STATUS - SOLD
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Description :
Built with long years of expertise behind, and by one of the world's most renowned audio manufacturer, the Dynaudio Contour S1.4 is supported by advanced technology and the innovative cabinet construction are unified in a spectacular design - all individual aspects form a harmonious, synergistic whole. The unusually slim enclosure is beautifully finished in a wide range of alternatives, including four realwood veneers, plus high-gloss black or white, or satin silver. The slim enclosure stands for genuine craftsmanship, the cabinet is internally braced and dampened. The rear panel has a large port and the whole speaker sits on a little plinth, which houses the crossover network and single terminal pair. Even if the recommended placing for the Dynaudio Contour S1.4 is on a stand, thanks to its small dimensions it can be installed in any place around the room, shelves and tabletops.

The Dynaudio Contour S1.4 runs with a 2-way architecture relying on a d'Appolito array with dual 170mm one-piece molded PP cone with a huge voice coil with pure aluminum wiring wound on a Kapton and powered by a neodymium magnet ring, capable of delivering both sparkling and naturally-midrange vocals and a bottom end reaching 41Hz, perfect for use in small installations without a separate subwoofer. The other end of the audio spectrum is covered by a tweeter with a soft dome and ferrofluid-cooled, retaining the same pure aluminum wiring for the voice coil and adding the back chamber system for a better control of the sonic reproduction up to an SACD and DVD-Audio compatible 25kHz point. Gathering advanced technology in a heavily braced and damped MDF cabinet solves the problem of resonance and undesired vibrations, while the standing waves have been dealt with by the addition of dual bass reflex ports that regulate the air flow in and out the box, also enhancing the sonic response.

The Dynaudio Contour S1.4 speakers are certainly a little more laid back than other speakers, yet its essential sweetness and good voicing is undeniable. Stereo images are well presented and transients sound suitably coherent, though sibilants could sometimes be a touch obtrusive and the sound as a whole seems a little constrained and lacking in warmth. They also reveals a bit of personality in the form of a slightly dark view of the musical spectrum, defined by voluminous bass energy and a relaxed top end. This is not to say that the Contour S1.4s speakers are grossly colored, but the overall fullness and utter lack of treble etch skews the impression. Even at lesser volumes, the S1.4s still sound rich, even a touch dark, but their weight and warmth are coupled with detail and vitality. One downside of this slightly darker tonality is that low-level listening often came across as dull and uninspired.

The Dynaudio Contour S1.4 speakers' most controversial sonic feature is a function of that rather too healthy mid-bass port output, especially in conjunction with the laid back upper mid and top end. With some material the combination can be very convincing, making the speaker sound significantly larger than its physical dimensions would lead one to expect, bringing an impressive sense of scale to, for example, choral material. However, bass guitars and drums on rock tracks do have a significantly 'thumpy', resonant quality that is less welcome. Although it has many good points, the success of the Dynaudio Contour S1.4 loudspeakers may ultimately depend on how well its substantial port output interacts with the characteristics of the listening room.

Specifications :
Sensitivity........................................85dB at 2.83V at 1m
IEC Power Handling.........................160 W
Impedance.......................................4 ohms
Frequency Response........................41Hz to 25kHz, +/- 3dB
Box Principle...................................2-way bass-reflex
Crossover Frequency........................1900Hz
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................19 x 36 x 40.5 cm
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................19 x 36 x 104 cm (with stand)
Weight............................................12kg per side
Weight............................................25kg per side (with stand)

Miscellaneous :
Made In...........................................Denmark
Condition.........................................8/10

Product Information :
http://www.dynaudio.com/int/home_loudspeaker_systems/contour/contour_s14.php
http://www.dynaudio.com/manuals/DYN_owners_manual.pdf (Manual)
http://www.dynaudio.com/int/pdf/DYN_Contour_INT.pdf (Brochure)

Reviews :
http://vox-audio.com/revije/dynaudio/DYN_audio_forum.pdf
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/dynaudio_contour_s14.htm
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/dynaudio/contour-s-1-4/prd_321199_1594crx.aspx
http://www.tonepublications.com/review/dynaudio-contour-s14-loudspeaker/
http://gadgets.softpedia.com/gadgets/Television-and-music/The-Dynaudio-Contour-S1-4-Loudspeaker-6148.html
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-and-av-speakers/dynaudio-contour-s-1-4-929445/review