Audio T Verdict
The Dynaudio Contour 30i is a substantial 2.5-way floorstanding speaker that combines the refinement of the Contour 20i with greater bass extension, scale and dynamic ability.
Its Esotar2i soft-dome tweeter uses Dynaudio’s Hexis inner dome and an enlarged rear chamber, while two 18cm MSP drivers provide the weight and authority required for larger rooms and more demanding music.
The revised aramid-fibre suspension and simplified crossover help the drivers integrate cleanly, with one 18cm unit covering bass and midrange while the second reinforces the lower frequencies below approximately 300Hz.
With 87dB sensitivity, a 4-ohm rating and 300W IEC power handling, the Contour 30i benefits from a high-quality amplifier with good current delivery. It is not exceptionally difficult to drive, but better amplification brings worthwhile improvements in bass control, scale and clarity.
The twin rear ports contribute to its impressive 32Hz published bass extension, but they also make wall clearance and room positioning important. Foam port plugs can help where placement is restricted, although careful positioning should remain the first step.
For listeners who want a refined floorstander with deeper bass and greater authority than the Contour 20i, without moving to the size and dedicated three-way design of the Contour 60i, the Contour 30i is an extremely well-balanced choice.
Dynaudio Contour 30i Floorstanding Speakers
The Dynaudio Contour 30i is a premium passive floorstanding loudspeaker designed for high-quality two-channel music systems and suitably ambitious home cinema installations.
Each speaker combines:
- One 28mm Esotar2i soft-dome tweeter
- Dynaudio’s Hexis resonance-control inner dome
- Two 18cm MSP drivers
- A 2.5-way passive crossover
- A substantial black aluminium front baffle
- Twin rear-mounted bass-reflex ports
- A dense curved cabinet
- An integrated floor-support system
- A single pair of loudspeaker terminals
The Contour 30i is supplied as a matched stereo pair.
Positioned Between the Contour 20i and Contour 60i
The Contour 30i sits between the standmount Contour 20i and the larger three-way Contour 60i.
It retains the Contour 20i’s Esotar2i tweeter and 18cm MSP driver technology, but adds:
- A second 18cm driver
- A 2.5-way crossover arrangement
- Twin rear bass ports
- Greater cabinet volume
- Higher sensitivity
- Deeper published bass extension
- Greater output capability
The result is a speaker capable of filling a larger room while remaining considerably slimmer and more domestically manageable than the Contour 60i.
2.5-Way Driver Configuration
The Contour 30i uses two 18cm MSP drivers in a 2.5-way arrangement.
Both drivers contribute through the bass, but they do not reproduce exactly the same frequency range.
In this system:
- Both 18cm drivers contribute to low-frequency reproduction
- One driver is progressively filtered above approximately 300Hz
- The remaining driver continues through the midrange
- The Esotar2i tweeter takes over at approximately 2200Hz
This provides greater bass output and cone area than a conventional two-way speaker while avoiding the complexity of a separate dedicated midrange driver.
Why Use a 2.5-Way Design?
A 2.5-way system can combine several practical advantages.
Using both drivers in the bass provides:
- Greater total cone area
- Lower excursion for a given sound level
- Improved low-frequency output
- Greater dynamic headroom
- Better use of the floorstanding cabinet volume
Filtering one driver at a lower frequency helps the remaining unit behave more like a conventional mid/bass driver through the vocal range.
This can reduce unwanted interference between two vertically separated drivers at shorter wavelengths.
28mm Esotar2i Soft-Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by Dynaudio’s 28mm Esotar2i coated fabric soft-dome tweeter.
The Esotar2i develops the earlier Esotar2 design with two important additions:
- Dynaudio’s Hexis inner dome
- An enlarged and better-damped rear chamber
These changes help reduce unwanted resonance behind the diaphragm and smooth the tweeter’s frequency response.
Dynaudio Soft-Dome Construction
Dynaudio has used coated fabric soft-dome tweeters throughout much of its history.
