Heard these by accident a few weeks ago at Crescendo in Denver and was instantly smoked. Special 40's on major steroids! Was trying my best to forget them - now your video review confirms my instant reaction. It's only money . . .
@Conor Hanley so if you had money you would buy the pair? But it’s a rip off? So you would be ripping off yourself? Yikes make up your mind, you tried take the L
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay Toys for big boys lol; couldn’t agree more. These Heritage Specials are so good that I’ve moved my Special Forty’s back to my listening chair and am using them for end tables to hold my drinks.
The special sauce of Dynaudio is the unbelievable coherency and driver integration they achieve with their own drivers. Together, they just move out of the way and disappear, it's uncanny. Resolution is extremely high but so is the smoothness and sense of correctness, which is a balance that's hard to get right. The tweeter, Esotar 3, is one of the best tweeters in the world. It brings a level of warmth, delicacy and atmosphere that I've never heard from other tweeter technologies. I love their woofers too, just perfect tone and decay.
Agreed! You can argue about the price of the HS speakers, but they are world class 2-way monitors. Everything you described above. The coherence of those 2 drivers together is nothing short of spectacular. No fatigue whatsoever and man you can push them into the stratosphere.
people focusing too much on drivers esotar ,etc...Dynaudio speakers became better sounding when company started use mundorf caps.Crossover of these speakers made of mundorf resistors ,air coils,caps
And 85db sensitive. Forget about using your low-powered tube amps. Sorry, there is a presence that is missing from these smaller speakers. I’m keeping my Altec model 18.
@@stillastillsfan My Usher 520s have a pretty good presence with tube amps and my AR4x speakers do as well. Just saying, not trying to oppose what you said.
@Paul Andersen The Altec model 18 with mantaray dispersion horn on the coax 604-8h driver have all that and can be driven w five quality Watts. The imaging is unbelievable but you also get dynamics and scale.
Great review. I love when you get excited about what you're reviewing or even better, the music. This video is exactly why you'll have 200,000 subscribers by the end of the month. Thanks Steve.
My first real Hifi speaker was DIY Dynaudio speaker, three way. Loved it! Living in Denmark I/we are very proud of our HiFi industry 🇩🇰 Gryphon, GamuT, Børresen aso. Me? Happy with my Lyngdorf amp (danish), and my Snell E III 🙏❤️ Thanx for your vids Steve. Love 'em 😊
I have a pair of vintage B&O RL6000’s, also made in Denmark. They have been hanging on a wall since new (1988), are in perfect shape and still sound terrific in a secondary system.
I love Dynaudio ❤️... and Maggies ❤️ I have owned a pair of Confidence C1 for the past 14 years and just recently bought a new pair of 3.7i’s 🤩 It feels that I found my Nirvana with this 2 amazingly different speakers 🙏✨
I plan on getting a pair of these as my pre-retirement speakers as my dealer has a few coming in....then the 3.7’s will be my partial 401k withdrawal set on last day at work so I am with you brother.
Hold on just a second... I've got pair #118 up here in Canada! Steve's loaners might be #116, but can't say for certain as the number's kinda blurry, woodgrain looks different too. Imagine how awesome it would be actually owning a pair that Steve demo'd...talk about resale value!! Not that I'm EVER selling LOL
@@kens7618 You may have uncovered something! Is Dynaudio duplicating the numbers to increase sales while appearing to be very limited in production? 😋😀
I was renting VW Golf in Europe and sound was the best I ever heard in any car by a large margin. I learned later it has dynaudio sound system and that put dynaudio speakers on the top of my wishlist.
Are you saying Steve that you appreciated the beautiful Truthful sound and tone coming out of that Heritage speaker , with such fidelity on High and such craftmanship as seen even in its woodwork (like it was from the very beginning of creation of this world of High Fidelity) that you believe now it will indeed a great benefitting pleasure to them, to US all, who might give a listen to that encompassing, warm sound , out to make EVERYONE feel safer, and so comfortably alive ( yet not numb) , sort of like a brood under their mother hen's wings... ? It SEEms that a unique opportunity indeed was offered you Steve by said Heritage speaker ...Go on Steve, Shema !!!
great point steve: space on a recording! for me, the space is another instrument in the recording. it is really that important. great review. thanks so much!
We had a Dynaudio speaker system in a GTI, seriously good sounding system. I added a quick 10 inch sub in a fiberglass sealed box molded to the side of the hatch back. It was one of the best systems as far as quality that I have ever put together.
I’m a beginner to this audiophile world. I was a big fan of car audio. Big heavy subs and amps. I am done with that but it seems like I have transitioned into this high res audiophile world and I love it. These speakers are a bit out of my reach for now. I do understand what you mean about how real the music sounds. I bought a record player and a few albums and vinyl sound really good when they are cleaned properly. So I’m hooked. I’ve been watching a learning so thanks for sharing this valuable information. Oh I purchased some Polk audio T15 bookshelf speakers and they sounded ok but I found a set of Yamaha 535 in a garage and those sound way better than the polks. Thanks again for the videos you do.
@@jareknowak8712 True - and had an important part in the actual invention of moving coil transducers. unique-acoustics.info/unique-acoustics/loudspeakers/
Right, the Klipsch Cornwall IVs are $6K, but they are huge, too big for most rooms! The Dynaudios are more transparent, coherent, and a more natural midrange, and will fit in most rooms.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Mr. Steve, please open Dynaudio speaker box.. Dynaudio use extremely cheap and thin speaker cables made by Van-Den-hul, Dynaudio use extremely cheaply capacitors Evo oil.. Because for Dynaudio need only Mundorf brand name.. Evo Oil capacitors made for very budget DIY projects, and have very low price 2-3 Euro! Look to basket.. Dynaudio made extremely cheap basket.. Dynaudio use minimum magnet, therefore Dynaudio very low effective speakers and for Dynaudio need super powerful amplifier, because sensitivity only 85 db(real sensitivity 83-84 db) !!! Dynaudio use extremely cheap membrane for own tweeters. Results - Dynaudio tweeters have very short life... Dynaudio made big business - replacing tweeters.Dynaudio big mafia company, which made money out of thin air...
