Audio T Verdict
The Dynaudio Contour 60i is the largest and most capable model in the Contour i range, combining an Esotar2i tweeter, dedicated 15cm midrange driver and twin 23cm woofers in a full three-way floorstanding design.
Its dedicated midrange gives voices and instruments their own purpose-built driver, while the updated woofers provide the scale, authority and 28Hz published bass extension required for larger rooms and demanding recordings.
With 88dB sensitivity, a 4-ohm rating and 390W IEC power handling, the Contour 60i deserves powerful, high-quality amplification. It is capable of substantial volume, but amplifier control and current delivery are more important than chasing the largest wattage figure.
The rear-ported cabinet and deep low-frequency response make room matching essential. It needs sufficient space, careful positioning and a listening distance that allows the three driver sections to integrate properly.
Compared with the Contour 30i, it offers a dedicated midrange, larger woofers and considerably greater bass authority. The smaller model may be easier to accommodate, but the Contour 60i is the stronger choice for listeners who want greater scale and full-range performance.
Properly partnered and positioned, the Contour 60i delivers the refinement expected from Dynaudio alongside the physical weight and dynamic freedom needed to fill a serious listening room.
Dynaudio Contour 60i Floorstanding Speakers
The Dynaudio Contour 60i is a premium passive three-way floorstanding loudspeaker designed for high-performance stereo and multichannel systems.
Each speaker combines:
- One 28mm Esotar2i soft-dome tweeter
- Dynaudio’s Hexis resonance-control inner dome
- One dedicated 15cm MSP midrange driver
- Two dedicated 23cm MSP woofers
- An updated second-order passive crossover
- A substantial black aluminium front baffle
- A rear-ported bass-reflex cabinet
- A multi-layer curved enclosure
- An integrated floor-support system
- A single pair of loudspeaker terminals
The Contour 60i is supplied as a matched stereo pair.
The Flagship Contour i Model
The Contour 60i sits above the Contour 20i, Contour 25Ci and Contour 30i as the largest loudspeaker in the Contour i family.
It differs from the smaller models by using a full three-way driver arrangement with:
- A dedicated high-frequency driver
- A dedicated midrange driver
- Two dedicated bass drivers
This allows each driver section to be optimised for a narrower part of the frequency range rather than asking one unit to reproduce both deep bass and the critical vocal region.
Designed for Greater Scale
The Contour 60i is intended for listeners who require more low-frequency extension, output and dynamic headroom than the Contour 30i can provide.
Its larger cabinet and twin 23cm woofers make it particularly suitable for:
- Medium and large listening rooms
- Longer listening distances
- Music with substantial low-frequency content
- Higher playback levels
- Large-scale orchestral and live recordings
- Premium home cinema front channels
Its physical and acoustic scale also means it requires more careful room and amplifier matching than the smaller Contour models.
Full Three-Way Driver Configuration
The Contour 60i divides the frequency range between three dedicated driver sections.
The twin 23cm woofers handle the low frequencies before handing over to the 15cm midrange at 220Hz. The midrange continues through the vocal and instrumental region before the Esotar2i tweeter takes over at 4500Hz.
This configuration provides several advantages:
- The woofers can concentrate on producing deep bass
- The midrange does not need to reproduce large low-frequency excursions
- The tweeter can operate above a carefully controlled crossover point
- Each driver can be optimised for its intended role
- Greater output can be achieved with lower strain on each section
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 changes:
- Dynaudio’s Hexis resonance-control inner dome
- A larger and more effectively damped rear chamber
These features are designed to reduce unwanted resonance behind the main diaphragm and provide a smoother, flatter high-frequency response.
Dynaudio Soft-Dome Construction
Dynaudio has used coated fabric soft-dome tweeters throughout much of its history.
The Esotar2i diaphragm combines:
- Low moving mass
- Controlled internal damping
- A carefully applied surface coating
- A lightweight aluminium voice coil
- A motor system developed for smooth movement
The intention is to reproduce treble detail, ambience and instrumental harmonics without introducing unnecessary hardness or resonant character.
Hexis Resonance-Control Inner Dome
The Hexis is a small dimpled inner dome positioned immediately behind the Esotar2i diaphragm.
Its shape guides air away from the rear of the soft dome and helps reduce standing waves inside the tweeter assembly.
