Dynaudio Focus or PSB Synchrony One system?

[jmy2469]

After doing some listening to some speakers,I am now at a standstill and do not know which ones to pick. First I listened to a system that had the Dynaudio Focus 220,220C and had the Contour SR for surrounds. Then I had the opportunity to take a listen to the PSB Synchrony One,Synchrony One C, and Synchrony S Surrounds. Both systens sounded fantastic. I just upgraded my receiver to the Arcam AVR 600 and I have the SVS SB-12 Plus sub. If this was your system and you had to make a choice, which one would you pick? Thanks for the help. John

 

[rded]

After doing some listening to some speakers,I am now at a standstill and do not know which ones to pick. First I listened to a system that had the Dynaudio Focus 220,220C and had the Contour SR for surrounds. Then I had the opportunity to take a listen to the PSB Synchrony One,Synchrony One C, and Synchrony S Surrounds. Both systens sounded fantastic. I just upgraded my receiver to the Arcam AVR 600 and I have the SVS SB-12 Plus sub. If this was your system and you had to make a choice, which one would you pick? Thanks for the help. John

Hi Jmy2469,

First of all, congratulations on the acquisition of the Arcam AVR 600. I've had mine for over a year and I am still extremly pleased with it despite the few bugs

I have no experience with PSB speakers because quite frankly, I've stoped auditioning speakers after I heard the Dynaudio Focus 220 mk1 3 years ago. So I would say pick the Focus and forgive my biased input, ok? Anyway the Focus series IMHO is a musical and dynamic series and is a little more forward sounding(albeit neutral) compared to say the Excite or even the Contour line. It punches and hits harder than other speakers in its "weight class". Curious though, why is it that your dealer made you demo the Contour SRs as surrounds as A) The Contour is a step up from the Focus line and B) A Focus/excite bookshelf speaker can do a good job for less $? The good thing about the Focus is it still maintains it's musicality and coherence despite having "not so great components". Don't get me wrong, the AVR600 will be more than ok for the Focus and that you will be extremely pleased with it.

I wouldn't be surprised that you would want more and more out of Dynaudio speakers and will keep upgrading, because this is the exact thing that happened to me. Happy auditioning and good luck!

 

[jmy2469]

Thanks for the info. The dealer did not have the Focus bookshelves available.
More and more I have been reading,I am going to go with the Dynaudio's. You have your Arcam hooked to the Dynaudio's? On the Arcam, have you had any issues with it? Just got mine and its been great so far. Going from an old Onkyo to the Arcam has just been night and day. Love it.

 

[rded]

Thanks for the info. The dealer did not have the Focus bookshelves available.
More and more I have been reading,I am going to go with the Dynaudio's. You have your Arcam hooked to the Dynaudio's? On the Arcam, have you had any issues with it? Just got mine and its been great so far. Going from an old Onkyo to the Arcam has just been night and day. Love it.

You can't go wrong with Dynaudio and Arcam combination. I went from an Onkyo 605 to the Denon 3808CI to the Arcam and the performance is leaps and bounds. Yes my AVR600 is currently Driving the Dynaudio Blue Sapphires, But I plan on getting an Integrated amp with a HTBP when the funds allow. The AVR600 is now showing its limitations especialy in the 2-channel department(although not when I had the 3.4s and the C2s) but non on the HT end. The only issues I have with the AVR600 is the popping sound when changing sources(digital) and the slight delay in audio after changing digital sources. As far as sonics goes, it is incredible.

 

[jmy2469]

That's funny, I had the Onkyo 605 also. Been reading about all the firmware updates for the Arcam. Think 2.4 just came out and seems to have corrected alot of the issues. I pretty much have my mind set,and I am going to go with the Focus set up.

 

[rded]

That's funny, I had the Onkyo 605 also. Been reading about all the firmware updates for the Arcam. Think 2.4 just came out and seems to have corrected alot of the issues. I pretty much have my mind set,and I am going to go with the Focus set up.

I have F/W2.4 and I assure you that the bugs are still there Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the Dynaudio family.

