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Dynaudio Contour 30 Update
The Dynaudio Countour 30 has now been discontinued. However, you can still get hold of it from some retailers. A little later in this article, we’ll give you some great alternatives to go for instead, including the Contour 30i, which is an upgrade from the Contour 30 – it’s very similar in a lot of ways, with some key improvements.
If you’re the type of person who likes a sound system that will make you the envy of your friends, you might want to consider a floor-standing speaker. These units can supercharge your system, making you the envy of your friends and neighbors.
Some stand out while others blend in, but no matter how they look, these speakers are known for their amazing sound. They are built to fit in smaller spaces by using vertical spaces to their advantage.
Many floor-standing speakers easily fill even the largest rooms with high-quality sound, and the Dynaudio Countour 30 is no exception. Let’s take a closer look at this floorstander and discover just what it has to offer.
Dynaudio Contour 30
Some people see the Dynaudio Contour 30 and, wrongly, dismiss it as a simple speaker. While it’s easy to understand where these people might be coming from, Dynaudio makes well-designed and high-quality floor standers.
Design
The design of the Contour 30 is part of the reason the speaker doesn’t get the respect it deserves. With its conservative appearance, it’s easy for people to dismiss the floor stander out of hand.
With a slim and tall design, the Contour 30 comes with a beautiful finish, curved rear and front panels, and a sleek one-piece appearance. Users can choose between grey oak high gloss, walnut light satin, black piano lacquer, white piano lacquer, rosewood gloss, and ivory oak finishes.
These finishes, along with a 14mm aluminum baffle and a matching grille, make the Contour 30 one of the best-looking floorstander speakers on the market. The baffle, cabinet, and grille give the speaker a three-tiered appearance that results in a clean and minimalist unit.
It’s clear from its design that the Contour 30 made every effort to improve and upgrade on the aesthetics of its predecessors. This is noticeable throughout the entire unit, both in regard to the appearance of the speaker and the internal components as well.
The Countour 30 checks in at 117 cm tall, comes with a pair of 18 cm Magne Silicate Polymer drivers, and well-known Esotar tweeters. You’ll notice two ports that face to the rear which can be adjusted with foam inserts.
Upon closer inspection, users will notice that the cabinets on the Contour 30 are heavily braced for a sturdy and stable build. This and plenty of other features make the Contour 30 a unique speaker any user will enjoy using.
Drivers
One of those features is the Contour drivers. What makes the drivers on this speaker so unique? For starters, the Contour 30 uses aluminum voice coils, something you won’t find on other units.
These drivers are very light and bigger than the options you’ll find with other floorstander speakers. With lighter-weight drivers, Contour creates the opportunity for more control over how the cone moves. That means you’re getting better control over the movement of the sound reproduction.
This is especially true when you’re listening to music at high volumes and high frequencies. As a result, the Contour 30 has a “correct” sounding balance that will have any listener believing they are listening to their music live and in concert.
Contour’s drivers are powered by a 50-watt which gives the unit the perfect sounds that its speakers are capable of producing. The unit also employes single wiring, which it does through the use of two five-way binding posts that are easy on the fingers.
The Contour 30 is considered finger-friendy due to the minimal amount of torque necessary to get a tight connection while simultaneously offering sufficient grip for bare wire use.
Baffle
Another striking feature of the Contour 30 that we momentarily touched on is its baffle. With its machined aluminum front, the unit possesses an appeal that immediately draws the eye toward it. With a standout finish, users can be sure that their speakers will integrate easily with their interior decorations.
The cabinet baffle on the backside of the Contour 30 is curved, which gives the unit a slim view. Don’t be fooled by its appearance though. This unit is designed with substantial speakers, sure to impress even the staunchest of critics.
That’s why you’ll find small but durable rubber footers on the bottom of the Contour 30. These help ensure that the unit is stabilized securely while giving the speaker a steady grip.
It’s very clear, at least from a design perspective, that Dynaudio put a lot of effort into the craftsmanship of this unit. The Contour 30 is sleek, simple, and stylish, fitting perfectly into any type of home.
Sound Quality
The expectation, at least when it comes to high-end speakers, is that they should all sound crystal clear, right? Of course, that probably depends on how you define the word “clear.”
Some people think of clear in terms of feeling as though the singer is standing right beside them, while others say that it’s as though you can hear the singer when they breathe. Two distinct definitions, yet both valid.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find speakers on the market that can walk the line between realism and music quality the way the Contour 30 does. It provides both an accurate and delicate balance that will leave users astounded.