I have NEVER in over 50 years of listening to speakers had anywhere near the speaker's best sound without a lot of moving them around. I can't believe you are so lucky to find a speaker that doesn't need any of that. If true, think how much better it could be with a little placement work.
Great review, I just recieved my pair of Heritage Special and the Dynaudio stands with the adaptor plates today! Being a major Dynaudio user for over 26 years , I still have Contour 1.1 in rosewood finish and the Contour 3.4S also in rosewood. A Bryston 4B SST2 will be used for now while a Parasound JC5 will replace the Bryston with the Specials in a few months. Worth every penny!
Hello from Romania Steve, I'd like to thank you for mentioning the album by Cowboy Junkies, been listening to it on repeat every time I get home from work since I've seen your video. Completely blew me away! Just love it! Thank you.
Just ordered pair and will pair with naim nova to start . Dealer said they sound great with tube -I may try that as well-super stoked-thanks steve for all you do for us folks.
It's a pity, but your are right. I heart the Contour 20i and the Harbeth p3 esr xd and C7 xd in my room. The Heritage was the best. I bought it some weeks ago and I am happy with it. Amp is a strong integrated amp from Symphonic Line. I really love this pairing. Thanks for your video, it helps me to find the right speakers.
I don't understand people think this is expensive. $7K for something that you enjoy everyday for many many years to come .. If it will last you 20 years, It'll only cost you about $1 a day to have many hours of enjoyment out of it!
2 weeks in to ownership, very pleased with mine. Previous speakers were Dynaudio Contour 20s. Room is medium-larage (17' x 22', 12' ceilings). I'm also pairing the Heritage Special with dual subs.
Bought these for my office rig, will report back once I get them and have put some major hours on them. But from what I heard at my local dealer compared to the Contour 20i, SP40 and Evoke 20, the HS is a huge step up in every category. Amp/streamer was a Hegel H390 btw for those who are curious, which most likely overdamped the woofer IMHO, but even so I could tell the performance envelope was of another order.
@@michaelmityok1001 Hi Michael, I just saw your comment on Steve Guttenburg’s video about the Heritage Specials. I also have a Hegel390 amp, so your comment was important. While the sound is very good, I do not have the same reaction to the speakers as Steve does, and I am wondering if you think there are much better amp matches for the Specials? I appreciate the time it takes to reply etc, but any comments will help me, I’m sure! Thanks, Chuck (Ottawa, Ontario).
@Chuck Weeks i have them hooked up to a CODA CSIB or alternatively a Gryphon Diablo 300, both are Class A for the 1st 10-15 watts and very high current. They make the Heritage Specials EXPLODE. I think the other thing too is the source needs to be killer, I am running a Lumin P1on fiber optik into a Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC into the amps and the tubes in the Lampizator add some sweet weight, and some air and dimensions to the soundstage, so sadly I think the Heritage Specials are only going to really work in higher end rigs. Perhaps high power Class D could work though I'm doubtful unless there's tubes somewhere in the chain. Anyways that's my 2 cents for what it's worth!
I'm sure they're wonderful but at $7000 per pair, I might as well plan a trip to Tahiti. Yup, sitting back in my apartment with thanks I have a roof over my head and good meals. Steve you do a good job sharing your enthusiasm.
Yea but the Dynaudio's last a good bit longer than a trip! Well worth the price of admission. The speakers I've had the longest in my system are Dynaudio PPM 2's, I've had 45+ sets of loudspeakers in my 50+ years of being a music lover and the Dyn's stay the course.
As a guy who has always valued the sonic experience over realism, it was educational for me to hear your thoughts on music as an experience that takes place in space (as well as time, natch). Thanks for that perspective.
@@MrJason9142002 Depends on your definition. The Cornwalls are second only to the KHorn with bass. They do go down to 32Hz, which is plenty deep for natural music. Electronic music is another story though. If you want good dubstep or perfect organ music, you most often will require a sub that goes the rest of the way to 15Hz or so.
I just finished a listening session with that very Amber Rubarth album, hopped into RUclips and 2nd video in I rejoined this half watched right at the point :-)
Steve, of all the amps that you have used on these speakers, which one would YOU prefer to use for low to mid-low volume listening. Great review by the way. I have these on order. The sound description reminded me of the Confidence 5 that I had years ago and made the mistake of letting it go for something better but could never found a replacement. Hopefully, this will be it.
I thought as I listened to my Dynaudio Contour 1.3 MKII, "hey, maybe this would be an upgrade!". After hearing the price, my old Dyns suddenly sounded much better! Although, it makes me consider adding a sub...
Just bought pair no 1082, and indeed they are wonderful. I’d never heard the Trinity Session (or Cowboy Junkies) and I’m really enjoying it. Wanted to say thanks
That piano sound you like on the 1990 Dick Hyman-Duke Ellington album sounds, to my ears, like a good portion of plate reverb in the mix. That's not unfair play; even great pianos need some ambience to develop their tone. That, and perfect tuning, which this piano has. I haven't heard Hyman in decades, don't know why. And his discography! P-r-o-l-i-f-i-c. The streaming services are joyfully loaded with it. Playing this album kinda made my Saturday morning. [More than kinda. Goes well with a latte, bagel, and cream cheese.] Alas, not on $7000 speakers. We live in a world drowning in treasures.
