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Where do you go after a Dynaudio C1 ?

I have been scouting for a pair of speakers to replace my Dynaudio C1, which after many years of enjoyment I now find voiced to relaxed for my taste. I am looking for speakers that comes as close as possible to the raw sound and timbre of voices and instruments with minimal house coloration, speakers that energize a room to give an electrifying feel of presence, speakers that convey both refined subtlety and explosive dynamics with effortlessness. This have to be smallish, either a standmount or small footprint floorstander, must work in condo-type living room, and synergize with high power rowland amp I use.

Two speakers I have listened to and consider top candidates are the Magico V2 and Focal Utopia Diablo. These seem to possess the attributes I seek. Given my parameters, what other speakers do you think I should consider? Buying new with budget $15,000 max, less the better. Please note purchase will be in the Philippines, where most small specialty brands are not available.
noelpastor
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
I agree on the Sonus Faber recommendation and hope you can give some a listen in the Philippines. The higher resolution of many speakers is a two-edged sword. You can get swept up in their detail for awhile only to be worn out by it after awhile longer. IME the Sonus Fabers manage to bathe you in a wash of ambient detail in its most musical perspective while not taking over the show. I can listen to them for hours and hours. You might be able to find exactly what you want in the SF Cremona Ms. They list at $12,500 USD and are often available for less. They are dead flat to 40 Hz in the bass with airy treble extension beyond human hearing. That airy resolution and transparency gives you what you're looking for while its bass extension gives you almost all the music. If you want that last theoretical bottom octave, there's still enough left in your budget for a good self-powered sub.
mike60
275 posts
 
Peter_s,
The Gamut mono blocks are outstanding, and would have been a big factor. Lots of micro and macro detail, tremendous dynamics and wonderful treble extension.
pani
1,049 posts
 
I have used dynaudio extensively and liked them but as you said it is voiced. It doesn't convey the truest timbres and rawness. I auditioned around 70 speakers trying the replace he dynaudio and the only 2 speakers did it for me, rockport mini and ATC. Finally it was ATC that really sounded closest to the real instruments and voices. The tone and timbre was absolutely spot on combined with a honesty that was too correct to ignore. Please listen to an ATC before taking a call.

Today I use a Tannoy prestige Turnberry SE and it has a very similar accuracy of tone but it is juicier, more technicolor rich. Highly recommended. For your budget you can get the Kensington which is the Alnico magnet version, more neutral and faster.
xti16
1,495 posts
 
I had C1's for a couple of years. The comments about the new version performing better at low volume are very interesting. What changes did they make that resulted in that outcome, do you suppose?
I was told by the Dynaudio sales rep that they made a major change to the crossover. They got some new parts that previously were only in the Consequence UE due to availability. I suspect these were parts from the Evidence series too. I have read the Evidence sounds better at lower volumes compared to any of the Confidence series. They also stepped up the internal (Van Hul) wiring. Last they have a new doping on the Esotar2 tweeter.

I was floored when the Signatures were delivered and set up. I kept the originals next to them for about 1/2 hour (the originals were trade ins). They new Signatures sounded so much clearer compared to the originals at low to mid volumes.
mike60
275 posts
 
Pani, how long did it take you to audition 70 speakers? That is a lot of speakers!
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