Dynaudio Contour S5.4 and B&W 803D

[atomicAdam]

I went to Pro Home Systems in Walnut Creek, CA today to check out some speakers. Kevin helped me out. I only listened really to two speakers, the Dynaudio Contour S5.4 and the B&W 803D.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/displa...fid=1156&sc=hf
http://dynaudio.com/eng/systems/line...tour_s_5_4.php

I had four CDs to demo -
Miles Davis - A Tribute to Jack Johnson
Thelonious Monk - It's Monk's Time
PolyGram Records Compilation - Verve Compact Jazz - Louis Armstrong
Massive Attack - Mezzanine


The Dynaudio S5.4 were very good. Full bass and a ton of detail. I sat fairly close, about 10ft, they had a great thump in the chest and sounded good on almost everything. Monk's piano on track 2 - Memories of you - was full and detailed up and down the keys. Put my Monitor Audio RS6 speakers in their place. I really enjoyed them and learned more about what I am currently missing from my speakers at home. I need better detail and fuller, clearer mids and lows.

Funny enough, on the Louis Armstrong disc, the 1st track - I gotta Right to Sing the Blues - when the back up horns kicked in the Dynaudio S5.4 really handled it in a way that didn't sit well with me. The recording has some issues, either compression or distortion or just too much going on for some speakers to handle well. It came out like a high pitched crackle, distorted noise. Very obvious, very out of place and that made me sad - but good to hear. I know I can't buy these.

The B&W 803D's on the other hand seemed to either hide that noise better, or just handle what is going on. When those back up horns kicked in on the right side, the distortion could be heard, but in a much more friendly manner.

Now, with the Mile's album, my jaw dropped. It was almost like being at a live event. The different bass interplay from the drums, the bass, the crazy guitar was fantastic. I wanted to stay and listen to the whole album. Probably should have. The horn was so clear. I really learned something today. The B&W 803D are amazing. And only what...9k a pair...that is do able right? Right?

But the problem with the 803D's is that they made Massive Attack sound thin and just not worth it. Kevin said the 803D are definitely for jazz and classical. He prefers rock and says that doesn't work on the B&W speakers. I don't know if that is the case, but for triphop/electronica... it is a definite yes.

So where to go from here. I obviously would love to have two different speakers for different types of music but I need an all in one do it all well speaker. Though I listen to more jazz at home, but not all the time.

Suggested to me the Meridian DSP3100/5200/5500 - but I believe the DSP3100 are $15000 a pair, but of course don't have to buy pre and amp.

Still have a ways to go and more to hear. And I'll be back at Pro Home Systems in a month to hear the Meridian speakers.