Audio T Verdict
The Dynaudio Confidence 60 is the flagship passive loudspeaker in Dynaudio’s home-audio range, combining the company’s most advanced soft-dome tweeter, twin dedicated midrange drivers, two substantial 23cm woofers and the complete DDC 2 directivity-control platform.
Each speaker uses a symmetrical five-driver arrangement, with one 28mm Esotar3 tweeter positioned between two 15cm MSP Horizon midrange drivers and two 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers. The driver positions, crossover, DDC Lens and sculpted Compex baffle are all designed to operate as one integrated acoustic system.
Dynaudio Directivity Control shapes the speaker’s vertical radiation to reduce unwanted midrange and treble energy directed towards the floor and ceiling. This can lessen the effect of early vertical reflections while preserving a comparatively wide horizontal listening area.
The technology does not remove the influence of the room. The Confidence 60’s exceptional low-frequency reach, large cabinet and resolving ability mean that wall distance, speaker spacing, toe-in, listening height and the position of the listening seat remain critically important.
The Esotar3 tweeter incorporates Dynaudio’s Hexis resonance-control inner dome, an enlarged rear chamber, carefully optimised airflow and a powerful neodymium motor. It is mounted within the precision-formed aluminium DDC Lens rather than operating as an isolated tweeter on a conventional flat baffle.
Two dedicated 15cm midrange drivers use Dynaudio’s Horizon Surround, which follows the profile of the MSP cone towards its outer edge. This increases the effective radiating area and allows each diaphragm to integrate almost flush with the surrounding Compex baffle.
The twin 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers are the largest bass drivers used in the current passive Confidence range. Their one-piece MSP diaphragms, copper voice coils, three-layer glass-fibre formers, pure-neodymium motors and machined ventilation systems are optimised specifically for deep, controlled bass reproduction.
Dynaudio specifies a low-frequency cutoff of 29Hz within a +/-3dB tolerance. This gives the Confidence 60 genuine full-range ability for most music systems, with the scale and headroom required to reproduce orchestral, electronic and live recordings convincingly in a suitably large room.
The hybrid bass-reflex port fires down through the lower plinth towards a shaped airflow diffuser above the solid base. This gives the port a consistent immediate boundary and clearance regardless of whether the speaker is installed on carpet or a hard floor.
The wider room will still determine how evenly that deep bass is heard. A speaker reaching below 30Hz can expose room modes that were less obvious with a smaller loudspeaker, so the final position should be established through careful listening and, where useful, room measurement.
The Confidence 60 has a moderate sensitivity of 87dB and a 4-ohm nominal impedance. Its specified minimum of 3.7 ohms at 71Hz is not as low as the minimum figures quoted for the Confidence 30 or Confidence 50, but its large drivers, 600W power handling and considerable dynamic capability still justify extremely capable amplification.
A powerful integrated amplifier may provide excellent results, but the Confidence 60 is sufficiently revealing to justify reference-level separate pre-amplification and power amplification. Current delivery, control, noise performance and sound quality matter more than comparing headline wattage figures alone.
The quoted 600W IEC long-term power handling is not a recommendation that every system should use a 600W amplifier. It does not guarantee protection against clipping, excessive low-frequency energy or sustained misuse. A smaller amplifier driven beyond its limits can be more dangerous than a powerful amplifier operated sensibly.
The Confidence 60 also requires serious practical consideration. Each speaker weighs 66.2kg and measures approximately 1.68 metres tall, 432mm wide and 517mm deep once its feet and grille are included. Delivery, unpacking, floor protection, positioning and levelling should be planned before the pair arrives.
Compared with the Confidence 50, the Confidence 60 retains the same twin-midrange DDC layout but replaces the two 18cm woofers with substantially larger 23cm drivers. Published bass extension increases from 35Hz to 29Hz, power handling rises from 400W to 600W and cabinet weight increases from 49.6kg to 66.2kg per speaker.
The Confidence 50 may be the more appropriate choice for many medium-sized rooms, particularly where its smaller footprint and still-substantial bass capability are a better match. The Confidence 60 is intended for customers whose room, amplification and complete source system can make meaningful use of its greater low-frequency extension, scale and headroom.
Properly partnered and professionally installed, the Confidence 60 can deliver enormous scale without sacrificing image focus, vocal intelligibility or low-level information. It is not simply a larger or louder Confidence model, but Dynaudio’s most ambitious passive expression of controlled directivity, soft-dome treble and MSP driver engineering.
Dynaudio Confidence 60 Flagship Floorstanding Speakers
The Dynaudio Confidence 60 is a passive three-way floorstanding loudspeaker designed and engineered at Dynaudio Labs in Skanderborg, Denmark.
