Where do you go after a Dynaudio C1 ?

Don't get me wrong, I think the C1 is a great speaker. The V2 is just so much more resolving top to bottom. There is no bloat, no overhang of notes no bass port smearing the midrange. The C1 actually has more bass "slam" which caught me by surprise. It took me a while to get used to the sound of a sealed box and quite some time for the speakers to break in or come alive. I think that the C1 offers a lot for it's size and can be "hi fi" sounding or relaxed given the upstream components and it is certainly the more forgiving of the 2. C1 does sound terrible at low volume and I had some serious gear behind them. Crank them and they are certainly more of a party speaker than the magicos. I have heard the diablo side by side on the same electronics same day as the magico V3 and my simplified conclusion was that the diablo sounded like a cooler, more controlled C1 with hyper speed treble, the V3 changed my perspective on home stereo. Granted, at the time, I had little experience with speakers this expensive but to this day I wish I had room for the V3- especially at the used prices now!!! The only speaker I really have any interest (given my room contraints) in swapping the V2 for is the Q1 but I just cannot bring myself to drop that kind of dough for that little box. I don't know that I will ever go back to a ported enclosure. I try to keep an open mind and again, have little experience with the mega buck big speakers.

Your demo of the Rowland and the Diablo pretty much sums up my feeling for every rowland piece I have ever heard- soft and slow..... the diablo is not soft or slow.

I have heard the kiss and the music on the exact same electronics I own at a dealer- they sound "nice" and forgiving but I do not think they are of particularly high fidelity and certainly not on the magico/ focal side of the spectrum.

Hope that helps.

Another I could recommend is the Joseph Audio Pulsar. A fine review just done is Stereophile

Vienna Acoustics Klimt.

I heard the bigger brother Die Muzik with a Rowland amp and was very impressed. There seemed to be good synergy. I think the Klimt would be worth hearing if you want something smaller.

Peter_s,

My current amplification is a Jeff Rowland integrated, and before this a Plinius 9200 integrated. The rowland was a big jump from the Plinius, and the Plinius was no slouch, but in both amps, the relaxed treble character of the C1 remained. Please note I am speaking in relative terms, as the C1's top end is probably considerably more open than other relaxed sounding speakers. But compared to speakers like the Diablo or V2, where the top end soars and electrifies, I felt these speakers are able to better convey the intensity of some instruments like guitars, drums, cymbals and even piano. Even voices are subtly better rendered.

Hessec,

Nice thoughts on V2 vs. C1, that is helpful. It is interesting you mention the C1 has more bass slam than the bigger V2, to me this may be a plus given my acoustically challenged condo living room. When you say it took you a while to adjust to the sound of a sealed box, can you explain further. Also in terms of ease and flexibility of positioning, w/c is a strength of the C1, how did you find the V2?

I think that the C1 offers a lot for it's size and can be "hi fi" sounding or relaxed given the upstream components and it is certainly the more forgiving of the 2. C1 does sound terrible at low volume and I had some serious gear behind them. Crank them and they are certainly more of a party speaker than the magicos.

I agree regarding the low volumes. The originals need to be cranked up to sound their best. That being said the MKII is great at all levels. Yes I upgraded from the originals to the Signatures.

Noel if you like the Dyn sound have you considered the Special 25's or the Sapphires?