I don't know if you're aware but there is an Official Dynaudio thread at AVS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=686371&page=210

 

[jmy2469]

Yep, I am aware. Been reading alot of the posts there. Ugh! Thanks for letting me know that there are still bugs with 2.4.

 

[rded]

Yep, I am aware. Been reading alot of the posts there. Ugh! Thanks for letting me know that there are still bugs with 2.4.

Good! Well...what are you waiting for??? Go buy them Dyns

 

[jmy2469]

I am, going to call the dealer at lunch when I have some free time. Let me ask you this, speaker wire? You think it makes a difference in performance? Right now I am using some that Igot from monoprice. How about upgrading the powerchord for the Arcam?

 

[jamie2112]

Dynaudio for sure. They are amazing sounding speakers.......

 

[rded]

I am, going to call the dealer at lunch when I have some free time. Let me ask you this, speaker wire? You think it makes a difference in performance? Right now I am using some that Igot from monoprice. How about upgrading the powerchord for the Arcam?

I say yeah speaker wires and cabling can make a difference but I don't want to open that can here It's best you audition cables in the comfort of your home. Borrow/loan some from a reputable dealer and decide for yourself.

 

[jmy2469]

Ok, I will do that once I get everything set up.

 

[billy p]

Yea...better cables can really impact the sound.... Sorry it looked like you two where doing well enough on your own...

 

[jamie2112]

I say yeah speaker wires and cabling can make a difference but I don't want to open that can here It's best you audition cables in the comfort of your home. Borrow/loan some from a reputable dealer and decide for yourself.

That is simply NOT true.Cables do not make a difference whatsoever.I have done 3rd party testing with a boatload of cables and speaker wire.It is a sales ploy that you don't need to buy into Period. www.monoprice.com has everything you need and its quality cable and very reasonable

 

[billy p]

That is simply NOT true.Cables do not make a difference whatsoever.I have done 3rd party testing with a boatload of cables and speaker wire.It is a sales ploy that you don't need to buy into Period. www.monoprice.com has everything you need and its quality cable and very reasonable

Okay, I'll say it ...I like turtles....

 

[3db]

Yea...better cables can really impact the sound.... Sorry it looked like you two where doing well enough on your own...

Espicially if not connected properly.

 

[3db]

After doing some listening to some speakers,I am now at a standstill and do not know which ones to pick. First I listened to a system that had the Dynaudio Focus 220,220C and had the Contour SR for surrounds. Then I had the opportunity to take a listen to the PSB Synchrony One,Synchrony One C, and Synchrony S Surrounds. Both systens sounded fantastic. I just upgraded my receiver to the Arcam AVR 600 and I have the SVS SB-12 Plus sub. If this was your system and you had to make a choice, which one would you pick? Thanks for the help. John

I'm a PSB fan head. Those Synchronies had nothing but stellar reviews from all the audio mags and website. The choice is yours if you prefer the somewhat forward sond of the Dynausios or the warmer side of the Synchronies. Either way, you can't lose as they are both great sounding speakers.

 

[highfigh]

That is simply NOT true.Cables do not make a difference whatsoever.I have done 3rd party testing with a boatload of cables and speaker wire.It is a sales ploy that you don't need to buy into Period. www.monoprice.com has everything you need and its quality cable and very reasonable

I used some speaker wires made by braiding Cat5e and when I was done listening, I needed a cigarette.

People actually think that braided Cat5e is hte best thing they have heard and I think it's right up there with using a green magic marker on the edge of CDs to make the sound more cohesive and tighten the bass.

 

[jmy2469]

Add me to the list of Dynaudio Owners

I went last evening and I placed an order for the Dynaudio's. Went with the Focus line, 220II, 220C, and 110's that I will use for my rear surrounds. Thanks for all of the input here.I'll post some pics when I get everything.

 

[3db]

I went last evening and I placed an order for the Dynaudio's. Went with the Focus line, 220II, 220C, and 110's that I will use for my rear surrounds. Thanks for all of the input here.I'll post some pics when I get everything.

Congrats