Where do you go after a Dynaudio C1 ?


I have been scouting for a pair of speakers to replace my Dynaudio C1, which after many years of enjoyment I now find voiced to relaxed for my taste. I am looking for speakers that comes as close as possible to the raw sound and timbre of voices and instruments with minimal house coloration, speakers that energize a room to give an electrifying feel of presence, speakers that convey both refined subtlety and explosive dynamics with effortlessness. This have to be smallish, either a standmount or small footprint floorstander, must work in condo-type living room, and synergize with high power rowland amp I use.

Two speakers I have listened to and consider top candidates are the Magico V2 and Focal Utopia Diablo. These seem to possess the attributes I seek. Given my parameters, what other speakers do you think I should consider? Buying new with budget $15,000 max, less the better. Please note purchase will be in the Philippines, where most small specialty brands are not available.
noelpastor
Peter_s,

My current amplification is a Jeff Rowland integrated, and before this a Plinius 9200 integrated. The rowland was a big jump from the Plinius, and the Plinius was no slouch, but in both amps, the relaxed treble character of the C1 remained. Please note I am speaking in relative terms, as the C1's top end is probably considerably more open than other relaxed sounding speakers. But compared to speakers like the Diablo or V2, where the top end soars and electrifies, I felt these speakers are able to better convey the intensity of some instruments like guitars, drums, cymbals and even piano. Even voices are subtly better rendered.

Hessec,

Nice thoughts on V2 vs. C1, that is helpful. It is interesting you mention the C1 has more bass slam than the bigger V2, to me this may be a plus given my acoustically challenged condo living room. When you say it took you a while to adjust to the sound of a sealed box, can you explain further. Also in terms of ease and flexibility of positioning, w/c is a strength of the C1, how did you find the V2?
I think that the C1 offers a lot for it's size and can be "hi fi" sounding or relaxed given the upstream components and it is certainly the more forgiving of the 2. C1 does sound terrible at low volume and I had some serious gear behind them. Crank them and they are certainly more of a party speaker than the magicos.
I agree regarding the low volumes. The originals need to be cranked up to sound their best. That being said the MKII is great at all levels. Yes I upgraded from the originals to the Signatures.

Noel if you like the Dyn sound have you considered the Special 25's or the Sapphires?
Noelpastor,

I think the C1's provide the illusion of more bass slam as they certainly do not go as low as the V2. The difference to me is texture and nuance over what is perceived as a dynamic explosion that can not be delineated. The V2 is all about control. Which is what I was referring to with the sealed box. Which also is a reason why I feel the magicos are so controversial. I had the C1's for about 18 months and I was looking for the Magicos to "jump out" at me but they just never will. The C1's ask the same driver to produce the lows and mids where the V2's have a dedicated mid (with an interesting crossover) and a dedicated low end driver. The C1's simply cannot compete with the delicate and refined midrange of the V2. The port also provides a hump in the low end which muddles up the midrange as well.

They take up about the same amount of floorspace. The V2 is considerably heavier and more difficult to move around but I actually think the C1 was more sensitive to placement as it seems to be more directional in regard to the tweeter than the magicos.

The C1 is a great speaker, you may even prefer it to the magico on a day to day basis as it is more forgiving and sweet sounding. However, the V2 is significantly truer to the source- it's also 2.5X the price......
I had C1's for a couple of years. The comments about the new version performing better at low volume are very interesting. What changes did they make that resulted in that outcome, do you suppose?

There have been a number of threads here over the years -- including one I started -- about finding speakers that perform well at low volume. I'd love to know the technical why a revised design made improved in that department. Would be great to hear the Dynaudio engineers address this question.
YG Carmel's- Just go listen to these two-way floor standers before you make your purchase. Lightening-fast transients, Incredible holographic, lifelike musicality. A sonic tour-de-force and maybe the Best speaker in the YG arsenal.