Contour 1.3 SE

Contour 1.3 SE

After achieving great success with the Contour 1.3 model during the course of the previous 5 years, the engineers at Dynaudio have further engineered and upgraded the standard model in every way, except the enclosure. The result of which is the Contour 1.3 SE. This special model adds a new dimension to the world of compact monitors, and completes the entire range of Dynaudio loudspeakers.

The Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE (Special Edition) continues the long tradition of excellence established by Dynaudio Contour loudspeaker series. Back in 1986, the first Contour models, the Contour 1 and the Contour 2, were launched to the delight of music lovers.

Progressive engineering, solid manufacture and timeless design were the foundation of high performance and enduring quality, which has ensured the great success of the Contour models through today.

Out of a develop project

At the beginning of the 1990's, the engineers at Dynaudio created a product out of a develop project - the Special One. This was a Contour 1 which had integrated every latest technological advance possible in manufacturing technique and component quality, with the objective of creating a product with no compromises, accepted in materials, build or audible performance. Originally it was planned as a limited edition, but throughout the years, over 5,000 of these loudspeakers were sold, despite a price which may have seemed high for such a physically small loudspeaker. Still today, a lot of Special Ones are providing uncompromised listening pleasure to their owners.

In 1993, the Contour 1 was discontinued and replaced by the Contour 1.3, later to be updated to the MK II version in 1998. After achieving great success with the Contour 1.3 model during the course of the previous 5 years, the engineers at Dynaudio have upgraded the standard model by further devices, the result of which is the Contour 1.3 SE (Special Edition).

The Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE incorporates much more than just small modifications and tweaks, as so often usual in the High-End area. It is an entirely new loudspeaker built into the cabinet of the Contour 1.3 Mk II. Maximum musical balance, harmonic "rightness", and absolute precision were the ultimate objectives of this special project. Since Dynaudio is deep in its resources regarding advanced and specialized driver designs, producing the unique and high performance drivers for this speaker project is aptly accomplished.

Specifically engineered and produced drivers

The Contour 1.3 SE utilizes specifically engineered and produced drivers. The front plates of the drivers and the rear mounted terminal plate are coated with special titanium-metallic lacquer paint.

The woofer is a newly constructed design, utilizing a specially developed, high-impulse voice coil and powerful hybrid (neodymium/ferrite) magnet system. The goal was to achieve incredibly fast and precise bass reproduction, with intense transient behavior. The design creates a well-controlled linear movement of the voice coil and provides outstanding dynamics and low bass extension, while also reducing distortion. The special tweeter design is incorporating a new, intensely powerful magnet system and advanced chamber tuning. The performance targets have been met, showcasing an improved reproduction of higher tones, outstanding detail and accuracy, amazing dynamics, and a smooth and natural presence; all that will astonish even the most experienced and critical listeners.

Advanced performance

Not only is the quality of the drivers used in such a speaker design the key to advanced performance, but the way the are integrated in the loudspeaker. The crossover, as typical of Dynaudio designs, is a phase correct 6 dB per octave design. Although a shallow slope may indicate few components needed, this network incorporates more than 20 individual high-grade components, mounted on two separate boards, in different locations.

Only the highest select grade components are used, matched to less than a 1-% tolerance. The two boards, one for the tweeter network and one for the woofer, are physically separated to eliminate the possibility of stray-field magnetic interaction (crosstalk) and other distortion creating effects. In all, the crossover network is engineered at the highest caliber for any available loudspeaker in the size and price class of the Contour 1.3 SE.

The Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE is destined to set a new reference of quality in its class - adding a new dimension to the world of compact monitors, and completes the entire range of Dynaudio loudspeakers.