Dynaudio C1, why so expensive?

09-17-10: Xti16
I have the speakers and it is aluminum.
------------------------------------------
09-17-10: Steidlguitars
Even the baffle on my lowly Contour 3.4s is aluminum (or some aluminum alloy), so I am sure that Xti16 is correct.
-----------------------------------------
You are both incorrect. The baffle is composite wood. The tweeter is mounted to an aluminum plate which fits into a machined recess in the baffle. But the baffle is NOT aluminum. And I know, becasue I had C4s, C2s and C1s and the baffles use all the same construction technique.

From the Dynaudio Confidence catalog:

"The multiple-layer high-density baffle yields extremely low-resonance and de-couples the loudspeaker drivers from the cabinet itself. Despite the slim dimensions of the cabinet, this innovative design concept allows for the integration of substantially larger bass driver than otherwise would be possible."

And I have a video of Confidence baffles being machined, and there's nary an aluminum chip to be seen...

Here's a photo showing the C1 wood baffle, the aluminum plate with tweeter mounted, and the mid/bass driver:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18533537#post18533537

And one of the similarly constructed C2:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18537641#post18537641

Not looking for an argument, but I don't think we're wrong.

I suspect that in your quote the "multiple-layer high-density baffle" is the aluminum plate mounted on the front of these speakers.

Here's the first definition of "speaker baffle" that pops up on google:

A baffle is the surface or structure on which the speakers or drivers are mounted. Its purpose is to prevent the front and rear sound waves from interfering with each other and causing cancellation. A speaker baffle can be made of wood, metal or other materials.

On the Contour and from photos, the C1, the tweeter and the mid-woofers are mounted to aluminum plate, which is what I think is technically the baffle. Yes, there is a MDF box behind it.

Have a good weekend.

We have to remember that dynaudio is made in Denmark where working power is quite expensive.

09-18-10: Steidlguitars
On the Contour and from photos, the C1, the tweeter and the mid-woofers are mounted to aluminum plate, which is what I think is technically the baffle. Yes, there is a MDF box behind it.
---------------------------------------------
The tweeter is mounted to an aluminum plate...that is not the baffle.

The plate is then mounted into the baffle, which is the dark gray piece which is not aluminum but a multi-layered piece of wood composite

The mid-woofer basket is not mounted to an aluminum plate, it is bolted into the wood baffle.

And yea, there is an MDF cabinet behind the baffle into which the rear of the drivers project.

Just to be clear...

The baffle is the dark gray piece, and it is not aluminum.