I have the Dynaudio Xeo 30. Too be honest I need nothing else. Every time I listen to music with them I am happy. Dynaudio is the best brand for me. The XEO or the Focus XD are great because the D amplifier design for them is already inside. B/W duo. Great for sure but still the XEO are better for me. I will hear this ones when I can at a store in Munich. Cheers
I’ve been listening to Low since 1977 and I played on KEF and B&W. I like the warm KEF sound. I’d like to audition the Dynaudio. It appears to have plain Jane looks, with Wonder Woman performance.
I have the DM 3/7 Dynaudio speaker floor standing more affordable at that time around 2000 dollar guess not as good sounding as the heritage but for me, they sound good enough and the finishing quality is high.
I've yet to see / read a single reviewer say much - if anything - negative about these speakers. Even the $7K price tag usually just gets glossed over because the sound is so good. I really want to buy a pair as possibly the last speaker I ever buy.
It's many things: a technical showpiece establishing their position in the audio hyerarchy. It's an attention grabber, like those 'concept cars' of the 50's. It's not a real 'product' for real people, it's an icon, a proof of concept, a 'halo effect' unit. They won't earn pots of money from selling this particular item, even at the price. But the technology and the sheer competence are there for all to see. More people will buy the next best range, and the research and development will trickle down into 'real products' and lead to new great speakers from the company.. When you set out to build the best you can you learn a lot from the engineering exercise and offer a glimpse of what is to follow.
I was thinking of doing the same but there is no matching subwoofer for these at the moment. Also the confidence centres are hard to find and would also probably look out of place against the walnut.
Hello from Montreal. Hi Steve, us folks are always comparing speakers... So how are these compared to the small P3's from Harbeth? Also there is the Gershman Studio II monitors. Since you're always suggesting music to us, I have one for you. The Tragically Hip! I think you will enjoy the album Road Apples. It's a very good recording of great band from Kingston, Ontario. Thanks
@@vinyl1Earthlink Thank you for your response, vinyl1Earthlink. Yes, we had big record stores in those days. (I was optimistically hoping that you could refer us to a source for such gems via a weblink we could use right now... ) Thanks again!
Dynaudio Heritage Breaking $ound Barrier$ 😆 As transparent as Magnepan LRS? I'm a month into that experience. Amazing and for a tenth of 7K! For that much "happy cabbage" I'd be looking at Tannoy $tirling (-:and a chiropractor;-)
What's your bottom line vs. the LS50s? Didn't you have REL T5i subwoofer(s)? The takeaway for me with the Dynaudio is that 1" dome tweeter which seems to be close to the Peerless one in my old Polk 10A monitors that still sound pretty good. I will take a larger cabinet and those two mid/woofers driving a passive 10" anyday. Of course those were 600 bucks a pair vs. 7000 for these Dynaudio.
Great speakers, but at those prices, go for quad electrostats, if you've got the space. Also ATC scm 20 for reference quality stand mounts, need good amps though.
Wow 7k,beam me up Scotty. Nice review though Steve but for this money there is plenty of choice. How about something from Totem? Their top standmount looks interesting! Goes deeper in the bass (30hz) and is quite alot less in the wonga dept.
Totem’s are real nice. I heard the Forest Signatures a few years back and was very impressed. I ended up with these though as my listening room only requires bookshelves.
Just heard the Heritage Specials last week, they are more dynamic, more balanced than the Ref1s. The UniQ sparkles on upper mid and highs, more forward. The HS speakers are just more complete top to bottom. Either way you'll need good amplification.
It’s personal, for me the Kef’s are better in everything, but some love the HS, which for me are not in totally balance, but for some reviewers they are heaven...
I think these are not a surprise, oh, surprised to the price. The making, construction should be much better for deserving the "Heritage". Looks very good, decent, nice. But I like and keep my Contour S1.4LE in Bubinga High Gloss(Piano lacquer painting). Probably same tweeters but 17cm mid/woofer (this heritage is 18cm) Owned the confidence 5 in golden birds eye appearance with the famous T330D and the famous dome mid! (I know in this model, the tweeters are the called esotar3) but I don't know why sold it?! Only afraid of the aging? But it is actually in beautiful conditions, cosmetically and functionally! OMG. Also some people mentioned the Micron which I owned and sold too, it's in nice red cherry veneer appearance and the binding posts replaced with WBTs. Sometimes, some people like me, throw away goodness and regret then.
@Hector Martinez On it’s own merit, it is a great speaker. To my taste it was ever so slightly “romantic”. Many people enjoy that type of presentation though.
Also i think the best affordable speakers are : Wharfedale Diamond 11 series , EVO series and Elysian series designed by Peter Comeau. They sound and look like speakers that cost 3 or 4 times more , they are unique and very good built. I HAVE SPOKEN :D
Speakers don't get sleepy at night. At night is when all speakers wake up regardless of brand and price. At night when the busy city you live goes to sleep and quiet is the best time to listen to any speakers.
I've owned both. The 805 D3's have nicer upper mids and highs IMO. Heritage Specials have superior mid-bass and feel like a more complete speaker. They leave me wanting for very little. The 805 D3's with subs would be a different story.
@@anjin_x Agreed totally. My ears are not a fan of the diamond tweeters on the B&W D3 speakers, just to bright and analytical. They recreate sound incredibly. I think driver integration of Dynaudio is near perfect and despite the cost its magical to listen to.
You need a sub, bass isn’t that impressive. Just a small mid/woofer, with a large voice coil, but Dynaudio uses bigger woofers with smaller voice coils nowadays. HS is vintage stuff.
My only gripe...! Why has it become fashionable to say, "I had to check to see if my subwoofer was on?" If the recording has ANY LF, it SHOULD easily be noticed. (I did not say localized) It's like saying, "my high's are so transparent I had to check that my tweeters were working." No!
