2. speakers
  3. 1131213398

Mini Monitors - Dynaudio and JM Labs

After 11 years with my Thiel CS22 floorstanders, I’m ready to make a change and have decided to try out some mini monitors because of room size 15’x17’x7.5’ and the fact that I have a REL Stadium III to take care of the low end. I’ve narrowed my search down to two brands, Dynaudio and JM Labs. I’m looking at the Micro Utopia Be and either to the three Dynaudio models, Confidence C1, Special 25, or Contour 1.3SE.

I listen to pretty much all types of music but the majority being Jazz, Rock, and Alternative. One thing about the Thiel’s that I have always had a difficult time dealing with was that the listening position was extremely critical. The way that I have my speakers positioned, only one person at a time could truly enjoy the music from my Thiel’s. I’m hoping that I can improve my predicament with the speakers listed above as well as moving a step up in the quest for the absolute sound. I believe I have plenty of power to drive any of the speaker listed. A list of my associated equipment is listed “my system”.

Please, your recommendations or comments are welcome if you have compared or owned any speakers listed above.
islandflyfisher
jond's avatar
jond
6,057 posts
 
I own the original Micro Utopias and I have to say that they're the best sounding speakers I've ever owned. Without a sub there's plenty of bass, pinpoint imaging, incredible transparency, easy to drive, all in an intensely musical package. Couple that with luxurious build quality and you've got a speaker that's tough to beat, except of course by the Be version by all reports. Try it, you'll like it!
islandflyfisher OP
94 posts
 
Branimir and Jond,

Can you tell me how far apart your speakers are and is the sweet spot broad enough for two to enjoy? Also please tell me how well these speakers play rock and roll?
cmo
471 posts
 
You might want to look into some of the older Dynaudio confidence speakers (the 4 I believe) is the standmount. I owned Special 25's and after a time found them too forward in the upper midband. The confidences don't really have this anomaly to my ear. Thing is you would have to buy used and they are hard to find.
elsneb
126 posts
 
Have you considered Green Mountain Audio Callisto? Sound stage is so wide you can sit 75 degrees to the side of these amazing speakers and still enjoy the music. They play all kinds of music with ease, first order cross over and dual bottom ports. Green Mountains new website has a vast amount of information. I own these personally and have not found a monitor that performs like the Callisto. No brightness or edge to deal with, just music to enjoy. Great company and build quality.

http://www.greenmountainaudio.com/
washline
210 posts
 
I would take the Micros in a landslide over the Dynaudios. I've heard both of the monitors in a number of different contexts and they simply didn't get the highs right for me, despite the deep soundstage. I really wanted to like them too. The dealer who was pushing them was a great guy and I wanted to give him my business. But the Micros are something else altogether. A truly amazing speaker.
More to discover