Imagine a home theater system that doesn't scream for attention but whispers pure audio excellence. That's the Dynaudio Evoke theater system for you. Hailing from Denmark, Dynaudio has a knack for letting their products' performance do all the talking. No flashy gimmicks here – just pure, unadulterated sound quality that'll make your ears perk up and your wallet breathe a sigh of relief.
When I first fired up the Dynaudio Evoke theater system, I was struck by its understated elegance. It's like the audio equivalent of a perfectly tailored suit – sharp, sophisticated, and turning heads for all the right reasons. Dynaudio's commitment to in-house designs for drivers and crossovers shines through in the Evoke lineup, ensuring each component meets their exacting standards.
At $12,400 for the system, the Dynaudio Evoke theater setup has some pretty big shoes to fill. Spoiler alert: it doesn't just fill them; it struts in them with confidence. Trust me, every penny you invest in this system will pay off in audio dividends.
One of the standout features? The Evoke 50 Towers and Evoke 25 Center are like audio chameleons, adapting beautifully to room correction and equalization. Throw some Dirac magic their way, and you'll be rewarded with reference-quality sound that'll make you wonder if you've accidentally stumbled into a high-end recording studio.
The Dynaudio Evoke speakers are full of surprises, packing a punch in the bass department despite their modest size. The Evoke 50 towers reach down to a impressive 35Hz (+/- 3 dB), while maintaining a friendly disposition towards your amplifier with a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and a minimum of 3 ohms. This means even mid-range receivers can drive them without breaking a sweat.
But for those craving earth-shaking lows, the Sub 6 steps in to steal the show. This low-profile powerhouse digs deep, reaching an astounding 16Hz at its lowest. Don't let its slim figure fool you – at 47.4 lbs, it's no lightweight in the performance department.
The Sub 6 is a space-saving marvel, sporting dual 9-inch woofers in a cabinet that's only 10.5 inches deep, 17.5 inches wide, and 11.75 inches tall. It's the subwoofer equivalent of a master Tetris player, fitting into spaces where traditional subs fear to tread.
The rest of the Evoke line follows suit in the size-to-performance ratio department. The Evoke 50 towers stand tall at 45 inches but keep a trim 8.5-inch width. In the world of high-performance speakers, the Evoke line is like a group of audio ninjas – powerful yet unobtrusive.
Setting up the Dynaudio Evoke line is a breeze, thanks to their thoughtfully designed packaging. Unlike some brands that seem to have packaged their speakers for interplanetary travel, Dynaudio strikes the perfect balance between protection and accessibility. I had the entire system unboxed and ready for calibration in about 20 minutes – no sweat, no fuss.
Once I unleashed Dirac on my receiver, the sound quality took a quantum leap forward. It's clear that Dynaudio designed these speakers to be chameleons, adapting to your sonic preferences with ease. The level of customization Dirac brought out of these speakers was nothing short of remarkable.
The Sub 6 deserves a special mention here. With its parametric EQ, XLR and RCA inputs, and unique form factor, it's clear that Dynaudio put on their thinking caps when designing a subwoofer that can integrate into any room setup.
Dynaudio takes a "less is more" approach to design, and it works wonders. The gloss black rounded cabinets exude quality without screaming for attention. They're like the strong, silent type of the speaker world – you know they're impressive just by their presence.
One of the Evoke system's strongest suits is its livability. These speakers don't demand that you redesign your room around them. They play nice with all kinds of electronics and blend into your space like they've always been there.
Initially, the Dynaudio Evoke speakers and I didn't see ear to ear. But then I engaged Dirac on my Arcam AVR 30, and it was like someone flipped a switch. These speakers take to room correction like a duck to water – better than any other speakers I've reviewed.
With Dirac engaged, the treble detail came roaring back, and dialogue from the center channel became crystal clear. If you're considering this system, I can't stress enough how much a good room correction system like Dirac or ARC can elevate its performance.
The Sub 6, on the other hand, was a star performer right out of the gate. It filled my 14' x 14' room with deep, pressure-you-can-feel bass without breaking a sweat.
The Evoke 50s performed best with about 12-18 inches of breathing room from the front wall. Their wide soundstage and clarity at higher volumes were impressive. They handled dynamic tracks from "The Martian" and action sequences from "Spider-Man" with ease, never showing signs of strain.
The Evoke 25 center channel's dialogue clarity after Dirac calibration was a standout feature. Even in the midst of explosive action sequences, I never missed a word.
A word to the wise: while these speakers sound good out of the box, pairing them with a quality receiver (think Denon 3800 or above) with Dirac will unlock their full potential, especially in challenging room acoustics.
At $12,400, the Dynaudio Evoke theater system plays in the upper midrange market, facing stiff competition from the likes of KEF's R Meta series and SVS's Ultra Evolution series.
The KEF R Meta system, with its KC92 subwoofer, is similar in price but more space-intensive. The KEFs offer a wider soundstage and a more neutral response out of the box but demand better amplification and don't take as kindly to EQ as the Dynaudios.
SVS's Ultra Evolution speakers are perhaps the Evoke system's toughest competition, offering outstanding sound quality and value. However, the Dynaudios win on livability, with their easier placement and more versatile aesthetics.
The Dynaudio Evoke Theater system is tailor-made for the home theater enthusiast who wants their speakers to complement their life, not complicate it. Throughout my time with these speakers, I never felt like I was accommodating them – they seamlessly integrated into my space and routine.
Their dialogue clarity and the Sub 6's impressive extension and output are standout features. The built-in adjustability of the subwoofer is icing on the cake. While the out-of-the-box sound was a bit warm for my taste, proper adjustment largely addressed this issue.
In the end, Dynaudio has crafted a speaker system that truly puts the "home" in home theater. It's a versatile performer that adapts to your space and preferences, making it a solid choice for a wide range of listeners. Whether you're a casual movie watcher or a dedicated audiophile, the Evoke system has something to offer, proving that sometimes, the best sound is the one that fits seamlessly into your life.