Quality instead of quantity. I thought Special 40s were expensive at £2.5k until I heard them. Heritage are even more refined and further improved in every aspect. You get what you pay for.
Thousands of ways to put into words the subjectivity of how speakers sound. Which Steve is the master. Steve did not say it's his penultimate speaker. So I don't think it's sales talk. My takeaway is that this a unique speaker of which there are a handful. ...there would be no RUclips following if he said this speaker makes nice sounds just like all other speakers I've heard.
Gotta be rich to get a pair of these. But I knew they could build such a nice sounding bookshelf speaker. They threw the bean counters out on this one.
Im sure it sounded over the top, but so so so many of us are just using stereo receivers from 1987 and/or thrift store bought stereo receivers with second hand or inferior speakers meaning "at least 30 years old" and not really in upgrade mode or have anything like your gear or even cables or power supplies.....im very sure its over the top supreme awesomeness......lol Just saying, sorry to be so sour puss today. Just am! Still luv luv luv your channel
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac it's a pity, but your are right. I heard the Contour 20i and the Harbeth p3 esr xd and C7 xd in my room. The Heritage was the best. I bought some weeks ago and I am happy with it. Amp is a strong integrated amp from Symphonic Line. I really love this Pairing. Thanks for your video, it helps me to find the right speakers
Heard these by accident a few weeks ago at Crescendo in Denver and was instantly smoked. Special 40's on major steroids! Was trying my best to forget them - now your video review confirms my instant reaction. It's only money . . .
Welcome in the world of neodymium magnets
Hi there :)
@Conor Hanley so if you had money you would buy the pair? But it’s a rip off? So you would be ripping off yourself? Yikes make up your mind, you tried take the L
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay Toys for big boys lol; couldn’t agree more. These Heritage Specials are so good that I’ve moved my Special Forty’s back to my listening chair and am using them for end tables to hold my drinks.
@@KidCatypus ... with their nice finish lol
The special sauce of Dynaudio is the unbelievable coherency and driver integration they achieve with their own drivers. Together, they just move out of the way and disappear, it's uncanny. Resolution is extremely high but so is the smoothness and sense of correctness, which is a balance that's hard to get right. The tweeter, Esotar 3, is one of the best tweeters in the world. It brings a level of warmth, delicacy and atmosphere that I've never heard from other tweeter technologies. I love their woofers too, just perfect tone and decay.
Agreed! You can argue about the price of the HS speakers, but they are world class 2-way monitors. Everything you described above. The coherence of those 2 drivers together is nothing short of spectacular. No fatigue whatsoever and man you can push them into the stratosphere.
people focusing too much on drivers esotar ,etc...Dynaudio speakers became better sounding when company started use mundorf caps.Crossover of these speakers made of mundorf resistors ,air coils,caps
Every time you suggest new music, I pause your video and listen to it .
He does select decent picks
So Amber Rubarth has made it to your playlist, too ?
I recommend Trapt, Cults and White Reaper. 😊
The second I heard you say "seven thousand dollars" my heart sank and I went into total depression and it is only 9:39 am!
Exactly. Even before I heard the price I saw your post and instantly closed the video. What's the point?
And 85db sensitive. Forget about using your low-powered tube amps. Sorry, there is a presence that is missing from these smaller speakers. I’m keeping my Altec model 18.
@@stillastillsfan My Usher 520s have a pretty good presence with tube amps and my AR4x speakers do as well. Just saying, not trying to oppose what you said.
@Paul Andersen The Altec model 18 with mantaray dispersion horn on the coax 604-8h driver have all that and can be driven w five quality Watts. The imaging is unbelievable but you also get dynamics and scale.
These are real studio monitors and the sound is near perfect. Pay less and receive less.
Great review. I love when you get excited about what you're reviewing or even better, the music. This video is exactly why you'll have 200,000 subscribers by the end of the month. Thanks Steve.
You're the man, Steve!
My first real Hifi speaker was DIY Dynaudio speaker, three way. Loved it! Living in Denmark I/we are very proud of our HiFi industry 🇩🇰 Gryphon, GamuT, Børresen aso. Me? Happy with my Lyngdorf amp (danish), and my Snell E III 🙏❤️
Thanx for your vids Steve. Love 'em 😊
I have a pair of vintage B&O RL6000’s, also made in Denmark. They have been hanging on a wall since new (1988), are in perfect shape and still sound terrific in a secondary system.
Ortofon
I love Dynaudio ❤️... and Maggies ❤️ I have owned a pair of Confidence C1 for the past 14 years and just recently bought a new pair of 3.7i’s 🤩 It feels that I found my Nirvana with this 2 amazingly different speakers 🙏✨
I plan on getting a pair of these as my pre-retirement speakers as my dealer has a few coming in....then the 3.7’s will be my partial 401k withdrawal set on last day at work so I am with you brother.
I see these speakers and I'm just instantly in love...want...want...NEED!!!
Great review, thanks Steve. Yours are #118, I had a listening session with #123 and I bought #325. I will keep them for the rest of my life.
How or where can you order them?
@@genesheerin3625 I bought them from my local Dynaudio dealer in Munich on Dec 19th last year.
Hold on just a second... I've got pair #118 up here in Canada! Steve's loaners might be #116, but can't say for certain as the number's kinda blurry, woodgrain looks different too. Imagine how awesome it would be actually owning a pair that Steve demo'd...talk about resale value!! Not that I'm EVER selling LOL
@@kens7618 You may have uncovered something! Is Dynaudio duplicating the numbers to increase sales while appearing to be very limited in production? 😋😀
I was renting VW Golf in Europe and sound was the best I ever heard in any car by a large margin. I learned later it has dynaudio sound system and that put dynaudio speakers on the top of my wishlist.
