In this review, we will be comparing Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" and Evoke 30, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Fyne Audio and Dynaudio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" and Dynaudio Evoke 20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" | Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1.1" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 34-34k Hz | 40-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 16.10kg / 35.4lbs | 9.90kg / 21.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 21.3" x 13" x 11.6"
541.0 x 330.2 x 294.6mm | 15" x 8.5" x 12.5"
380.0 x 215.0 x 317.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" 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* |
Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" |
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 Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" and Evoke 30 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
1 x 7-inch
|
Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800 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
Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" has a frequency range of 34-34k Hz whereas Evoke 30 has a frequency range of 40-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 34Hz, the Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Evoke 30's min frequency of 40Hz.
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
Vintage Classic VIII SM 8"
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
Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Evoke 30 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Evoke 30's is rated at 86 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" a more sensitive speaker compared to Dynaudio Evoke 20, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Vintage Classic VIII SM 8"
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.
Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8"
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" 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
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 Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8"'s and Dynaudio Evoke 20's external dimensions. Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" has external dimensions of 541.0 x 330.2 x 294.6mm (21.3 x 13 x 11.6inch) whereas Dynaudio Evoke 20 has external dimensions of 380.0 x 215.0 x 317.0mm (15 x 8.5 x 12.1inch).
Dynaudio Evoke 20 is 115.2mm narrower and 161mm shorter than Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" but it is also 22.4mm deeper.
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.
Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" needs about 43% more floor or shelf area. Dynaudio Evoke 20 is 22mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" is 161mm 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 Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" is approximately 972.8cm2 / 150.8inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Evoke 20 is approximately 681.6cm2 / 105.6inch2. The Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" requires 43% 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 Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" weighs 16.10kg / 35.4lbs and the Dynaudio Evoke 20 weighs 9.90kg / 21.8lbs. This makes the Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" 63% heavier than the Evoke 30.
Here is a comparison of how Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" and Evoke 30's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8"
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Evoke 20?
Here are the items that come with the Evoke 30:
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
34 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
34k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
|
Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
380mm
vs
541mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
681cm2
vs
972cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
4798USD
vs
4799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
34-34k Hz |
40-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1.1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1800 Hz |
3200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
541.0mm (21.3") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Width |
330.2mm (13") |
215.0mm (8.5") |
| Depth |
294.6mm (11.6") |
317.0mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
16.10kg (35.4lbs) |
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 |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
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 | A | Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" digs deeper - 34Hz against 40Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" is more sensitive (91dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Size | depends | Dynaudio Evoke 20 is easier to place; Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($4,799 vs $4,798 a pair). |
A Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" 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?
Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 40Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Fyne Audio Vintage Classic VIII SM 8" the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Dynaudio Evoke 20 for a mid-size room and a 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.