Each speaker combines:
- One 28mm Esotar3 soft-dome tweeter
- Two 15cm MSP midrange drivers with Horizon Surround
- Two 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers
- A precision-formed aluminium DDC Lens
- A sculpted Compex composite front baffle
- A second-order and third-order passive crossover
- A hybrid downward-firing bass-reflex port
- A broad integrated floor base
- One pair of single-wire loudspeaker terminals
The Confidence 60 is supplied as a matched stereo pair and requires a separate integrated amplifier or pre-amplifier and power-amplifier system.
Flagship of the Confidence Range
The Confidence 60 sits above the Confidence 20, Confidence 30 and Confidence 50 as Dynaudio’s flagship passive home loudspeaker.
It shares its symmetrical tweeter-and-midrange arrangement with the Confidence 50 but increases woofer diameter from 18cm to 23cm.
The Confidence 60 is intended for listeners who require:
- The full Dynaudio Confidence driver arrangement
- Twin dedicated Horizon midrange drivers
- Twin large-diameter 23cm woofers
- Extension below 30Hz
- High output and dynamic headroom
- Full-scale reproduction in a suitably large room
- Dynaudio’s most ambitious passive loudspeaker system
Symmetrical Five-Driver Layout
The Confidence 60 uses five drivers in a vertically symmetrical arrangement.
From top to bottom, the baffle carries:
- One 23cm woofer
- One 15cm midrange driver
- The Esotar3 tweeter and DDC Lens
- A second 15cm midrange driver
- A second 23cm woofer
The symmetry is fundamental to the DDC system. The drivers, crossover, physical spacing, baffle contours and DDC Lens are engineered together rather than being treated as separate features.
Dynaudio Directivity Control 2
Dynaudio Directivity Control, normally abbreviated to DDC, shapes how sound leaves the loudspeaker in the vertical plane.
Sound directed towards the floor and ceiling can reflect back towards the listener shortly after the direct signal. These early reflections can alter tonal balance, image focus and the clarity of low-level information.
The Confidence 60’s DDC 2 platform uses the combined behaviour of its:
- Esotar3 tweeter
- Precision-formed DDC Lens
- Twin Horizon midrange drivers
- Twin 23cm NeoTec woofers
- Passive crossover
- Compex front baffle
- Driver spacing and mounting geometry
The system reduces vertical radiation towards the floor and ceiling while retaining a wider horizontal listening area than the previous-generation Confidence design.
One Esotar3 Tweeter
Earlier floorstanding Confidence models used two tweeters to help create their vertically controlled radiation pattern.
The current DDC design requires only one Esotar3 tweeter because the DDC Lens, crossover, midrange arrangement and baffle geometry provide a more precise method of controlling directivity.
Using one tweeter also avoids the complexity and potential interference created when two high-frequency drivers reproduce the same frequency range.
Precision-Formed Aluminium DDC Lens
The Esotar3 tweeter sits within a precision-formed aluminium waveguide known as the DDC Lens.
Its shape controls the tweeter’s vertical radiation and helps integrate its output with the midrange drivers positioned above and below it.
The final geometry was developed through:
- Computer simulation
- Acoustic modelling
- Topology optimisation
- 3D-printed prototypes
- Measurements in Dynaudio’s Jupiter facility
- Controlled listening tests
The DDC Lens is therefore an acoustic component rather than a decorative trim surrounding the tweeter.
Reduced Floor and Ceiling Reflections
The DDC system is intended to reduce the influence of early reflections from the floor and ceiling.
This can help preserve:
- Central image focus
- Vocal clarity
- Perceived soundstage depth
- Low-level information
- Tonal consistency across the intended listening area
DDC is a passive acoustic directivity-control system. It is not electronic room correction and does not apply digital equalisation.
Wider Horizontal Listening Area
The current DDC platform is designed to maintain controlled vertical radiation while providing wider horizontal dispersion than the earlier Confidence generation.
This can give more than one listener a consistent tonal balance across a wider seating area.
The most precise stereo image will still normally be heard around the primary listening position, and speaker spacing and toe-in should be adjusted carefully.
What DDC Does Not Correct
DDC cannot remove every influence of the room.
The Confidence 60 will still respond clearly to:
- Low-frequency room modes
- Distance from the rear and side walls
- Large windows and reflective furniture
- Asymmetrical furnishings
- Speaker spacing
- Toe-in
- The listening-seat position
- The height of the seated listener
Careful installation and adjustment remain essential.
28mm Esotar3 Soft-Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by Dynaudio’s 28mm Esotar3 coated soft-dome tweeter.
The Esotar3 develops earlier Esotar technology with improvements to:
- Rear-chamber volume
- Internal airflow
- Damping
- Magnet strength
- Diaphragm resonance control
- Integration with the DDC Lens
The soft dome combines low moving mass with controlled internal damping, helping the tweeter reproduce fine information without relying on the resonant behaviour of a rigid metal diaphragm.
Hexis Resonance-Control Inner Dome
Dynaudio’s Hexis sits directly behind the Esotar3 diaphragm.
