Dynaudio Launches New Contour T Series Home Theatre Speakers

Dynaudio, a speaker manufacturer long associated with the highest level of speaker building, officially launched its Contour T2.5 and T2.1 Loudspeakers at the 2000 International CES, in Las Vegas. During CES, Dynaudio also showcased the prototype of a forthcoming Contour Subwoofer that is expected to be available for shipping before the end of the first quarter of 2000.The Dynaudio Contour Theatre Series loudspeakers represent the culmination of Dynaudioís pursuit of the highest quality and value in audio performance with superior elegance in design. Dynaudioís Contour Theatre Series was engineered with primary emphasis on providing affordable yet uncompromised high-fidelity performance for multichannel audio/video and two-channel stereo applications. This is reflected in Dynaudioís use of the finest grade materials and highest quality components, coupled with complete vertical integration in the handcrafted production of the loudspeakers.The Contour Theatre Series currently features the floor-standing Contour T2.5, designer for both front and rear channel applications in Home Theatres, and the compact Contour T2.1 LCR monitor, designed for horizontal center channel and/or vertical left/right main and surround channel applications. Although specially designed for home theatre systems, true to their Dynaudio heritage and the precise tonal balance of these loudspeakers, both models perform equally well in two-channel stereo applications.The Contour T2.5 and T2.1 are magnetically shielded for easy placement near sensitive A/V equipment, eliminating any possibility that video performance would be affected. Both loudspeakers utilize a magnetically shielded, 28-mm (1.1-inch) diameter treated-textile soft-dome tweeter, which was based on Dynaudioís famed ESOTEC D260 design and features a vented pole piece with rear chamber, Magnaflux (magnetic fluid) damping, and a 4-mm die-cast aluminum front for maximum stiffness and cooling, as well as two 17-cm (6-1/2 inch) magnetically shielded mid/woofers equipped with Dynaudioís legendary 75-mm (3 inches) aluminum voice coils and one-piece magnesium silicate polymer cone diaphragms.The drivers (in combination) provide an overall nominal impedance load of 6ohms to the amplifier, which makes the T2.5 and T2.1 even suitable for medium to high-power multichannel surround sound receivers because the relatively high impedance reduces the current draw from the amplifierís power supply. Moreover, the impedance remains linear to provide a very easy load. The speakers are rated at up to 200 watts continuous power handling. The drivers are positioned very close to each other to provide optimum dispersion.The Contour T2.5 and T2.1 utilize a first-order crossover for both the tweeter and woofers sections to provide superb transient response and excellent phase integration of the drivers with additional support circuits to supply the best possible coherence in the transition zone. In the crossover, all drivers perform in optimum phase to ease placement in the listening room/area. In a five-channel system, with either the T2.5 or T2.1 used as front and rear channels in combined with a T2.1 center channel, they will ensure that the total energy, power response of the surround sound system will add in the listening room, providing less sensitivity to the listeners position. All crossover components are of the highest quality, and the terminal is supplied with gold-plated, insulated binding posts for optimum connection.The Crossover incorporated into the Contour T2.5 is slightly different than that in the T2.1 to adjust for the difference in the larger front baffle. The upper woofer is electrically adjusted in phase to provide a slightly upward beam, which reduces the early floor reflection in the upper midrange for improved imaging.The cabinets of the Contour T2.5 and T2.1 utilize Dynaudioís two-layered sandwich enclosure, essentially creating a box within a box, and are fitted with a 22-mm thick baffle. The matched-grain veneers from which Dynaudioís speaker cabinets are hand-selected by master craftsmen trained in the Danish art of furniture making.The front-ported Contour T2.5 and rear-ported Contour T2.1 both utilize bass reflex tubes with trumpet shaped openings at both ends to reduce air turbulence at low frequencies. On the T2.1, the supplied foam port plug can be used to adjust the bass output of the speaker in the event the positioning of the speaker yields an artificially bass response.The Contour T2.5 and T2.1 have been specifically designed to be extremely similar to one another in behavior and performance in order to provide seamless integration between the center channel, front main channel and rear surround channel loudspeakers, regardless of which model (T2.5 or T2.1) is used for front and rear. For center channel applications, the Contour T2.1 is remarkable full range, extended down to about 30Hz, while providing a clean and natural high-fidelity sound throughout the entire frequency range.Positioned horizontally, the Contour T2.1 will pronounce the midrange for clear speech recognition, with excellent vertical dispersion. When placed vertically on stands and the like, it will offer excellent horizontal dispersion and an uncompromised detailed and natural performance similar to that of the floor-standing, freestanding T2.5. The Contour T2.5 comes with an integrated stand connected to the cabinet base with thick Neoprene bushings, and is fitted to accept reversible spikes.With a choice of several high-grade natural veneers or matte lacquer finishes (rosewood, cherry, black ash and beech are standing price; birdís-eye maple, walnut, black lacquer and white lacquer are an additional 10 percent), the Dynaudio Contour Theatre Series will be perfect fit for any high quality A/V system.Dynaudio Contour T2.1: MSRP $1,799 eachDynaudio Contour T2.5: MSRP $4,499 per pairDynaudio Contour Subwoofer: MSRP TBA

For more information, contact Dynaudio North America at 630 238 4200 or visit the Web site at www.DynaudioNA.com.