The Contour 30 delivers a well-balanced sound that will have you believing that you’re in the same room as the performer. This sensory experience is delivered by the high-quality components that Dynaudio uses for its components.
Performance
The Contour 30 will give you a jaw-dropping performance that will make you forget the sound is coming from a speaker. When you’re listening to your favorite artist on these speakers, it’s as though the unit itself fades away into the background, giving preference to the music.
The performance is what moves to the forefront, not the physical pieces of the Contour 30. Few speakers and floorstanders can achieve this type of “invisibility,” but the Contour does it with ease.
As a result, the Contour 30 gives off the impression that its speakers are much bigger than they are in reality. This is really noticeable when listening to big bands or large orchestral pieces, where the scale of the music is clear and convincing.
Don’t get confused though. These are not the types of speakers that you use for the “front row” experience. The Countour 30 is ideal for sitting back in your favorite recliner and appreciating the sound and size of the music.
That’s not to say they won’t bring the house down when you’re in the mood, but for the best performance, you’ll want to listen to something with more balance and style.
In reality, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find any type of music that doesn’t sound good on your Contour 30. There simply isn’t much that is going to faze it.
The Contour 30 produces a lean and clean sound, which isn’t a surprise with a unit built by Dynaudio. Bass on this speaker is balanced and the treble is dynamic and clean. This is exactly the type of sound that the Contour 30 is adept at exposing and bringing up to the surface so you get a complete and thorough listening experience.
There are many speakers on the market that have trouble providing this type of performance. They may become bogged down or create snarling sounds when pushed too hard. The Contour 30 doesn’t suffer from any of these types of maladies.
With the Dynaudio Contour 30, you’re getting a speaker that can really perform and won’t show signs of stress, even during those moments when you decide to wake the neighborhood.
Contour 30 Alternatives
It’s hard to beat Contour 30 quality, but in some of these alternatives, you’re not trying to beat the quality, you’re just looking at your options. Some have a different look and some have an entirely different sound. The choice is up to you.
Dynaudio Confidence 60
The Dynaudio Confidence 60 is the newest in the Confidence range. Dynaudio describes this model as ‘unashamedly big,’ and it is a bulky one – it doesn’t look as sleek as the Contour range, but it’s still an improvement on the old Confidence models.
It has pretty good sound for the price, with some powerful specs and significant technological advances. It has an Esotar3 28mm soft-dome tweeter in the middle, delivering incredible sound, as well as the twin MSP midrange drivers and two 23cm MSP NeoTec Woofers.
Designed to focus soundwaves as they radiate from the speakers into a vertical ‘beam,’ this means you should enjoy good sound throughout the room, not just standing next to the speaker.
Dynaudio Contour 30i
The closest alternative to the now-discontinued Contour 30, the Dynaudio Contour 30i, has some tweaks that make it superior. It now has a larger rear chamber and a Hexis inner dome – this helps to cut down on unwanted resonances and noise. In addition, the new spider increases system symmetry, giving you smooth, even sound.
It also features a new crossover for better performance and a new voice coil with a large diameter – giving you extensive sound no matter where you stand in the room.
Overall it’s a decent upgrade from the 30i and well worth a look if you liked the look of the Countour 30.
Dynaudio Contour 60i
An upgrade from the old Contour 60, the Dynaudio Contour 60i is very similar to the 30i. With an improved tweeter, spider, crossover, and voice coil, it’s generally a solid upgrade from the 60.
It differs from the 30i in that it is the only model in the Contour family to have a dedicated midrange driver. It also has an aluminum voice coil and a neodymium magnet system. Basically, you can expect better sound clarity and vibrance. Whether you think that’s worth the extra cost will be down to you and your budget, but it’s an excellent speaker, and it looks very sleek too.
Evoke 50
Large floorstanders for music and movies Whether you want to build a powerful stereo system or really give your multi-channel films and music Blu-rays a boost in a medium to a large room Emit 50 has you covered.
If you like the idea of floor-standing speakers and want the full sound they provide, but you think the Contour 30 looks a bit more bland or retro, check out an Evoke 50 system. They’re sleek and modern. You can get them in all white for a truly modern and industrial look that stands out, or you can get them in a light grain wood that’s a bit fresher and more modern than the dark wood of the Contour 30 system.
The Evoke 50 system really makes a visual statement in the room, and if you want to call attention to your speakers or make sure that they’re a statement piece, they’re the right choice for your living room or home theatre.
