Dynaudio Confidence 20A Active Reference Stand-mount Bookshelf Monitor Speaker (Pair)

Brand: Dynaudio | SKU: Confidence20ASpaceHighGlossPair | UPC:

Price
$24,000
Taxes calculated at checkout

Color: Space High Gloss

Have a question?

Listen with Confidence: add a source, hit the power, and get the performance your music deserves. Active hi-fi just had its biggest upgrade in over a decade.

Confidence 20A is the most elegant way to build the simplest audiophile system.

It takes the standard Confidence 20’s head-turning looks, legendary drivers and award-winning sound, and hides studio-grade amplifiers right inside its stands. Under the hood, it uses the same audio-processing tools you’ll find in our flagship Core professional reference speakers: think full DSP, analogue and digital connectivity, and pro-level room-compensation controls. Everything you need to hear.

If you’re all about the audiophile chase, we have some news for you: you won.

Endgame

Confidence 20A is designed to require only two things of the listener: a source, and some faith. Why faith? Because it does away with one of the most cherished indulgent proclivities of the audiophile world: auditioning amplifiers. They’re already included. They’ve been spec-tuned, customized… and hidden away in the stands. For some that might well be a deal-breaker. And that’s OK; we offer plenty of other options for wanton proclivity-indulgence.

For those who want a simpler but no less fulfilling life, there’s Confidence 20A.

We’re no strangers to high-end active hi-fi systems, of course (inventing the category does tend to leave a lasting memory or two). And that means we have years of experience: plenty of do-more-of-thats, never-do-that-agains, sugar-and-caffeine-fueled breakthroughs – and hard-earned research and development – to dip into.

So, when it was suggested that we try to make an active version of our flagship speaker, cake was duly ordered and the coffee machine set to maximum SPL (stimulation per litre).

Our aim was to create the largest possible soundstage in a compact speaker; a system that can replace a large passive set-up. One that doesn’t just ask politely that you come to have a listen – it makes itself irresistible.

Specs appeal

An active speaker has an amplifier for each individual driver. Confidence 20A uses some of the best in the business. We’ve teamed up again with our friends at Pascal over in Copenhagen, who have provided reference-quality amplification for our Core professional studio speakers. Here, the Esotar 3 tweeters get a more-than-ample 150W, while the NeoTec mid/bass drivers get a whopping 400W each.

(And here’s a fun fact: we limit the amp so it matches the driver’s maximum excursion – meaning there’s plenty of headroom, and you’ll never get it to distort. Even at neighbor-baiting volumes.)

The controls are round the back, integrated into the custom aluminum stand… which also doubles as a heatsink for the amplifiers; helps to form part of the speaker’s downward-firing bass port; and adds weight for extra stability. Win, win, win.

Curious about active speakers? Read more about their differences with passive speakers here. 

And while it might not be a smart speaker, it’s still clever.

There are balanced analogue and AES3 digital XLR connections; settings for left/right placement; adjustable analogue sensitivity controls; sound-balance filters (‘Dark’, ‘Neutral’ and ‘Bright’ adjustments derived from our pro speakers); sample-rate conversion controls to preserve native resolution or enable true gapless playback; and native room-position settings (‘Wall’, ‘Corner’ and ‘Free’).

You can even control the LED logo’s brightness.

Driven by more

The drivers are the same precision units you’ll find in the passive Confidence 20, optimized for active.

There’s the Esotar 3 tweeter, of course: our flagship high-frequency driver that made its debut in 2018 with the next-gen Confidence launch. It has a 28mm precision-coated soft-dome diaphragm, backed-up by the Hexis resonance-defeating inner dome. In the engine-room is an aluminum voice coil that minimizes weight for improved transient response, plus a powerful neodymium magnet system for increased sensitivity and stellar dynamic range. There’s also a large damped metal back-chamber for lowering resonant frequencies and improving clarity.

