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In Reply to: RE: Inte amp and CD player for Dynaudio 110 posted by Mr Peabody on February 09, 2016 at 21:15:22
Peabody,thanks a lot for your reply. I haven't heard the 110. But I have heard the 160 with the Anthem 225 inte amp. If the 110 is so, I will not get it.
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The 110 is from an earlier revision of the Focus line. The 160 is from the most recent series which is a step up in performance and neutrality. With the 160, 260, and 360, I think the Focus series leapfrogged over the Contour and was getting close to the performance of the Confidence. So I was surprised when Dynaudio discontinued the Focus but kept the Contour.
The remaining US inventory of the Focus was bought up by one retailer, Dedicated Audio, who is offering the 160 for USD $1999 new or $1750 for a demo pair. I didn't really have the need for more speakers or a specific use in mind, but I couldn't resist buying a pair anyway since I had heard the new Focus line with good equipment behind it and I knew it was crazy good for the money. I did this on impulse while in the middle of a planned upgrade from Wilson Benesch Vertex to Magico S1, just after I sold the WB speakers. And I'm enjoying them so much that I'm no longer in a big hurry to jump on a used pair of Magico S1.
I'm not trying to imply that the Focus 160 is at the same performance level as the WB Vertex or Magico S1, but I have $20k of electronics and cables in front of them and they are not holding the system back (much). Considering I only paid $2k for them new, that is more bang for the buck than even the KEF LS50! I still plan to go through with the upgrade, but I'm not going to rush and maybe I'll wait until the new S1 Mk2 becomes available for audition before deciding.
So if you liked the 160, get the 160, and if that means you can't afford to upgrade the amp, wait and upgrade that later. Hopefully you can score a deal on the 160 since they are discontinued.
If you liked the 160 the 110 will be similar but with not as much low end extention. I didn't mean to discourage you. With something like Naim or Krell the 110 would not be as dark. It's difficult to put into words sound, especially where others understand what you mean. I say "dark" meaning the sound seems to come from a dark background or space opposed to like a more open airy sound. The 110 still images good and has great ability. A very listenable speaker, it just has it's own character.
I personally like a darker sound that's why the NAD with the 110 was so much fun. I just listen to a lot of variety of music and I imagine this combo may not have been as fun with Rock and such as it was with Jazz.
With orchestral and needing a bookshelf I'd stick with something in the Dynaudio family, as Dynaudio is first to my mind on strong bass.
A bit older but Dynaudio did have some special models like the Audience 52se, I think there was a Contour 1.3se & the Special 25. The latter is highly regarded andsd still might command a big price even used. You shouldn't have any problems though finding a good deal on a Dyn bookshelf.
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Thanks. But I did make one big error. I got my models mixed up, I was thinking the 160 was the step up from the 110. I totally agree with Bill K, the later Focus was much better sounding overall than the series the 110 was in.
The comments on the 110 are accurate though, about it having it's own character and sounding a bit dark.
You were recommending them to me a couple months back. They sounded great on audition, totally neutral and clean. But they are totally full range, even playing the lowest sub-bass notes from Leland Sklar on Lyle Lovett's She's Already Made Up Her Mind . They could replace the Dyn C2s in my living room, but are a bad fit for my downstairs room. Even the Focus 160s extend a bit too deep for an optimal setup. I was unable to find a place to audition the Gem 2. They seem to be a special order and the dealer has only sold them as surrounds.
I thought they might work since the port fired down. Did you play with the bass contour adjustments on the back? Another feature I thought may help.
Most would agree not as pretty as the Studio but you may want to look at some of the speakers in the JBL Synthesis. They have this model with a square horn that is made to either stand or lay on the side but I can't remember the model. I think the larger models would resonate though they wouldn't go as low as the Studio.
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