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Dynaudio, Wilson, Avalon, Aerial

I need some advice. I have narrowed my search of speakers down to a few that dealers in the area have and that I have listened to (for the most part). I will likely buy used and I will not buy a pair of speakers based solely on reviews. I would appreciate that you keep your comments to the speakers that I have mentioned even though there are probably many great speakers out there at a similar price. Another consideration is my room. It is acoustically challenged and needs work. It is 16 X 20 with cathedral ceilings – reflective, boomy in the 100 to 200 Hz area and very bright. I plan to work on this but since it is a “family” room, only so much can and will be done. And, what ever I get, I will need to be able to match it with a center speaker for theater. Okay, the list:

Dynaudio C2s – new or used
Dynaudio C4s - used
Dynaudio Temptation (used – still too expensive)
Wilson Sophia 2 - new
Avalon Eidolon Vision- used
Aerial 20 T - used

I found the C2 had great imaging and wonderful delivery of information especially in the mid-range. They had a bass extension in the mid-bass and a lack of low bass (sounded a little punchy/unrealistic). They also lacked a little natural brightness in the upper mid-range, making voices sound a little flat. My local dealer does not have the C4s but said the bass issue is even more exaggerated unless one has a very large room. I have heard the opposite from a few who own them. I was hoping the C4s would be the answer. The temptation would definitely be great but unless they are having a fire sale, they are too expensive. The Wilson Sophia 1 sounded “bigger than life”/forward. They did not have the imaging of the C2s but the sound was flatter across the board. The midrange lacked a little of the realism that the C2s have and I found the tweeter a little jagged. I am still waiting to hear the Sophia 2. The Aerial 20 Ts sounded great in the highs and lows but I was not all that blown away in the midrange. In addition, they are very vertically directional. I am going to hear the Avalon’s this weekend however; the dealer only has the diamonds. I will have to derive my opinion of the Vision from what I hear. One other point of reference, I have ruled out Thiel, B & W, Martin Logan, JM Lab, and Revel (being replaced). So, what do you think?
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Showing 1 response by kthomas

kthomas
911 posts
 
I'll submit a biased endorsement of the C2's. I own a pair and use them in my 14x19x8 room. My room is panelled and carpeted, so doesn't have some of the acoustic issues you mention. One thing I really like with the C2's is the DDC - I don't know what that marketing acronym stands for for sure, but the "feature" is that the sound you hear is more of the direct sound, and less reflected sound. I use a Tact RCS for music playback, and it made a large difference with my Dyn Confidence 3's, but with the C2's the change is much less noticeable.

I've seen several pairs here on Audiogon recently for mid-5K in price, which seems like a steal to me. A matching center can be had used for $2500-3000, which also seems like a good deal - again, I'm biased, as this is the setup I have. I love movies / HT as well as music.

Do you already have amplification picked out? That would probably make a difference as well.
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