Tyler Ref Monitors vs. Dynaudio 1.3 MK11

The 1.1's work that close to the back wall, but a few of the reviews I've read of them also talk about them being easy to position. I can't imagine the 1.3's being radically different than the 1.1's, but stranger things have happened. -Kirk

John, I used to have a pair of the Audience 50's so I know about the plugs. I didn't like using the plugs on the 50's because I felt the sound became too dry. The 50's sounded okay only a foot from the wall. I'm just curious if the 1.3's or the 1.8's will also work that close to the back wall.

Hey Jimmymac,

The Dynaudio 1.3 MkII come w/foam plugs for the portholes that help w/bookshelf mounting. I have not tried them w/the plugs so I do not personally know what affect they have on the overall sound. I would guess that Dynaudio would not include something like this if it would adversely affect the speakers. Good luck.....John

Thanks for all the advice. As far as giving speakers some room to breathe; I will only be able to position the speakers about a foot or so from the back wall. Will this be enough for the Dynaudio's or any other rear ported speaker?

Hey Jimmymac,

I have to agree w/Rmml about giving the MkII's room to breath and plenty of juice. I have mine 69 1/4" from the back wall and 42 3/4" from the side walls in my 22'x13'x9' room. I'm also driving them w/a Plinius SA-250 MkIV. I've never listened to the Tylers but I did own the Revel M-20's and sold them immediately after hearing the Dyns. I recommend you take a listen to both but I love my Dyns. Good luck w/your decision.....John

I had the Tyler Ref monitors for a couple of months before I bought the Dynaudio 1.3 MK II's,they are both great speakers but I the think the Tyler ref monitors will sound better on tube amps,and Dynaudio 1.3 MK II's on solid state amps by a wide margin IMHO, since I have a solid state amp I kept the Dynaudio 1.3 MK IIs. Give this puppies some room to breath and lots of juice and you'll be amazed of what they are capable of.

I bought a pair of top of the line Lynbrooks from Tyler Acostics and they are the best speakers I have ever heard regardless of price. Ty Lashbrook is fanatical about his products and you can buy with great confidence from Ty. Also the prices he charges are very fair, so if you can buy used you will not find a better value in high end speakers.

I've heard both and not just for a small amount of time--do yourself a favor and get the Tylers. Both are good, but only one captures the nuances of delicate or complex music. While the MKII will have better slam, the Tylers will give more liquidity and tonal balance.

And just as a sidelight--if you ever want to upgrade Tyler is very generous (after a year and a half of use he gave me 90% of the original price).

The Ref Monitors from Ty Lashbrook are world class

The 1.3's will definitely have a much more refined sound and more bottom end, at least if the 1.1's are any indication. I had the Audience 50's in my office system and replaced them with the 1.1's to both of those positive effects. I think the key if you go with 1.3's is how far out from the back wall do you need to bring them vs. how far do you want to bring them out. If you've got a little bit of room, they'll probably work like a dream. If you don't have more than a foot or so, you probably won't achieve their best. -Kirk

I like the 72's just fine. They do however, get quite loud in my room without too much effort. I've been told I might be better off going with a higher quality monitor. I owned the Audience 50's before I got the 72's. I loved the 50's but needed a little more bass. I was thinking the 1.3's or the Tyler's would probably give me a more refined sound and a bit more bottom end.

Do you like the 72's or are you looking for a different sound? Assuming you like them, and if you're interested in saving a bit of money, I can highly recommend the Contour 1.1's. They're a bit easier to drive than the 1.3's and a bit less placement sensitive. And they sound great. Or, by the time you buy stands, you'll have almost enough in the 1.3's to go to the floor-standing 1.8's (unless the monitor concept is something you're really striving for). They're probably the easiest floor stander in Dyn's line to drive, and your McComack would do so nicely, while being a nice step up in sound. -Kirk

I own a pair of tyler ref moniters and can highly recommend them, one of the best sounding speakers that I have heard in their price class. Ty has used and demo from time to time and will include a 2 yr warranty.