Audio T Verdict
The Dynaudio Contour 20i is a substantial two-way standmount speaker that combines the company’s Esotar2i tweeter with a specially developed 18cm MSP mid/bass driver and a beautifully finished, mechanically rigid cabinet.
The Esotar2i adds the Hexis inner dome and a larger rear chamber to Dynaudio’s established soft-dome design. Together, these features help control internal resonance and deliver a smooth, detailed treble that integrates naturally with the larger mid/bass driver.
The 18cm driver uses Dynaudio’s one-piece MSP cone, a large aluminium voice coil, dual-ferrite magnet system and an asymmetric aramid-fibre spider. The revised suspension improves control over cone movement, while the simplified crossover removes the impedance-correction network used by the earlier Contour 20.
With 86dB sensitivity and a 4-ohm rated impedance, the Contour 20i benefits from a high-quality amplifier with good current delivery. It is not exceptionally difficult to drive, but its transparency and bass capability make amplifier quality more important than simply choosing the highest wattage.
The rear port enables impressive extension for a standmount speaker, with Dynaudio quoting 39Hz at the -3dB point. It also makes positioning important, particularly where the speakers must sit close to a rear wall.
Suitable stands are essential and are sold separately. The Dynaudio Stand 20 is the natural partner, with an optional adapter plate available for the Contour 20i.
The newer Contour 20 Black Edition offers further upgrades, including the Esotar3 tweeter, neodymium mid/bass motor and redesigned crossover. However, the Contour 20i remains a highly accomplished choice for listeners seeking a refined, full-bodied and revealing Dynaudio standmount at a lower price.
Dynaudio Contour 20i Standmount Speakers
The Dynaudio Contour 20i is a premium two-way passive standmount loudspeaker designed for high-quality stereo systems.
Each speaker combines:
- One 28mm Esotar2i soft-dome tweeter
- Dynaudio’s Hexis resonance-control inner dome
- One 18cm MSP mid/bass driver
- A large-diameter aluminium voice coil
- A vented dual-ferrite magnet system
- An asymmetric aramid-fibre spider
- A simplified second-order passive crossover
- A substantial aluminium front baffle
- A rear-mounted bass-reflex port
- A dense, curved and internally damped cabinet
The Contour 20i is supplied as a matched stereo pair. Speaker stands, amplifier and speaker cables are required separately.
A Serious Standmount Design
The Contour 20i is relatively compact when compared with the floorstanding models in the range, but it should not be treated as a small bookshelf speaker.
Each cabinet measures 440mm high and weighs 14kg, while the 18cm driver and rear bass port are capable of producing substantial low-frequency energy.
To perform correctly, the speakers require:
- Rigid and stable floor stands
- Appropriate distance from nearby walls
- A suitable seated listening height
- High-quality amplification
- Careful adjustment of speaker spacing and toe-in
28mm Esotar2i Soft-Dome Tweeter
The Contour 20i uses Dynaudio’s 28mm Esotar2i coated fabric soft-dome tweeter.
Esotar2i develops the earlier Esotar2 design with two significant changes:
- A larger rear chamber
- The addition of Dynaudio’s Hexis inner dome
These elements are designed to reduce unwanted resonance behind the diaphragm and produce a flatter, more controlled high-frequency response.
Dynaudio Soft-Dome Construction
Dynaudio has used coated fabric soft-dome tweeters throughout much of its history.
The diaphragm combines:
- Low moving mass
- Controlled internal damping
- A carefully applied surface coating
- A lightweight aluminium voice coil
- A motor system developed for smooth and consistent movement
The aim is not simply to produce more treble, but to reproduce high-frequency information without excessive resonance or hardness.
Hexis Resonance-Control Inner Dome
The Hexis is a small, dimpled inner dome positioned directly behind the main tweeter diaphragm.
Its shape controls the movement of air inside the tweeter and reduces standing waves that could otherwise reflect back towards the soft dome.
This helps improve:
- High-frequency smoothness
- Transient control
- Low-level detail
- Decay and stopping behaviour
- Integration with the mid/bass driver
The Hexis concept is also used in more expensive Dynaudio designs, including the Confidence range.
Larger Tweeter Rear Chamber
The Esotar2i uses a larger rear chamber than the Esotar2 fitted to the original Contour series.
Sound energy produced from the rear of the diaphragm enters this chamber rather than being reflected immediately back towards the dome.
The increased volume and internal damping help reduce pressure and resonance behind the tweeter, contributing to a cleaner and more controlled response.
