Short answer: the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It ranks #60 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $5,750. The ATC SCM19 ranks #120, rated 2.4/5, at $3,750, $2,000 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Dynaudio Contour 20i does well: Two-way design with a 1.125” Esotar2i silk dome tweeter and a 7” magnesium silicate polymer woofer in a vented enclosure. The tradeoff: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Why pick the ATC SCM19: Harmonic distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays generally low across the range aside from the spike tied to the 700-800Hz resonance. The tradeoff: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz.
Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $2,000 with the ATC SCM19 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Contour 20i | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5750 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #60 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #120 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.03 |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Contour 20i: $5750 per pair Safe and Sound HQ eBay
Pros: Two-way design with a 1.125” Esotar2i silk dome tweeter and a 7” magnesium silicate polymer woofer in a vented enclosure. A shallow bass rolloff profile lets it sit closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet worked best in testing) without becoming boomy, and makes subwoofer integration comparatively easy. Very wide horizontal radiation (about ±70° through the midrange) gives an enveloping, spacious sound in a suitably sized room. On-axis response holds within about ±3dB overall and ±1.5dB through the midrange. Attractive build quality with a distinctive metal front baffle and gloss finish options. Long-term compression stays good up to 96dB, and short-term compression is within about 0.5dB at that same level. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment. A roughly 2dB lift in the lower treble combined with wide dispersion means more energy reflecting off sidewalls than some listeners will prefer. Relatively low sensitivity (about 82.5dB measured). Unusually sensitive to amplifier output impedance: high-output-impedance amps like tube or SET designs introduce up to a 2dB dip in the midrange, making the sound more mellow rather than “warmer,” the opposite of what many tube-amp buyers expect. Elevated harmonic and multitone distortion around 700Hz, which the reviewer attributes to typical cone-edge/surround behavior common across many driver brands, though it stands out on the measurement graphs. An upper-midrange dip around 2kHz can reduce attack and clarity on vocals and brass instruments. Vertical listening window is fairly narrow (roughly -20° to +30°): moving outside that range causes a noticeable tonal shift, unlike coaxial designs that tolerate more vertical movement.
Full Dynaudio Contour 20i review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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ATC SCM19: $3750 per pair The Music Room eBay
Pros: Harmonic distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays generally low across the range aside from the spike tied to the 700-800Hz resonance. Sealed (unported) cabinet avoids port noise and resonance, and the extremely dense, heavy-duty enclosure (17.8kg/39lb each) reflects ATC’s pro-audio build standards. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz. Not recommended for the price. CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show a very uneven overall balance (a broad accentuation from midrange to treble paired with too little bass) along with directivity error. At 96dB SPL/1m, harmonic distortion tied to the 500-700Hz resonance rises to a level the reviewer says “should not be there.”
Full ATC SCM19 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons