Dynaudio Confidence 20A

Dynaudio Confidence 20A

Active speakers in the high-end segment

Confidence 20A is Dynaudio’s absolute flagship of active speakers. And this is not just a set of active speakers – it’s a reference-class sound system that rivals classic setups with an amplifier and passive speakers in a much higher price range. Simply add a source with volume control, and experience music at the highest level.

Highlights of the Dynaudio Confidence 20A

• Active DSP speakers

• 550 watts power per speaker

• Amplifier circuit and DSP integrated into the stand

• The best components Dynaudio has ever produced

• Multiple adjustment options • Analog and digital inputs

As both the appearance and model name suggest, the speakers are closely related to the passive Confidence 20, which are Dynaudio’s finest standmount speakers. But this active version is much more than a passive speaker with an amplifier module attached to the back.

Redesigned, optimized, amplified...

The Dynaudio Confidence 20A has been rethought, redeveloped, and optimized in every crucial aspect. In fact, the only elements identical to the passive version are the appearance and the tweeter – and, of course, the stand, which houses all the magic that makes this an active speaker. It is in the stand that Dynaudio has concealed all the amplification and signal processing, employing absolutely first-class solutions. The amplifier, developed by the Danish company Pascal, is capable of delivering 150 watts to the tweeter and 400 watts to the bass-midrange. In principle, it can deliver 500 watts, but the output is limited to ensure a perfect match to the unit’s maximum dynamics, so it doesn’t end up on the opposite side of the room if you’re a bit careless with the volume control. There is plenty of headroom on the amplifier side, ensuring effortless reproduction of music even at high sound pressure levels.

Multifunctional stand

As mentioned, the amplifier is housed within the stand, which is part of the Dynaudio Confidence 20A package. This offers a number of advantages. For instance, the amplifier module does not take up space inside the cabinet itself. The stand is made of aluminum, which also allows it to serve as a passive heatsink for the electronics. The stand doubles as the enclosure for the amplifier and is equipped with the connectivity and control options that the Confidence 20A offers. This results in a visually clean solution, and the weight of the stand also helps to stabilize the speaker. It is an extremely well-thought-out solution. Although the speakers are active, they do not have a built-in volume control. Therefore, you need a source with volume control to use them—this could be, for example, a streamer with this function built in. The source is connected to the speakers digitally via AES/EBU or analog via XLR. With an analog connection, the right and left speakers are connected to the respective outputs on the preamplifier. When using the digital connection, a single AES/EBU cable is used from the source to one speaker, which is then linked via an AES/EBU cable to the other speaker.

The best Dynaudio drivers ever

As part of the Confidence series, the Confidence 20A is naturally equipped with the best components Dynaudio has ever produced. The tweeter is the 28mm Esotar 3 with Hexis—a woven dome behind a silk diaphragm that significantly reduces distortion and improves airflow behind the diaphragm. The result is a clearer and purer treble with more detail, greater openness, and much less muddiness. The bass-midrange is of the new NeoTec MSP type, developed for the Confidence series but in a version tailored specifically for the Confidence 20A. This component can be considered a masterpiece from the engineers in Skanderborg, a team that, rumor has it, is capable of discerning the difference in the type of adhesive used in the components.

NeoTec MSP is made from Dynaudio’s proprietary MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) material, which is characterized by the perfect combination of rigidity and damping. This ensures an incredibly high level of detail with control and finesse that only Dynaudio can deliver. MSP has been the cornerstone in Dynaudio components since 1985 and has since been optimized and improved in several respects, making it one of the most advanced materials for speaker diaphragms today. In addition to the drivers, it is also worth mentioning the upgraded, downward-facing bass reflex port. The new “Dual Flare” design is optimized in terms of size and integration within the cabinet and is executed with an identical shape at both ends. Imagine a trumpet with an exhaust at both ends – that’s the design. And a bass reflex port not only influences the reproduction of bass; it also affects the frequency range where, among other things, vocals reside, so its quality is crucial for the authenticity experienced with the Confidence 20A.

Placed above the speaker’s connections, there are a number of different setting and adjustment options:

• Sample Rate Conversion:

Sample rate conversion offers two options, namely “on” and “off.” When it is off, the incoming signal is processed completely untouched, ensuring the highest possible sound quality. When it is on, the incoming signal is converted to the speakers’ internal sample rate of 24‑bit/192kHz. This can be advantageous, for example, when listening to a playlist where the bit depth and sample rate vary from track to track, as it prevents the sound from being attenuated when switching to a track with a different sample rate.

• Analogue Sensitivity:

This adjusts the sensitivity for the incoming signal via the XLR connection. By default, it is set to “Low,” and if the sound is too weak relative to the adjusted volume, it can be set to “Mid” or “High.” If the incoming signal exceeds the sensitivity of the analog input, distortion will occur. This is also indicated by the “Y” on the front of the stand flashing red.

• Sound Balance:

There are three settings available for tailoring the sound: “Dark,” “Neutral,” and “Bright.” After the speakers have been played for several hours, it may be necessary to experiment with these options again, as the sound may change slightly over time.

• Position:

For optimal performance, it is essential to set the “Position” correctly. There are three options: “Free” if the speaker is placed more than 50 cm from walls, “Wall” if it is less than 50 cm from a single wall, and “Corner” if the speaker is placed less than 50 cm from two walls, that is, in a corner.

• Light:

The final setting is not related to the sound at all but simply allows you to adjust the illuminated “Y” on the front of the speakers. Choose “Off” if you never want it lit, “Dim” for subdued illumination, or “On” for full brightness when the speakers are turned on. The illuminated Y serves several functions. A steady white light indicates that the speakers are on, a flashing red light indicates an overly strong incoming signal via XLR, and a pulsing red light warns that the speakers’ protection function has been activated and that they need to cool down.