You’re so right about the way these speakers convey the atmosphere and somehow capture the essence of the songs. Best speaker I’ve heard to date.
Cheers, this is like learning from from a cool older big brother..., I’m really happy with my Dynaudio👍
Are you saying Steve that you appreciated the beautiful Truthful sound and tone coming out of that Heritage speaker , with such fidelity on High and such craftmanship as seen even in its woodwork (like it was from the very beginning of creation of this world of High Fidelity) that you believe now it will indeed a great benefitting pleasure to them, to US all, who might give a listen to that encompassing, warm sound , out to make EVERYONE feel safer, and so comfortably alive ( yet not numb) , sort of like a brood under their mother hen's wings... ? It SEEms that a unique opportunity indeed was offered you Steve by said Heritage speaker ...Go on Steve, Shema !!!
great point steve: space on a recording! for me, the space is another instrument in the recording. it is really that important. great review. thanks so much!
We had a Dynaudio speaker system in a GTI, seriously good sounding system. I added a quick 10 inch sub in a fiberglass sealed box molded to the side of the hatch back. It was one of the best systems as far as quality that I have ever put together.
So much passion in this video. Love it!
I’m a beginner to this audiophile world. I was a big fan of car audio. Big heavy subs and amps. I am done with that but it seems like I have transitioned into this high res audiophile world and I love it. These speakers are a bit out of my reach for now. I do understand what you mean about how real the music sounds. I bought a record player and a few albums and vinyl sound really good when they are cleaned properly. So I’m hooked. I’ve been watching a learning so thanks for sharing this valuable information. Oh I purchased some Polk audio T15 bookshelf speakers and they sounded ok but I found a set of Yamaha 535 in a garage and those sound way better than the polks. Thanks again for the videos you do.
I compete in car audio and like dynes I use 650 in doors I use so many tweeters currently use wilson audio
When I was building my own, every Dynaudio driver that I ever worked with sounded EXCELLENT!
They did and were amazing. How are they now?
I recently heard Audiovector's R1 Arrete which was a revelation in its musicality. The Danes are on the ball when it comes to quality hifi products.
Yes, which is quite suprising, bc Danmark is a very small country.
@@jareknowak8712 True - and had an important part in the actual invention of moving coil transducers. unique-acoustics.info/unique-acoustics/loudspeakers/
How would you stack up the Harbeth P3ESR to these?
$7000, isn't that more than your Klipsch speakers? Which do you prefer?
Right, the Klipsch Cornwall IVs are $6K, but they are huge, too big for most rooms! The Dynaudios are more transparent, coherent, and a more natural midrange, and will fit in most rooms.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Mr. Steve, please open Dynaudio speaker box.. Dynaudio use extremely cheap and thin speaker cables made by Van-Den-hul, Dynaudio use extremely cheaply capacitors Evo oil.. Because for Dynaudio need only Mundorf brand name.. Evo Oil capacitors made for very budget DIY projects, and have very low price 2-3 Euro! Look to basket.. Dynaudio made extremely cheap basket.. Dynaudio use minimum magnet, therefore Dynaudio very low effective speakers and for Dynaudio need super powerful amplifier, because sensitivity only 85 db(real sensitivity 83-84 db) !!! Dynaudio use extremely cheap membrane for own tweeters. Results - Dynaudio tweeters have very short life... Dynaudio made big business - replacing tweeters.Dynaudio big mafia company, which made money out of thin air...
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Real face of Dynaudio. (Best time ⌚ code 2:30 min.up to 5:40 min.) : ruclips.net/video/0TxorWiy78w/видео.html
I have NEVER in over 50 years of listening to speakers had anywhere near the speaker's best sound without a lot of moving them around. I can't believe you are so lucky to find a speaker that doesn't need any of that. If true, think how much better it could be with a little placement work.
Don't remember Steve so enthusiastic for long...
Heritage Special vs Confidence 20? Not asking quality, just pure enjoyment.
Great review, I just recieved my pair of Heritage Special and the Dynaudio stands with the adaptor plates today! Being a major Dynaudio user for over 26 years , I still have Contour 1.1 in rosewood finish and the Contour 3.4S also in rosewood.
A Bryston 4B SST2 will be used for now while a Parasound JC5 will replace the Bryston with the Specials in a few months.
Worth every penny!
Hello from Romania Steve, I'd like to thank you for mentioning the album by Cowboy Junkies, been listening to it on repeat every time I get home from work since I've seen your video. Completely blew me away! Just love it! Thank you.
Just ordered pair and will pair with naim nova to start . Dealer said they sound great with tube -I may try that as well-super stoked-thanks steve for all you do for us folks.
Did you experience the HS with tube? I doubt it would sound better than your Nova. Have you tried other integrated amps with the HS?
I listened to some Hales speakers many years ago with Dynaudio speakers. I'd never heard music like that and it got me hooked on audio.
It's a pity, but your are right. I heart the Contour 20i and the Harbeth p3 esr xd and C7 xd in my room. The Heritage was the best. I bought it some weeks ago and I am happy with it. Amp is a strong integrated amp from Symphonic Line. I really love this pairing. Thanks for your video, it helps me to find the right speakers.
The cabinet reminds (or same ?) the famous contour 1.3?
My experience with dyns, the ones with 1st order crossover are terrific at low volumes
I don't understand people think this is expensive. $7K for something that you enjoy everyday for many many years to come .. If it will last you 20 years, It'll only cost you about $1 a day to have many hours of enjoyment out of it!
Agreed. 7k is not an over the top amount for a very hi-end speaker.