18cm MSP Mid/Bass Driver
A single 18cm driver reproduces bass and midrange frequencies up to the 2200Hz crossover point.
This driver must cover a particularly wide part of the musical spectrum, including:
- Low-frequency fundamentals
- Bass guitars and drums
- Lower and central vocal frequencies
- Piano, guitar and string harmonics
- Much of the information responsible for tonal character
Its cone, suspension, motor and voice coil are therefore designed to combine useful bass excursion with clean behaviour through the midrange.
One-Piece MSP Cone
The 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 connection to the voice-coil assembly
- No separate dust-cap joint to create another resonance
Large-Diameter Aluminium Voice Coil
Dynaudio uses a large-diameter aluminium voice coil rather than a smaller, heavier copper coil.
The wider coil allows the driving force to be applied across a greater area of the MSP cone.
Aluminium helps reduce moving mass while allowing a long winding to be used for controlled excursion.
This arrangement is intended to improve:
- Cone control
- Transient response
- Power distribution
- Dynamic ability
- Integration across the diaphragm
Vented Dual-Ferrite Magnet System
The 18cm driver uses a vented dual-ferrite magnet system.
The magnetic assembly provides the field in which the aluminium voice coil moves, while the ventilation helps air escape from behind the cone and coil.
Controlled airflow can reduce:
- Air compression
- Turbulence
- Mechanical noise
- Heat build-up
- Changes in behaviour during demanding playback
Asymmetric Aramid-Fibre Spider
The Contour 20i introduced an improved asymmetric spider made from aramid fibres.
The spider is part of the driver suspension and helps keep the voice coil centred while controlling forwards and backwards movement.
Its moulded ribs use different widths to improve symmetry and provide finer control over the cone’s excursion.
This is a seemingly small change, but the suspension affects how accurately the cone starts, stops and returns to its resting position.
Extended-Excursion Driver Design
The combination of the long aluminium voice coil, asymmetric spider and rubber surround allows the driver to move sufficiently to produce convincing bass from the Contour 20i’s cabinet.
Controlled excursion is particularly important because one driver must reproduce both bass and midrange frequencies.
As output increases, the driver must continue to behave predictably without allowing excessive cone movement to interfere with vocal and instrumental clarity.
Simplified Passive Crossover
The Contour 20i uses a redesigned passive crossover.
Changes to the tweeter, mid/bass driver and suspension produce a naturally flatter response, allowing Dynaudio to remove the additional impedance-correction network used in the earlier model.
The simplified circuit provides a more direct electrical path between the amplifier and drivers.
This does not mean that fewer components are automatically better. The crossover has been simplified because the drivers themselves require less electrical correction.
Second-Order Crossover Topology
Dynaudio specifies a second-order crossover with a 2200Hz transition frequency.
The crossover must manage:
- Frequency division between the two drivers
- Relative output levels
- Electrical and acoustic phase
- Integration around the crossover region
- Behaviour away from the central listening axis
The tweeter, mid/bass driver, baffle and crossover are therefore designed as one complete system.
2200Hz Crossover Frequency
The 18cm driver operates up to the 2200Hz crossover region before handing over to the Esotar2i tweeter.
This allows the larger driver to reproduce the vocal range while the tweeter takes responsibility for upper harmonics, ambience and high-frequency detail.
The transition must remain smooth in level and phase so that voices and instruments do not appear to separate between the two drive units.
Substantial Aluminium Front Baffle
The drive units are mounted into the Contour series’ signature aluminium front baffle.
The baffle is set into the cabinet and provides a rigid mechanical foundation for the tweeter and mid/bass driver.
It helps:
- Maintain precise driver positioning
- Control vibration around the drive units
- Strengthen the cabinet front
- Reduce unwanted diffraction
- Support clean reproduction at higher listening levels
Integrated Driver-Basket Chamfer
The chamfer surrounding the mid/bass driver is incorporated into its basket.
This creates a smoother transition between the cone, driver surround and aluminium baffle.
Reducing abrupt edges around the drive unit helps limit diffraction that could otherwise interfere with treble clarity and off-axis response.
Improved Internal Damping
Dynaudio revised the cabinet’s internal damping using knowledge developed during the creation of the Evoke and Confidence ranges.
Internal damping is used to absorb unwanted sound energy behind the drive units and reduce resonance within the cabinet.
Too little damping can allow internal energy to return through the cone or cabinet walls. Too much can affect efficiency and bass behaviour, so the amount and position must be selected carefully.