This small dimpled inner dome shapes airflow within the tweeter cavity and reduces standing waves that could otherwise reflect back towards the main soft dome.
Controlling these internal resonances is intended to improve:
- High-frequency smoothness
- Transient stopping behaviour
- Low-level resolution
- Stereo imaging
- Integration through the upper crossover region
Enlarged Tweeter Rear Chamber
The Esotar3 uses an enlarged and carefully damped rear chamber.
Rearward energy from the soft dome enters this chamber rather than reflecting immediately back towards the diaphragm.
The chamber, Hexis, damping and airflow system work together to reduce resonance and compression behind the dome.
Neodymium Tweeter Motor
A powerful neodymium magnet provides the magnetic field for the Esotar3 motor.
Its compact size and magnetic strength allow space for the enlarged rear chamber while supporting sensitivity, control and dynamic ability.
Twin 15cm MSP Midrange Drivers
Two dedicated 15cm MSP drivers reproduce the midrange between the 200Hz and 2580Hz crossover points.
This region contains much of the information used to identify voices, acoustic instruments, recording spaces and changes in musical expression.
Using two midrange drivers:
- Supports the symmetrical DDC layout
- Increases useful radiating area
- Reduces the excursion required from each unit
- Provides greater output capability
- Helps maintain controlled vertical directivity
Dynaudio Horizon Surround
Each midrange driver uses Dynaudio’s Horizon Surround.
Instead of a conventional raised roll around the cone, the Horizon design follows the shape of the MSP diaphragm towards its outer edge.
This is designed to:
- Increase the effective radiating area
- Lower the surround’s first resonant mode
- Reduce diffraction around the diaphragm edge
- Create a smoother transition into the baffle
- Improve integration with the Esotar3 tweeter
Flush Midrange Integration
The Horizon Surround allows the diaphragm to sit almost flush with the Compex front baffle.
This reduces abrupt physical edges around the midrange drivers that could disturb the sound as it moves across the cabinet front.
The surrounding baffle contour also forms part of the DDC geometry.
Topology-Optimised Midrange Baskets
Behind each diaphragm is a lightweight basket developed through topology optimisation.
Its open organic structure provides mechanical stability while removing unnecessary material behind the cone.
This improves airflow and reduces the opportunity for rearward energy to reflect from the basket towards the diaphragm.
One-Piece MSP Midrange Cones
The midrange diaphragms are made from Dynaudio’s Magnesium Silicate Polymer, normally abbreviated to MSP.
Each cone and its central dust-cap area are moulded as one continuous piece.
This construction provides:
- Consistent behaviour across the diaphragm
- Controlled stiffness
- Useful internal damping
- A secure connection to the voice-coil assembly
- No separate dust-cap joint to introduce another resonance
Twin 23cm NeoTec MSP Woofers
Low frequencies are reproduced by two 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers.
These are the largest bass drivers used in the current passive Confidence range.
They operate below the 200Hz crossover point, allowing them to concentrate on bass reproduction while the two dedicated midrange drivers reproduce voices and instruments above that region.
The twin-driver arrangement provides considerably greater cone area, low-frequency displacement and headroom than the 18cm woofers fitted to the Confidence 30 and Confidence 50.
Dedicated Bass Diaphragms
The woofer cones use Dynaudio’s one-piece MSP construction but are optimised specifically for bass reproduction.
The diaphragms must remain controlled while moving enough air to reproduce frequencies down to the speaker’s quoted 29Hz lower cutoff.
Because the separate midrange drivers handle vocals and the upper bass, the woofer moving systems can be tuned more completely for extension, output and control.
Copper Woofer Voice Coils
The Confidence 60 woofers use copper voice-coil wire.
Dynaudio selected copper to provide the moving mass and force factor required by this specific 23cm driver, motor and cabinet arrangement.
Voice-coil material is therefore chosen according to the intended driver behaviour rather than one material being universally superior.
Three-Layer Glass-Fibre Voice-Coil Formers
The 23cm woofer voice coils use three-layer glass-fibre formers.
The former supports the coil as it moves through the magnetic gap and must remain stable as excursion and temperature increase.
The layered glass-fibre structure is designed to provide the stiffness required by the large woofer without adding unnecessary mass or electrical losses.
Pure-Neodymium Woofer Motors
Each woofer uses a powerful pure-neodymium magnet system.
The motor geometry controls the magnetic field around the voice coil and helps maintain consistent force as the diaphragm moves forwards and backwards.
The compact neodymium magnets also provide more space for ventilation around the rear of the cone and voice-coil assembly.
Machined Airflow and Ventilation
Airflow channels are machined directly into the woofer motor structures.
These allow air to move away from the voice coil and rear of the diaphragm during large low-frequency excursions.
Controlled ventilation is intended to reduce:
- Air compression
- Turbulence
- Mechanical noise
- Heat build-up
- Changes in driver behaviour during demanding playback
Three-Way Passive Crossover
The Confidence 60 uses a three-way passive crossover with transition points at 200Hz and 2580Hz.