The Esotar2i diaphragm is designed to combine:
- Low moving mass
- Controlled internal damping
- Consistent production
- A lightweight aluminium voice coil
- Smooth and predictable movement
The aim is not simply to produce more high-frequency output, but to reproduce treble information without excessive resonance, glare or hardness.
Hexis Resonance-Control Inner Dome
The Hexis is a small dimpled inner dome positioned immediately behind the main Esotar2i diaphragm.
Its shape guides airflow within the tweeter and helps reduce standing waves that could otherwise reflect back towards the soft dome.
This is intended to improve:
- High-frequency smoothness
- Transient stopping behaviour
- Low-level detail
- Decay and ambience
- Integration with the mid/bass driver
The Hexis concept is also used within Dynaudio’s more expensive Confidence range.
Enlarged Tweeter Rear Chamber
The Esotar2i uses a larger rear chamber than the earlier Esotar2 tweeter.
Rearward energy from the soft dome enters this damped chamber rather than reflecting immediately towards the diaphragm.
The chamber and Hexis work together to reduce pressure and resonance behind the tweeter.
Lightweight Aluminium Tweeter Voice Coil
The Esotar2i uses a lightweight aluminium voice coil.
Reducing moving mass helps the diaphragm respond quickly to changes in the musical signal, while the coil diameter distributes the driving force across the dome.
The voice coil, diaphragm, magnet system, rear chamber and damping arrangement are engineered as one complete assembly.
Twin 18cm MSP Drivers
The Contour 30i uses two 18cm Dynaudio MSP drivers.
The upper unit operates as a midrange and bass driver, while the lower unit reinforces the lower frequencies within the 2.5-way system.
The pair provides:
- Greater bass output than the Contour 20i
- Lower driver excursion for a given volume
- Improved dynamic ability
- Greater scale in medium and larger rooms
- Deeper low-frequency extension
One-Piece MSP Cones
Each diaphragm is made from Dynaudio’s Magnesium Silicate Polymer, normally abbreviated to MSP.
The cone and central dust-cap area are moulded as one continuous piece rather than joined together as separate components.
This construction provides:
- Consistent behaviour across the diaphragm
- Controlled stiffness
- Useful internal damping
- A direct mechanical connection to the voice-coil assembly
- No separate dust-cap joint to introduce another resonance
Large-Diameter Aluminium Voice Coils
The MSP drivers use large-diameter, long-throw aluminium voice coils.
The wide coil allows the driving force to be applied across a greater area of each cone.
Aluminium helps Dynaudio keep moving mass under control while using a larger coil and longer winding.
This arrangement supports:
- Controlled cone movement
- Fast transient response
- Even distribution of driving force
- Useful bass excursion
- Clean reproduction at higher volume
Extended-Excursion Driver Design
The two 18cm drivers are designed to provide the excursion required for substantial bass output without compromising the midrange performance of the upper unit.
As playback level increases, the suspension, voice coil and motor must continue to control each cone’s movement accurately.
This is particularly important in a 2.5-way design, where the upper driver must reproduce both bass and the critical vocal region.
Improved Asymmetric Aramid-Fibre Spiders
The Contour 30i uses updated asymmetric spiders made from aramid fibres.
The spider forms part of each driver’s suspension and helps keep the voice coil centred while controlling forward and backward movement.
Its corrugations use varying widths to improve excursion control and movement symmetry.
The revised material and geometry are intended to provide:
- More consistent forward and backward movement
- Improved cone control
- Lower suspension-related distortion
- Cleaner bass transients
- Better behaviour as excursion increases
Vented Driver Motor Systems
The driver motors and baskets are designed to allow air to move away from the rear of the cones and voice coils.
Controlled ventilation can reduce:
- Air compression
- Turbulence
- Mechanical noise
- Heat build-up
- Changes in behaviour during prolonged playback
The airflow system must remain quiet while both drivers are producing large low-frequency movements.