Dense Curved Cabinet
The Contour 20i uses a substantial cabinet with smoothly curved side panels and a gently tapered rear section.
This avoids the large parallel surfaces found in a simple rectangular enclosure and provides a mechanically stable platform for the drivers.
The cabinet must resist the reaction force generated by the 18cm mid/bass unit while remaining quiet enough not to obscure low-level information.
Rear-Mounted Bass-Reflex Port
The Contour 20i uses a rear-mounted bass-reflex port.
The port works with the cabinet volume and 18cm driver to extend the speaker’s low-frequency output.
Dynaudio specifies a lower cutoff of 39Hz within a +/-3dB tolerance, which is substantial for a passive two-way standmount loudspeaker.
The rear location means that the port’s relationship with the wall behind the speaker has a significant influence on the final result.
Wall Distance and Bass Balance
Moving the Contour 20i closer to the rear wall will normally increase the amount of bass heard in the room.
Moving it further away can improve:
- Bass definition
- Timing
- Soundstage depth
- Separation between instruments
- The consistency of low-frequency notes
The optimum position depends on the room dimensions, wall construction and listening-seat position.
Optional Bass-Port Foam Plug
Dynaudio lists a compatible foam plug for the Contour 20i bass port.
A port plug can reduce the port’s contribution where the speakers must be positioned unusually close to a wall or where the room produces excessive bass reinforcement.
It should not automatically be fitted in every installation. Reducing port output can also reduce low-frequency extension and change the overall balance.
Audio T can advise whether a port plug is appropriate for the intended room and placement.
39Hz to 23kHz Frequency Response
Dynaudio specifies a frequency response from 39Hz to 23kHz within a +/-3dB tolerance.
This gives the Contour 20i useful low-frequency extension without requiring a subwoofer in every music system.
Actual in-room bass will depend on:
- Speaker position
- Distance from walls
- Room dimensions
- Stand rigidity
- Listening-seat position
- Amplifier control
- Room modes
86dB Sensitivity
The Contour 20i has a specified sensitivity of 86dB at 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is a moderate figure rather than an especially efficient design.
The amplifier power required 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 speaker can require more current from an amplifier than a conventional 8-ohm design at the same voltage.
The partnering amplifier should be designed to operate reliably into 4-ohm loudspeaker loads and provide clean output at the intended listening level.
180W IEC Long-Term Power Handling
Dynaudio specifies IEC long-term power handling of 180W.
This does not mean that a 180W amplifier is compulsory or that every amplifier with a lower rating will be unsuitable.
It also does not guarantee that the speaker cannot be damaged by an amplifier carrying the same rating.
A lower-powered amplifier driven into clipping can produce damaging high-frequency distortion, while a more powerful amplifier operated sensibly may provide cleaner 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 20i benefits from an amplifier capable of controlling its 18cm driver while preserving the resolution of the Esotar2i tweeter.
Important considerations include:
- Clean output into 4 ohms
- Current delivery
- Power-supply capacity
- Noise performance
- Pre-amplifier quality
- Room size and listening distance
- The required dynamic headroom
Audio T has achieved excellent results with the Contour 20i using high-quality Naim and Chord Electronics systems, but the final choice should be made through comparison rather than brand reputation or wattage alone.
Browse integrated amplifiers and separates at Audio T to explore suitable options.
Single-Wire Loudspeaker Connection
Each speaker uses one pair of high-quality binding posts.
The Contour 20i 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 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 speaker 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.
Dynaudio Stand 20
The Dynaudio Stand 20 is the natural matching support for the Contour 20i.
It provides:
- A rigid aluminium construction
- A sand-filling compartment
- Internal cable management
- Top-adjustable spikes
- Rubber rings for hard floors
- A broad and stable base
- Optional model-specific adapter plates
Dynaudio offers an adapter plate designed to connect the Contour 20 and Contour 20i securely to the Stand 20 or earlier Stand 6.
Speaker Stands Are Sold Separately
The Contour 20i speakers do not include floor stands unless an individual Audio T quotation specifically states otherwise.
Include the stands, adapter plates and any filling material when calculating the cost and installed dimensions of the complete system.
Correct Stand Height
The stand should place the Esotar2i tweeter close to the seated listener’s ear height.
A stand that is too high or too low can affect tonal balance and integration through the 2200Hz crossover region.
Both speaker-and-stand assemblies must be level and set to the same height.
Stand Mass and Filling
The Stand 20 includes a separate compartment that can be filled with suitable clean, dry material.