Dynaudio specifies a combination of second-order and third-order filter behaviour as part of the DDC system.
The crossover controls:
- Frequency division between the woofers, midranges and tweeter
- Driver levels
- Electrical and acoustic phase
- Vertical dispersion
- Integration through both crossover regions
- Behaviour away from the central listening axis
Its operation is closely linked to the physical driver arrangement, DDC Lens and Compex baffle.
200Hz Bass-to-Midrange Crossover
The twin woofers operate up to the 200Hz crossover region.
This keeps their output concentrated within the bass range while the two 15cm midrange drivers reproduce lower midrange information, voices and much of the instrumental spectrum.
The 200Hz crossover point is shared with the Confidence 50, although the larger Confidence 60 woofers and cabinet provide greater extension and displacement.
2580Hz Midrange-to-Tweeter Crossover
The two midrange drivers hand over to the Esotar3 tweeter at 2580Hz.
Their MSP diaphragms, Horizon Surrounds, symmetrical positions and the DDC Lens are engineered to integrate through this transition while maintaining the intended vertical directivity.
Compex Composite Front Baffle
All five drivers are mounted into a sculpted Compex composite front baffle.
Compex combines relatively low mass with high rigidity and mechanical damping. It can also be formed into the precise curves and mounting surfaces required by the DDC system.
The baffle:
- Provides a stable foundation for the drive units
- Controls diffraction around the cabinet front
- Supports the required DDC geometry
- Absorbs unwanted vibration
- Creates smooth transitions around the driver surrounds
Driver Coupling and Decoupling
The drive units use dedicated gaskets and rear mounting plates.
Dynaudio tightly couples the woofers to the baffle while mechanically isolating the tweeter and midrange drivers as much as practical from unwanted bass-driver vibration.
This mounting arrangement is part of the complete Compex and DDC platform.
Curved Flagship Cabinet
The Confidence 60 cabinet uses curved side panels and a tapered profile rather than a conventional rectangular enclosure.
The shape helps reduce large parallel internal surfaces and controls the way sound moves around the cabinet exterior.
The enclosure must remain mechanically quiet while withstanding the reaction forces generated by two large 23cm woofers operating at significant excursion.
Hybrid Down-Firing Bass Port
The Confidence 60 uses a model-specific hybrid downward-firing bass-reflex system.
The port travels from inside the cabinet through the lower plinth and into the controlled space above the solid base.
A shaped diffuser divides and guides the airflow towards the sides.
This arrangement is designed to:
- Reduce audible port turbulence
- Maintain a consistent immediate port boundary
- Control clearance on different floor surfaces
- Avoid a conventional port opening on the rear panel
- Allow the port geometry to be tuned specifically for the Confidence 60
Consistent Port Clearance
The solid lower base remains at a fixed distance from the port exit.
This gives the port a consistent immediate boundary on carpet, wood, tile and other suitable floor coverings.
The room itself will still affect bass response through wall reinforcement, room modes, floor construction and the position of the listening seat.
29Hz Low-Frequency Extension
Dynaudio specifies a lower cutoff of 29Hz within a +/-3dB tolerance.
This allows the Confidence 60 to reproduce exceptionally deep musical bass without automatically requiring a separate subwoofer.
Its extension can reproduce:
- Large orchestral percussion
- Pipe-organ fundamentals
- Electronic bass
- Grand-piano weight
- Low synthesiser and cinematic effects
Actual in-room extension and bass level will depend on the speakers’ position, listening-seat position, room dimensions, floor construction and amplifier control.
Using the Confidence 60 Without a Subwoofer
For most two-channel music systems, the Confidence 60 should be regarded as a genuinely full-range loudspeaker.
Its twin 23cm woofers and 29Hz published cutoff provide substantial low-frequency reach, output and headroom.
A subwoofer may still be considered where the system requires:
- Extension into the lowest audible and infrasonic region
- Additional low-frequency headroom
- More flexible control of room modes
- Very high-level film-soundtrack reproduction
- Independent positioning of the deepest bass source
Adding the Dynaudio Sub 6
The Dynaudio Sub 6 includes a model-specific performance map for the Confidence 60.
This allows its DSP and crossover behaviour to be configured around the known low-frequency response of the speakers.
Correct integration still requires adjustment of:
- Subwoofer level
- Phase
- Time delay
- Crossover behaviour
- Room position
- Any required parametric equalisation
Because the Confidence 60 already reaches 29Hz, adding a Sub 6 should be approached as a specialist system-integration exercise rather than a routine requirement.
87dB Sensitivity
The Confidence 60 has a specified sensitivity of 87dB at 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is a moderate sensitivity figure rather than an especially efficient design.
