Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Dynaudio CONFIDENCE 5 Speakers by PhillyB

Model:	CONFIDENCE 5
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$ 10,000/-
Description:	3 WAY SEALED BOX ISOBARRIC DESIGN
Manufacturer URL:	Dynaudio
Model Picture:	View

Review by PhillyB ( A ) on August 25, 2002 at 09:03:25
IP Address: 67.208.196.58

Add Your Review
for the CONFIDENCE 5

I have been in audio for 20 plus years, I have owned many a good sounding speakers, that list as been Quad, Dalquist, ProAc, Paragon and Dynaudio 3.3's.
The Confidence 5's trouce all the above speakers that I have owned and speaker that I have heard at fellow Audiophiles homes, including the Eggleston Andra.
I have never heard a speaker that does it all, works with all types of music, is so well balanced from top to bottom that it is like listen to the effect live.
Dynamics, sounding staging and imaging are all frist rate, the fit and finish of the speaker is just outstanding.
Those who say bass is weak, I would disagree, it goes deep and powerful when the recording have that information on the them. I also would say that the sepaer is earier to drive then as been reported. I use a Mark Levinson 333 amp that is rated at 280 watts. I have no problem driving and controlling the 5's. I am not using mono blocks, you don't need to for these speakers dispite the accepeted myth on these speakers.
Vocals are to die for, strings and brass our outsatnding, high's are open and smooth. I could go on and on, but I will not.
The price of the speaker is high, but I would say for the price range it is a best buy, having said that, I would say look for a used pair and hopefully someone makes a mistake and sells his pair. Buy them, enjoy them and enjoy the music of your choice.
This speaker is a 10 out of a possible 10. If the C4 are better and the cost of $6,000 more is worth the jump up, I say go a head, but I believe the C4 will sound different, but in the mid-range, I would bet the C5 is the better speaker.
I also should mention, the jump up from the Dynaudio 3.3's, was not just a small increase up, but a hughe improvment, in fact I am shock and the improvement. It is that great.
I love this speaker, I am gald I purchased one of the last pair made new. I am one happy audiophile. It took 20 years but it was worth the wait.

Product Weakness: None
Product Strengths: Total Complete Speaker.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Mark Levinson 333
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Mark Levinson 380S
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony SCD1
Speakers:	Dynaudio Confidence 5
Cables/Interconnects:	Harmonic Tech and TG Power Cords
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All Types
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 14 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	None, Just Canvas Pictures
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	NO WAY
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None
Product Strengths:	Total Complete Speaker.