Controlling these internal resonances is intended to improve:
- High-frequency smoothness
- Transient stopping behaviour
- Low-level detail
- Decay and ambience
- Integration with the dedicated midrange driver
Enlarged Tweeter Rear Chamber
The Esotar2i includes a larger rear chamber than the Esotar2 used in the original Contour 60.
Rearward energy from the diaphragm enters this damped chamber rather than reflecting immediately towards the soft dome.
The chamber works alongside the Hexis 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 diaphragm, coating, voice coil, Hexis, rear chamber and motor system are engineered as one complete assembly.
Dedicated 15cm MSP Midrange Driver
The Contour 60i is the only model in the Contour i range to use a dedicated midrange driver.
This 15cm MSP unit reproduces frequencies between the 220Hz and 4500Hz crossover points.
That range includes much of the information responsible for:
- Vocal character
- Instrumental tone
- Recording-space ambience
- Rhythmic detail
- Image placement
- Perceived clarity and presence
Because the driver does not need to produce deep bass, its moving system can be optimised specifically for midrange speed and precision.
One-Piece MSP Midrange Cone
The midrange 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 being joined as separate components.
This construction provides:
- Consistent behaviour across the diaphragm
- Controlled stiffness
- Useful internal damping
- A secure mechanical connection to the voice coil
- No separate dust-cap joint to introduce another resonance
Aluminium Midrange Voice Coil
The dedicated midrange driver uses an aluminium voice coil.
Aluminium allows Dynaudio to reduce the moving mass while retaining the large-diameter coil geometry used to distribute force across the MSP diaphragm.
This supports the quick, controlled movement required for voices and instruments.
Neodymium Midrange Motor
A neodymium magnet system drives the dedicated midrange unit.
Neodymium provides a strong magnetic field from a relatively compact motor, leaving more space for airflow and the driver’s mounting enclosure.
The motor, aluminium voice coil and lightweight diaphragm are optimised specifically for midrange reproduction.
Resonance-Damping Midrange Enclosure
The midrange driver is mounted within a precision-moulded internal enclosure derived from technology used in Dynaudio’s Core professional monitors.
The cup contains structural ribs designed to reduce unwanted resonance around the rear of the driver.
This separate enclosure also helps isolate the midrange from the pressure generated by the two large woofers operating within the main cabinet.
Its purpose is to provide the midrange driver with a more stable and predictable acoustic environment.
Isolating the Midrange from the Woofers
The twin 23cm woofers can move a substantial volume of air inside the cabinet.
Without suitable isolation, this internal pressure could influence the rear of the midrange diaphragm and add unwanted colouration.
The dedicated enclosure helps:
- Protect the midrange from woofer pressure
- Reduce internal interference
- Control rearward energy
- Improve consistency through the vocal range
- Support more predictable crossover behaviour
Twin 23cm MSP Woofers
Low frequencies are reproduced by two dedicated 23cm MSP woofers.
These are considerably larger than the 18cm drivers used by the Contour 20i and Contour 30i.
The twin-driver arrangement provides:
- Greater total cone area
- Lower excursion for a given sound level
- Improved dynamic headroom
- Deeper bass extension
- Greater low-frequency scale
- Higher output in larger rooms
Dedicated Bass Diaphragms
The woofer cones use Dynaudio’s one-piece MSP construction but are optimised specifically for bass reproduction.
Because the separate 15cm driver handles the midrange, the woofers can concentrate on producing low frequencies below 220Hz.
Their diaphragms, motors, voice coils and suspension systems are therefore tuned for low-frequency extension and controlled movement.
Large-Diameter Copper Voice Coils
The Contour 60i woofers use large-diameter, long-throw copper voice coils.
Dynaudio selected copper rather than aluminium because the extra moving mass suits the requirements of a dedicated bass driver.
The voice-coil design helps provide:
- Controlled low-frequency movement
- Substantial excursion
- High output capability
- Useful thermal capacity
- Integration with the larger woofer motor
Glass-Fibre Voice-Coil Formers
The copper voice coils are wound on glass-fibre formers.
The former supports the coil as it moves through the magnetic gap and must remain stable as excursion and temperature increase.
Glass fibre replaces the titanium former used in the earlier Contour 60 woofer and was selected to provide the required balance of rigidity, weight and electrical behaviour.