Required amplifier output depends on:
- Room size
- Listening distance
- Preferred volume
- Musical dynamics
- Amplifier current capability
- The headroom required above average listening level
4-Ohm Rated Impedance
Dynaudio specifies a rated impedance of 4 ohms.
This can demand more current from an amplifier than a conventional 8-ohm loudspeaker at the same output voltage.
The partnering amplifier should be designed to operate reliably into 4-ohm loads and should remain controlled during demanding low-frequency passages.
3.7-Ohm Minimum at 71Hz
The Confidence 60 reaches a specified minimum impedance of 3.7 ohms at 71Hz.
This is a higher minimum than the figures quoted for the Confidence 30 and Confidence 50, but it still occurs within the bass region where musical signals and large woofer movements can demand substantial power.
The amplifier must therefore combine clean voltage output with suitable current delivery, power-supply capacity and thermal stability.
Serious Amplification Required
The Confidence 60’s impedance is not exceptionally hostile, but its moderate sensitivity, large woofers and dynamic capability make amplifier quality extremely important.
Check power into 4 ohms, current delivery, power-supply capacity and suitability for sustained high-level use.
A demonstration with the intended amplifier and listening levels is strongly recommended.
600W IEC Long-Term Power Handling
Dynaudio specifies IEC long-term power handling of 600W.
This figure provides guidance about the speaker’s ability to cope with sustained test signals under the relevant measurement standard.
It does not mean:
- A 600W amplifier is compulsory
- Every amplifier below 600W is suitable
- The speaker cannot be damaged by a 600W amplifier
- The volume can be increased without regard for distortion
Amplifier quality, current delivery, room size, listening distance and required headroom are more useful than matching the speaker and amplifier by one wattage figure.
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.
A lower-powered amplifier driven into clipping can damage a tweeter even when its published wattage appears safe.
Amplifier Matching
The Confidence 60 deserves amplification capable of controlling two large woofers while preserving the resolution of the Esotar3 tweeter and twin midrange drivers.
Important considerations include:
- Power into 4 ohms
- Current delivery
- Power-supply capacity
- Low-frequency control
- Pre-amplifier quality
- Noise performance
- Room size and listening distance
- Required dynamic headroom
The Hegel H600 Reference Streaming Integrated Amplifier is one example of a powerful integrated amplifier that may be considered for a Confidence system.
However, the Confidence 60 is also an appropriate candidate for reference pre-amplifier and power-amplifier combinations. The final choice should be made through listening rather than assuming that one amplifier design, brand or power rating will suit every customer.
Browse integrated amplifiers and separates at Audio T to explore suitable partnering options.
Single-Wire Loudspeaker Connections
The Confidence 60 uses one pair of binding posts per speaker.
It 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 Terminations
The terminals can accommodate compatible:
- 4mm banana plugs
- Cable spades
- Properly prepared bare wire
The amplifier should be switched off while speaker cables are connected or removed.
Bare-wire strands must be kept clear of the opposite terminal to prevent a short circuit.
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 can lose bass weight, central focus and image stability even though both speakers continue to produce sound.
Both speaker-cable runs should be approximately the same length.
Speaker-Cable Guidance
Dynaudio recommends a conductor cross-sectional area of at least 1.5mm².
Its general passive-speaker guidance notes that performance can begin to suffer where cable runs extend much beyond approximately 15 metres.
The Confidence 60’s performance level justifies selecting cable according to:
- Conductor resistance
- Total cable length
- 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.
Current Audio T Finish Options
Audio T currently lists the Confidence 60 in:
- Midnight High Gloss
- Raven Wood
- Ruby Wood
- Smoke High Gloss
Availability can vary according to current UK stock and production.
Natural wood veneers display individual differences in grain and colour. Speakers are finish matched as a pair and should remain together as supplied.
Black Removable Grilles
Black removable grilles are supplied.
They help protect the Esotar3 dome, two midrange cones and twin 23cm woofers from accidental contact, dust and curious fingers.
Dynaudio designs its grilles to have a limited influence on performance, although the company suggests that removing them may provide a marginal improvement for serious listening.
Never press on any of the driver diaphragms while removing or replacing the grilles.
Integrated Floor Support
The Confidence 60’s broad lower base provides stability and forms part of the hybrid bass-port system.
The complete width increases from 271mm at the cabinet to 432mm once the feet and grille are included.
This wider footprint should be considered when planning the speaker position and safe walking space around the system.
Carpet Spikes and Hard-Floor Support
Dynaudio floorstanding speakers provide floor-contact options for carpeted and uncovered hard floors.
Spikes are intended to pass through carpet or rugs and reach the firm surface beneath.
Rubber contact surfaces are intended for uncovered wood, tile or similar hard floors.
Spikes can cause injury or damage sensitive flooring. Protective discs should be used where appropriate.
Levelling the Speakers
Adjust the feet so that each Confidence 60 stands vertically and does not rock.
Both speakers should be set to the same height and should remain stable when touched gently.
