2. speakers
  3. 1139194269

Dynaudio Audience 52 vs 52 SE

Has anyone had the chance to compare these two speakers? I really enjoyed listening to the Dynaudio Audience 52 at a dealer, but they did not have an Audience 52 SE for comparison. I have found one review online that seems somewhat troubling:

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/dynaudio52sep1.php

I think this guy is crazy, or perhaps his Onix A120 Mk.II integrated amplifier has a problem. Maybe the volume knob goes to 11! Has anyone heard of strong bass problems with this speaker? When I listened to the 52 in the shop, I played some pretty aggressive rock songs with strong bass and had no problems. I will never listen to hip-hop, so building-destroying bass is not a concern for me. Good, strong, tunefull bass that can handle good rock music (bass guitar, drums, some synthesizer) as well as sound good with jazz string bass and various symphonic instruments is what interests me. The 52 SE seems to have the same mid/bass driver as the 52, but it has a different crossover to accommodate a more sophisticated tweeter. The specs list the 52 SE frequency response as 45 Hz - 26 kHz +- 3 dB, and the normal 52 as having a frequency response of 52 Hz - 24 kHz +- 3 dB.
key_metric
porziob
316 posts
 
The Onix amp has a 2db peak from 20 to 200Hz. Maybe that`s the problem.
tgrisham
1,179 posts
 
Porziob is correct. It is the amp, not the speakers. Dynaudios are demanding loads and the more reserve power the better. I would like to audition the 52 SE as well. i was hoping someday to use the 42 or 52 for surrounds with my Audience 70s.
jihley
74 posts
 
I used the 52 SE with two different high quality ss amps both offering at least 150 watts per side and they did very well with each. The bass was ample and amazing for a speaker this size and not the least bit tubby or slow. I had mine at 28" high using metal stands sand loaded. Enjoying jazz, blues and classical music with them. I hope this helps?
goatwuss
875 posts
 
Key_metric - frankly, that reviewer is full of it, and doesn't know what he's talking about, and clearly doesn't have the skills to make an informed analysis of an audio product.

He says:
For a pro: Excellent bass extension and overall fidelity
But then says as a con: Par midrange performance

That is a contradiction. How can you have exellent overall fidelity with a par midrange performance?

He also has as a pro:
Easy amplifier load

Anyone who knows anything about dynaudio speakers knows that this is far from the truth - Dynaudio is NOT an easy load! They are a 4-ohm speaker and need a lot of current to control the drivers and sound dynamic.

He also says as a pro:
Open and airy highs without overabundant sibilance

What does this mean? No "overabundant" sibilance? Does that mean there is some "under-abundant" sibilance? ANY sibilance is a HORRIBLE thing, and renders any speaker unlistenable. Why would anyone say a "pro" of a speaker is "no overabundant sibilance" ? that implies that there IS sibilance.

He then goes on to review the speakers with a piece of crap for an amplifier, and a piece of crap for a cd player.. He is using a MASS MARKET SONY CD CHANGER!! How can you come up with any meaningful analysis on a high fidelity product with a mass market CD changer?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029U13A/ref=pd_sl_aw_alx-jeb-9-1_ce_6508701_14/104-7906435-5495960?n=172282

So Key-metric- Bottom line is... disregard that review. The reviewer is a tool. There are no bass problems with that speaker - the bass that they product is tight and excellent.
More to discover