Updated Passive Crossover
The Contour 30i crossover was redesigned as part of the Contour i update.
Improvements to the tweeter and MSP drivers produced a naturally flatter response, allowing Dynaudio to remove the additional impedance-correction circuitry used by the earlier Contour 30.
The resulting circuit is simpler and provides a more direct electrical path between the amplifier and drive units.
This does not mean that fewer components are automatically better. The crossover could be simplified because the revised drivers required less electrical correction.
Second-Order Crossover Topology
Dynaudio specifies second-order crossover behaviour.
The two transition regions are approximately:
- 300Hz between the two MSP driver roles
- 2200Hz between the upper MSP driver and Esotar2i tweeter
The crossover must control:
- Frequency division
- Relative driver levels
- Electrical and acoustic phase
- Integration through both transition regions
- Behaviour away from the central listening axis
Mundorf Crossover Components
The Contour 30i crossover uses high-quality Mundorf components, including capacitors and air-core inductors.
These components were selected as part of the complete crossover design rather than added independently as cosmetic upgrades.
Their electrical consistency and power handling help the crossover maintain its intended behaviour during demanding playback.
300Hz Lower Crossover Region
Both 18cm drivers contribute through the bass, but the lower unit is progressively filtered above approximately 300Hz.
This allows the upper driver to continue through the midrange while the lower driver adds bass output and cone area.
The arrangement helps the Contour 30i combine floorstander bass capability with coherent midrange reproduction.
2200Hz Tweeter Crossover
The upper MSP driver hands over to the Esotar2i tweeter at approximately 2200Hz.
This transition sits within a region where dispersion, driver spacing and phase behaviour must be controlled carefully.
The tweeter, MSP driver, aluminium baffle and crossover are therefore engineered as one complete system.
Substantial Aluminium Front Baffle
The drivers are mounted into the Contour range’s distinctive black aluminium front baffle.
The baffle provides a rigid mechanical foundation and helps maintain precise alignment between the three drive units.
It also contributes to:
- Reduced vibration around the drivers
- Greater cabinet-front rigidity
- Controlled diffraction
- Improved off-axis behaviour
- The Contour range’s distinctive appearance
Integrated Driver-Basket Chamfers
The shape surrounding each MSP driver is integrated into the driver basket.
This creates a smoother transition between the cone, surround and aluminium baffle.
Reducing abrupt edges around the drive units helps limit diffraction and supports more consistent behaviour away from the central listening axis.
Dense Curved Cabinet
The Contour 30i uses a substantial curved enclosure rather than a simple rectangular cabinet.
The cabinet’s gently tapered form reduces large parallel internal surfaces while providing a mechanically rigid foundation for the drivers.
It must resist the reaction forces generated by two 18cm drivers without adding audible panel resonance.
Updated Internal Damping
Dynaudio revised the internal damping using knowledge developed during the creation of the Evoke and Confidence ranges.
Damping material is used to control unwanted energy within the cabinet and reduce sound reflecting back through the cones.
The amount and position must be selected carefully, as excessive damping can also alter efficiency and bass behaviour.
Twin Rear Bass-Reflex Ports
The Contour 30i uses two rear-mounted bass-reflex ports.
The ports work with the cabinet volume and twin 18cm drivers to extend low-frequency output.
Using two ports helps provide the airflow required by both drivers while keeping air velocity and turbulence under control.
Rear-Port Positioning
The twin rear ports make wall clearance an important part of the installation.
Moving the speakers closer to the wall behind them will normally increase perceived bass output.
Moving them further into the room can improve:
- Bass definition
- Low-frequency timing
- Soundstage depth
- Separation between instruments
- The consistency of individual bass notes
The optimum distance will depend on the room dimensions, wall construction and listening-seat position.
Foam Bass-Port Plugs
Dynaudio provides compatible foam plugs for the Contour 30i’s bass ports.
These can be useful where the speakers must be placed closer to a wall than ideal or where the room produces excessive low-frequency reinforcement.
