Danish loudspeakers: Dynaudio & System Audio


Recently, I've auditioned a pairs of Dynaudio Focus 110, I'm pretty impressed with the sound, but if I choose to buy the Focus 160, I'm a bit worry on the bass resonance problem due to rear ported design, some Dynaudio users report such problem too. I'm living in a medium room, where space is very limited, thus I'm considering to audition a pairs of System Audio Mantra 5, same Danish loudspeaker design, seem well regarded from some of the feedbacks, though I have to contact them to check whether any audition available in Malaysia, from the Website I'm able to search out a location though. Anybody heard of the System Audio speakers, any opinions or impressions how it sound?
128x128wim1983
Wim do your self a favor and contact Bob Gross @ speaker art and see if he will build you a pair of speakers and be done. Yes they are out of your budget but its a small price to oay for everything your are asking for in a standmount. I am familiar with your amp as I own a class d audio amp and the combination is spectacular. There is no speaker I know of in that price range that can touch the sound or build quality. Bob is widely regarded as one of the best two way speaker designers of all time. Either that or continue to post on here about Speaker A vs Speaker B. Best of luck.
Wim1983,
The PSB Synchrony One B, like all PSBs, has a very nice warm feel to it and a huge soundstage. It's very enjoyable to listen to and capable of smooth mids and deep bass, but it's rear-ported and needs to have room away from the wall. Too close to the wall and you won't get detail in the bass.

That's due to the 6.5" woofer. I hope you like them, but the Focus 160 is the better speaker. You'll need to use some room treatments for any speaker you choose.
@Chrshanl37: Thanks for the info, asides from price, I'm doom even to consider the shipping fee in USD, haha, not very worthwhile for me to buy any American product right now, unless some of the small affordable gear like JDS Labs ODAC

@Lowrider57: Most probably I'm going for Focus 140, I've been considering System Audio Mandra 5 / Harbeth P3ESR too, but I think these 2 will cost more, the first I'm on the process to ask for an audition, it's not available in Malaysia. While the second definitely over my budget by a fraction...
We judge every single part of a set on what we call Total
Sound. When we audition sets from 'new' clients, at shows
or at another audio shop in almost all situations it is
what we call 'incomplete'.

In most 'new' sets we need to bring in parts of Total
Sound to make it complete. At the end it is so much more
addictive to listen to any set we 'repaired'.

It is the most effective way of getting the maximum
quality out of a set. All parts of Total Sound influences
our emotion. So when you create a set what will have all
the parts of Total Sound it is so much more addictive and
exciting to listen.

The Monitor Audio speakers in the lower prices own more
parts of Total Sound. So when you use all the parts you
will have a more complete sound. This is what it makes it
so easy to sell.

Audio is all about shootouts and comparing. This is how we
sell it. People always will choose the sound what
convinces the most and is most liked.

Parts of Total Sound:

- Soundrealism: you want and need an instrument to sound
like in real. I use Pass labs amps to the max for this. It
is the focus on sound of each different instrument and
voice. For example: you want to hear the difference
between 2 acoustic guitars of a recording. I always want
to hear the full palette in the mid freq. The timbre is an
essential part of listening to music

- 3 dimensional soundstage: this is the most exiting part
of audio in general. This sets your beloved music in full
3Din front of you. During listening you can focus on each
individual part of a recording.The best sets can even give
instruments the shape as in real.

- Intimate sound:instruments and voices are very small in
dimension and very direct in sound. You want a realistic
proportion of instruments and voices. Intimate sound has
a very big influence on our emotion. During many acoustic
classical live concerts I learned how small a vice and
instruments were in proportion.

- Blacks: The space between the instruments and voices
with their acoustic information during the recording. This
is the level of physical appearance. You want to touch
every single instrument and voice of the recording.
Germans use the word'darstellung'.

- timing and speed: it is a very important part for
authorityand control of the overall sound. Better timing
will give you less acoustic limitaions. But also a more
natural sound.Biside this you also can reveal more layers
of the low freq.

- Resolution: you want to hear all details of the
recording.And it needs to be physical apparent.

- Air: This part gives the instruments and voices the
freedom during listening. Separation makes your music so
much more appealing.

- A big freq. response: When your system goes deeper in
freq.response you will hear more information of a
recoding. Thisalso has a big influence on our emotion.
People can heartill maximum 20 khz. But...the freq.
response above it still influences our brains.

- articulation of voices: how clear you can hear word
endings, breathing of singers and moving lips.

- heights: When I received 2 sets of the Audioquest Wel
Signature xlr's it became more clear than ever. It makes
listening to music different and even more appealing.
We don't focus on a brand, but we test and compare in each
price level. And only choose those products what give the
best results during testing. The best quality wins and we
don't care about a name that much as others.

We can get all flatscreens we want. For each client or
project we only choose the best picture quality you can
get for the money people what to spend.

We use it as a protection for all clients to get the best
possible.

We do a lot of testing and innovation and when we find
better products this will be the new benchmark. It changes
a little over time. We don't know other people like we who
uses audio this way.