| Model: | Contour 3.0 |
| Category: | Speakers |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $5,300 |
| Description: | 3 way floor standing |
| Manufacturer URL: | Not Available |
|
Review by HKD on October 15, 1999 at 03:54:00 IP Address: 158.140.3.201 |
Add Your Review for the Contour 3.0 |
Just listened to the Dynaudio 3.0 and the 3.3's and to my surprise (and was even verified by the salesperson in the shop) the 3.0's had everything the 3.3's had, except the mid range was a bit more full. I thought I would definately lose the bass extension and tight "thump" on the Erykah Badu cd when switching from the larger (and double woofered) 3.3 over to the 3.0, but I did not. The detail, clarity and soundstage were all there on the
David Benoit, Julian Bream and Madame Butterfly cd's we sampled. I can't put into words how clear and transparent these speakers were. Here's where we saw a big difference between the 3.3'2 and the 3.0's.....with cd's that rocked. Chris Cornell's new CD EUPHORIA MORNING sounded thinner and
more harsh on the 3.3's, while it had a fuller (but in no way bloated or muffled)sound on the 3.0's....same with the ZZ Top ANTENNA cd. Other cd's we listened to where Elton John (Captain Fantastic-the title track is great for listening to seperation in the 3 guitars used), DAngelo (Brown Sugar-the last track is something I typically use for source material--it is easy to have the cymbols sound like they are digitally produced), Special EFX (Masterpiece), Oscar Peterson (Live in Paris), Muddy Waters (Folk Singer), TJ Kirk (If four was One), Marvin Gaye (greatest Hits). I would say that if you have more of a wide range of musical tastes, definately check out the 3.0's. They do
not color the music (which is one the little quirks I have with B&W's 801/2/3). Both models offer a clean, transparent and full top to mid to bottom sound, but we both thought the 3.0's had a
distincly noticable advantage in the midrange. To some $4,000 may seem like a lot, but to others $4,000 will be a steal. I think these speakers are very fairly priced at the MSRP of $5,000, and I think $4,000 is a great price. I would be challenged to tell you something I didn't like about the 3.0's. Actually, while the cabinets are VERY solidly built, they are a bit boring. The 3.0's are now high on my shortlist.
FYI, I have been using NHT VT-2's for a year and a half and have now been considering the
following speakers::: ProAc Response 3.5// NHT 3.3//Wilson Watt Puppies 3.2 and now surely
these Dynaudio 3.0's.The equipment we listened to these on were all Levinson gear (which I'm sure helped a bit).
Listen to these they are nice (although plain looking)speakers.
| Product Weakness: | boring looking |
| Product Strengths: | very transparent, full rnage speakers--they really do too much the right way to mention it all |
| Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
| Amplifier: | New Levinson (I believe the 33) |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Levinson reference |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | again, Levinson reference transport (I believe the No 31) |
| Speakers: | these reviewed |
| Cables/Interconnects: | NA |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | lots across many formats |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Dealer Demo |
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