2 weeks in to ownership, very pleased with mine. Previous speakers were Dynaudio Contour 20s. Room is medium-larage (17' x 22', 12' ceilings). I'm also pairing the Heritage Special with dual subs.
What subs are you running? I sold my ATC's as the REL subs couldn't keep up. Heritage Specials should be arriving this week.
@@kens7618 2 x Martin Logan Dynamo 1100X
I guess the real question is :
How do they compare to Special 25s?
Great review - these are future classics for sure
Bought these for my office rig, will report back once I get them and have put some major hours on them. But from what I heard at my local dealer compared to the Contour 20i, SP40 and Evoke 20, the HS is a huge step up in every category. Amp/streamer was a Hegel H390 btw for those who are curious, which most likely overdamped the woofer IMHO, but even so I could tell the performance envelope was of another order.
Do you still have the HS? Will receive mine this week
@@TombstoneTube yup love them but man they need power 🔋
@@michaelmityok1001 Hi Michael, I just saw your comment on Steve Guttenburg’s video about the Heritage Specials. I also have a Hegel390 amp, so your comment was important. While the sound is very good, I do not have the same reaction to the speakers as Steve does, and I am wondering if you think there are much better amp matches for the Specials? I appreciate the time it takes to reply etc, but any comments will help me, I’m sure! Thanks, Chuck (Ottawa, Ontario).
@Chuck Weeks i have them hooked up to a CODA CSIB or alternatively a Gryphon Diablo 300, both are Class A for the 1st 10-15 watts and very high current. They make the Heritage Specials EXPLODE. I think the other thing too is the source needs to be killer, I am running a Lumin P1on fiber optik into a Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC into the amps and the tubes in the Lampizator add some sweet weight, and some air and dimensions to the soundstage, so sadly I think the Heritage Specials are only going to really work in higher end rigs. Perhaps high power Class D could work though I'm doubtful unless there's tubes somewhere in the chain. Anyways that's my 2 cents for what it's worth!
Hi Michael, thanks for the great reply! That puts me on the right track, so your advice is much appreciated!
I'm sure they're wonderful but at $7000 per pair, I might as well plan a trip to Tahiti.
Yup, sitting back in my apartment with thanks I have a roof over my head and good meals.
Steve you do a good job sharing your enthusiasm.
Yea but the Dynaudio's last a good bit longer than a trip! Well worth the price of admission. The speakers I've had the longest in my system are Dynaudio PPM 2's, I've had 45+ sets of loudspeakers in my 50+ years of being a music lover and the Dyn's stay the course.
@@PaulSerat LOL, no it's $7k per pair. Source? That's what I paid, and what the Dynaudio price list says. Get your facts straight or don't post.
As a guy who has always valued the sonic experience over realism, it was educational for me to hear your thoughts on music as an experience that takes place in space (as well as time, natch). Thanks for that perspective.
As a contrast at this price point, one could get a pair of Cornwalls. I would!
Right, except that Cornwalls are huge too big for most peoples homes. And they’re not as transparent as the heritage speakers!
As a contrast Dynaudios would actually fit in my living room. Cornwalls..... not really..... 😉
Do the Cornwalls have good bass? Klipsch’s bass on the pairs that I have need a sub for my type of music
@@MrJason9142002 Depends on your definition. The Cornwalls are second only to the KHorn with bass. They do go down to 32Hz, which is plenty deep for natural music. Electronic music is another story though. If you want good dubstep or perfect organ music, you most often will require a sub that goes the rest of the way to 15Hz or so.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I concur, but is it $5000 better than a slew of other bookshelves like the Buchardts or KEF Meta? $7000 Is a big ask.
Great review Steve, Dynaudio really are producing some wonderful gear these days😀
I just finished a listening session with that very Amber Rubarth album, hopped into RUclips and 2nd video in I rejoined this half watched right at the point :-)
Steve, of all the amps that you have used on these speakers, which one would YOU prefer to use for low to mid-low volume listening. Great review by the way. I have these on order. The sound description reminded me of the Confidence 5 that I had years ago and made the mistake of letting it go for something better but could never found a replacement. Hopefully, this will be it.
I thought as I listened to my Dynaudio Contour 1.3 MKII, "hey, maybe this would be an upgrade!". After hearing the price, my old Dyns suddenly sounded much better! Although, it makes me consider adding a sub...
1.3 MKII's a really nice speaker and kept me happy for 15yrs. Not quite DHS, but the look is classic Dynaudio.
wow... I'm really impressed by the enthusiasm you are able to transmit through your videos... Thanks!!
Just bought pair no 1082, and indeed they are wonderful. I’d never heard the Trinity Session (or Cowboy Junkies) and I’m really enjoying it. Wanted to say thanks
Thanks for watching
Excellent review. Your excitement is contagious. Really fun to watch.
I was like "Man, this is the most enthusiastic SGA review I can remember!" You were like "Did I mention the price?" Yeah, well, OK then.
That piano sound you like on the 1990 Dick Hyman-Duke Ellington album sounds, to my ears, like a good portion of plate reverb in the mix. That's not unfair play; even great pianos need some ambience to develop their tone. That, and perfect tuning, which this piano has. I haven't heard Hyman in decades, don't know why. And his discography! P-r-o-l-i-f-i-c. The streaming services are joyfully loaded with it. Playing this album kinda made my Saturday morning. [More than kinda. Goes well with a latte, bagel, and cream cheese.]
Alas, not on $7000 speakers.
We live in a world drowning in treasures.
Random person: "How many Headphones to you need"
Steve: "Yes!"
Wow, would I love to own some Dynaudio's. Great review thanks Steve. And Dick Schory's New Percussion Ensemble...Harp, Baaroom and BANG !!! Loved it.