It's such a good tweeter, in fact, that it’s used in our M-series main monitors  – which take pride of place in some of the world’s most important recording studios.

The 18cm NeoTec woofer also has a neodymium-based motor (which incorporates an ingenious venting system for optimized air movement). Its aluminum voice-coil is wedded to a glass-fiber voice-coil former for optimum stiffness, and it’s fronted by our signature precision MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone.

And while it might seem a little bit peculiar to start waxing lyrical over holes, we trust you’ll indulge us if you’ve read this far. That’s because Confidence 20A has seen a leap forward in bass-port design. Yes, a bass-port is just a hole. But this an engineered hole. An Exponentially Shaped Dual Flared one. Confidence 20A’s ESDF port has an end-to-end exponential shape that almost totally eliminates noise. It means you get vastly improved bass performance – which, of course, influences everything else up the frequency range. Think more precision to vocals, more clarity to strings and (of course) more weight to the thumps and bumps.

You might not be able to see it, but it’s been an incredibly focused effort by our engineers – and one they’re rightly very proud of.

Next-level active hi-fi

Confidence 20A is the next generation of Dynaudio active speakers. Simplicity and precision… the hallmarks of any great audio system.

Brand Dynaudio
Model Confidence 20A
Speaker Type 2-Way Speaker
Enclosure Type Bottom Ported
Tweeter Type Esotar 3 Soft-Dome
Tweeter Size (inches) 1.1
Woofer Magnesium Silicate Polymer
Woofer Size (inches) 7.08
Bi-Amp Terminal No
Power Range (watts) Powered 400 Watts Woofer, 150 Watts Tweeter
Frequency Response (Hz) 33-25,000
Speaker Sensitivity (dB) 87
Speaker Impedance (ohms) 6
Available Finishes Space High Gloss, Snow High Gloss
Cabinet Finish Lacquer
Weight (lbs) 62.8
Dimensions (H x W x D in inches) 19.7" x 8" x 15.6"
Warranty 8 Years
Based on 296 reviews
93%
(276)
6%
(17)
1%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Great speakers For my needs. Wanted a nice full sound floor standing speaker that wasn’t harsh. Using them just for music in our fireplace room not for home theater. Not a complaint at all on their lack of lower end frequencies, I pretty much knew when I ordered them I’d be adding a sub to the mix to fill in where they leave off. Now to pick the sub 😅😂

Fast shipping and products arrived perfectly. Thank you for a good experience

The delivery was quick and the unit arrived earlier Then expected because I live on the west coast.
The Eversolo T8 is everything as advertised and reviewed. The unit took about 8 hours of use to lose the bright forward sound. I’m happy with my purchase from Sate and Sound.

I'm glad I made the choice to purchase this amplifier! I couldn't be happier and the sound is quite captivating.

I just came back from visiting my big brother out of state who has a system in the mid 5 figure mark. When I came back I was inspired to upgrade but decided to wait. But then my Sub stopped working. I saw these on sale and thought “Is it meant to be?” Of course it was. I have these paired with a NAD T-778 streaming Qobuz. So far I am really enjoying these. I am hearing old songs as if they are new again. I have been listening to music more than ever. Bass is solid and highs are crisp. A truly immersive speaker. While I wouldn’t dare say they are as good as my big brother’s setup, they are close enough to put a smile on my face. I think they are a solid option for the price range. I am very satisfied and they are still breaking in.

Absolute game changer! Love the device - terrific sound quality, intuitive interface and beautiful design!

A
Yamaha A-S501 Stereo Integrated Amplifier with Built-in DAC Customer Return
Anonymous

My amplifier arrived safely and has functioned wonderfully without issue. Thank you!

Reference caliber exotic retro-futuristic LP spinner. Few rivals. Few are so flexible.

I started years ago with an Ortofon Blue and this directly replaced a Mofi Mastertracker. I have coupled the LVB250 with a Darlington MB8 phono preamp and I can finally say that I am satisfied. This cartridge is exceptional and I don't think I'll ever need anything better.