Contour 60- (Discontinued)
Often, you can’t compare a superior product to an inferior product of the same brand. It’s obvious which you should choose. However, for a lot of people, the Contour 60 isn’t just a step up in quality, it’s a significant step up in price. If you want something comparable, or even better than the Contour 30, you’ll have to fork over the cash.
The Contour 60 is superior when it comes to bass sound, but some people don’t care much about that. The good news is that they’re much more visually appealing and they come in more color options than the Contour 30, so if you’re willing to spend the money, this might be a better alternative for you.
Confidence C2 – (Discontinued)
Some people say the Contour 30 is the absolute sound. However, if you really want good integrated bass, a lot of experts will say you could upgrade to the Contour 60, as long as you can afford it. However, the Confidence C2 is a comparable system, if not better. The subs in the Confidence C2 system are a bit more powerful than the Contour 30, but you won’t be breaking the bank as much as an upgrade to the Contour 60.
The Confidence line underwent a recent upgrade and you’ll find that if you set them up, you’ll be reasonably impressed with the sound quality at the price. The problem is, they’re not as attractive as the Contour 30 setup, so if you don’t like the looks of them, you may want to invest in something else or find a way to disguise them.
Where to Buy
There are plenty of places to go if you want to buy a Dynaudio Contour 30. Here’s a list of just a few options if you want one of these speakers in your home:
- Amazon
- Audio Advisor
- Front End Audio
- Newegg
- Target
- Walmart
Contour 30 Specifications
| Power Handling | 300 watts |
| Crossover | 2 ½ way |
| Impedance | 4 Ohms |
| Crossover Topology | 2nd Order |
| Crossover Frequency | (300) / 2200 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 87 db (2.83v / 1m) |
| Box Principle | Bass Reflex Rear Ported |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz – 23kHz |
| Woofer | 2 x 18 cm MSP |
| Tweeter | 28 mm Esotar 2 |
| Dimensions (w x h x d) | 8.5 in x 44.9 in x 14.2 in |
| Weight | 76 pounds |
Is the Dynaudio Contour 30 the Right Floorstanding Speaker for You?
The Contour 30 is a beautiful, sleek, and stylish floor-standing speaker that speaks to the high-quality craftsmanship commonly associated with Dynaudio. With a nod to modern techniques and materials, this speaker is sure to look at home in any room.
This high-end speaker offers excellent amplification and uses current technologies to provide music that is robust and pleasant. No matter what your preferred style or tastes, the Contour 30 is sure to provide a pleasant listening experience.
Large floorstanders for music and movies Whether you want to build a powerful stereo system or really give your multi-channel films and music Blu-rays a boost in a medium to a large room Emit 50 has you covered.
Is the Contour 30 right for you? We can’t answer that question. What we can tell you is that it’s a great option if you’re in the market for a high-quality speaker that offers excellent performance. While it may not go to 11, it may turn you into an audiophile unwilling to listen to your favorite artist on anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the more commonly asked questions when people search for information about the Dynaudio Contour 30.
Question: Can I replace the components of my Dynaudio Contour 30 speaker on my own?
Dynaudio strongly recommends that you do not attempt to replace or repair any of the components in your Contour 30. Doing so could result in irreparable damage and may end up limiting the effectiveness of your warranty.
Instead, Dynaudio suggests that you reach out to your nearest Dynaudio dealer so you can get help from a professional.
Question: Is there a certain amplifier that Dynaudio recommends for my speaker?
It’s nearly impossible to recommend the most suitable amplifier for your Dynaudio speaker. This is because the right amplifier not only depends on the type of speaker you own, but also on your budget, room size, sound preferences, acoustics, and listening volume.
There are a wide variety of amplifiers on the market today and each type offers features and benefits that will cater to specific individuals and their needs. As a result, it’s just not feasible for Dynaudio to suggest a speaker/amplifier combination.
Additionally, Dynaudio cannot suggest a certain amount of wattage output for your speakers, primarily because it depends on how much power you need, how large the room is, and the volume at which you listen to your music.
Question: How far from the wall should my Contour 30 be?
Keep in mind that sound is reflected off of walls, so you want to keep them roughly 2-3 feet away. Also, remember that there are many speakers on the market that offer rear-facing bass ports.
Question: Are bookshelf speakers better than floor-standing units?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which type of speaker is better. There are many variables to take into account when choosing between a floor stand speaker and a bookshelf speaker.
Take time to research both types of speakers and determine which one makes more sense for the room in which you’ll use your speaker.