Any updates from dynaudio fans ? Anyone still enjoying theirs or upgraded recently
Just thought I'd add my tuppence to this - and my full-circle speaker journey with Dynaudio. My first Dynaudios were Audience 52s from the early 90s, which I've still got in the attic - having previously had various Acoustic Energy, Acoustic Research and Mission floor-standers and standmounts which were my first foray into fairly decent speakers after having built my own floor-standers when a student in the seventies - constructed from EMI elliptical BBC monitors (bought in one of those now long-disappeared Soho small electronics shops) and fairly heavy plywood.
From the 52s I went to 62s, then Contour 1.3 then Contour 1.3se - the latter I regret selling as they were outstanding, but at the time my amp (Bow Wazoo XL) was probably a bit under-powered to drive them to their full potential.
From there I went full ATC - a complete system - SIA150 amp, SCM40 speakers - which in its way very impressive, but ultimately I found it too linear and fatiguing, and also not good at low volume which I tend to use a lot, especially in the evenings.
So from there I went to Harbeths - P3ESR then 30.1, driven by a range of Glenn Croft amps - from the 'basic' line-integrated up to the pre 25R and 7R monos - a lovely sound and very relaxing/organic/non-fatiguing.
Those set-ups lasted quite a few years, then I started experimenting with amps again - Sugden Masterclass IA4 and Norma IPA140. Both worked well with the 30.1's, especially the Norma - I hadn't realised what a difference substantial power can make to the Harbeths even though they can be driven successfully by quite low-powered (valve) amps.
The 30.1's were lovely to my ears, but I began to feel that perhaps the mid-range was a bit too warm and bloated and maybe some speakers with a bit more focus and definition would complement the very musical and organic nature of the Norma. As chance would have it I'd been reading-up on Dynaudios again, especially the Heritage Special which came out a few years ago - Steve Huff's and Steve Guttenberg's reviews are very persuasive amongst others.
However they were outside my price range new, but then House Elf of this parish put a pair up for sale at an attractive price, which after selling my 30.1's and one or two other items wasn't too much for me to bridge the difference. Bizarrely I'd bought the 30.1's from him a few years earlier - immaculate as were the Dynaudios - so he's now my speaker supplier of choice!
The Heritage Specials did everything I wanted and more - the numerous reviews describe better than I can their qualities, but suffice it to say they have a mid-range quite close to the 30.1's but better bass, more definition and focus, great soundstage and immense detail - and totally non-fatiguing. Also exceptionally well made - if a rather traditional cabinet style - which I happen to like. I've had them for around 18 months and no urge to change them. The Norma has plenty of power on tap which they need, as with the Contour 1.3se's - 85db and 4 ohms - I think they need at least 100 watts to be at their best.
Maybe at some point I might try something a bit different - never used Proac or Spendor for example, but at the moment I think these Dynaudios are very much keepers. They're a bit of a rarity - only 2,500 pairs made worldwide, but I gather the Special 40s which are more plentiful and half the price at least come very close to them.