I Was Shopping for Floorstanders — Until the Dynaudio Contour 20i Changed My Mind

Dynaudio didn’t reinvent the Contour 20 — and that’s exactly why the Contour 20i is so interesting. Rather than chasing dramatic design changes, the Danish brand focused on refining what already worked, quietly improving resolution, control, and musical expressiveness. The result is a stand-mount speaker that sounds more insightful, more composed, and ultimately more convincing than its predecessor, while retaining the muscular authority that made the original such an easy recommendation.

Look beyond the impressive sense of scale and authority, and you’ll find that these Dynaudios dig deep into recordings, revealing more detail than we remember from the first-generation model ever managing. They offer class-leading insight, effortlessly following delicate instrumental lines and rendering sonic textures with real finesse. Dynamic nuances are handled with notable skill.

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In a market where high-end bookshelf speakers are becoming increasingly expensive, the Contour 20i stands out as a measured, meaningful upgrade rather than a cosmetic refresh.

Build & Design of the Dynaudio Contour 20i

One of the headline upgrades is the revised Esotar tweeter. While it still uses Dynaudio’s familiar 28mm soft dome, there are significant changes behind the scenes. The rear chamber is now larger, allowing the dome’s rear-firing energy to be absorbed more effectively, while a Hexis inner dome sits behind the diaphragm.

This fixed inner dome helps control airflow behind the moving dome, reducing resonances and distortion while delivering a smoother, more refined frequency response. Elsewhere, the 18cm MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) mid/bass driver benefits from a revised suspension, and the crossover network has been simplified thanks to the improved drive units. The crossover point remains unchanged at 2.2kHz, which is typical for speakers of this size.

The Contour 20i has a nominal 4-ohm impedance. On paper, this might suggest a demanding electrical load, but in practice, Dynaudio engineers its speakers with relatively flat impedance curves, making them more amplifier-friendly than the specification implies. That said, these speakers still appreciate an amplifier with a bit of muscle if you want to hear them at their best.

The cabinet remains unchanged from the previous generation, and that’s no bad thing. Constructed from MDF, it features a substantial 38mm rear panel, 16mm side walls, and extensive internal bracing to control resonances. The front baffle combines a 14mm aluminium plate with 16mm MDF, creating an exceptionally rigid and well-damped platform for the drivers.

Finish options include High Gloss Black, Walnut, and High Gloss Grey Oak, all of which feel suitably premium.

Amplifier Matching & System Compatibility for Dynaudio Contour 20i

Any speaker at this level demands high-quality partnering equipment, and the Contour 20i is no exception. As a minimum, we’d suggest something along the lines of Naim’s Supernait 3 or Rega’s Aethos integrated amplifiers, paired with an equally capable source.

For this review, we used our reference system: Naim’s ND555/555 PS DR music streamer and Technics’ SL-1000R turntable, feeding Burmester’s 088 preamplifier and 911 Mk3 power amplifier.

Give these speakers time to run in. Straight out of the box, they can sound a little tight, but once settled, they deliver a remarkably composed and revealing performance. The overall sonic character remains familiar, but the 20i is clearly cleaner, more precise, and more expressive across the board.

Dynaudio Contour 20i Sound Quality

We begin with Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar soundtrack, and the Contour 20i feels instantly at home. Bass is the first thing that grabs attention — powerful, weighty, and surprisingly authoritative for a stand-mount of this size. Despite this low-end muscle, the presentation remains controlled and musical rather than overblown.

That said, careless placement or poorly controlled amplification can result in excessive bass. Dynaudio includes foam port bungs for the rear-firing reflex ports to help with awkward room positioning, such as placing the speakers close to a rear wall, but these are best seen as a workaround rather than a permanent solution.

Beyond the bass, the real strength of the Contour 20i lies in its resolution and insight. These speakers uncover fine detail with ease, track subtle instrumental textures beautifully, and present complex mixes in a coherent, believable way. Micro-dynamic shifts are handled with confidence, adding life and realism to performances.

Switch to tracks like Mountains, and the speakers prove equally adept at handling large-scale dynamic swings. Crescendos are delivered with enthusiasm and composure, and even at higher volume levels, the sound remains clean and unstrained. Tonally, the presentation is smooth and even-handed. These aren’t speakers that shout for attention on a quick demo, but give them time, and their depth of ability becomes increasingly apparent.

Stereo imaging is excellent. While they don’t quite match the sheer scale of Bowers & Wilkins’ 805 D3, the Contour 20i still creates a wide, well-focused soundstage with stable, precisely placed instruments, even during busy passages.

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There’s also a welcome sense of refinement. On lo-fi recordings like Bruce Springsteen’s Terry’s Song, the Dynaudios strike a careful balance — revealing the raw edges of the recording while still allowing the emotional core of the music to shine through.

Across genres, from Kate Bush to Major Lazer, the Contour 20i consistently conveys rhythm, drive, and musical momentum. These are speakers that get to the heart of the music, not just the notes.

Verdict

There’s no shortage of serious competition at this level. Obvious rivals include KEF’s Reference 1 and Bowers & Wilkins’ 805 D3. The KEFs impress with their clarity and deep bass authority, while the B&Ws offer beautifully refined treble and exceptional resolution.

Yet the Dynaudio Contour 20i holds its own against both. It sounds more rhythmically engaging, excels at musical cohesion, and crucially, undercuts its rivals on price. Taken as a whole, the Contour 20i remains one of the most compelling stand-mount speakers in its class — and an easy recommendation.

Dynaudio Contour 20i Specifications

Specification	Details
Type	2-way stand-mount (bookshelf) loudspeaker
Drive Units	28mm Esotar soft-dome tweeter with Hexis inner dome 18cm MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) mid/bass driver
Frequency Response	39Hz – 23kHz (±3dB)
Sensitivity	86dB (2.83V / 1m)
Nominal Impedance	4 ohms
Crossover Frequency	2.2kHz
Enclosure Type	Rear-ported bass reflex
Recommended Amplifier Power	50 – 250 watts
Dimensions (H × W × D)	440 × 215 × 360 mm
Weight	14.7 kg per speaker
Cabinet Construction	MDF with aluminium front baffle, extensive internal bracing
Available Finishes	High Gloss Black, Walnut, High Gloss Grey Oak
Supplied Accessories	Foam port bungs, grille