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This review first appeared in the June 2011 issue of hi-end hifi magazine High Fidelity of Poland. You can also read this review of the Dynaudio Focus 260 in its original Polish version. We publish its English translation in a mutual syndication arrangement with publisher Wojciech Pacula. As is customary for our own reviews, the writer's signature at review's end shows an e-mail address should you have questions or wish to send feedback. All images contained in this review are the property of High Fidelity or Dynaudio. - Ed

Reviewer: Wojciech Pacuła
CD player: Ancient Audio Lektor Air
Phono preamplifier: RCM Audio Sensor Prelude IC
Cartridges: Air Tight Supreme, Miyajima Laboratory Waza
Preamplifier: Ayon Audio Polaris III with Regenerator power supply version II
Power amplifier: Tenor Audio 175S, Soulution 710
Integrated amplifier/headphone amplifier: Leben CS300 XS Custom version
Loudspeakers: Harpia Acoustics Dobermann
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800, AKG K701, Ultrasone PROLine 2500, Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro
Interconnects: CD-preamp Acrolink Mexcel 7N-DA6300, preamp-power amp Wireworld Platinum Eclipse
Speaker cable: Tara Labs Omega Onyx
Power cables: Acrolink Mexcel 7N-PC9300
Power conditioning: Gigawatt PF-2
Audio stand: Base
Resonance control: Finite Elemente Ceraball under the CD player, Pro Audio Bono platform under CD player
Review component retail in Poland: 12.990zł [ca. €3.400/pr.]

These loudspeakers are part of Dynaudio’s new Focus range which was introduced during High End 2011 in Munich. Having been to market as a series for a few years already, the revamped iterations premier completely new solutions which my sound commentary will show make for a really new range. The accompanying materials mention the new purpose-designed drivers, improved cabinet shapes and new 1st-order filters.


The precision aluminium voice coils are now wound on a black Kapton former while something called Precision Coating covers the soft dome tweeter. Then a superior alloy shows up in the baskets. Dynaudio’s signature centralized motor system distinguishes the brand from others by placing the magnets inside the coils to create a stronger more consistent gauss field. A second important Dynaudio innovation was the use of aluminium for the voice-coil windings which subtracts weight to allow for a voice coil of equal mass with twice the diameter.

These next-gen drivers were developed particularly for the revised Focus range. The black Kapton formers are more durable and less prone to deformation. This hi-tech material is fully amagnetic, thermally stable, very rigid and exceptionally light – perfect qualities for consistent performance even under very high SPL. The mid/woofer diaphragm uses Dynaudio’s patented Magnesium Silicate polymer for its low mass, great stiffness and high internal damping. The particular flare of these diaphragms is created in a specialized manufacturing process to increase radiation smoothness. Combined with much more powerful magnets and more basket rigidity, these drivers are said to be more linear, very precise and quick to increase dynamic fidelity. Also introduced is the new soft-dome coating process. The improved formula applies the coating more precisely. This benefits the physical shape and results in smoother more idealized dispersion and higher magnification of micro detail.


The Dynaudio Focus speakers are available in Maple, Walnut, Rosewood and black Ash veneers and high-gloss white or black lacquer.

Sound - a selection of recordings used in the test: Accademia Bizantina, Il Cimento dell Armonia e dell Inventione op VIII - Vol 1+ Vol 2, dir Ottavio Dantone, Arts, FLAC 24/96; Brian Eno, Craft On A Milk Sea, Warp Records, WARPCDD207, 2 x 180 g LP + 2 x CD + 24/44,1 WAV; Cecilia Bartoli, Opera Proibita, Decca, 475 7029, CD; Clifford Brown, Memorial, Prestige/JVC, VICJ-41562, K2 CD; Dunedin Consort, Messiah, Linn Records, CKD 285, 2007, FLAC 24/88,2; Kankawa, Organist, T-TOC Records, UMVD-0001-0004, Ultimate Master Vinyl, 4 x 45 rpm 180 g LP + CD-RIIα + 24/192 WAV; Lars Danielsson - Tarantella - ACT, 9477-2, 2009, CD; Laurie Anderson, Big Science. 25th Anniversary, Nonesuch, 79988-5, CD; Max Roach & Clifford Brown, Daahoud, Mainstream Records/Mobile Fidelity, MFCD826, CD; Mikołaj Bugajak, Strange Sounds and Inconceivable Deeds, Nowe Nagrania 001, 45 rpm LP+CD+WAV 24/44,1; Monteverdi, Ottavo Libro dei Madrigali, Concerto Italiano, Opus 111, OPS 30-187, CD; Sampler Vinyl Magic for High Fidelity, PCM 16, 24/32 44.1kHz; Solveig Slettahjell, Silver, ACT Music+Vision, ACT 9715-2, CD; Stina, Memories of a Color, EastWest/Warner Bros. 945405-2, CD.