Adding mass can improve stability and reduce resonance within the hollow stand column.
Filling also increases the total installed weight, so the speakers and stands should be placed close to their final position before the process is completed.
Speaker Positioning
Begin with the speakers positioned symmetrically and with generous clearance from the wall behind them.
Move both speakers in equal increments while assessing:
- Bass weight
- Bass definition
- Central vocal focus
- Soundstage width
- Soundstage depth
- Image stability
Small changes in distance from the wall or listening position can produce meaningful differences.
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 too close together, the soundstage may lack width and scale.
If it is 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 balance
- Provide more even coverage across a wider seating area
Both speakers should be adjusted by the same amount.
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, alcoves, fireplaces and substantial furniture should all be considered.
Using the Contour 20i Without a Subwoofer
The Contour 20i’s 39Hz published lower cutoff gives it substantial bass extension for a standmount loudspeaker.
In many music systems, a separate subwoofer will not be necessary.
The decision will depend on:
- Room size
- Preferred music
- Listening level
- Required low-frequency extension
- Whether the system is also used for films
- The smoothness of the room’s bass response
Adding the Dynaudio Sub 6
The Dynaudio Sub 6 can provide deeper extension and additional low-frequency control.
It offers DSP-assisted setup, adjustable crossover, phase, delay and parametric equalisation.
Correct subwoofer integration requires careful adjustment of:
- Level
- Crossover frequency
- Phase
- Time alignment
- Room position
- Any required room-mode correction
A properly integrated subwoofer should extend the system without drawing attention to itself as a separate sound source.
Current Audio T Finish Options
Audio T currently lists the Contour 20i in:
- Piano Black Lacquer
- Walnut
Availability can vary according to current UK production and stock.
Natural walnut veneer will display individual variations 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 distinctive black aluminium Contour front baffle.
The baffle provides a visual contrast with the walnut cabinet while creating a more uniform appearance with the Piano Black Lacquer option.
Its purpose is mechanical and acoustic as well as cosmetic.
Black Removable Grilles
Black removable grilles are supplied.
They help protect the Esotar2i dome and MSP cone from dust and accidental contact.
Grilles can be removed for listening according to personal preference, but the delicate tweeter should never be touched.
Running-In Period
The speakers can be used immediately after installation, but the driver suspension 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 cone or grille should be removed gently with a clean, soft brush.
Protecting the 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 20i or Contour 20 Black Edition?
Choose the Contour 20i When
- The lower purchase price better balances the system
- The Esotar2i provides the required treble performance
- Walnut finish is preferred
- 39Hz published extension suits the room
- The established Contour presentation is wanted
- The additional Black Edition upgrades are unnecessary
Choose the Black Edition When
- The Esotar3 tweeter is a priority
- The neodymium mid/bass motor is wanted
- The larger dual-flared port is preferred
- The Mundorf crossover is important
- Black High Gloss is the preferred finish
- The system can justify the greater investment
The Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition retains the basic cabinet format but substantially revises the tweeter, mid/bass motor, port and crossover.
Contour 20i or Confidence 20?
Choose the Contour 20i When
- A smaller initial investment is preferable
- Separate stand choice is useful
- A rear-ported design suits the room
- The Contour cabinet styling is preferred
- A 4-ohm speaker suits the amplifier
- 39Hz extension meets the requirement
Choose the Confidence 20 When
- Dynaudio’s flagship passive standmount is required
- The Esotar3 tweeter is a priority
- Dedicated matching stands should be included
- The integrated down-firing port system is preferred
- Greater sensitivity is useful
- The complete system justifies the higher investment
The Dynaudio Confidence 20 includes its model-specific stands and represents Dynaudio’s more ambitious passive standmount design.
Contour 20i or Contour 30i?