Possible configurations include:
- Both ports fully open
- One port restricted in each speaker
- Both ports restricted
The exact result depends on the room and the type of plug supplied.
Port plugs should not be fitted automatically, as reducing port output can also reduce bass extension and change the speaker’s overall balance.
Position the Speakers Before Using the Port Plugs
Begin with both speakers positioned symmetrically and their ports open.
Adjust distance from the walls, speaker spacing and listening position before using the foam plugs to reduce excessive bass.
32Hz to 23kHz Frequency Response
Dynaudio specifies a frequency response from 32Hz to 23kHz within a +/-3dB tolerance.
This gives the Contour 30i substantial low-frequency extension for a relatively slim floorstanding loudspeaker.
Actual in-room bass will depend on:
- Distance from the rear and side walls
- Room dimensions
- Floor construction
- Listening-seat position
- Amplifier control
- Port-plug configuration
- Room modes
Using the Contour 30i Without a Subwoofer
The Contour 30i’s twin 18cm drivers and 32Hz published lower cutoff mean that a separate subwoofer will not be necessary in many music systems.
It can reproduce substantial weight from:
- Bass guitars
- Kick drums
- Grand piano
- Orchestral instruments
- Electronic music
The need for a subwoofer will depend on the room, preferred music, listening level and required extension.
Adding the Dynaudio Sub 6
The Dynaudio Sub 6 includes a performance map for the Contour 30 series.
Its DSP, adjustable crossover, phase, delay and parametric equalisation can support careful integration with the main speakers and room.
A subwoofer may provide:
- Deeper low-frequency extension
- Additional bass headroom
- Greater flexibility in controlling room modes
- Independent positioning of the deepest bass source
- Additional impact for film soundtracks
A properly integrated subwoofer should extend the system without becoming obvious as a separate source of bass.
87dB Sensitivity
The Contour 30i has a specified sensitivity of 87dB at 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is slightly higher than the 86dB figure quoted for the Contour 20i.
The required amplifier output will depend on:
- Room size
- Listening distance
- Preferred volume
- Musical dynamics
- Amplifier current delivery
- The required headroom above average listening level
4-Ohm Rated Impedance
Dynaudio specifies a rated impedance of 4 ohms.
A 4-ohm loudspeaker can require more current from an amplifier than a conventional 8-ohm model at the same output voltage.
The partnering amplifier should be designed to operate reliably into 4-ohm loads and provide clean output at the intended listening level.
Dynaudio does not include a minimum impedance figure in its current published Contour 30i specification.
300W IEC Long-Term Power Handling
Dynaudio specifies IEC long-term power handling of 300W.
This does not mean that a 300W amplifier is compulsory, nor does it guarantee that the speaker cannot be damaged by an amplifier carrying the same rating.
A lower-powered amplifier driven into clipping can produce harmful distortion, while a more powerful amplifier operated sensibly may provide cleaner dynamic headroom.
Reduce the Volume if the Sound Becomes Distorted
Audible hardness, compression, crackling or obvious distortion can indicate that the amplifier or loudspeaker is being overloaded.
Reduce the volume immediately rather than continuing at the same level.
Amplifier Matching
The Contour 30i benefits from an amplifier capable of controlling both 18cm drivers while preserving the resolution of the Esotar2i tweeter.
Important considerations include:
- Clean output into 4 ohms
- Current delivery
- Power-supply capacity
- Low-frequency control
- Pre-amplifier quality
- Noise performance
- Room size and listening distance
- The required dynamic headroom
The published wattage should not be used as the only measure. Two amplifiers carrying similar power ratings can behave very differently when driving a real loudspeaker.
Browse integrated amplifiers and separates at Audio T to explore suitable options.
Single-Wire Loudspeaker Connections
Each speaker uses one pair of high-quality binding posts.
The Contour 30i is designed for conventional single wiring rather than passive bi-wiring or bi-amping.
