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Focal vs dynaudio

Hi folks.  Here once more to discuss the “Ford vs Chevy”
i currently have focal 1028be speakers which I’m relatively happy with.  Looking tp go a bit further and here are my 3 options..

Upgrade my nad m32 to a pass labs x150.8 and m12 combo $4500 difference.

swap out the 1028 be for 1038 (whenever a pair becomes available) 7500 ish

swap out the 1028s for dynaudio contour 60/60i.  7500 ish
I’m currently enjoying the nad due to its huge list of features (we live in a digital world now). And I have 2 Jl fathom 110s which need the onboard xover hence why I’m staying with the preamp portion.  I listen 80 music 20 movies and overall want a fuller warmer larger sound.  
One thing to also keep in mind the tweeter on my right 1028 has a hair line fracture in it.  Unsure how it happened but I have my suspicions.  (Cd skipping with a loud abrupt pop when trying a different source... Wondering if the soft domes are a bit less susceptible to damage?  Didn’t take much and it’s only 1...  let’s here your thoughts!  Room is un ideal 16’wx19.5d


dadjokesftw1
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mwh777
93 posts
 
I replaced the Dynaudio Contour 60 with the Focal Sopra 2. Gave up a higher level of technical performance and analytical sound for a much greater level of musical performance and pure pleasure (yes, I already know that the analytical purists and I don't agree on the meaning of the word musical).
For me, it came down to the listening to the sound vs. listening to the music issue.

thuhaile
105 posts
 
I had Focal 1038be before. Definitely not my cup of tea when I paired them with my Ayon tube amp. They sounded a bit better with my Ayre v1 amp but the midrange still sounded thin compared to my Dynaudio c4. I know it’s not a fair comparison. The high was more prominent on the be1038 though. You’ll need to hear the Dynaudio in person to decide whether Dynaudio sound is for you.
daros71's avatar
daros71
118 posts
 
What i can tell you is that the good reputation Dynaudio has is for the products before 2014. In 2014 the company changed ownership and probably a new philosophy is ruling the product line now. I know some of their old product like contour 1.3 mkII, contour 3.3, Confidence 5, Confidence C4, and all of them are great speakers, with a clear idea about timbre and spatiality. The new speaker lines have absolutely nothing to do with the old series on which the reputation of Dynaudio relies.
ghasley
2,506 posts
 
Dynaudio remains an exceptional company, in many ways more innovative than before. While I dont presently own any Dynaudios I have in the past owned C1 plats and its been my pleasure to hear wonderful things across their product line. If you havent heard the new Dynaudio Heritage Special, and by your comments I must assume you havent, you owe it to yourself. Maybe the best 2 way monitor Ive ever heard and Ive owned about every Harbeth, Duette 1’s and 2’s etc.

”What i can tell you is that the good reputation Dynaudio has is for the products before 2014. In 2014 the company changed ownership and probably a new philosophy is ruling the product line now. I know some of their old product like contour 1.3 mkII, contour 3.3, Confidence 5, Confidence C4, and all of them are great speakers, with a clear idea about timbre and spatiality. The new speaker lines have absolutely nothing to do with the old series on which the reputation of Dynaudio relies.”
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

not ford vs chevy -- more like citroen vs volvo :)

more seriously, listen to scott at verdant - his advice is solid

focal is warm mids but with plenty high end energy, dynaudio more neutral, bit cooler presentation, also with clear extended treble

need strong and lovely sounding amplification (expensive) to get the best from these speakers
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