Cerwin Vega D3 vs Dynaco A25 - My Impressions

[Isaac C.]

Hi all,

I've been meaning to share my impressions of some Cerwin Vega D3s I picked up a couple months ago at Goodwill.

For the past 6 years, my system has remained mostly unchanged with: Dynaco A25s as my main speaker, Hitachi HA 610 amp, DBX DX5 CD player (acquired this year), Kenwood KD 500 with Syntec arm and Ortofon VMS, and a Sanyo TP 1000 with Acos arm and Ortofon VMS.

But after picking up these Cerwin Vegas, I might have found my new favorite speaker. Now that I have had a chance to listen to multiple genres on CD and vinyl while A/Bing the Cerwin Vegas and Dynacos (my amp has an extra volume for B speakers to match sensitivity), I must say I'm beyond impressed with the CVs. I know these get a lot of mixed responses since they are considered a "party speaker" by many, but they excel with so many genres at low levels.

Compared to the Dynacos, these have objectively clearer highs, insanely immersive imaging, and better all around clarity. I will add the Dynacos have been recapped with Solens several years ago that did help some with high frequencies.

The best way I could describe the difference is if your sitting in an old style theater/concert hall, the Dynacos sound like they are at the very back of the stage, maybe even behind the curtains whereas the Cerwin Vegas sound like your walking around stage with the musicians. It really is quite that noticeable when switching between the two during the same song - and I have both sets positioned optimally for the room after tweaking with placement for some time.

Since getting these I realized how much audio information I had been missing with the Dynacos. The Dave Brubeck quartet sounds like it's in the room with me - I can hear the subtleties with the drums, the valves on Paul Desmond's saxophone, and more. U2's Joshua Tree sounds MASSIVE and I can hear all of Brian Eno's work at play. I could go on and on about all the the things I've noticed.

Will I sell the Dynacos? No, they are in pristine shape and still nice to listen to for certain genres. The only area the CVs lack are the lows and upper-mid lows. The Dynacos still have a bit lower extension in that area and are generally more full sounding. But overall they are a huge upgrade and everything I've been missing in my system.

Tell me your thoughts on my potentially controversial take that CVs sound better than Dynacos!

 

[rickb119]

I've not heard the Dynaco's, so can't comment as the which is better. I have however owned 2 pair of the CV D3's and, as you mentioned, did consider them to be a good 'party speaker'. I ended up giving both sets away, and the recipients commented on how well they liked them; which simply confirms the adage, 'different strokes..."

As long as you're happy with them, enjoy, and don't be concerned with what others think. However, don't turn down an opportunity to listen to other makes/models of speakers as you may discover and hear what you never knew was missing from the CV's.

 

[OldJBL]

I bought a pair of D3s from Circuit City in the late 1980s. Once I got them home they didn't sound the same as they did in the store which isn't too unusual. Circuit City had a 30 day return policy similar to Best Buy does today so I took them back. I ended up replacing them with a pair of JBL L100t3s which I still have today. D3s will definitely crank out the sound! My guess is that you will probably replace them one day but they will serve as a stepping stone to get to the speaker(s) that will satisfy you more. Or maybe these will be your end game speakers. Only you can decide if this is so. I agree with @rickb119 about continuing to audition speakers.

 

[Isaac C.]

I've not heard the Dynaco's, so can't comment as the which is better. I have however owned 2 pair of the CV D3's and, as you mentioned, did consider them to be a good 'party speaker'. I ended up giving both sets away, and the recipients commented on how well they liked them; which simply confirms the adage, 'different strokes..."

As long as you're happy with them, enjoy, and don't be concerned with what others think. However, don't turn down an opportunity to listen to other makes/models of speakers as you may discover and hear what you never knew was missing from the CV's.

I won't! I've tried some large Advents (these only lasted a day in my system) and Sansui SP-2500s (sold them but wish I didn't). I wouldn't say the CVs are endgame speakers but definitely a step towards the sound qualities I'm looking for. As nice as the Dynacos are, they are very 2 dimensional compared to the CVs. I'm still wanting to try some KEFs, Infinitys, and Dalquists at some point though.

 

[Isaac C.]

I bought a pair of D3s from Circuit City in the late 1980s. Once I got them home they didn't sound the same as they did in the store which isn't too unusual. Circuit City had a 30 day return policy similar to Best Buy does today so I took them back. I ended up replacing them with a pair of JBL L100t3s which I still have today. D3s will definitely crank out the sound! My guess is that you will probably replace them one day but they will serve as a stepping stone to get to the speaker(s) that will satisfy you more. Or maybe these will be your end game speakers. Only you can decide if this is so. I agree with @rickb119 about continuing to audition speakers.

Yep! I try not to get too stuck on the next piece of gear and enjoy what I currently have at the moment, but I'm sure I'll come across something else that I might like better.

 

[rickb119]

Lot's of good sounding vintage speakers out there. It all depends on the sound you're wanting, and the price you're willing to pay.

 

[OldJBL]

Yep! I try not to get too stuck on the next piece of gear and enjoy what I currently have at the moment, but I'm sure I'll come across something else that I might like better.

I don't care for the process of auditioning gear looking for the next best thing all that much. Especially speakers because there are so many to chose from and the ones I gravitate to are on the larger side. I have been content for a long time with a pair of JBL L5 floor standing speakers. I know there are better speakers out there but the time and effort to find a better pair, at a reasonable cost, just isn't worth it. I have other things I would rather spend the time on. This said, I wouldn't mind building a pair of speakers at some point.

