Hi to everybody.
I'm the owner of a Dynaudio 1.8 not MKII (amp Restek Fable). This loudspekers are with me more than 20 years and I think it's time to change.
I have the oportunity to purchase a second hand Dynaudio Contour 3.3 priced in 1.800€, 20 year old also, but I think will be an upgade from what I have nowadays.
I'm also considering the posibility of assembling the ScanSpeak Discovery 86
What do you think is the best option?
ScanSpeak drivers are similiar to Dynaudio ones, is this statement correct?
Thanks for reading and many thanks for answering.
Regards.
Edit
Which are the diferences in sound between this two options?
Discovery-861 and this EKTA-mkII
I'm the owner of a Dynaudio 1.8 not MKII (amp Restek Fable). This loudspekers are with me more than 20 years and I think it's time to change.
I have the oportunity to purchase a second hand Dynaudio Contour 3.3 priced in 1.800€, 20 year old also, but I think will be an upgade from what I have nowadays.
I'm also considering the posibility of assembling the ScanSpeak Discovery 86
What do you think is the best option?
ScanSpeak drivers are similiar to Dynaudio ones, is this statement correct?
Thanks for reading and many thanks for answering.
Regards.
Edit
Which are the diferences in sound between this two options?
Discovery-861 and this EKTA-mkII
Last edited:
From what I can see -
861 - 2 1/2 way (mid has no lower roll off) using moderately priced drivers, Level 1 kit (no woodwork) is 975 euro - similar to the Troels Gravesen SBA761 (also worth a look, SB Satori drivers get very good reviews/comments on here). Uses two large woofers / midwoofers overlapped to increase bass output and first order high roll off to overlap heavily with tweeter. nominally 1st order crossovers trying to keep the drivers phase co-incident.
Ekta II - full 3 way design using a dedicated mid driver. Much higher level of drivers (12MU often lauded as the best mid range around), 2nd order crossovers. Level 1 kit is 1700euro.
861 - 2 1/2 way (mid has no lower roll off) using moderately priced drivers, Level 1 kit (no woodwork) is 975 euro - similar to the Troels Gravesen SBA761 (also worth a look, SB Satori drivers get very good reviews/comments on here). Uses two large woofers / midwoofers overlapped to increase bass output and first order high roll off to overlap heavily with tweeter. nominally 1st order crossovers trying to keep the drivers phase co-incident.
Ekta II - full 3 way design using a dedicated mid driver. Much higher level of drivers (12MU often lauded as the best mid range around), 2nd order crossovers. Level 1 kit is 1700euro.
Contour 3.3 is absolutely an improvement over 1.8, at least in the bass extension/capability if not a little better in the midrange as well. From the value point of view, a solidly built and great looking piece of furniture as 3.3 is, it does appear as a better investment decision than discovery 861. On the other hand, there is risks involved with used gear. Make sure you know what you are doing while puchasing 2nd hand stuff.
I'm afraid the burden to make that call is upon you or the ones trying to make a buck from it.
I recommend buying a commercial loudspeaker and either use as is, if it's decently built, or modify accordingly until it's right. I would try to lower the Contour 3.3 price to a more reasonable one and start from there. Its cabinets are worth 500€ even if one stripped it from drive units and crossover. Drivers 50-70€/each.
I recommend buying a commercial loudspeaker and either use as is, if it's decently built, or modify accordingly until it's right. I would try to lower the Contour 3.3 price to a more reasonable one and start from there. Its cabinets are worth 500€ even if one stripped it from drive units and crossover. Drivers 50-70€/each.
Cabinets are almost always a good foundation to build upon, even if you had to modify its baffle and/or chambers to a degree. In my opinion, Contour 3.3 in pristine condition is worth 1,200 €/pair. Before cashing out, pull all of the drivers out for dcr, impedance measurement and voice coil rub test. Because not every owner will agree to give you permission to do that, keep the money close as insurance that you are serious about it.
Fully agree.
The owner says that they are in perfect condition although they are 20 years old. I will close the purchase up to 1.500€ and I know I’m being a bit foolish but ...
impedance measurement and voice coil rub test
Almost imposible, first because they are far away home, second because I don’t know how to perform. Do you know where can I find a tutorial to learn how to perform them?
The owner says that they are in perfect condition although they are 20 years old. I will close the purchase up to 1.500€ and I know I’m being a bit foolish but ...
impedance measurement and voice coil rub test
Almost imposible, first because they are far away home, second because I don’t know how to perform. Do you know where can I find a tutorial to learn how to perform them?
