So.. we made the long trip to the dealer, and listened to all the three speakers pairs, connected to my amp. What happened:
- played the Focus 380. Nice, well-known sound, as expected, same as the 340, but more bass-presence, maybe a bit roomier.
Now it may have been the positioning of the loudspeakers, because the Contours were place kind of in front of the rest of the speakers, (it was a dealer shop, and the pair of contours were not up for sale as the rest, so they were added for our hearing experience).
Anyway, the Contours really stood out. The difference with the Focus was massive. Instruments placement, clarity of voice, width of the stage, actually it made me realise these things really are a way to describe the speakers, as with the contours this terminology all made sense.
We really loved them and did not listen to the Focus 380 anymore (apart from all the way in the end).
So then we played the C4s. First impression:
we played the first song beginning to end.
I think that kind of tells the difference.
Actually, the Contours really made the decision a bit tough, as at some point we switched back and really, i mean -REALLY- liked how the S5.4s stood out when presenting a female voice in combination with some bass and guitar instruments.
There was really a big isolation going on. The woman was singing, the instruments were being played.
The C4s were a bit more 'silvery', a bit more 'satin' like, in their presentation. But in all, it was no comparison.
so, to make a long story short, my girl told me she really liked the C4, and they are now standing in our room :)
THANKS for all the input, and for Raindog to push me to not forget the C4.
Here at home, they are in a relatively small room. But this is not a problem at all. There is not even a hint of bass overpowering, the room is also quite full with stuff, i think that helps - but it is just a pure joy to listen to the music coming alive. Wow.
PS Regarding my amp, it does not have any trouble with the speakers whatsoever.
sorry for the long story and dramatic undertone, i'm just writing it in one go, we are just really happy, and very satisfied with the choice!
so, everybody thanks for the input.
and ps Extravaganza, i can imagine that there are definitely reasons for going with the Contours. They did make female voice stand out very much, very nicely. The C4 have a bit of the Focus sound , -partly-, in how voices are represented. However the general representation of the music, in how it is all placed out, is wonderful with the C4. The contours were a bit too... 'dry', and we thought it might make us a bit tired of it quicker.
But i also have the suspicion that the C4 demos are not completely played in yet - the Focus 340 had a bit of this in the beginning as well.
Rusty
Final note for people reading this and not having seen the Contours in real life: they really look much nicer in real life than on the pictures! Same goes for the C4s. My girl hated the photos, but to my surprise she actually mentioned they look 'nice' here in the room...
