaudio has ever made. Additionally, the Esotar3, at the side of the Contour Legacy’s bespoke midrange-woofers, has allowed the crossover to be simplified. The crossover makes use of Mundorf parts all through, with a first-order slope on the tweeter and second-order slopes for the midrange-woofers. The Contour Legacy is a limited-edition loudspeaker, so there’ll solely be 1000 pairs worldwide. It’s set to retail at $14,000/pair within the US or €12,000/pair in Europe, together with VAT. The speaker is predicted to ship in fall 2024.

During the press convention, Dynaudio demoed a pair of the Contour Legacy audio system. I discovered it putting how these audio system may forged a large, atmospheric soundstage, however nonetheless line up a laser-precise middle picture. These are audio system with verve and snap. Listening to a snippet of a funk music by Tower of Power, I discovered the well-preserved dynamics of the percussion noteworthy. The sound appeared general very natural. I hope this isn’t the final time I cross paths with the Contour Legacy.

The Confidence 20A

The Confidence 20A, clearly, is predicated on the already-available Confidence 20 standmount, however this new mannequin is completely reworked to include onboard amplification by Pascal. A 100W amp for the Esotar3 tweeter and a 400W amp for the 18cm NeoTec MSP midrange-woofer are constructed into the built-in stand, with Dynaudio’s customized DSP crossover orchestrating the frequency break up. The cupboard has a down-firing port, which is hidden by the built-in stand. Analog and digital inputs are by way of XLR jacks on the again of the stand. Available in white or black, the Confidence 20A might be obtainable this fall for $24,000/pair within the US or €20,000/pair in Europe, together with VAT.

I additionally acquired to listen to the Confidence 20A throughout the demonstration, and it was instantly apparent that Dynaudio has crafted an lively speaker that’s value its substantial worth. So a lot of music is communicated by means of the bass frequencies, and but, so many audio system and rooms lose this a part of the audioband. Well, the Confidence 20A had extremely deep, tight bass. If somebody had informed me there was a subwoofer or 4 within the system, I wouldn’t have been suprised. The mids and highs had an equal degree of precision, and so naturally, these audio system did an exquisite job of speaking the music—which is what our pastime is all about.

The Contour 20 Black Edition

The latest member of the Contour lineup is the Contour 20 Black Edition. Based on the Contour 20i, the Contour 20 Black Edition has the top-of-the-line Esotar3 tweeter and a modified midrange-woofer, which, in response to Dynaudio, pushes the sound high quality nearer to that of the signature Confidence line of loudspeakers. This is a passive, two-way design, and true to its title, is just obtainable in a stunning piano black end. The Contour 20 Black Edition is about to ship on this fall, and it’ll value $8000/pair within the US or €7000/pair in Europe, VAT included.

The Dynaudio Turntable

This was a particular and sudden deal with: Dynaudio is collaborating with Thorens to deliver an all-in-one turntable to market, and so they had been exhibiting the prototype right here at High End 2024. The turntable is predicated on the TD 403 DD mechanism, and incorporates a black-anodized aluminum end. An onboard RIAA preamp in addition to a module for digital and Bluetooth output make the turntable an extremely versatile supply. To full the package deal, the Dynaudio turntable will come pre-fitted with a customized Ortofon Concorde Music Blue cartridge. The turntable remains to be in improvement, however Dynaudio stories it’s going to have a worth in Europe within the €2000 vary.

This isn’t my first hi-fi present, however it’s my first time at High End in Munich. I’m already gobsmacked. Dynaudio began issues with a bang—significantly, 5 new merchandise at one present is sort of remarkable. But as you’ll see as you come together with us, this sort of grandiose and flashy exhibition is par for the course. Stay tuned for extra.

Matt Bonaccio
Contributor, SoundStage!