Dynaudio Audience 52SE vs. Contour S1.4

I compared the two models when looking for a set of monitors for my analog setup. I was able to pick up the 52SE & Stand4 stands fo $1100 - the selling point for me. To get the Contours and stands would have been twice as much. I did not hear much difference between the two speakers.

Kenneth,

Dyn dealer here. As good as the 52se is, it in no way compares to the S1.4. The S1.4 is the better. The S1.4 requires more current to get the most out of the speaker, however, it will reward you for doing so. The S1.4 has the better bass if you like a fuller sound. Our customers often find it very hard to decide between the Focus 220 towers and the S1.4 monitors. They are priced the same and have the similar bass response. However, the tweeter in the Contour edges out the Focus easily. The 52Se has the old Contour tweeter. The S1.4 also has it's own custom stand, which I really like.

Hope that helps. Let us know what you decide.

The 52SE is a great speaker.

With that being said, the Contour S1.4 is much, MUCH better. I used to own the S1.4, and swapped A/B back to the 52SE in extensive auditions, same systems, when I was deciding.

What you will get with the S1.4 is much deeper and tighter bass with more output and a bigger, more dynamic sound overall with a larger stage. The cabinet is significant better in the S1.4, and the ability to mount the speakers right on the stands comes in handy too.

What I would suggest is trying to get a pair of S1.4 in house to try them out. If I was going to guess, and assuming you have the room to support them (no dyns like small rooms), then I think it will take about 10 seconds of listening to make your decision.

I've had the 1.4 then upgraded to the 3.4 and now the c1 and heard the 52 but not 52se but unless the 52se is a radical improvement the 1.4 is better, cleaner highs, bigger sound, better imaging, the 1.4 is pretty much high end level, not quite reference level like the Confidence series but very very good.

I am using a pair of 52SE with a Naim Uniti. I have a pair of S1.4s ordered and should be picking them up tomorrow. I'm looking forward to hearing them. After I've run them in for a few months, I'll A/B them with the 52SEs again. Later this year I will add a NAP200 to the mix.