Review: Dynaudio Contour 1.8 mkII Speaker

Category: Speakers

I have been on a speaker hunt for a while. My goal was to find a sub $3000 speaker (new or used). I was really hoping this speaker would be the one because I had read many reviews about how great Dynaudio is. I couldn't wait to get to the store and hear them.
I was sitting and listening to CD after CD... After trying to convince myself that I liked them, I gave up.
The entire Dynaudio line seemed to have very fatiguing highs. The midrange was nice and they had good mid-bass punch. They made music come alive in many ways but, something about the way the highs were delivered made me want to get away from them.
I played James Taylor, Tracy Chapman, Art Blakey, and all sounded good in some ways. The imaging was nice, they had a good presence but, weren't smooth and liquid. They were kind of brutal in their attack on certain notes. Bass was booming during some tracks and then the highs would squeel in others.
They're good speakers for someone but, if you have a harsh amp or other electronics, these speakers will not sound natural. If it's all tubes and such, you may be OK.
Build quality looked OK, the speakers have a nice finish and a clean look. Most wives would approve.

Strengths: good midrange and/or midbass, good imaging, nice looking.
Weaknesses: Fatiguing speakers

Associated gear
Rega Planet
Bryston Amp

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