Dynaudio Contour 1.1 or Dynaudio Focus 160


I have been working on my room per member suggestions. Some room treatments and sound anchor speaker stands and am pretty happy. In fact a friend heard my equipment and bought my Dynaudio x32's that were too big for my room. I like the x12's that I still have but have an opportunity for a pretty good deal on some Contour 1.1's (probably 10 years old but sound great) or a new pair of the Focus 160's. Have not heard the Focus but he said both would be an upgrade of my x12's. My room is 9 x 12 with 8 foot ceiling. I don't listen very loud but like the clear Dynaudio sound. He also carries Harbeth but they seem really expensive to me. Using Primaluna separates (40 watts per channel), marantz 6005 CD player and Oracle Alexandria turntable. I like acoustic music, some rock and jazz. My room is pictured in my profile now. Thanks.
128x128dylanfan
The Focus 160s will provide a surprising amount of bass in your 9 x 12 room. In addition to having the smooth highs and mids of the Focus line.
Thanks Lowrider57. My x12's sound good but not as smooth as the 1.1 I heard. Just worried the 160 might have too much bass but the driver is so small I can't see how that would be the case.
Dylanfan, you wrote that the x32 where too big for your room. Was that because of the size or the sound? The Focus 160 goes much deeper than expected in my opinion, but my room creates booming sound if the speaker goes down to 50 Hz or below. If you don't have any issues with that kind of thing it might work fine in your room. It is a great speaker. I've heard it in a much bigger room than mine with powerful tube amp (Audio Research) and it was fantastic, but not in my room which was a bit sad for me. I had to sell and get something smaller. The Harbeth P3ESR doesn't have any issues with booming sound but they shouldn't have since it only goes down to 75 Hz or something (for many people that's not enough). Just wanted to clarify a little.
Dylanfan, Egoben raises a good point; getting the bass tight. I doubt you will need bass traps, but probably a couple of panels for low to mid frequency absorption placed on the wall behind you.
I ended up buying the Dynaudio Contour 1.1's. They sounded so smooth. They have a smaller driver and the older tweeter. They aren't as bright as my x12's but have a much more even sound from top to bottom. I haven't got them home yet but am excited to hear them. I was worried that he bass might be too much after the comments.