Suggestions please: upgrade from Dynaudio S1.4

If you love what you've got, don't mess with it. Price is not a good indicator in system matching. Lots of people use lower priced monitors with high end electronics. Good speakers don't need to cost big bucks. If you're simply looking for more bottom end that's a different story. But be careful. I've been through the moving up the line to get more bass thing, and ended up going back to where I started. (Aerial 5 to 6 to 7b, now back to 5). Better bass usually introduces lots of room acoustics issues

I would try one of a couple things:

note: I am a Dynaudio dealer....

Dynaudio special 25 or C1 would offer a significant step up in performance from the S1.4
A really good sub, or better yet PAIR of really good subs in stereo would provide a significant improvement to your existing speakers, and/or work very well with the C1 if you choose to go that route.

Classical and piano can be improved greatly by a properly implemented subwoofer, and while the S5.4 would be a step in the right direction, I think the C1s with a pair of sub500s would be a better end result.

best of luck and happy listening!

I owned a pair of contour 1.3 mk II's for over 10 years. I have heard the 1.4's in a different system. They sounded similar, a little better, but it was difficult to really compare what with the different electronics. I also considered moving up the Dynaudio line because of how pleased I have been with dynaudio all these years. However,I recently replaced the Dynaudios with Merlin VSMs which use Dynaudio and scanspeak drivers and am I'm very happy with my decision. These are superb speakers and a major step up in every way.

Thanks a lot for your responses!

Meiwan, yes that was my concern too: mess with a good system can be risky. Indeed mostly what I am looking for was more authority in sound stage and bottom end. On other side it is about time to try something new. I do worry about room acoustics for floor stands because I already had to deal with it carefully with the S1.4 (and still don't quite get it yet).

Buff I like your idea with subs. I think that at least gives better flexibility. If it does the tricks for piano, I would love to try. I play on 9 foot concert grand Steinway regularly and you know how much I would love it to bring that sound (even part of it) home. While considered this idea before, I was afraid of possible integration issue with subs, and I don't know much about subs. Some suggest on choice of subs would be great.

Miker, I had no experience with Merlin speakers besides reading some good review about it. I am sure they serve you very well now, did you compare it with corresponding speakers from Dynauodio (ie. S5.4) when you were shopping for them?

All those said, some times I also feel the amp I am using may be the source of my complain, while I love how strings sound with Accuphase, I see quite often the meter max out on the E-530 when playing to near concert volume. I heard good words on Jeff Rowland (Continuum 500) driving Dynaudios, any thoughts on that too?

I really appreciate your inputs!

My advice: try separated amplification Accuphase gear like A45 + C2810. It would be perfect to make your Contours sing.

I've compared Contour S1.4 to Special 25 and found no real advantages of the S25 (which is dedicated for bigger rooms that S1.4), just better resolution, more highs and more dynamics (due to a bigger woofer). But Contour S1.4 aren't tipped on the top end so may be regarded as more forgiving for bad recordings. In terms of dynamics, tha S1.4 are astonishing for its woofer size.