Choose the Contour 20i When
- A standmount speaker is preferred
- The room is unsuitable for a floorstander
- Precise standmount imaging is a priority
- A smaller cabinet is easier to position
- 39Hz extension is sufficient
Choose the Contour 30i When
- A floorstanding design is preferred
- Twin 18cm drivers are appropriate
- Greater bass output and scale are required
- Separate speaker stands are undesirable
- The room can accommodate the larger cabinet
- Higher sensitivity is useful
The Dynaudio Contour 30i is a 2.5-way floorstander using the same Esotar2i tweeter and two 18cm MSP drivers.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- High-quality integrated amplifiers
- Separate pre-amplifier and power-amplifier systems
- Small and medium listening rooms
- Suitably arranged larger rooms
- Premium vinyl, CD and streaming sources
- Listeners prioritising imaging and tonal refinement
- High-quality single-wire speaker cables
- Optional carefully integrated subwoofers
Check Before Buying
- The amplifier is suitable for a 4-ohm speaker
- Suitable stands are included in the budget
- The correct Stand 20 adapter plate is available
- The speakers can be positioned away from the rear wall
- The tweeters can be placed near seated ear height
- The room can accommodate the stand footprint
- 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 standmount loudspeaker
- Supplied as a matched stereo pair
- Two-way driver configuration
- 28mm Esotar2i soft-dome tweeter
- Dynaudio Hexis inner dome
- Enlarged tweeter rear chamber
- Improved tweeter damping
- Lightweight aluminium tweeter voice coil
- 18cm MSP mid/bass driver
- One-piece Magnesium Silicate Polymer cone
- Large-diameter aluminium voice coil
- Long-throw driver construction
- Vented dual-ferrite magnet system
- Asymmetric aramid-fibre spider
- Variable-width suspension ribs
- Simplified passive crossover
- No separate impedance-correction network
- Second-order crossover topology
- 2200Hz crossover frequency
- Substantial aluminium front baffle
- Driver-basket chamfer
- Reduced high-frequency diffraction
- Improved internal cabinet damping
- Dense curved cabinet
- Rear-mounted bass-reflex port
- Compatible optional port foam plug
- 39Hz to 23kHz response within +/-3dB
- 86dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm rated impedance
- 180W IEC long-term power handling
- Single-wire binding posts
- Banana-plug compatibility
- Cable-spade compatibility
- Bare-wire compatibility
- Black removable grilles
- Black aluminium baffle
- Piano Black Lacquer finish
- Walnut finish
- 14kg weight per speaker
- Dynaudio Stand 20 compatibility
- Optional Contour adapter plate
- Up to eight-year total warranty after registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dynaudio Contour 20i sold as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product is supplied as a matched stereo pair.
Are speaker stands included?
No. Suitable stands are required separately unless an individual Audio T quotation specifically states otherwise.
Which stand is recommended?
The Dynaudio Stand 20 is the natural matching support. Dynaudio offers an optional adapter plate for the Contour 20 and Contour 20i.
Is the Contour 20i a bookshelf speaker?
Dynaudio categorises it as a bookshelf model, but it should be used on rigid floor stands rather than placed directly on a shelf or cabinet.
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 behind the tweeter diaphragm that helps 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 mid/bass driver is fitted?
One 18cm Dynaudio MSP driver with a large aluminium voice coil, dual-ferrite motor and asymmetric aramid-fibre spider.
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 rib structure helps control cone movement and improve forwards and backwards symmetry.
What is the crossover frequency?
2200Hz.
What is the crossover topology?
A second-order passive two-way 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 port is used?
A rear-mounted bass-reflex port.
Can the port be blocked?
Dynaudio lists a compatible foam port plug for the Contour 20i. It can be useful where wall placement causes excessive bass, but should be assessed for the individual room.
What is the frequency response?
Dynaudio specifies 39Hz to 23kHz within +/-3dB.
What is the sensitivity?
86dB 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 20i specification.
Is the Contour 20i difficult to drive?
It is not unusually severe, but its 86dB sensitivity and 4-ohm rating 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 capability and amplifier quality all matter.
Does it require a 180W amplifier?
No. The 180W 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?
The rear port benefits from free space. Begin with generous clearance 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 channels. 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 39Hz published lower cutoff provides substantial bass for a standmount. A subwoofer can add deeper extension or help with specialist room and cinema requirements.
Do the speakers need running in?
The driver suspension 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 440 x 360mm (W x H x D).
What are the dimensions including the grille?
Dynaudio specifies 215 x 440 x 396mm (W x H x D).
How much does each speaker weigh?
14kg.
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 20i demonstrations
- Comparisons with the Contour 20 Black Edition and Confidence 20
- Amplifier power, current and system-matching advice
- Comparisons between suitable integrated amplifiers and separates
- Dynaudio Stand 20 and adapter-plate guidance
- Stand assembly, filling and levelling advice
- Room-size and listening-distance assessment
- Speaker positioning, spacing and toe-in setup
- Rear-port and wall-clearance guidance
- Port-plug assessment where placement is restricted
- Speaker-cable selection and termination
- Dynaudio Sub 6 setup and integration
- 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, stand, room, cable and system matching for the Dynaudio Contour 20i.