Never tilt the speaker so that its complete weight rests on only one or two spikes or feet.
Professional Handling Strongly Recommended
Each Confidence 60 weighs 66.2kg before packaging.
Delivery, unpacking, fitting the floor hardware and moving the speaker into its final position require careful planning and more than one person.
Check doors, stairs, corners, floor strength and final placement before unpacking. Audio T can advise on suitable delivery and installation arrangements.
Speaker Positioning
Dynaudio recommends beginning with its passive loudspeakers positioned as far from nearby walls as practical.
Approximately 50cm from each cabinet to nearby boundaries is a useful starting point, although the optimum position will depend on the room.
Moving the Confidence 60 closer to a wall will normally increase perceived bass energy. Moving it further into the room can improve definition and soundstage depth.
Deep Bass and Room Modes
The Confidence 60 reaches considerably deeper than most conventional passive floorstanding speakers.
Its low-frequency output will interact with:
- The room’s length, width and height
- The rear wall
- The side walls
- The floor and ceiling
- Room corners
- The listening-seat position
- Large furniture and openings into adjoining rooms
Small changes in speaker or seat position can produce significant differences in bass smoothness.
DDC Does Not Remove Bass Modes
The DDC system primarily controls vertical radiation through the midrange and treble.
Low-frequency sound remains substantially less directional and continues to interact strongly with the room.
Room measurement, acoustic treatment or repositioning may be useful where one or more bass frequencies become exaggerated or disappear at the listening position.
Stereo Speaker Spacing
Dynaudio’s general guidance suggests beginning with the speakers approximately two to four metres apart.
A Confidence 60 installation may require greater spacing where the room and listening distance allow, but the central image must remain stable.
The listening distance should normally be similar to, or greater than, the distance between the speakers.
Toe-In and Listening Angle
There is no single toe-in angle that will suit every Confidence 60 installation.
Begin with the speakers facing forwards or angled slightly towards the listening position, then alter both by the same amount.
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 balance
- Provide more even coverage across a wider seating area
The final setting should be established through listening rather than appearance alone.
Listening Height
The DDC system is designed around a conventional seated listening area.
The listening seat should not place the listener unusually high or low relative to the central tweeter-and-midrange section.
Both speakers must be level and at identical heights so their controlled vertical listening windows remain aligned.
Symmetrical Room Placement
Where possible, the immediate surroundings of the left and right speakers should have similar acoustic properties.
Placing one speaker beside heavy curtains and the other next to a bare reflective wall can alter tonal balance and stereo imaging.
Large windows, fireplaces, open doorways, alcoves and substantial furniture should all be considered during installation.
Listening-Room Requirements
The Confidence 60 is capable of producing exceptional scale and bass output.
The intended room should provide:
- Adequate wall clearance
- Suitable spacing between the speakers
- A sensible listening distance
- Space for the 432mm-wide base
- Clearance for the 1679mm complete height
- A stable floor capable of supporting 66.2kg per speaker
- A practical delivery and installation route
A home demonstration or room assessment is strongly worth considering where placement is restricted or significant bass problems are already present.
Running-In Period
Dynaudio states that a newly manufactured passive loudspeaker can require several weeks of normal use before its moving parts reach their optimum flexibility.
During this period, bass extension, integration and overall ease may continue to develop.
Special test tones or continuous high-volume playback are unnecessary. Normal varied music at sensible levels is sufficient.
Warm-Up Before Serious Listening
After the initial running-in period, Dynaudio suggests allowing the speakers a few minutes of playback at the beginning of a listening session.
The partnering amplifier, source and other electronics may also benefit from reaching their normal operating condition.
Cabinet and Driver Care
Clean the cabinet and other non-functional surfaces with a soft, dry or very slightly damp cloth.
Do not use:
- Furniture polish
- Abrasive cleaning products
- Solvents
- Aerosol sprays
- Excessive water
Never touch the Esotar3 soft dome. Dust on the MSP diaphragms or grilles should be removed gently with a clean, soft brush.
Protecting the Finish
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, excessive artificial light, high humidity or significant temperature changes.
Natural veneers can change appearance over time, and uneven light exposure can produce different rates of ageing across the cabinet.
High-gloss finishes should be cleaned with particular care to reduce the risk of fine surface scratches.
Confidence 60 or Confidence 50?
Choose the Confidence 60 When
- The flagship passive Confidence model is required
- Twin 23cm woofers suit the room
- 29Hz published extension is useful
- Maximum bass scale and headroom are priorities
- The room can accommodate the larger cabinet
- The floor and installation route suit 66.2kg speakers
- The amplifier and source system justify the investment
Choose the Confidence 50 When
- Twin 18cm woofers provide sufficient bass
- 35Hz extension better suits the room
- A smaller and lighter enclosure is preferable
- The same twin-midrange DDC arrangement is wanted
- A 49.6kg speaker is more practical
- The lower purchase price better balances the system
The Dynaudio Confidence 50 retains the twin-midrange DDC arrangement but uses two 18cm woofers within a smaller enclosure.