I have the Dynaudio Xeo 30. Too be honest I need nothing else. Every time I listen to music with them I am happy. Dynaudio is the best brand for me. The XEO or the Focus XD are great because the D amplifier design for them is already inside. B/W duo. Great for sure but still the XEO are better for me. I will hear this ones when I can at a store in Munich. Cheers
I’ve been listening to Low since 1977 and I played on KEF and B&W. I like the warm KEF sound. I’d like to audition the Dynaudio. It appears to have plain Jane looks, with Wonder Woman performance.
I have the DM 3/7 Dynaudio speaker floor standing more affordable at that time around 2000 dollar guess not as good sounding as the heritage but for me, they sound good enough and the finishing quality is high.
I buy either Heritage Klipshes and those made in the USA like the Klipsch reference RF 63 and 83 and the vintage ones. Best sound ever.
I've yet to see / read a single reviewer say much - if anything - negative about these speakers. Even the $7K price tag usually just gets glossed over because the sound is so good. I really want to buy a pair as possibly the last speaker I ever buy.
It's many things: a technical showpiece establishing their position in the audio hyerarchy. It's an attention grabber, like those 'concept cars' of the 50's. It's not a real 'product' for real people, it's an icon, a proof of concept, a 'halo effect' unit. They won't earn pots of money from selling this particular item, even at the price. But the technology and the sheer competence are there for all to see. More people will buy the next best range, and the research and development will trickle down into 'real products' and lead to new great speakers from the company..
When you set out to build the best you can you learn a lot from the engineering exercise and offer a glimpse of what is to follow.
Well said. Socrates would approve! :)
Finally a good lookin Dynaudio!!! ALL speakers should looks like that and not with ridicolous crappy shapes!
Hi Steve! Thank you for your work! I enjoy very much. One question, how would you differentiate this speaker from the Mission 770?
I'll probably get a couple pair to use as surrounds.
I was thinking of doing the same but there is no matching subwoofer for these at the moment. Also the confidence centres are hard to find and would also probably look out of place against the walnut.
Hello from Montreal. Hi Steve, us folks are always comparing speakers... So how are these compared to the small P3's from Harbeth? Also there is the Gershman Studio II monitors.
Since you're always suggesting music to us, I have one for you. The Tragically Hip! I think you will enjoy the album Road Apples. It's a very good recording of great band from Kingston, Ontario.
Thanks
Great and real professional review, Steve! GW!
Yes, those are the records we bought the week they came out. You could buy new Bowie, new Eno, all kinds of stuff. They even stocked the UK pressings.
Which retailer are you referring to, vinyl1Earthlink?
@@robineur - All the big record stores in the major metro areas had stuff like that in 1976, I was going to Yale, so I patronized Cutler's.
@@vinyl1Earthlink Thank you for your response, vinyl1Earthlink. Yes, we had big record stores in those days. (I was optimistically hoping that you could refer us to a source for such gems via a weblink we could use right now... ) Thanks again!
Love it!
Stoked to know Dynaudio is now owned by Goertek of China #MadeInChina2025 #BeltAndRoad #BeijingOlympics2022 #OccupyMars2024
Dynaudio Heritage
Breaking $ound Barrier$
😆
As transparent as Magnepan LRS?
I'm a month into that experience. Amazing and for a tenth of 7K!
For that much "happy cabbage" I'd be looking at Tannoy $tirling (-:and a chiropractor;-)
What's your bottom line vs. the LS50s? Didn't you have REL T5i subwoofer(s)? The takeaway for me with the Dynaudio is that 1" dome tweeter which seems to be close to the Peerless one in my old Polk 10A monitors that still sound pretty good. I will take a larger cabinet and those two mid/woofers driving a passive 10" anyday. Of course those were 600 bucks a pair vs. 7000 for these Dynaudio.
Dynaudio are great speakers I wonder how the compare to the contours given there is not much price difference.
Can you get a set of VOLTI RAZZ speakers to review ...🤔
Great speakers, but at those prices, go for quad electrostats, if you've got the space. Also ATC scm 20 for reference quality stand mounts, need good amps though.
I was hooked till the 7k mark. I wonder at what point is it worth 7k for book shelf speakers. I clearly don't get it?
I think it’s If you have a small to medium sized room and you want to have the absolute best sound money can buy.
That is Rubarth's second album with Chesky. She has some 6 albums released before that.
They got floorstanding speakers now!
Amp needs loads of current. Best payable choice: Horch 3.0 or 3.0s
Wow 7k,beam me up Scotty. Nice review though Steve but for this money there is plenty of choice. How about something from Totem? Their top standmount looks interesting! Goes deeper in the bass (30hz) and is quite alot less in the wonga dept.
Totem’s are real nice. I heard the Forest Signatures a few years back and was very impressed. I ended up with these though as my listening room only requires bookshelves.
That's Kef Reference 1 money. I wonder how they compare.
I’ve heard mixed reviews on ref1
Just heard the Heritage Specials last week, they are more dynamic, more balanced than the Ref1s. The UniQ sparkles on upper mid and highs, more forward. The HS speakers are just more complete top to bottom. Either way you'll need good amplification.
It’s personal, for me the Kef’s are better in everything, but some love the HS, which for me are not in totally balance, but for some reviewers they are heaven...
Sometimes nice things are expensive especially when hand built in Scandinavia. Dynaudio has more reasonable priced lines also of course
how do these compare to the Totem element fire v2
I think these are not a surprise, oh, surprised to the price. The making, construction should be much better for deserving the "Heritage".
Looks very good, decent, nice.
But I like and keep my Contour S1.4LE in Bubinga High Gloss(Piano lacquer painting).