This allows the cable budget to concentrate on one high-quality connection between each amplifier channel and speaker.
Compatible Cable Connections
The binding posts can accommodate compatible:
- 4mm banana plugs
- Cable spades
- Properly prepared bare wire
The amplifier should be switched off whenever speaker cables are connected or removed.
Loose bare-wire strands must not be allowed to touch the opposite terminal, as this could short-circuit the amplifier output.
Correct Speaker Polarity
Connect the positive amplifier terminal to the positive speaker terminal and the negative amplifier terminal to the negative speaker terminal.
If one speaker is connected with reversed polarity, the system may lose bass weight, central focus and stereo-image stability even though both speakers still produce sound.
Both cable runs should be approximately the same length.
Speaker-Cable Selection
The cable should have sufficiently low resistance for its required length and should be suitable for the partnering amplifier.
Selection should consider:
- Total cable length
- Conductor area
- Amplifier compatibility
- Connector quality
- Installation requirements
- The overall system budget
Browse speaker cables available from Audio T to compare suitable terminated and unterminated options.
Integrated Floor Support
The Contour 30i includes an integrated floor-support system that increases the complete width from 215mm at the cabinet to 300mm at the base.
The wider footprint provides greater stability while maintaining the slim appearance of the main enclosure.
The base and feet must be adjusted so that each speaker stands vertically without rocking.
Rubber Feet and Carpet Spikes
Dynaudio floorstanding speakers provide rubber contact pads for hard floors and adjustable spikes for carpeted surfaces.
Rubber feet help protect uncovered wood, tile and other sensitive hard flooring.
Spikes can pass through carpet to reach the firm surface beneath and provide a more stable foundation.
Spikes can cause injury or damage flooring, so they should be handled carefully and used with suitable protective discs where required.
Levelling the Speakers
Both speakers should stand vertically and at the same height.
Adjust the feet so that the cabinet cannot rock when touched gently.
Do not tilt the complete speaker so that all of its weight rests temporarily on only one or two spikes.
Substantial Installed Weight
Each Contour 30i weighs 31.4kg before packaging.
Unpacking, fitting the floor hardware and moving the speaker into its final position should normally be completed by two people.
Speaker Positioning
Begin with the speakers positioned symmetrically and with sufficient space from the rear and side walls.
A useful initial target is approximately 50cm between the cabinet and nearby walls where the room allows.
This should be treated as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.
Move both speakers in equal increments while assessing:
- Bass weight
- Bass definition
- Central vocal focus
- Soundstage width
- Soundstage depth
- Image stability
Speaker Spacing
The distance between the speakers should normally be similar to, or slightly less than, the distance from each speaker to the listening position.
If the pair is positioned too closely, the soundstage may lack width and scale.
If it is positioned too far apart, voices and instruments in the centre can become diffuse or disconnected.
Toe-In and Listening Angle
Dynaudio generally recommends experimenting with a degree of toe-in towards the listening area.
Greater toe-in can:
- Strengthen central image focus
- Reduce some side-wall reflection
- Create a more direct high-frequency balance
Less toe-in can:
- Broaden the apparent soundstage
- Create a more relaxed tonal balance
- Provide more even coverage across a wider seating area
Both speakers should be adjusted by the same amount.
Listening Distance
The Contour 30i can provide substantial scale in medium and larger listening spaces.
The listening distance should be sufficient for the output of the two 18cm drivers and Esotar2i tweeter to integrate naturally.
Very close listening may make the physical separation between the drivers more apparent, while an excessively distant position may allow the room to dominate the direct sound.
Symmetrical Room Placement
Where possible, the immediate surroundings of the left and right speaker should have similar acoustic properties.
Placing one speaker beside heavy curtains and the other next to a bare reflective wall can affect tonal balance and stereo imaging.
Large windows, open doorways, fireplaces, alcoves and substantial furniture should all be considered.