Confidence 60 or Confidence 30?
Choose the Confidence 60 When
- Twin midrange drivers are required
- The largest Confidence woofers are appropriate
- Full-range performance below 30Hz is wanted
- A large room requires greater scale and headroom
- The physical size and weight can be accommodated
Choose the Confidence 30 When
- A smaller Confidence floorstander is preferable
- One dedicated midrange driver is sufficient
- 38Hz extension suits the room
- The slightly higher 88dB sensitivity is useful
- A 44.2kg cabinet is considerably more practical
- The complete system budget should remain balanced
The Dynaudio Confidence 30 offers the full floorstanding DDC Lens system within a more domestically manageable cabinet.
Confidence 60 or Contour 60i?
Choose the Confidence 60 When
- The Esotar3 tweeter is required
- DDC 2 and the aluminium DDC Lens are priorities
- Twin Horizon midrange drivers are wanted
- The hybrid down-firing port suits the installation
- Maximum transparency and image control are priorities
- The higher investment is justified by the complete system
Choose the Contour 60i When
- A substantially lower purchase price better suits the system
- The Esotar2i tweeter provides sufficient performance
- Full DDC directivity control is unnecessary
- A smaller and lighter speaker is preferable
- The rear-port arrangement suits the room
- The available amplification is more appropriate for Contour
The Dynaudio Contour 60i provides twin 23cm woofers in a considerably more affordable three-way design, but without the Confidence 60’s Esotar3, DDC Lens or twin Horizon midrange arrangement.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- Reference integrated amplifiers
- Separate pre-amplifier and power-amplifier systems
- Amplifiers with substantial current and power reserves
- Large and dedicated listening rooms
- Reference vinyl, CD and streaming sources
- Systems prioritising scale, imaging and low-level detail
- Listeners wanting Dynaudio’s flagship passive speaker
- Professionally planned room and system installations
Check Before Buying
- The amplifier provides suitable power and control
- The floor can support 66.2kg per speaker
- The room can accommodate the 432mm-wide base
- There is sufficient space away from nearby boundaries
- The listening seat can be positioned sensibly
- The finish can be protected from direct sunlight
- Safe delivery and installation are possible
- The rest of the system matches the speakers’ resolution
Related Dynaudio Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- Flagship passive Dynaudio loudspeaker
- Supplied as a matched stereo pair
- Three-way driver configuration
- Symmetrical five-driver layout
- Next-generation Dynaudio Directivity Control
- DDC 2 baffle system
- Precision-formed aluminium DDC Lens
- Controlled vertical directivity
- Wide horizontal listening area
- 28mm Esotar3 soft-dome tweeter
- Hexis resonance-control inner dome
- Enlarged tweeter rear chamber
- Optimised tweeter airflow and damping
- Neodymium tweeter motor
- Two 15cm dedicated MSP midrange drivers
- Dynaudio Horizon Surrounds
- Flush midrange integration
- Topology-optimised midrange baskets
- One-piece MSP midrange cones
- Two 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers
- Largest woofers in the current Confidence range
- One-piece dedicated bass diaphragms
- Copper woofer voice coils
- Three-layer glass-fibre voice-coil formers
- Pure-neodymium woofer motors
- Machined woofer ventilation
- Compex composite front baffle
- Curved and tapered cabinet
- Hybrid downward-firing bass port
- Shaped port-airflow diffuser
- Solid integrated base
- Three-way passive crossover
- 200Hz bass-to-midrange crossover
- 2580Hz midrange-to-tweeter crossover
- Second-order and third-order DDC topology
- 29Hz to 22kHz response within +/-3dB
- 87dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm rated impedance
- 3.7-ohm minimum impedance at 71Hz
- 600W IEC long-term power handling
- Single-wire loudspeaker terminals
- 4mm banana-plug compatibility
- Cable-spade compatibility
- Bare-wire compatibility
- Black removable grilles
- Carpet spikes and hard-floor support
- 66.2kg weight per speaker
- 1679mm complete height
- Designed and engineered in Denmark
- Up to eight-year total warranty after registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Confidence 60 sold as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product is supplied as a matched stereo pair.
Is the Confidence 60 Dynaudio’s flagship speaker?
It is the flagship model in Dynaudio’s current passive Confidence home-audio range.
Is it a three-way loudspeaker?
Yes. It uses separate bass, midrange and high-frequency drivers.
Which drivers does it use?
Each speaker has one 28mm Esotar3 tweeter, two 15cm MSP Horizon midrange drivers and two 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers.
What is DDC?
DDC stands for Dynaudio Directivity Control. It shapes vertical dispersion to reduce unwanted floor and ceiling reflections while retaining useful horizontal coverage.
Does the Confidence 60 use the DDC Lens?
