In this review, we will be comparing Confidence 20 and Evoke 30, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Dynaudio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Dynaudio Confidence 20 and Dynaudio Evoke 20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Dynaudio Confidence 20 | Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|---|
| Brand | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Soft-Dome | 1.1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 7" MSP | 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42-22k Hz | 40-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 27.00kg / 59.4lbs | 9.90kg / 21.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 20-1/2" x 9-3/16" x 16-5/16"
520.0 x 233.0 x 414.0mm | 15" x 8.5" x 12.5"
380.0 x 215.0 x 317.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Dynaudio Confidence 20 and Dynaudio Evoke 20 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Dynaudio Confidence 20 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Confidence 20 and Evoke 30 are 2-way speakers.
Dynaudio Confidence 20Dynaudio Evoke 20
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Dynaudio Confidence 20 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7-inch
|
1 x 7-inch
|
Confidence 20 features a 1.1" Esotar 3 Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 7" MSP Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2325 Hz. On the other hand, the Evoke 30 features a 1.1" Cerotar with Hexis Tweeter and 1 x 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3200Hz.
Frequency Response
Confidence 20 has a frequency range of 42-22k Hz whereas Evoke 30 has a frequency range of 40-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Evoke 30 can go slightly deeper then the Confidence 20's min frequency of 42Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Confidence 20 and Evoke 30 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Confidence 20 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Evoke 30's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Dynaudio Confidence 20 a more sensitive speaker compared to Dynaudio Evoke 20, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Confidence 20 features Binding post type posts and Evoke 30 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Dynaudio Evoke 20's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Confidence 20 has a down firing port whereas Evoke 30 has a rear firing ports.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Dynaudio Confidence 20's and Dynaudio Evoke 20's external dimensions. Dynaudio Confidence 20 has external dimensions of 520.0 x 233.0 x 414.0mm (20-1/2 x 9-3/16 x 16-5/16inch) whereas Dynaudio Evoke 20 has external dimensions of 380.0 x 215.0 x 317.0mm (15 x 8.5 x 12.1inch).
Dynaudio Confidence 20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 18mm wider, 140mm taller and 97mm deeper than Dynaudio Evoke 20.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Dynaudio Confidence 20 needs about 42% more floor or shelf area. Dynaudio Confidence 20 is 97mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Dynaudio Confidence 20 is 140mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Dynaudio Confidence 20 is approximately 964.6cm2 / 149.5inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Evoke 20 is approximately 681.6cm2 / 105.6inch2. The Confidence 20 requires 42% more surface area than the Evoke 30 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Dynaudio Confidence 20 weighs 27.00kg / 59.4lbs and the Dynaudio Evoke 20 weighs 9.90kg / 21.8lbs. This makes the Confidence 20 173% heavier than the Evoke 30.
Here is a comparison of how Confidence 20 and Evoke 30's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Evoke 20?
Here are the items that come with the Evoke 30:
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
42 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
380mm
vs
520mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
681cm2
vs
964cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
4798USD
vs
13000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Dynaudio Confidence 20 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
| Brand |
Dynaudio |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
42-22k Hz |
40-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
MSP |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1.1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2325 Hz |
3200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
down |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
520.0mm (20.5") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Width |
233.0mm (9.2") |
215.0mm (8.5") |
| Depth |
414.0mm (16.3") |
317.0mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
27.00kg (59.4lbs) |
9.90kg (21.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
These sit in different price classes - Dynaudio Confidence 20 costs roughly 2.7x what Dynaudio Evoke 20 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (42Hz vs 40Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Dynaudio Confidence 20 takes more power (250W vs 180W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Dynaudio Evoke 20 is easier to place; Dynaudio Confidence 20 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Dynaudio Evoke 20 is cheaper - $4,798 against $13,000, about 63% less; arguably a different class. |
A Dynaudio Confidence 20 B Dynaudio Evoke 20
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Dynaudio Confidence 20 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 2.7x the price. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Dynaudio Evoke 20 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Dynaudio Confidence 20 appeals to you. Match it to your room: we rate Dynaudio Confidence 20 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Dynaudio Evoke 20 for a mid-size room and a large room. In a large or open-plan room, Dynaudio Confidence 20 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Dynaudio Evoke 20 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.