Current Audio T Finish Options
Audio T currently lists the Contour 30i in:
- Piano Black Lacquer
- Walnut
Availability can vary according to current UK production and stock.
Natural walnut veneer will display individual differences in grain, pattern and colour. Cabinets are matched as a stereo pair and should remain together as supplied.
Black Aluminium Baffle
Both finish options use the Contour range’s black aluminium front baffle.
The dark baffle creates a visual contrast with the Walnut finish and a more uniform appearance with Piano Black Lacquer.
Its purpose is mechanical and acoustic as well as cosmetic.
Black Removable Grilles
Black removable grilles are supplied.
They help protect the Esotar2i tweeter and MSP cones from dust and accidental contact.
Dynaudio states that its grilles are acoustically optimised, although the highest performance may be achieved with them removed during serious listening.
Never touch the delicate tweeter dome while removing or replacing the grilles.
Running-In Period
The speakers can be used immediately after installation, but the driver suspensions can continue to loosen and settle with normal playback.
Bass extension, integration and overall ease may develop during the first several hours or weeks of use.
Special test signals or continuous high-volume playback are unnecessary. Normal varied music at sensible levels is sufficient.
Cabinet and Driver Care
Clean the cabinet and aluminium baffle with a soft, dry or very slightly damp cloth.
Do not use:
- Abrasive cleaning products
- Furniture polish
- Solvents
- Aerosol sprays
- Excessive water
Never touch the Esotar2i soft dome. Dust on the MSP cones or grilles should be removed gently with a clean, soft brush.
Protecting the Cabinet Finish
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, strong uneven artificial light, high humidity or major temperature changes.
Natural walnut can change colour gradually with age and exposure to light.
Piano Black Lacquer should be cleaned carefully to reduce the risk of fine surface marks.
Contour 30i or Contour 20i?
Choose the Contour 30i When
- A floorstanding design is preferred
- Greater bass output and scale are required
- Twin 18cm drivers suit the room
- 32Hz published extension is useful
- Higher sensitivity is beneficial
- Separate speaker stands are undesirable
- The room can accommodate the larger cabinet
Choose the Contour 20i When
- A standmount speaker is preferred
- The room is smaller or more restricted
- 39Hz extension is sufficient
- A smaller cabinet is easier to position
- Standmount imaging is a priority
- A lower purchase price better balances the system
The Dynaudio Contour 20i uses the same Esotar2i tweeter family and one 18cm MSP driver within a premium standmount cabinet.
Contour 30i or Contour 60i?
Choose the Contour 30i When
- A slimmer floorstander is preferable
- A 2.5-way design suits the system
- Twin 18cm drivers provide sufficient scale
- 32Hz extension meets the requirement
- A 31.4kg cabinet is more manageable
- The lower purchase price better balances the system
Choose the Contour 60i When
- A true three-way design is required
- A dedicated midrange driver is preferred
- Twin 23cm woofers suit the room
- Greater bass scale and output are required
- The larger cabinet can be positioned correctly
- The amplifier and source system justify the investment
The Dynaudio Contour 60i adds a dedicated midrange driver and two larger 23cm woofers for greater scale and low-frequency authority.
Contour 30i or Confidence 30?
Choose the Contour 30i When
- A lower purchase price better balances the system
- The Esotar2i tweeter provides the required performance
- A simpler 2.5-way layout is preferred
- The slimmer cabinet is easier to accommodate
- Rear bass ports suit the intended position
- Confidence-level expenditure is unnecessary
Choose the Confidence 30 When
- Dynaudio’s flagship passive technology is required
- The Esotar3 tweeter is a priority
- A dedicated Horizon midrange is wanted
- Dynaudio Directivity Control is important
- The hybrid down-firing port suits the room
- The complete system justifies the greater investment
The Dynaudio Confidence 30 is a full three-way design with Esotar3 tweeter, dedicated midrange driver and Dynaudio Directivity Control.