Larger Woofer Magnet Systems
Each woofer uses an enlarged magnet system developed for the Contour 60i.
The stronger motor is designed to maintain control over the large MSP diaphragm as it moves through demanding low-frequency passages.
Greater magnetic control can support:
- Cleaner bass transients
- Improved stopping behaviour
- Greater output before compression
- More consistent cone movement
- Better integration with the dedicated midrange
Improved Aramid-Fibre Woofer Spiders
The woofer suspension includes improved asymmetric spiders made from aramid fibres.
The spider helps keep the voice coil centred while controlling the cone’s forward and backward movement.
Its asymmetric geometry is designed to improve movement symmetry and maintain more consistent behaviour as excursion increases.
Woofer Ventilation
The woofer 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 sustained playback
Updated Three-Way Crossover
The crossover was revised to work with the Esotar2i tweeter, isolated midrange driver and updated woofers.
Dynaudio specifies second-order crossover behaviour with transition frequencies at 220Hz and 4500Hz.
The network must control:
- Frequency division between the three driver sections
- Relative output levels
- Electrical and acoustic phase
- Integration through both crossover regions
- Behaviour away from the central listening axis
The crossover, drivers and cabinet should be considered one complete acoustic system rather than separate features.
220Hz Woofer-to-Midrange Crossover
The twin 23cm woofers operate up to the 220Hz crossover region.
This keeps their output concentrated within the bass while the dedicated 15cm driver handles the lower midrange, voices and instruments.
The relatively low transition prevents the large woofers from being asked to reproduce too much of the critical vocal range.
4500Hz Midrange-to-Tweeter Crossover
The dedicated midrange hands over to the Esotar2i tweeter at 4500Hz.
This is higher than the tweeter crossover points used in the Contour 20i and Contour 30i because the smaller dedicated midrange is designed to operate cleanly through a wider upper range.
The midrange diaphragm, aluminium baffle, Esotar2i tweeter and crossover are engineered to integrate through this transition.
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 tweeter, midrange and woofers.
It also contributes to:
- Reduced vibration around the drivers
- Greater cabinet-front rigidity
- Controlled diffraction
- Improved off-axis behaviour
- The Contour range’s visual identity
Integrated Driver-Basket Chamfers
The contours surrounding the MSP drivers are integrated into their baskets.
This creates a smoother transition between each cone, its surround and the aluminium baffle.
Reducing abrupt edges around the drivers helps limit diffraction and supports more consistent sound away from the central listening axis.
Multi-Layer Curved Cabinet
The Contour 60i uses a substantial multi-layer curved cabinet rather than a simple rectangular enclosure.
The gently tapered form reduces large parallel internal surfaces while providing the structural strength required by two 23cm woofers.
The cabinet must resist significant reaction forces without adding audible panel resonance or obscuring low-level information.
Updated Internal Damping
Dynaudio revised the internal damping using knowledge gained during the development of the Evoke and Confidence ranges.
Damping material is used to control sound energy inside the enclosure and reduce reflections returning through the driver diaphragms.
The amount and position must be selected carefully because excessive damping can also alter efficiency and bass tuning.
Rear-Ported Bass-Reflex Cabinet
The Contour 60i uses a rear-ported bass-reflex enclosure.
The port system works with the large cabinet volume and twin 23cm woofers to extend the speaker’s low-frequency output.
The rear location also helps keep any remaining port noise directed away from the listening position.
Rear-Port Positioning
The rear ports require sufficient clearance to operate freely.
Moving the speakers closer to the wall will normally increase the amount of bass heard in the room. Moving them further into the room can improve:
- Bass definition
- Low-frequency timing
- Soundstage depth
- Instrument separation
- The consistency of individual bass notes
The optimum position depends on the room dimensions, wall construction and listening-seat position.
Foam Bass-Port Plugs
Dynaudio provides foam port plugs for its ported passive loudspeakers.
These can reduce the port’s low-frequency contribution where the Contour 60i must be positioned closer to a wall than ideal or where the room produces excessive bass reinforcement.
The plugs should not automatically be fitted in every installation. Restricting the ports will also alter the speaker’s bass extension and overall balance.
Optimise Positioning Before Restricting the Ports
Begin with both speakers positioned symmetrically and the ports open.
Adjust wall distance, spacing and the listening position before using the foam plugs to reduce excessive bass.
