Opinions on the Dynaudio DM 2/8

I have also compared the bass on the X 16 with my brother Totem Rainmaker & my trustworthy backup JBL S-38.

The X 16 bass hits deeper and more punchy and the high is smoother than those of the Totem Rainmaker due to the $600 difference in price and the Dynaudio soft dome tweeter is probably the factor here. Cabinets on both the Dynaudio & the Totem are top notch.

The JBL S-38 is a fun speaker that I love with more dynamic and fuller bass than that of the X 16. However, the high and the mid of the S-38 are not as smooth and revealing as the X 16 of course.

But the folks at Dynaudio somehow managed to voice the bass on the X 16 very, very, very punchy yet with very, very, very accurate bass notes, and from my notes "the bass is just PERFECT for music listening regardless of music genre".

That makes the X 16 as special as its smaller brother X 12, a speaker that had won quite a few favorable reviews in North America.

I can live with both the JBL S-38 & Dynaudio X 16 bass. With the S-38, you don't need a powered sub for music. Of course, the S-38 is almost as big as my Dynaudio DM 2/10 which was designed primarily for movie editing & dance studios where accurate & good sound is a must.

With the X 16, you probably need a powered sub, NOT for the lowest note in terms of bass but for a more pronounced & revealing mid-range and to help the small woofers on the Dyns from being overwhelmed with bass rich materials reproduction like rap or night club music.

I love both the DM & Excite line from Dynaudio. To my ears, they sound almost similar but the DM line is a bit more efficient and that may help if you do not crank your amp too loud.

I am happy to own either Dynaudio or PSB speakers. Both companies make great speakers. You have to pay a little more $$$ for Dynaudio speakers but their cabinets IMO are second to none.

Fusion10

You will not be disappointed with the DM 2/8. They are very neutral and more efficient than the Audience or Focus line. The Dynaudio DMs are fun speakers to listen to. You will love them but you just have to be patient with their long run in period.

My GF who is not an audiophile said this after we AB my brother Totem and her Dyn DM 2/10. "I want the Dynaudio. Return the Totem to your brother. The Dyns do not lie."

Like many of the responders I have not listened to the DM 2/8's. Though I do have a pair of Dynaudio Audience 52 and a pair of Quad 12L2. I have been AB listening for several weeks now and cannot decide which I like better. I think that they are both good and that it kind of depends on the mood your in.
The Dynaudio's are a little more detailed, with a defined edge, more focus and a little forward.
The quads are smoother, a little laid back, and present the music as more of a sum total as opposed to individual instruments/vocals. That's the best I can explain it.
Maybe I'll keep them both and whenever I get that upgrade bug I can just switch them out.

Markmay, your description of the different strengths of the Dynaudio Audience 52 and Quad 12L2 matches my (admittedly very limited) experience of the two brands. For me, Quad 11Ls were great with electronics that emphasized transparency and imaging; they seemed to put the music together. The Dynaudio X12's detail and "defined edge" complement Naim's musicality and "wall-of-sound" presentation (which some love and others can't stand).

Folks,

I think the DM line is easier to drive and much more dynamic than the retired Audience line.

If you want to tell whether the Quad will outpeform Dynaudio, listen to these albums The Eagles Hell Freezes Over track # 6 & 8, Ice Cube Raw Material track # 4,9, & 15, and Massive Attack-Singles track #4 (Teardrop).

If the Quad sounded compressed and thin especially with IC track # 9 and Massive Attack track # 4, I don't think the Quad will suit your needs as a rock speaker.