Really good service and extremely fast shipping. Also good price on receiver.

Love the power of it it really feels like the gate way into high end it sounds beautiful happy with your service.Everything was all I hoped it would be thank you

I bought the M2si integrated amplifier to drive my 2.7 magnepans. It does a very nice job of doing just that. That the amplifier is advertised as dipping gracefully or smoothly down to 2 Ohms was a primary point in the buy. Plus, Safe and Sound had a very good buy on this amplifier at $ 799.00. The build quality is very good and it has a large toroidal transformer to better handle high current and increase bass response. The preamp is full Class A and is a strong point for this Class A/B amplifier. Great buy! You can't have it all at this price though. The motorized volume knob does not have an easy viewing of where it is set as it is an inset indention without a light marker. Also, no standby power for the amp but it does have excellent heat management as the chassis has a colder side versus the hotter 2 channel amplifiers side. It is a fully discrete amplifier (wonderful, no integrated except for maybe op-amps at the preamp front). 5 year warranty, hard to beat. The amplifier has to be broken in as treble is at first very forward , but settles after a good break in period. The silver white looks very sexy and has a kind of older vibe. The M2si is British and has a brightness to it which can be toned down if you use the right speakers. Magnepans can change resistor values at the terminals or maybe even use specific DACs. No complaint about not having digital inputs at all since there are plenty of line level inputs as you can use outboards which gives you more opportunities any way. I have three different DACs into the line level inputs so all I have to do is switch out the single coax cable I want to change some of the response. I like a very well made Class A/B like this unit compared to the Class D which I have tried. Soundstage is wide and there is a lot of headroom compared to a lot of class D. If the M2si performs at 90% of what their end does like it has been said, then wow. Way to go Musical Fidelity.

I have all Arcam equipment, the sound is fantastic. The price was amazing.. MusicLife app is so/so. Great piece of equipment..

Safe and Sound is an excellent place to buy audio gear. This phono preamp is excellent, as sounds as advertised and the price was right!

Amazing to deal with and best service on the planet

So pleased with the quality as well as pretty much next day delivery. Great company

Excellent CD player. Very impressed with the quality of the open box service. Absolutely impeccable, couldn’t tell from a brand new unit. Your customer service is also tops. Thanks for great shopping experience!

A
Marantz PM7000N Integrated Stereo Amplifier with HEOS Built-in
Anonymous

Amazing sound. Perfectly pairs with the components I have. Vinyl has never sounded better.

Unit sounds great butyou can hear sound bleeding through the speakers and amp at zero volume. Also bind post so small myspade pugs either too large to accommodate. Unit turned off several times, not sure why possible connection but I could not figure out maybe due to heavy load speakers .Ssrvice and sales always fantastic!

Super quick shipment and communications! Always great experience with Safe and Sound! The T8 is amazing! Big improvement over DMP 6!

These outperform my previous speakers by a wide margin: more punch, more body, higher articulation. The vocals are mesmerizing.

I was trying to scale down from a surround to a stereo setup and looking to upgrade DAC from Marantz av8805a. I have the Anthem mca 525 gen 2 amps and Sonus Faber Sonetto iii g2. It took about 70+ to burn in. It was an upgrade, but it is very subtle and hard to even notice unless really paying attention. This does fell like within the territory of diminishing returns. I don't know if it's because of my speakers, but it is the best speaker I can get given the size and weight for a small walkup apartment. However, I still decided to keep it because it is much lighter and runs cooler than the Marantz. It is also a little bit clearer (the Marantz sounded a little bit muddied, which I didn't even notice after years of using until I was comparing it with m3ai) and I noticed that it sounded louder at the same db level because of this (this means I can listen at lower db levels than I would with Marantz). I do miss the ability to fully control the Marantz via the android app. Overall a good DAC, but subtracting a little bit of points for the high price.