Probably same tweeters but 17cm mid/woofer (this heritage is 18cm)
Owned the confidence 5 in golden birds eye appearance with the famous T330D and the famous dome mid! (I know in this model, the tweeters are the called esotar3) but I don't know why sold it?! Only afraid of the aging? But it is actually in beautiful conditions, cosmetically and functionally! OMG.
Also some people mentioned the Micron which I owned and sold too, it's in nice red cherry veneer appearance and the binding posts replaced with WBTs.
Sometimes, some people like me, throw away goodness and regret then.
Is that a Harbeth P3 ? Hmm Joseph Audio Pulsars vs Dynaudio Heritage. I’m intrigued.
What are the amplifiers that turn out as a good match for these Heritage Specials? Steve used Pass Labs i suppose??
Steve - any thoughts on how this compares to the Special 40?
The Special 40,s a good speaker but it got nothing in comparison with the Heritage Special in my humble opinion.
Cheers. 🍻😎👍
Irene Sörius What makes you say that? Have you listened to both.? I owned the Special 40 for a period but ultimately moved on to other speakers.
@@VagabondOfNote Did you become dissatisfied with the Special 40?
These blow them away. There’s a very good long comparison on RUclips of these two and contours, said they’re also big step above contour
@Hector Martinez On it’s own merit, it is a great speaker. To my taste it was ever so slightly “romantic”. Many people enjoy that type of presentation though.
Maybe i missed this but what amp or amps were used for these speakers in this review??
Also i think the best affordable speakers are : Wharfedale Diamond 11 series , EVO series and Elysian series designed by Peter Comeau. They sound and look like speakers that cost 3 or 4 times more , they are unique and very good built. I HAVE SPOKEN :D
Skanderborg city is where the Dynaudio HQ is and Skanderborg is home of the Danish Smukfest music festival
Actually Dynaudios real headquarters are in China. They were bought out by a mega Corp Chinese industry.
@@auggysimcity These were made in Denmark. 🇩🇰
beauty!
Speakers don't get sleepy at night. At night is when all speakers wake up regardless of brand and price. At night when the busy city you live goes to sleep and quiet is the best time to listen to any speakers.
True!
I think he wanted to say, at late night, when you (have to) turn down the volume. Else I’d agree with you.
How do they compare to KEF Reference 1s?
Hi Steve, how would it compare to Wilson Audio Tune Tots? Still waiting for that review, 2 years later. Thanks
How would these stack up against the B&W 805 D3 stand-mounters in the same price range for a small room top-notch system?
They are polar opposites! Completely different voicing
I've owned both. The 805 D3's have nicer upper mids and highs IMO. Heritage Specials have superior mid-bass and feel like a more complete speaker. They leave me wanting for very little. The 805 D3's with subs would be a different story.
@@anjin_x Agreed totally. My ears are not a fan of the diamond tweeters on the B&W D3 speakers, just to bright and analytical. They recreate sound incredibly. I think driver integration of Dynaudio is near perfect and despite the cost its magical to listen to.
Hi Steve. How deep does this speaker get in the bass region?
You need a sub, bass isn’t that impressive. Just a small mid/woofer, with a large voice coil, but Dynaudio uses bigger woofers with smaller voice coils nowadays. HS is vintage stuff.
My only gripe...!
Why has it become fashionable to say, "I had to check to see if my subwoofer was on?" If the recording has ANY LF, it SHOULD easily be noticed. (I did not say localized)
It's like saying, "my high's are so transparent I had to check that my tweeters were working." No!
It's expensive for a small speaker - £5.5K in UK. So how does it compare with similar priced speakers?
Quality instead of quantity.
I thought Special 40s were expensive at £2.5k until I heard them.
Heritage are even more refined and further improved in every aspect.
You get what you pay for.
You don’t always get what you pay for. Ever heard of Naim?
Every time you review somethin new, you never heard something like that.
He is selling. It’s marketing. They aren’t honest reviews.
@@MrJason9142002 He doesn’t have to sell these as they’re a limited run of 2500. They will sell themselves and quickly.
Thousands of ways to put into words the subjectivity of how speakers sound. Which Steve is the master. Steve did not say it's his penultimate speaker. So I don't think it's sales talk. My takeaway is that this a unique speaker of which there are a handful.
...there would be no RUclips following if he said this speaker makes nice sounds just like all other speakers I've heard.
Okay so that speaker is impressive, but that price tag is also impressive!
More like depressive
I've been following the reviews of these and yours was excellent. I just saw your review of the MoFi Sourcepoint 10s. How would you compare these two?
Gotta be rich to get a pair of these. But I knew they could build such a nice sounding bookshelf speaker. They threw the bean counters out on this one.
Gotta be rich to drive them properly. Pass labs 250.8 would probably do the job.
@@auggysimcity Hegel H590 and these are absolutely incredible.
Im sure it sounded over the top, but so so so many of us are just using stereo receivers from 1987 and/or thrift store bought stereo receivers with second hand or inferior speakers meaning "at least 30 years old" and not really in upgrade mode or have anything like your gear or even cables or power supplies.....im very sure its over the top supreme awesomeness......lol
Just saying, sorry to be so sour puss today. Just am! Still luv luv luv your channel
Seven grand makes the Cornwall 4’s look like a bargain
Good Review I won't have these Speakers but good to see what is out there
In Europe these are 1000€ cheaper then Cornwalls.
Thanks for the review, been waiting for this one. Is it $2000 better than the Contour 20i you reviewed recently?
Absolutely!
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac it's a pity, but your are right. I heard the Contour 20i and the Harbeth p3 esr xd and C7 xd in my room. The Heritage was the best. I bought some weeks ago and I am happy with it. Amp is a strong integrated amp from Symphonic Line. I really love this Pairing. Thanks for your video, it helps me to find the right speakers
I'm surprised the dynaudio doesn't have an external crossover.
They do on their car audio offering :D