Using the Contour 30i in a Home Cinema System
The Contour 30i can also be used as the front left and right speaker in a high-quality multichannel system.
The Dynaudio Contour 25Ci is the matching centre speaker for the Contour i range.
Using products from the same series helps maintain a consistent tonal character as voices, music and effects move across the front soundstage.
AV amplification must be suitable for the 4-ohm load and capable of driving multiple channels at the intended listening level.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- High-quality integrated amplifiers
- Separate pre-amplifier and power-amplifier systems
- Medium and larger listening rooms
- Premium vinyl, CD and streaming sources
- Listeners wanting substantial bass without a very large cabinet
- Systems prioritising scale, imaging and tonal refinement
- High-quality single-wire speaker cables
- Contour-based home cinema systems
Check Before Buying
- The amplifier is suitable for a 4-ohm speaker
- The room can accommodate twin rear ports
- Sufficient wall clearance is available
- The floor can support 31.4kg per speaker
- The 300mm-wide complete base can be accommodated
- The speakers can be levelled safely
- The finish can be protected from strong sunlight
- The rest of the system matches the speakers’ resolution
Related Dynaudio Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- Premium passive floorstanding loudspeaker
- Supplied as a matched stereo pair
- 2.5-way driver configuration
- 28mm Esotar2i soft-dome tweeter
- Dynaudio Hexis inner dome
- Enlarged tweeter rear chamber
- Improved tweeter damping
- Lightweight aluminium tweeter voice coil
- Two 18cm MSP drivers
- One midrange and bass driver
- One additional bass driver
- One-piece Magnesium Silicate Polymer cones
- Large-diameter aluminium voice coils
- Long-throw driver construction
- Improved asymmetric aramid-fibre spiders
- Variable-width suspension corrugations
- Vented driver motor systems
- Updated passive crossover
- Simplified electrical signal path
- No separate impedance-correction network
- Second-order crossover topology
- 300Hz lower crossover region
- 2200Hz tweeter crossover
- Mundorf crossover components
- Air-core crossover inductors
- Substantial black aluminium baffle
- Integrated driver-basket chamfers
- Dense curved cabinet
- Updated internal damping
- Twin rear-mounted bass ports
- Compatible foam port plugs
- 32Hz to 23kHz response within +/-3dB
- 87dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm rated impedance
- 300W IEC long-term power handling
- Single-wire binding posts
- Banana-plug compatibility
- Cable-spade compatibility
- Bare-wire compatibility
- Integrated floor-support system
- Rubber hard-floor pads
- Adjustable carpet spikes
- Black removable grilles
- Piano Black Lacquer finish
- Walnut finish
- 31.4kg weight per speaker
- 1169mm complete height
- Up to eight-year total warranty after registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dynaudio Contour 30i sold as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product is supplied as a matched stereo pair.
Is the Contour 30i a three-way speaker?
No. It is a 2.5-way design using two 18cm MSP drivers and one Esotar2i tweeter.
What does 2.5-way mean?
Both 18cm drivers contribute through the bass, but one is filtered above approximately 300Hz while the other continues through the midrange before handing over to the tweeter.
Which tweeter does it use?
A 28mm Esotar2i coated fabric soft-dome tweeter with a Hexis inner dome and enlarged rear chamber.
What is the Hexis?
It is a dimpled inner dome positioned behind the tweeter diaphragm to control internal airflow and reduce resonance.
How does Esotar2i differ from Esotar2?
Esotar2i adds the Hexis inner dome and a larger rear chamber for improved damping and resonance control.
Which bass and midrange drivers are fitted?
Two 18cm Dynaudio MSP drivers with large aluminium voice coils and asymmetric aramid-fibre spiders.
What does MSP mean?
MSP stands for Magnesium Silicate Polymer, Dynaudio’s proprietary cone material.
What is the aramid-fibre spider?
It is part of the driver suspension. Its asymmetric corrugations help control cone movement and improve forward and backward symmetry.
What are the crossover frequencies?