28Hz to 23kHz Frequency Response
Dynaudio specifies a frequency response from 28Hz to 23kHz within a +/-3dB tolerance.
This gives the Contour 60i genuine low-frequency extension and allows it to reproduce a substantial proportion of the audible range without automatically requiring a subwoofer.
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 and acoustic treatment
Deep Bass and Room Modes
A speaker capable of reaching 28Hz can reveal low-frequency room problems that may have been less obvious with a smaller design.
At certain frequencies, the room can cause bass to become exaggerated in one position and weak in another.
Small changes to the speaker or listening-seat position can produce significant improvements in bass consistency.
Room measurement and acoustic treatment may be useful where positioning alone cannot produce an even result.
Using the Contour 60i Without a Subwoofer
For most two-channel music systems, the Contour 60i can operate as a full-range main loudspeaker without a separate subwoofer.
Its twin 23cm woofers and 28Hz lower cutoff provide substantial weight from:
- Bass guitars
- Kick drums
- Grand piano
- Large orchestral instruments
- Electronic music
- Pipe-organ recordings
A subwoofer may still be valuable where greater low-frequency headroom, specialist room correction or home cinema effects are required.
Adding the Dynaudio Sub 6
The Dynaudio Sub 6 includes a dedicated performance map for the Contour 60i.
Its DSP can adjust the subwoofer’s roll-off to complement the known low-frequency response of the speakers.
The Sub 6 also provides:
- Adjustable crossover control
- Level adjustment
- Phase adjustment
- Time-delay control
- Parametric equalisation
- Balanced and unbalanced connections
Because the Contour 60i already reaches 28Hz, adding a subwoofer should be treated as a careful system-integration exercise rather than a routine requirement.
88dB Sensitivity
The Contour 60i has a specified sensitivity of 88dB at 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is higher than the figures quoted for the Contour 20i and Contour 30i, but it should not be interpreted in isolation.
Required amplifier output will also 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 design at the same output voltage.
The partnering amplifier should be designed to operate reliably into 4-ohm loads and maintain control during demanding bass passages.
Dynaudio does not include a minimum impedance figure in its current published Contour 60i specification.
390W IEC Long-Term Power Handling
Dynaudio specifies IEC long-term power handling of 390W.
This does not mean that a 390W 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 loudspeakers are being overloaded.
Reduce the volume immediately rather than continuing at the same level.
Amplifier Matching
The Contour 60i requires amplification capable of controlling two large woofers while preserving the clarity of its dedicated midrange and 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
- Required dynamic headroom
A high-quality integrated amplifier can provide excellent results, while larger rooms or higher playback levels may justify separate pre-amplification and power amplification.
The final choice should be made through demonstration rather than relying solely on manufacturer, topology or headline wattage.
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 60i 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 balance of the complete system
Browse speaker cables available from Audio T to compare suitable terminated and unterminated options.
Integrated Floor Support
The Contour 60i includes an integrated floor-support system that increases the complete width from 255mm at the cabinet to 343mm at the base.
The wider footprint provides stability while preserving the relatively slim appearance of the main enclosure.
The floor hardware must be adjusted so that each speaker stands vertically and does not rock.
Carpet Spikes and Hard-Floor Support
Dynaudio floorstanding speakers provide suitable contact options for carpeted and uncovered hard floors.
Spikes are intended to pass through carpet and reach the firmer surface beneath.
Hard-floor contact surfaces or protective discs should be used where required to prevent damage to wood, tile or other sensitive flooring.
Spikes can cause injury and should be handled carefully.
Levelling the Speakers
Both speakers should stand vertically and at the same height.
Adjust the feet so that neither cabinet rocks when touched gently.
Do not tilt the complete speaker so that its full weight rests temporarily on only one or two spikes.
Two-Person Installation Recommended
Each Contour 60i weighs 50kg before packaging.
Unpacking, fitting the floor hardware and moving the speaker into its final position should be completed by at least two people.
Plan the route from the delivery point to the listening room before unpacking.
Speaker Positioning
Begin with the speakers positioned symmetrically and with sufficient space from the rear and side walls.
Approximately 50cm from nearby boundaries is a useful initial target where the room allows, but it should not be treated as 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
There is no single toe-in angle that will suit every room.
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 60i is designed to produce substantial scale in a medium or large room.