Impedance can easily be measured with free ARTAlabs Limp and/or REW software package. There is also Dayton Audio DATS V3 performing all kinds of tasks including rub&buzz test. Please read manuals for more precise information. Any kind of a cone woofer/midrange unit you can test by lightly pushing the cone in the middle of the dust cap a couple of millimeters or you can do a better job with a sound generator, outputting a sine signal (3Hz for example) loud enough that you can see it's moving. Any scraping sounds are a bad sign, while the sound of silence is good.
Good luck with your acquisition to be!
Good luck with your acquisition to be!
Last edited:
1500 seems correct. what was the purchase price before euros is a good start for negociation.
imho the drivers are costing more that Lojzek is saying according the second hand market of the country where you live. The D28 tweeter especially is not cheap and rare second hand.
A 3 way will give you a less compressed sound in the mid than a 2 or 2.5 ways.
The filter is a 6db one if you read the Stereophile review of this Dynaudio. Imho it is already caped with Solen MKP, so no worry with the filter but maybe some // RC or RLC made with lytics that is cheap to swap ?
A good alternative coud be a second hand Proac 2.5 or 3.5 as well as hold if not holder... but rubber surround if not cracked and drivers if not burned should just exhibit few T&S changes with age... certainly what is changing is the surround and spider compliance. I don't know really what it changes as I'm not an expert here, but I assume Vas, i.e. the volume needed of the chambers that is less precise than when just fresh burned in loudspeakers. But as the overlap of drivers is certainly at least three octaves of each side of the crossover with the low slope of 6 db filter, maybe it doesn't matter much ?? Specialists like Lojzek can answer to that with their knowledge and experience imho.
Not a big risk and as said the cabinet is looking awesome.
imho the drivers are costing more that Lojzek is saying according the second hand market of the country where you live. The D28 tweeter especially is not cheap and rare second hand.
A 3 way will give you a less compressed sound in the mid than a 2 or 2.5 ways.
The filter is a 6db one if you read the Stereophile review of this Dynaudio. Imho it is already caped with Solen MKP, so no worry with the filter but maybe some // RC or RLC made with lytics that is cheap to swap ?
A good alternative coud be a second hand Proac 2.5 or 3.5 as well as hold if not holder... but rubber surround if not cracked and drivers if not burned should just exhibit few T&S changes with age... certainly what is changing is the surround and spider compliance. I don't know really what it changes as I'm not an expert here, but I assume Vas, i.e. the volume needed of the chambers that is less precise than when just fresh burned in loudspeakers. But as the overlap of drivers is certainly at least three octaves of each side of the crossover with the low slope of 6 db filter, maybe it doesn't matter much ?? Specialists like Lojzek can answer to that with their knowledge and experience imho.
Not a big risk and as said the cabinet is looking awesome.
Last edited:
Then your advice is keep Dynaudios.
Till the Contour dies, will you find interesting improve bass performance adding two 10"/12" subwoofers, one for each chanel? I think treble and mid are good enough but when I use them with orchesta music they sound, let me say a bit dark.
Thanks in advance.
Till the Contour dies, will you find interesting improve bass performance adding two 10"/12" subwoofers, one for each chanel? I think treble and mid are good enough but when I use them with orchesta music they sound, let me say a bit dark.
Thanks in advance.
)
FWIW, I believe a 3 ways will procure more enjoyment. It makes few sense to add a sub to a 2.5 design. And often it makes few sense to increase bass in most of domestic rooms cause there is already a lift from the room. Most of music lives above 40 hz.
If I had a 2.5, I will go towards a 3 ways. My personal choice, it's not an universal truth. I have had a Proac D15 2 ways, I was happier to improve with a 3 ways despite the Proac had a very nice sounding...
Nobody can seriously advice you without hearing what you have, your room and so on... or it's like preaching in the desert and no one of us are prophets... You must trust your ears. Bass in room is a little complex subject and for instance you have to read what Earl Geddes or oliver Tools wrote on the subject.
I believe you want a new speaker. As someone said a bove it makes sense to purchase a second hand that you can easily sold than buying a diy without having heard or knows what you really want.. It's just my personal feeling not a truth.
It's wize to listen to what you hard earned monney will purchase !
hope that helps a little more.
If I had a 2.5, I will go towards a 3 ways. My personal choice, it's not an universal truth. I have had a Proac D15 2 ways, I was happier to improve with a 3 ways despite the Proac had a very nice sounding...
Nobody can seriously advice you without hearing what you have, your room and so on... or it's like preaching in the desert and no one of us are prophets... You must trust your ears. Bass in room is a little complex subject and for instance you have to read what Earl Geddes or oliver Tools wrote on the subject.
I believe you want a new speaker. As someone said a bove it makes sense to purchase a second hand that you can easily sold than buying a diy without having heard or knows what you really want.. It's just my personal feeling not a truth.
It's wize to listen to what you hard earned monney will purchase !
hope that helps a little more.
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.