My Journey to find the "perfect" speaker... - Page 22

Thanks for the kind words, Tim. I always appreciate your insight.

You are correct; airiness has nothing to do with the size of the speakers. It was just a loose theory that I through out there. It is possible that the treble was lightly rolling off, but it may have had to do more with the room interaction than anything else. I say this because when I got home and hooked my rocket's back up, they were an entirely different animal (better bass response and just more full sounding).

As for the midrange, it was a tad recessed at times, but if I implied it could be fixed by crossing the speaker over, it was unintentionally. What I meant was that the thinness of the speaker may be cured by crossing over the speaker to a subwoofer. At times, when pushed pretty hard, the speaker sounded a bit thin (I mentioned it in the original review). This "thinness" that I was speaking of had more to do with the bass response and the lack of a "full" sound. Crossing over to a sub may very well open up the midrange a tad, but it will effect the bass and midbass more than anything, perhaps giving me that fuller sound and ridding the speaker of that occasional thinness.

I hope that clears things up.

P.S. This thread will never stay dormant as long as I continue to audition speakers...which will likely never cease.

Edit: You're right, I did say that the midrange recession could be cured by crossing over to a sub. My fault! I certainly did not mean to phrase it that way, thus I changed the original post. I meant that the thinness may be cured by crossing over to a sub and that the midrange may open up a bit due to this. Thanks for pointing that out pal (I need to re-read what I type before posting).

Thanks guy. I don't suppose you sell them? If so, I'll be sure to swing in there sometime soon.

Cool. How much do they retail for?

Edit: Nervermind:they're $2800/pair For that price I could pick up a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig II's and a MFW-15 subwoofer.

Curtis, did you prefer the Usher's over the Sierra's? I personally think the Sierra's are a bargain for the asking price of $900/pair (piano gloss black finsih). The Usher's are over 3 times the price.

Audition # 6

Dynaudio Contour S1.4 Bookshelf Speaker


I can safely say that this speaker was the overall group favorite of the day. It performed more like a small tower speaker than a bookshelf; however I was in the minority that didn't feel this speaker was worth the asking price of $3400/pair (not saying it was a bad speaker, just overpriced. I guess that's B&M for ya).

The Dynaudio C1.4 was the second bookshelf speaker to make me ponder whether or not the subwoofer was hooked up. This time, the subwoofer had been removed from the room entirely, so there was no doubt. The bass reached lower than the Sierra-1's, but it wasn't quite as tight and musical. In fact it was a little boomy and bloated for my tastes, something that may be alleviated by crossing over to a capable subwoofer. Nonetheless, we listened to all the speakers full range without a subwoofer, so I must be truthful about what I heard. I'd like to point out that this also could have been room interaction.

The tweeter on the Dynaudio's was pretty spot on, leaning slightly on the bright side of the spectrum. It produced airy and detailed highs without giving me listener fatigue, and in comparison to the Sierra-1's tweeter, had more of a zing and seemed more factual to what was actually on the recording. In a better treated room I am confident that the tweeter would sound a little smoother but without losing any detail (which would be right up my ally).

The spectral balance of the Dyn's sounded right most of the time, but occasionally the sloppy bass took longer to decay than the rest of the frequencies, so the transition to the midrange wasn't as seamless as I had expected from a $3400/pair speaker (some midrange detail loss). The midrange was warm and engaging, but in a couple of instances shile listening off-axisI could have sworn I heard some lobing - hard to tell because it wasn't an ideal listening environment, though. YMMV.

In the end, taking into consideration price, looks (a little aggressive and modern looking for me with the grill removed), build quality and performance, I enjoyed the Dynaudio 1.4's quite a bit, but I cannot justify the asking price. The build quality of the Sierra-1's was more solid in comparison, but the top end sparkle of the Dyn's was better and had that airiness I was looking for. The Dyn's were also superior in the midrange department. However, the "fat" bass causes me to want to re-evaluate them having them crossed over to capable subwoofer. But then you're talking another $600-$1000 for the sub plus the asking price of $3400/pair of the speakers. For that price I could purchase a full surround system comprised of the Sierra-1's, or even better, a pair of Salk Song Tower's with matching center channel or a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig's with matching center channel. I know what I'd choose, but I'll leave that decision up to you.

The Dynaudio Contour 1.4's gets two thumbs up, but I recommend trying them paired with a subwoofer, and only if you have expendable income available, as I can think of of some speakers I feel are superior for less money. Still, don't pass up the opportunity to give them an audition. They are one of the best bookshelf style speakers I've had the pleasure to hear. Dyn prides themselves on their build and design quality, and now that I have experienced that first hand I am a fan.

UPDATE: I had the chance to re-audition these at a B&M location, and I liked them a lot more the second time around. The room was treated, and the bass "boom" was gone. Definitely two thumbs way up, but I sure wish they retailed for less than $3099/pair (at least the was the price here in WI). Due to this, I slightly edited a few things from my above review.

5K? That's a lot of doh for a bookshelf speaker. I'd rather pop for a nice full range tower at that price.

I don't think you're a fanboy, Curtis; just passionate about a product that you've deemed a great performer, especially for the price. However, I do understand why someone would think that way of you... Just know that I'm not on board with that group of people.

For what it's worth, I've been called a Pioneer Kuro fanboy. I own the 5080HD and think it blows away almost any other plasma TV out there, even Fujitsu and B&O products. I reply with the fact that I am not a faboy, just a fan of the most current superior product. I make it very clear that when something new comes out that is superior in performance for the same price, I'll then be a fan of that equipment and won't hesitate to preach to the world about it. I consider you to be in that same category, Curtis (the one I lump myself into - a fan of the best performance for the price).

Anyway, for the price of those Usher's, and without even hearing them, I'd be willing to bet I'd lean towards the Sierra-1's, just like I did between them and the Dyn's. Price plays a huge role for me, unless the performance increase truly is that much (in this case, it wasn't).

There, that should clear up some things.

It's worth every penny and is probably the best piece of A/V equipment I've ever purchased. A Kuro sure would look hot in between those awesome oak Sierra's, Curtis.

They are releasing the new 9th Gen in a few months, which are suppose to have an even better black level/contrast ratio. It just keeps getting better!

Cool. I'll certainly check your thread out. Thanks.



Exactly. It would be a nice contrast.


Yes, the room certainly played a factor in all of the speakers. Its too bad about your stands, because if they could have alleviated that bass bloating things may have turned out differently.

As for build quality, I held both speakers and examined them. Both were superb but when I wrapped on the Sierra (in comparison to the Dyn's), it was almost totally solid and dead. Based on the good 'ol "knuckle wrap test" it seemed the Sierra's were better dampened. Remember, I never said the build quality of the Sierra's was better; just more solid.

I'd love to hear the Dyn's in a different environment. And if I ever get myself a pair of Salk's, you're welcome to come over and audition them.

Thanks for your insights.

Trust me, Tim, if I had the money I'd purchasing exotic equipment all day, but only if they sounded just as nice (of which I'm sure those do)




Yup yup; I'd have a pair of those too if I had the money.

Man...you guys are making me jealous!