Yes. Its Esotar3 tweeter is mounted within a precision-formed aluminium DDC Lens.
Why does it use two midrange drivers?
The symmetrical midrange arrangement supports DDC, increases output capability and reduces the excursion required from each driver.
Does DDC replace acoustic treatment or careful positioning?
No. It reduces vertical reflections but cannot remove bass modes, side-wall reflections or the effects of unsuitable speaker and listening-seat placement.
What tweeter is fitted?
Dynaudio’s 28mm Esotar3 soft-dome tweeter with Hexis inner dome, enlarged rear chamber and neodymium motor.
What is the Hexis?
It is a dimpled inner dome positioned behind the tweeter diaphragm to reduce standing waves and internal resonance.
What is the Horizon Surround?
It is a low-profile midrange surround that follows the MSP cone towards its outer edge, increasing the effective radiating area and reducing diffraction.
What does MSP mean?
MSP stands for Magnesium Silicate Polymer, Dynaudio’s proprietary diaphragm material.
What size are the woofers?
Each speaker uses two 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers.
What type of bass port is used?
A hybrid downward-firing bass-reflex port that works with a shaped airflow diffuser and integrated lower base.
Will the bass sound identical on carpet and hard floors?
The fixed base maintains the immediate port clearance, but the floor construction and wider room will still influence the audible bass response.
What is the frequency response?
Dynaudio specifies 29Hz to 22kHz within +/-3dB.
What is the sensitivity?
87dB at 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the rated impedance?
4 ohms.
What is the minimum impedance?
Dynaudio specifies 3.7 ohms at 71Hz.
Is the Confidence 60 difficult to drive?
Its minimum impedance is relatively controlled for a large 4-ohm speaker, but its moderate sensitivity, large woofers and dynamic capability require powerful, high-quality amplification.
Does it need a 600W amplifier?
No. The 600W figure is its IEC long-term power-handling specification, not a compulsory amplifier rating.
Can a lower-powered amplifier be used?
Yes, provided it remains clean, stable and capable of producing the required listening level without clipping.
Can the speakers be bi-wired?
No. Each speaker uses one terminal pair for conventional single wiring.
Which speaker connectors are supported?
Compatible 4mm banana plugs, cable spades and properly prepared bare wire can be used.
Does the Confidence 60 need a subwoofer?
Not for most music systems. Its twin 23cm woofers and 29Hz cutoff provide genuinely deep bass. A subwoofer may be useful for specialist room control or extreme low-frequency requirements.
Is the Dynaudio Sub 6 compatible?
Yes. The Sub 6 includes a dedicated performance map for the Confidence 60.
How far should the speakers be from the wall?
Dynaudio recommends beginning with approximately 50cm where practical, then adjusting the position according to the room and listening results.
How far apart should they be?
Dynaudio’s general guidance suggests approximately two to four metres as an initial range, although a Confidence 60 system may use wider spacing where the room and listening distance allow.
Should the Confidence 60 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.
Are floor spikes included?
The floor-support system provides options for carpet and hard floors. Spikes should be handled carefully and used with suitable floor protection where required.
Do the speakers need running in?
Dynaudio states that its passive speakers can require several weeks of normal use before their moving parts reach optimum flexibility.
Should the grilles be removed for listening?
This is a matter of preference. Dynaudio suggests that removing them may offer a marginal improvement, while fitting them provides useful driver protection.
What are the cabinet dimensions?
The cabinet measures 271 x 1634 x 469mm (W x H x D).
What are the complete dimensions?
Dynaudio specifies 432 x 1679 x 517mm (W x H x D), including feet and grille.
How much does each speaker weigh?
66.2kg.
Which finishes are listed by Audio T?
Midnight High Gloss, Raven Wood, Ruby Wood and Smoke High Gloss are currently listed, subject to availability.
What warranty is available?
Dynaudio passive speakers receive the applicable standard legal and manufacturer warranty. Current product registration can extend the total cover to 96 months when completed within 12 months of purchase, subject to Dynaudio’s full terms and proof of purchase.
Is the extended warranty transferable?
Dynaudio states that the extended warranty is transferable when the original purchase invoice is supplied, although the cover remains linked to the original country of purchase and its applicable terms.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Dynaudio Confidence 60 demonstrations
- Comparisons with Confidence 30, Confidence 50 and Contour 60i
- Reference amplifier and system-matching advice
- Comparisons between suitable integrated amplifiers and separates
- Source, pre-amplifier and power-amplifier matching
- Room-size, bass-response and listening-distance assessment
- Speaker positioning, spacing and toe-in setup
- DDC listening-height and seating guidance
- Delivery-route and floor-strength planning
- Professional handling and installation arrangements
- Floor-spike, hard-floor and levelling assistance
- Speaker-cable selection and termination
- Subwoofer and room-integration advice where required
- Finish and veneer selection
- 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, delivery, cable and system matching for the Dynaudio Confidence 60.