In this review, we will be comparing Contour 30i and Synchrony T600, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Dynaudio and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Dynaudio Contour 30i and PSB Synchrony T600 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Dynaudio Contour 30i | PSB Synchrony T600 |
|---|
| Brand | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Soft-Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 7" MSP | 3 x 6.5" Carbon fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 32-23k Hz | 24-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 20-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 31.40kg / 69.1lbs | 34.90kg / 76.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 44-7/8" x 8-7/16" x 14-3/16"
1140.0 x 215.0 x 360.0mm | 41-1/4" x 9" x 13-1/2"
1048.0 x 228.0 x 343.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Dynaudio Contour 30i and PSB Synchrony T600 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 Contour 30i |
PSB Synchrony T600 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* 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 Contour 30i and Synchrony T600 are 3-way speakers.
Dynaudio Contour 30iPSB Synchrony T600
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Dynaudio Contour 30i |
PSB Synchrony T600 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 7-inch
|
3 x 6.5-inch
|
Contour 30i features a 1.1" Esotar 2i Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 7" MSP Woofer with a Crossover frequency at (300)/2200 Hz. On the other hand, the Synchrony T600 features a 1" titanium with ferrofluid cooling and neodymium magnet Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 3 x 6.5" Carbon fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
Contour 30i has a frequency range of 32-23k Hz whereas Synchrony T600 has a frequency range of 24-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Synchrony T600 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Contour 30i's min frequency of 32Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Contour 30i and Synchrony T600 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Contour 30i sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Synchrony T600's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the PSB Synchrony T600 a more sensitive speaker compared to Dynaudio Contour 30i, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Contour 30i and the Contour 30i can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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
Synchrony T600 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Contour 30i has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB Synchrony T600's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Contour 30i and Synchrony T600 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 Contour 30i's and PSB Synchrony T600's external dimensions. Dynaudio Contour 30i has external dimensions of 1140.0 x 215.0 x 360.0mm (44-7/8 x 8-7/16 x 14-3/16inch) whereas PSB Synchrony T600 has external dimensions of 1048.0 x 228.0 x 343.0mm (41-1/4 x 9 x 13-1/2inch).
PSB Synchrony T600 is 92mm shorter and 17mm less deeper than Dynaudio Contour 30i but it is also 13mm wider.
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.
Near-identical footprints. Dynaudio Contour 30i is 17mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Dynaudio Contour 30i is 92mm 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 Contour 30i is approximately 774.0cm2 / 120.0inch2 and base area of the PSB Synchrony T600 is approximately 782.0cm2 / 121.2inch2. The Contour 30i requires 1% less surface area than the Synchrony T600 which gives it a small advantage 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 Contour 30i weighs 31.40kg / 69.1lbs and the PSB Synchrony T600 weighs 34.90kg / 76.8lbs. This makes the Synchrony T600 11% heavier than the Contour 30i.
Here is a comparison of how Contour 30i and Synchrony T600's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Synchrony T600?
Here are the items that come with the Synchrony T600:
- Floorstanding loudspeakr
- Grille
- 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Isolation feet
- 2 Port plugs
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
774cm2
vs
782cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1048mm
vs
1140mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
8000USD
vs
9500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Dynaudio Contour 30i |
PSB Synchrony T600 |
| Brand |
Dynaudio |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
32-23k Hz |
24-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
3 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
MSP |
Carbon fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
(300)/2200 Hz |
450Hz and 1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1140.0mm (44.9") |
1048.0mm (41.3") |
| Width |
215.0mm (8.5") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
360.0mm (14.2") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Weight |
31.40kg (69.1lbs) |
34.90kg (76.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Gloss Black, Satin Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | PSB Synchrony T600 digs deeper - 24Hz against 32Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | PSB Synchrony T600 is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (300W vs 300W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | PSB Synchrony T600: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | PSB Synchrony T600 is cheaper - $8,000 against $9,500, about 16% less. |
A Dynaudio Contour 30i B PSB Synchrony T600
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?
PSB Synchrony T600 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Dynaudio Contour 30i if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 32Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Dynaudio Contour 30i the better fit for a small room and a mid-size room, and PSB Synchrony T600 for a large room and a very large room.
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.