Short answer: the Technics SB-C700 for small rooms, the Dynaudio Contour 20i for larger ones. The Technics puts a 1.9cm dome tweeter at the acoustic center of a 16cm flat-diaphragm woofer for true point-source geometry, but its 85dB sensitivity and 4-ohm impedance want a capable amplifier. The Contour 20i’s 1.125” Esotar2i dome and 7” woofer sound too bright in the lower treble in small rooms with close sidewalls, performing better in larger, more open rooms.
Buy the Technics SB-C700. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Contour 20i and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Technics SB-C700 | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #60 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #62 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 13.2” x 11.3” (220 x 336 x 286 mm) each | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) | 82.5dB |
| Drivers | Coaxial “Phase Precision Driver”: 1.9cm dome tweeter + 16cm flat-diaphragm woofer | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) each | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.11 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.25 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Technics SB-C700: $1,699.00 per pair Value Electronics USA Tube Audio eBay
Pros: Distinctive coincident “Phase Precision Driver”: a 1.9cm dome tweeter mounted at the exact acoustic center of a 16cm flat-diaphragm carbon-fiber/honeycomb-sandwich woofer, giving true point-source geometry. Directivity is unusually symmetric front-to-back and top-to-bottom (both horizontal and vertical average exactly 60°) and off axis sound tracks the on axis response unusually consistently for a large bookshelf speaker. Die-cast aluminum chassis and a high-gloss convex “Entasis form” cabinet with side panels up to 42mm thick for extra rigidity. Measured bass extension of 85.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 85dB sensitivity paired with a 4-ohm nominal impedance wants a fairly capable amplifier. Bass extension is shallow relative to its 6.5”-class woofer at -3dB (85.0Hz), though it reaches a more usable 40.5Hz at -10dB: a fairly steep low-end rolloff shape once past the reference band. At $1699/pair, some in the ASR community have questioned the value proposition against similarly-measuring alternatives at lower prices.
Full Technics SB-C700 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 13.2” x 11.3” (220 x 336 x 286 mm) each |
| Drivers | Coaxial “Phase Precision Driver”: 1.9cm dome tweeter + 16cm flat-diaphragm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.25 |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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