DYNAUDIO Confidence C2 II
Floorstanding loudspeakers
Dynaudio doubled the midrange driver for the C2 II (which is not exceptional) but it also doubled the tweeter (which is exceptional). All the drivers are arranged in a kind of pseudo-d´Appolito arrangement that is derived from Dynaudio's Evidence Temptation and Evidence Master flagships. The resulting radiation pattern should be quite narrow which should help combat undesirable ceiling and floor reflections.
Function and form
The Dynaudio Confidence C2 II's baffles are very narrow, not wider than a sheet of A4 paper, but they are quite tall. To stabilize the towers Dynaudio designed a special plinth that locks the speaker to the floor and also provides anti-resonant decoupling. WBT binding posts are mounted onto the plinth (no bi-wiring here as Dynaudio considers bi-wiring unnecessary) which ensures the electromagnetical isolation from drivers and saves your money as you only need speaker cables to reach them without a necessity to travel up.
Like with other Confidence series speakers the drivers are mounted into an MDF subpanel (which looks like metal but is not). The drivers are usual suspects: 17cm Dynaudio midrange/bass drivers with 75mm aluminum voice coils and the latest versions of Esotar2 silk dome tweeter.
Bass management
I have to dissapoint those who expect dinosaurs stomping in the room. The bass of the Confidence C2 II is not that deep. On top of that it is not the last word in articulation too, being a bit more loose than expected. I recommend to use a good subwoofer (or two) with these speakers.
Clarity & delicacy
The mids of the Dynaudio Confidence C2 IIs are to die for, however. Jacintha's vocals from Groove Note's SACD sampler was very liquid with soothing quality to it, the piano was rich and silky and the saxophone let me hear the air flowing out from its bell. If emotions were measured than a measuring device's hand would hit its stop at max. When I swapped Jacintha for Johnny Cash (Hurt) the voice was not less addictive, with wonderful intonation, textures and articulation.
Tonal accuracy
As far as subtle micro-dynamic shifts are concerned I had no issue with the Dynaudios. With huge macro-dynamic sweeps the Confidence C2 IIs exhibited certain cautiousness and remained a bit constraint. The honey-like sound also did not support orchestral transparency.
Spatial resolution
Dynaudios were excellent in lateral soundstaging. When I reviewed stand mounted Confidence C1 I liked their act of disappearance in my listening room. The much bigger C2 IIs disappeared with the same magic trick. The soundstage extended deep and wide and gave me the feeling of being comfortably deated in a large auditorium. The C2 IIs were definitely not about the 1st row perspective.
Recommended resellers
Audiostudio s.r.o., Olomouc, tel. +420 608 752 475
Manufacturer's website: http://www.dynaudio.com
Associated components
- Sources: Accuphase DP-57
- Amplifiers: Luxman L-550A II, Accuphase E-550
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Audioquest Panther and Audioquest Cheetah, Nordost Flatline Super MkII, Audioquest Pikes Peak and Audioquest Volcano
- Power conditioning: JenTech DB06 distributor, Quantum Resonant Technology QRT Qx4 EMF stabilizer, Cardas Cross power cables
ACOUSTIQUE QUALITY AQ Passion
Acoustique Quality has been around since early 90’s. The company’s loudspeakers were always close to what can be characterized a good value for money, with a bit of pre-2000 vibe. Speaker by speaker the guys in Acoustique Quality ...
Recommended resellers
AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232
ANTE Supersonic One
The Supersonics were visually inspired by Lamborghini Countach racer. The functional elegance of the Lamborghini does not come at budget costs and neither the Ante does. The price tag of €160,000 keeps the Supersonics in the company ...
Recommended resellers
Media Control, Bratislava, SK, +421 905 613 928
AQ Canto 5
An experience that moves your soul. This is how Czech loudspeaker manufacturer presents the brand-new Canto range. For the company, the Canto is a milestone, so important that they decided to dedicate a special website to it. The ...
Recommended resellers
AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232
AUDIO PHYSIC Avantera
The Audio Physic’s HHCM midrange drivers are fantastic. The realism of both male and female vocals through the Avanteras is nothing short of magic. The Avanteras skillfully blend a cocktail full of colors, sonority, textures, ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
AUDIO PHYSIC Cardeas Plus+
Audio Physic's original Cardeas was like an album of a respected band that was recorded just because it had to be recorded due to a contract. Not like the album that was recorded because the band wanted to. I sighed with relief that ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
AURUM CANTUS V6F
The Aurum Cantus V6Fs have the ability to dissapear from your ear-view - they move an orchestra to your living room instead and let you bathe in an expanding and transparent soundstage. After listening to the V6Fs you'll find ...
Recommended resellers
Hifi studio MeLissa, Brno, tel. +420 777 04 1313
AVANTGARDE ACOUSTIC Uno Fino
Should your priority is to blend the speakers with your interior and make them visually disappear, the Avantgarde Acoustic Uno Fino is not for you. I am not in favor of color lacquers on speakers and prefer natural veneers where ...
Recommended resellers
HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894