The Dynaudio Contour 20i ranks #50 out of 105 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See Top Recommended Speakers By Attribute for all the top speaker suggestions.
Brand: Dynaudio
Prices on this page were last checked August 21, 2026 at 5:30 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
#50 Dynaudio Contour 20i: $5750 Safeandsoundhq 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.
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.
How it compares: Just above it: Technics SB-C700 - $4051 cheaper, 2.5Hz higher bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod - $5403 cheaper, 4Hz higher bass extension (-3dB).
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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 Technics SB-C700
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs ELAC DBR62
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Infinity Reference R162
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Danley SH50
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs JBL HDI-1600
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs JBL Studio 630
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Audio Craftsmen Victoria
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs ATC SCM19