The listening distance should allow the outputs of the tweeter, midrange and woofers to integrate naturally.
Very close listening can make the physical separation between the drivers more apparent, while an excessively distant seat 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 60i in:
- Piano Black Lacquer
- Walnut
Availability can vary according to current UK stock and production.
Natural walnut veneer will display individual differences in grain, colour and pattern. 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, MSP midrange and twin woofer cones from dust and accidental contact.
The grilles can be removed for listening according to personal preference, but the delicate tweeter diaphragm should never be touched.
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 diaphragms 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 60i or Contour 30i?
Choose the Contour 60i When
- A full three-way design is required
- A dedicated midrange driver is preferred
- Twin 23cm woofers suit the room
- 28Hz published extension is useful
- Greater scale and dynamic headroom are required
- The room can accommodate the larger cabinet
- The amplifier and source system justify the investment
Choose the Contour 30i When
- A slimmer floorstander is preferable
- A 2.5-way design suits the system
- Twin 18cm drivers provide sufficient bass
- 32Hz published extension meets the requirement
- A 31.4kg cabinet is more manageable
- The lower purchase price better balances the system
The Dynaudio Contour 30i uses the same Esotar2i tweeter family with two 18cm MSP drivers in a slimmer 2.5-way floorstanding design.
Contour 60i or Contour 20i?
Choose the Contour 60i When
- A large three-way floorstander is required
- Maximum Contour bass extension is wanted
- A dedicated midrange driver is important
- Higher sensitivity and output are useful
- The room can support a 50kg floorstander
Choose the Contour 20i When
- A standmount design is preferred
- The room is smaller or more restricted
- 39Hz extension is sufficient
- A smaller cabinet is easier to position
- The lower purchase price better suits the system
- Separate stands can be accommodated
The Dynaudio Contour 20i provides Contour i technology within a premium two-way standmount design.
Contour 60i or Confidence 50?
Choose the Contour 60i When
- The lower purchase price better balances the system
- Twin 23cm woofers are preferred
- The Esotar2i tweeter provides the required performance
- A conventional rear-ported cabinet suits the room
- Full DDC directivity control is unnecessary
- The Contour styling and finishes are preferred
Choose the Confidence 50 When
- Dynaudio’s flagship passive technology is required
- The Esotar3 tweeter is a priority
- Twin Horizon midrange drivers are wanted
- Dynaudio Directivity Control is important
- The hybrid down-firing port suits the room
- The complete system justifies the greater investment
The Dynaudio Confidence 50 is a more ambitious five-driver design with Esotar3 tweeter, twin dedicated midranges and Dynaudio Directivity Control.
Using the Contour 60i in a Home Cinema System
The Contour 60i can be used as the front left and right speaker in a high-performance multichannel system.
The Dynaudio Contour 25Ci is the matching centre speaker for the Contour i range.
Using speakers from the same family helps maintain a consistent tonal character as dialogue, music and effects move across the front soundstage.
AV amplification must be suitable for the 4-ohm load and capable of driving several channels at the required playback level.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- Powerful high-quality integrated amplifiers
- Separate pre-amplifier and power-amplifier systems
- Medium and large listening rooms
- Premium vinyl, CD and streaming sources
- Listeners wanting full-range bass from passive speakers
- Systems prioritising scale, clarity and dynamic range
- 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 the cabinet and rear ports
- Sufficient wall clearance is available
- The floor can support 50kg per speaker
- The 343mm-wide complete base can be accommodated
- Safe two-person installation is possible
- 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
- Flagship Contour i floorstanding loudspeaker
- Supplied as a matched stereo pair
- Full three-way driver configuration
- 28mm Esotar2i soft-dome tweeter
- Dynaudio Hexis inner dome
- Enlarged tweeter rear chamber
- Lightweight aluminium tweeter voice coil
- Dedicated 15cm MSP midrange driver
- One-piece MSP midrange cone
- Aluminium midrange voice coil
- Neodymium midrange motor
- Precision-moulded midrange enclosure
- Resonance-control ribs
- Midrange isolation from woofer pressure
- Two 23cm MSP woofers
- One-piece dedicated bass diaphragms
- Large-diameter copper woofer voice coils
- Long-throw woofer construction
- Glass-fibre voice-coil formers
- Enlarged woofer magnet systems
- Improved asymmetric aramid-fibre spiders
- Vented woofer motor systems
- Updated three-way passive crossover
- Second-order crossover topology
- 220Hz woofer-to-midrange crossover
- 4500Hz midrange-to-tweeter crossover
- Substantial black aluminium baffle
- Integrated driver-basket chamfers
- Multi-layer curved cabinet
- Updated internal damping
- Rear-ported bass-reflex enclosure
- Compatible foam port plugs
- 28Hz to 23kHz response within +/-3dB
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm rated impedance
- 390W IEC long-term power handling
- Single-wire binding posts
- Banana-plug compatibility
- Cable-spade compatibility
- Bare-wire compatibility
- Integrated floor-support system
- Carpet-spike compatibility
- Hard-floor support
- Black removable grilles
- Piano Black Lacquer finish
- Walnut finish
- 50kg weight per speaker
- 1359mm complete height
- Sub 6 performance-map compatibility
- Up to eight-year total warranty after registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dynaudio Contour 60i sold as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product is supplied as a matched stereo pair.
