Dynaudio Evoke 20 vs. Totem Signature One vs. Acoustic Revival Adalante 3


Hello Agon members,

I am getting ready to purchase a new pair of speakers and looking for some advice and first hand experience with a few of my possible choices:

  • Dynaudio Evoke 20 - I listened to this speaker at a store in Bangkok. I really enjoyed it, good dynamics and strong bass. Tone was great, but I felt like there was a little coloration to this speaker, perhaps some box resonance? Overall, very musical.
  • Totem Signature One - I listened to this speaker in a different store. It was a less than ideal environment, but the speaker had many of the same attributes that I liked about the Evoke 20.
  • Acoustic Revival Adalante 3 - Have not heard but will demo next time I am in Bangkok.

I own a Hifi Rose RS520 integrated amp/streamer. My speaker cables are Tellurium Q Black II and the power cord is generic. I am currently using a pair of Vanguard Scout speakers to great effect (especially considering the modest price) until I settle on my next speaker. In the past, I have used Omega Speaker Systems SAM (still own) and did not find this to be a good synergy with the Hifi Rose. I have also auditioned a pair of used Harbeth C7ES and, even though I wanted to love these speakers, there was again poor synergy. So finding a speaker that will play well with the sound signature of the Hifi Rose is important to me.

My room is 16.4 ft. x 19 ft. and my system is against the shorter wall. Speakers will have plenty of room on the sides, but I doubt I will be able to position them more than 2 ft. off the back wall.

My preference is for a warmer sound with a good tone, but I also articulation, dynamics, imaging and soundstage. I generally stay away from bright and forward sounding equipment. Music is mostly centered around rock and indie, with some country, bluegrass, folk, hip hop, reggae, etc. thrown into the mix.

I will listen to all 3 speakers again before I purchase, but demos are much different than actually living with a speaker. Therefore, if you have spent some time with any of these speakers, please share your thoughts.

Thanks in advance - Billy

 

billynine

I gradually got tired of the Dynaudio Consequence. Even if the speaker was good and innovative - a sybaric double bass solution at the top, with drivers arranged from larger to smaller downwards to the highest treble - at the bottom!  A speaker designer asked me, is that really the case. Doesnt the sound become the wrong way up? But no, it worked. What did not work was that they were "over-controlled" (the way I thought about it) - needing very much power, like 2 x 1200 watts. For example, compared to the Proac 3.8 floorstanders, which I also tried, that woke up to dance and sing at a much lower volume level. i tried the Consequence with quite powerful tube amps, Atmasphere MA-1. It did not work out. They would have to be twice as powerful or more, the get the speakers into their comfort zone. I ended up selling the speakers and keeping the tube amps.

Later I heard a pair of Dynaudio monitors that really made an impression, quite different from the Consequences. Cant remember the model right now, but it was a special edition something. They were set up very well, on stands, with a well-treated and damped room. We were three friends listening, and we all commented on how the monitors seemed to disappear, the music coming from a larger soundscape. This was with a Cayin integrated amp, maybe 40 watts or so. I thought Dynaudio speakers with tube amps was a lost case, no good, but this  showed otherwise. It depends on the model. 

 

Funny you should mention those three speakers. Here's a YouTube video that, if you have a decent computer set up, can give you a good idea as the sound differences are readily apparent, despite the flaming that will result form me posting this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t6sdLnhLTs&t=112s

Also, Daniel Emonts, who owns Revival Audio and designed the Atalante 3, was lead speaker designer at Dynaudio for 7 years and the Evoke 20 was one of his creations. His drivers are proprietary and everything is designed and made in France. 

I have the Atalante 3 and will never part with them unless I get a bigger space and then, the Atalante 5 will replace them.

All the best,
Nonoise

Great choices in speakers. My two cents: I recently put my Dynaudio Special 40s on consignment at my local hifi store. I’ve owned them since 2019 and really enjoyed them----UNTIL I heard the Atalante 3s. I helped the store owner unbox them in the store recently and they really intrigued me from the get go. Build quality is excellent---and they are pretty! Laser etching on the side. Nice stands too. They are slightly bigger than the S40s, bigger driver and slightly more efficient. Once I got them home and hooked them up to my system, I knew they were keepers. I absolutely love the sound of these speakers. I didn’t think I would part with the Dyns but i instantly had an emotional reaction to the Atalante 3s. AND, your Tellurium Q speaker cables are a perfect match for the Atalantes. Also, I posted the pics of my speakers on a FB Revival fan page and Revival liked my pic and requested my address, etc. They sent me a beautiful coffee mug. Never had a company do that before. Let us know what you decide---good luck!

I was never too impressed with the Dynaudio Special 40s as much as with the Contours and Evokes. Never heard the Heritage.

I am a huge believer in FRITZ speakers. Have had the Carbon 7SE version for 2 years now complimented with a SVS SB3000 in a smaller room, Just Rock and Roll. Very dynamic and accurate, not harsh at ALL. Would not trade it, period!!! 

  I also believe he offers a 30 day trial period. Mine took a while to break in, Nirvana!

Robert TN  Ps they are driven by a Top notch DAC and very Strong Solid State ATI 6002 AMP   my 2 cents