Approximately 300Hz and 2200Hz.
What is the crossover topology?
Dynaudio specifies a second-order passive crossover.
Why was the crossover simplified?
The revised drivers provide a naturally flatter response, allowing Dynaudio to remove the additional impedance-correction circuitry used by the earlier model.
What type of bass ports are used?
Two rear-mounted bass-reflex ports.
Are foam port plugs available?
Yes. Dynaudio provides compatible foam plugs that can reduce port output where room placement creates excessive bass.
Should the foam plugs always be fitted?
No. Position the speakers first and use the plugs only where wall proximity or room behaviour makes the bass excessive.
What is the frequency response?
Dynaudio specifies 32Hz to 23kHz within +/-3dB.
What is the sensitivity?
87dB at 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the rated impedance?
4 ohms.
Does Dynaudio publish a minimum impedance?
A minimum impedance figure is not included in Dynaudio’s current published Contour 30i specification.
Is the Contour 30i difficult to drive?
It is not unusually severe, but its 4-ohm rating and performance level mean it benefits from a high-quality amplifier with good current delivery.
How much amplifier power is required?
There is no single correct figure. Room size, listening distance, preferred volume, current delivery and amplifier quality all matter.
Does it require a 300W amplifier?
No. The 300W figure is its IEC long-term power-handling specification, not a compulsory amplifier rating.
Can the speakers be bi-wired?
No. Each speaker uses one pair of binding posts for conventional single wiring.
Which cable connectors can be used?
The binding posts accommodate compatible 4mm banana plugs, cable spades and properly prepared bare wire.
How far should the speakers be from the wall?
Begin with approximately 50cm where practical, then adjust both speakers equally while assessing bass balance and soundstage depth.
Should the speakers be toed in?
Dynaudio generally recommends experimenting with some toe-in. The optimum angle depends on the room, listening distance and preferred balance between image focus and soundstage width.
Do they require a subwoofer?
Not necessarily. Their 32Hz published lower cutoff provides substantial bass. A subwoofer can add deeper extension, headroom or greater flexibility in controlling room modes.
Is the Dynaudio Sub 6 compatible?
Yes. The Sub 6 includes a performance map for the Contour 30 series.
Are floor spikes included?
The floor-support system provides adjustable spikes for carpet and rubber contact pads for suitable hard floors.
Do the speakers need running in?
The driver suspensions can continue to loosen and settle during the first several hours or weeks of normal playback.
Which finishes are listed by Audio T?
Piano Black Lacquer and Walnut, subject to current availability.
Are grilles included?
Yes. Black removable grilles are supplied.
What are the cabinet dimensions?
The cabinet measures 215 x 1140 x 360mm (W x H x D).
What are the dimensions including the feet and grilles?
Dynaudio specifies 300 x 1169 x 403mm (W x H x D).
How much does each speaker weigh?
31.4kg.
What warranty is available?
Dynaudio passive speakers receive the applicable standard legal and manufacturer warranty. Registration within 12 months of purchase can extend total cover to 96 months, subject to Dynaudio’s full terms and proof of purchase.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Dynaudio Contour 30i demonstrations
- Comparisons with Contour 20i, Contour 60i and Confidence 30
- Amplifier power, current and system-matching advice
- Comparisons between suitable integrated amplifiers and separates
- Room-size and listening-distance assessment
- Speaker positioning, spacing and toe-in setup
- Twin rear-port and wall-clearance guidance
- Foam port-plug assessment where placement is restricted
- Floor-spike, hard-floor and levelling assistance
- Speaker-cable selection and termination
- Dynaudio Sub 6 setup and integration
- Contour 25Ci home cinema system matching
- Finish and cabinet-care advice
- Home demonstration or installation may be available by arrangement
- Part exchange may be available on suitable existing equipment
- Dynaudio warranty-registration guidance
- Ongoing system, setup and after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss amplifier, room, cable and system matching for the Dynaudio Contour 30i.