Is the Contour 60i a three-way speaker?
Yes. It uses dedicated tweeter, midrange and bass-driver sections.
Which drivers does it use?
Each speaker uses one 28mm Esotar2i tweeter, one dedicated 15cm MSP midrange and two 23cm MSP woofers.
Which tweeter is fitted?
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 airflow and reduce internal resonance.
Why does the Contour 60i use a dedicated midrange?
It allows the woofers to concentrate on bass while the smaller 15cm driver reproduces voices and instruments with lower excursion and a purpose-built moving system.
How is the midrange driver isolated?
It is mounted within a precision-moulded resonance-damping enclosure that helps protect it from pressure generated by the woofers.
What does MSP mean?
MSP stands for Magnesium Silicate Polymer, Dynaudio’s proprietary cone material.
What size are the woofers?
Each speaker uses two 23cm MSP woofers.
Why do the woofers use copper voice coils?
The additional moving mass of copper suits their dedicated bass role, while the separate midrange driver handles the frequencies requiring a lighter moving system.
What are the crossover frequencies?
Dynaudio specifies 220Hz and 4500Hz.
What is the crossover topology?
A second-order passive three-way crossover.
What type of enclosure is used?
A rear-ported bass-reflex cabinet.
Are foam port plugs available?
Yes. Foam plugs can be used to reduce the ports’ contribution where wall proximity or room behaviour produces excessive bass.
Should the port plugs always be used?
No. Position the speakers first and use the plugs only where the room or placement makes the low-frequency balance excessive.
What is the frequency response?
Dynaudio specifies 28Hz to 23kHz within +/-3dB.
What is the sensitivity?
88dB 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 60i specification.
Is the Contour 60i difficult to drive?
Its sensitivity is reasonable, but the 4-ohm rating, large woofers and performance potential justify powerful, high-quality amplification 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 390W amplifier?
No. The 390W 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 generous clearance, approximately 50cm where practical, then move both speakers equally while assessing bass balance and soundstage depth.
Should the speakers be toed in?
Experiment with equal toe-in on both speakers. The optimum angle depends on the room, listening distance and preferred balance between image focus and soundstage width.
Do they require a subwoofer?
Not for most music systems. Their 28Hz published lower cutoff provides genuinely deep bass, although a subwoofer can add headroom, specialist room control or home cinema extension.
Is the Dynaudio Sub 6 compatible?
Yes. The Sub 6 includes a dedicated performance map for the Contour 60i.
Can the Contour 60i be used in a home cinema?
Yes. It can form the front left and right channels, with the Contour 25Ci providing the matching centre channel.
Are floor spikes included?
The floor-support system provides suitable options for carpeted and hard floors. Exact supplied hardware should be confirmed with Audio T for the current UK package.
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 255 x 1330 x 420mm (W x H x D).
What are the dimensions including the feet and grilles?
Dynaudio specifies 343 x 1359 x 454mm (W x H x D).
How much does each speaker weigh?
50kg.
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 60i demonstrations
- Comparisons with the Contour 30i and Confidence 50
- 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
- Rear-port and wall-clearance guidance
- Foam port-plug assessment where placement is restricted
- Deep-bass and room-mode advice
- Safe two-person delivery and installation planning
- 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 60i.