Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2. It ranks #13 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,799; the Dynaudio Contour 20i ranks #96, rated 3.9/5, and costs $5,750, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Wharfedale Aura 2 is the better-sounding pick. A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. Watch for: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
The case for the Dynaudio Contour 20i: Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. The catch: 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.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Contour 20i and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms.
Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura 2 | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2799 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Drivers | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.5dB |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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