Audio T Cheltenham And The New Dynaudio Contour Legacy Loudspeakers
/Now at Audio T Cheltenham - All the way from Skanderborg in Denmark and part of the intriguingly named Heritage Collection this brand new re-working of the Contour 1.8 compact floorstanders promises to shift a few goalposts…
Nice Chunky Wooden Crates
They arrive perfectly secure in their own bespoke packaging which is reassuring and adds to that sense of anticipation when opening the sturdy wooden crate.
Fresh Out Of Their Boxes
While I’m not usually one to get excited about packaging (and those endless unboxing videos online often make me cringe), I couldn’t resist capturing the moment. I promise it won’t become a habit—honest!
A Little Bit Of Tech Stuff
The Contour Legacy are a two and a half way rear reflex ported design using the cutting edge tech of Dynaudio’s own top end Esotar 3 tweeter and two 180mm bass/mid range drive units as used in the Evidence range. Each Contour Legacy speaker weighs in at a fairly hefty 32.5 kg and measures just 20.8 x 35.2 x 99.5 cm (WxDxH). They are very carefully matched as a pair, in a beautiful and sustainably sourced American Walnut wood. Although outwardly they closely resemble the old Contour 1.8’s that they are based upon, they are actually very different beasts!
The spike connections to the hefty metal bases are rock-solid, providing excellent stability for the speakers. Meanwhile, the gold-plated banana sockets not only ensure a premium connection but also radiate a sense of high-quality craftsmanship that perfectly complements the overall design.
What’s Around The Back
The two rear-facing bass ports play a crucial role in the Contour Legacy's ability to deliver deep, seismic bass extension. They allow the speakers to produce a low-end response that feels powerful yet controlled, adding depth and impact to your music..
Initial Listening Tests
While the Contour Legacy might closely resemble the original Contour 1.8s - including a reproduction of the classic logo on the front - don’t let appearances fool you. Having had the chance to spend time with a pair of the original Contour 1.8s earlier this year I know they are a really good speaker. However, I can confidently say the Legacy models are in a league of their own, and easily out perform the earlier version.
One track that truly showcased their capabilities was Soothing by Laura Marling from the Semper Femina album. From the very first notes, I was struck by how jaw-dropping the bass extension was. The depth and scale felt almost unreal for a speaker of this size. What’s even more impressive is the control and definition in the low end—it’s effortlessly precise, setting a new benchmark in performance for compact floorstanders.
Just Wow!
The Contour Legacy breezed through another of my go-to bass test tracks—Evolution 1:1 by Connect.Ohm from the album 9980. This spaced-out, psychedelic ambient classic put their capabilities on full display. What stood out wasn’t just the subterranean depth and impeccable control of the bassline but also the immense soundstage they created.
This is one of those tracks I thought I knew inside out, yet the Legacies revealed layers of detail I’d never noticed before. My listening notes summed it up with a simple, emphatic “WOW” in capital letters—a reaction I don’t jot down lightly.
And bear in mind, this was straight out of the box. Once these speakers are fully run in, they promise to deliver a genuine taste of high-end performance at a price that’s surprisingly reasonable.
The Bit At The End
The only downside to all of this? The Contour Legacy speakers are a limited edition, with just 1,000 pairs available worldwide—and only 52 of those allocated to the UK. They’re bound to sell out quickly, so don’t hang about if you’re tempted!
If you’d like to hear the difference these incredible Dynaudios can make to your Hi-Fi system, give us a call or visit the shop for a demo. Trust me, you’ll be absolutely blown away by how good they sound.
Thanks for reading!
Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.
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