Article: The Definitive Dynaudio Music 1, 3, 5, 7 Speaker Review

[The Computer Audiophile]

View full article

[Ron Scubadiver]

All that for 1k...  Is technology finally bringing true Hi-Fi to the masses?  I hope so because the prices on most of this stuff are absurd.

 

[Account Closed]

Looks like that upstairs listening room is coming along. Looking forward to part 2 about it.  Enjoy

[Sal1950]

More soundbars, I'm so excited. Not. 

[Kelly]

Interesting products. I would have to compare them directly to Bluesound which has a pretty mature app and is more fully Roon compatible (complete with synchronization.)

 

All of these, however are going to have to be as user friendly as Sonos to make a real dent in the market. Sonos has just done it so well, and it works so reliably I just could not recommend anything else to a non audiophile. 

 

All of this just makes me wish Slim Devices could have survived on their own. Squeezebox was just so far ahead of its time... 

[sphinxsix]

I can see the future clearly in my head - Wilson Audio Imaxx $100k soundbar...

 

[PeterG]

On 11/28/2018 at 9:05 PM, Kelly said:

 

All of these, however are going to have to be as user friendly as Sonos to make a real dent in the market. Sonos has just done it so well, and it works so reliably I just could not recommend anything else to a non audiophile. 

 

Be brave!  Your friends will be rewarded with better sound and bigger smiles.  Srsly, the Naim interface, just for example, is easy enough for my wife who has zero patience for tech, and it looks like the Music is easy too.

[intensemojo]

5 stars for soundbars?

[agentsmith]

Hi Chris, you wrote "it's as good or better than all other speakers in this HiFi category".  

 

What is your impression of how it compares with other high end all-in-one speakers like the Devialet Phantoms or Naim Muso?

 

This review would be very helpful if you could give us your assessment.

[fheller]

Is that device compatible with Roon?

 

[TAV]

8 hours ago, fheller said:

Is that device compatible with Roon?

 

 

Doesn't look like it.  Dynaudio makes some great products,  I own and love my Focus XD actives.   These Music Series units likely have an uphill battle to find market share,  comparatively short on features and an uber premium price in my view.   

 

From the spec sheet, looks like they support: 

Apple AirPlay, aptX Bluetooth streaming, Vtuner, Ximalaya, compatible local services

 

https://dynaudiodata.blob.core.windows.net/media/8208/dynaudio-music-product-insert-en.pdf

[The Computer Audiophile]

On 11/30/2018 at 7:22 AM, intensemojo said:

5 stars for soundbars?

 

I don’t understand your point. Can you clarify?

 

 

 

 

 

On 12/1/2018 at 4:56 AM, agentsmith said:

Hi Chris, you wrote "it's as good or better than all other speakers in this HiFi category".  

 

What is your impression of how it compares with other high end all-in-one speakers like the Devialet Phantoms or Naim Muso?

 

This review would be very helpful if you could give us your assessment.

 

Better sound than the Mu-so without question.

 

The phantom is a strange beast in my experience. It’s like an exercise in audio gymnastics with all the specs touted. I like the Dynaudio Music 7’s sound better than the Phantom but I’m sure some diehard Phantom fans will disagree. Perhaps two Phantoms in a stereo pair and some DSP to reign in the top end would produce better sound but then we’re talking a completely different thpe of system and use case. 

 

 

 

 

 

19 hours ago, fheller said:

Is that device compatible with Roon?

 

 

Roon compatible via AirPlay. In my experience this is totally fine because Roon resamples anything above 44.1 automatically so it falls within the AirPlay spec. If people are looking to an all-in-one speaker to reproduce their best 32 bit / 384 kHz at a reference level of quality, they’ll never be satisfied. With Roon Ready devices in my main system I demand full Roon support with all sample rates etc... For all-in-one speakers that I enjoy with my family and friends I demand great sound and ease of use. 

 

 

 

11 hours ago, TAV said:

 

Doesn't look like it.  Dynaudio makes some great products,  I own and love my Focus XD actives.   These Music Series units likely have an uphill battle to find market share,  comparatively short on features and an uber premium price in my view.   

 

From the spec sheet, looks like they support: 

Apple AirPlay, aptX Bluetooth streaming, Vtuner, Ximalaya, compatible local services

 

https://dynaudiodata.blob.core.windows.net/media/8208/dynaudio-music-product-insert-en.pdf

 

Plus DLNA. 

[intensemojo]

                       I think you are applying a rating based on how it performs in a category. I guess I apply a broader rating, including separates and such in the same price category.

[agentsmith]

My Impressions of the Phantoms as a Devialet D440 user is that it astounds with its low bass especially for its size, which I think can get tiring.  But its mid range is severely lacking.  it is mighty impressive with drum and bass or movies, but to me sounded lacklustre with vocal and classical music.

 

Love the innovation of the company but I think it has gone too far with its emphasis towards  the luxury goods market which i am sure is more lucrative than the high end audio market.

[magpal]

Great review and comparison of the units!

 

I am thinking of buying the Dynaduo Music 3/1 instead of Sonos equivalents. How would you say Music 3 compares to play:5 (if you have demoed both)?

[The Computer Audiophile]

7 minutes ago, magpal said:

Great review and comparison of the units!

 

I am thinking of buying the Dynaduo Music 3/1 instead of Sonos equivalents. How would you say Music 3 compares to play:5 (if you have demoed both)?

The Dynaudio units sound better for sure. 

[magpal]

Thanks! How is the bass response of the Music 3 compared to play:5? I was quite impressed by the ability to produce low end in the play:5.

[Adamus]

On 12/2/2018 at 3:25 AM, TAV said:

 

Doesn't look like it.  Dynaudio makes some great products,  I own and love my Focus XD actives.   These Music Series units likely have an uphill battle to find market share,  comparatively short on features and an uber premium price in my view.   

 

From the spec sheet, looks like they support: 

Apple AirPlay, aptX Bluetooth streaming, Vtuner, Ximalaya, compatible local services

 

https://dynaudiodata.blob.core.windows.net/media/8208/dynaudio-music-product-insert-en.pdf

no roonready on the music7 here. You can connect a bluesound node2 and use the ‘music’ as active speakers.......or just buy two active speakers. Better sound for the same price. 

[ednaz]

We decided to add a small system to our living room, which could also serve the dining room for soft background music. Both are smallish, and we're not looking for great volume. Your review of the Music 7 got me thinking about it, although it will take up a bunch of real estate on one of our side tables.

 

But then there's the KEF LSX powered speakers, which seems to be occupying a similar niche. Small size, good enough bass extension, built for wireless streaming, enough volume for small spaces. The price is equalized if I shop for "open box" LSX speakers. The LSX has one advantage which is Roon compatibility.

 

You mentioned that you'd pick the Music 7 over many wireless speakers. Not sure if your thinking included the LSX powered speakers.

[magpal]

Would also be interesting to hear what you think about the Xeo 2/10 vs. Music 7. The specs are very similar although I would assume that the imaging is better on the Xeo's due to the placement.