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B&W N803 versus Dynaudio Contour 3.4

I am in the final stages of making a speaker decision. It has been approximately 15 years since I last bought speakers and would like to get a decent set around $5000 which I plan to keep for a few years. I am down to the B&W N803's and Dynaudio Contour 3.4's. Honestly, I cannot decide. I like both sets. This is a great forum with very informed individuals and I would like your input. Which of these two do you like best and why? Why would I want to purchase one set over the other? I am putting together a combo HT and stereo system in the same room. I will use them about 60-40, HT versus music. If it matters my room is app. 19X20 with 16ft ceilings. Thanks in advance for your input.
pen_man
rsbeck
887 posts
 
If you buy used, you can probably get a pair of Nautilus
802's for around $5,000. I like the 803's, but if I were
buying B & W, I'd rather have 802's. I've never heard the
Contour 3.4's so I can't help you there.
jont
54 posts
 
I think you'd have an easier time matching the B&W stuff in a HT setup.
mfish
35 posts
 

Hello,
I owned most of the B&WMatrix and a few Nautilus, and currently own both the Dynaudio Special25 & the Dynaudio S3.4's...

here's my review of the S3.4 if you are interested.
Best,
M

Dyn & B&W
lucynbarney
45 posts
 
I got the N803s and the smaller HTM (can't remember if they're HTM1 or HTM2) for a HT setup. I liked the Dynaudios too. But for me the B&Ws were more subtle sounding, less metalic. Plus my wife liked the look of them and they don't have a flat top to put nick nacks on. Plus my brother-in-law runs B&Ws (Matrix) and he was a pro musician. Either way I think you're looking at awesome speakers, but I would second another poster in saying that used N802s are up another fairly clear notch in the sonic spectrum.
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