B&W 805D vs. Dynaudio Contour S1.4

Thanks for the feedback Zormi. I can afford the C1's, but I can't get past how they look. I want a speaker that sounds great and that is also aesthetically pleasing. Am I asking too much??

As a C1 owner I have to say they are not the prettiest speakers around. That being said I did not buy for looks. Having heard the 805's a couple of years back I thought they were great but wasn't sure. Couldn't put my finger on it. I only had about a 1/2 hr audition. Later I heard the Sonus Faber Cremora Auditor 'M' and thought they were even better than the 805's. A little more laid back but still good sounding. Then when I heard the C1's it took me less than 10 min to know they were right for my ears (not eyes though). The bass was amazing - midrange was the most natural I had ever heard - and the high end beat the B&w's hands down - again very natural. The imaging and transparency was unbelievable. I did also at 1 time consider the 803 and the 802 - too big for my room though.

All that being said I never compared the C1's to any less Dyn speaker for I did not want to price justify and go less expensive to wonder a year or 2 down the road - should have I gotten the C1's. Been there. I sometimes still wonder after hearing the excite X12 and X22's but I'm not sorry.

That's my opinion. Would I do it again if I could go back in time? In a heartbeat!! BTW the looks grew on me.

Forgot to mention I heard the X12's in Feb and the X22's last month. I have had the C1's for 2 years now.

I'd choose the Contour S 1.4. A very refined speaker, smooth sounding with an incredible bass response. Relatively forgiving for bad recordings for long term listening without listener's fatigue.

You should consider the Usher Be-718s as well. Looks good and sounds great :)