 

[sound hound]

Although my experience with Dynaco is from the distant past, I used to be a Dynaco loyalist, even visited the factory when it was in Philadelphia. When the speaker first came out, I bought it. I paired it with my Mark III amp and the Dynatuner. I was still a mono man back then. But when I heard the Fulton FMI-80, it displaced the A25. If you have an opportunity, you might look at the Fulton thread here. The FMI is the speaker that became my standard for evaluating speakers. Openness to possibilities will reward you in your search for utopian sound.

 

[GyroTuner]

Tell me your thoughts on my potentially controversial take that CVs sound better than Dynacos!

I have not owned either the D-3s or the A25s, but I've had the D-5s for quite a while and have owned lots of acoustic suspension speakers (ADS, Advent, Avid, Bostons), as well as sealed cabinet passive radiator speakers like the Polk Monitor 7.

As two very general rules, I think acoustic suspension and passive radiator speakers sound better than ported speakers, and that big speakers sound better than little speakers. I think all the love for ADS reflects that, its hard to beat a big acoustic suspension speaker.

Having said that, if you want a big, ported speaker, you can do way worse than the D-5s. I imagine that the D-3s and the rest of the D line are also very good. Vegas get a bad rap from many, but I personally think their speakers are underrated. They knew what they were doing, and built some good stuff.

 

[superdog]

I have not owned either the D-3s or the A25s, but I've had the D-5s for quite a while and have owned lots of acoustic suspension speakers (ADS, Advent, Avid, Bostons), as well as sealed cabinet passive radiator speakers like the Polk Monitor 7.

As two very general rules, I think acoustic suspension and passive radiator speakers sound better than ported speakers, and that big speakers sound better than little speakers. I think all the love for ADS reflects that, its hard to beat a big acoustic suspension speaker.

Having said that, if you want a big, ported speaker, you can do way worse than the D-5s. I imagine that the D-3s and the rest of the D line are also very good. Vegas get a bad rap from many, but I personally think their speakers are underrated. They knew what they were doing, and built some good stuff.

I had some D5s that sounded pretty good to me.Its all about what sound we prefer and when we prefer that sound.

 

[krautmaster]

Turn the tweeter control on your A25's up a notch or two and give them another listen. The D3's are definitely louder but can become fatiguing after a while, which never happens with A-25's...

 

[leesonic]

This is the reason why you can't just have one pair of speakers. Or ten pairs...

If you like them, then that's great. I've often championed the similar sounding DCM KX10 and KX12 models. They aren't the most accurate sounding speaker, but they are very efficient, so you'll get quite loud with only a couple of watts of tube amplification, if that's your thing.

 

[pauldrewry]

You haven't mentioned whether you changed the caps on the Dyacos. If not, that may bring some new life to them.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Tell me your thoughts on my potentially controversial take that CVs sound better than Dynacos

I want to listen to a system that I like the sound of without concern for what others think of the gear I use to get there. You have found a sound you like and that is all good.

The Dynacos are a popular speakers because they got a great rating by Consumers Reports, #1 Best Buy, so these were sold by the truck load. They had the flattest frequency response in CR’s tests, they were not listening for what they liked. They do well in bass response in smaller rooms and don’t sound bad. The limited high end extension is just part of what you get with them.

I don’t know the CVD3 sound but it seems a more pronounced high end would be a big benefit when comparing to the A25. Glad you’ve for a speaker you can enjoy.

You haven't mentioned whether you changed the caps on the Dyacos

He indicated he Solen-ed them a few years ago.

 

[Blue Shadow]

I try not to get too stuck on the next piece of gear and enjoy what I currently have at the moment, but I'm sure I'll come across something else that I might like better.

That is a good way to enjoy the rig. Try other stuff as it comes along but liking what you have now is good.

Lot's of good sounding vintage speakers out there

Lots of good newer speakers out there, too.

 

[freeagent]

I have seen that a lot of people like to snub their nose at CV, and that is absolutely fine.

But in my limited experience, my CV's sound better than my Def Techs, Energy's, Mirage, Mission, and Tannoys..

For all music genres.. I had to do some exploring outside of my normal listening material..

It really was an easy win too..

I bought mine for 500CAD, and after these I will probably buy a new set from them. 15s of course.. but not the 215s.. maybe.. I do want another 555 so.. maybe..

 

[Lazardo]

I haven't gone through many type of speakers. My best samplings have been from DIY with a pair of Dynaudio Gemini bookshelf speakers I built and my main for some time now. A pair of horn augmented bass reflex design from Pi speakers. With 15" Eminence woofers and 1" Eminence horn coupled compression tweeters. Their big and articulate sound has sold me on that format. As the OP states. Being there.

 

[Isaac C.]

Turn the tweeter control on your A25's up a notch or two and give them another listen. The D3's are definitely louder but can become fatiguing after a while, which never happens with A-25's...

Yeah, so I have my A25s one click below the max and the D3s one click from the bottom. For the A25s that gives enough extra high-end without sounding forced and for the D3s it keeps them from being as fatiguing - which seems to be more prominent with certain modern music I listen to.

 

[Isaac C.]

This is the reason why you can't just have one pair of speakers. Or ten pairs...

If you like them, then that's great. I've often championed the similar sounding DCM KX10 and KX12 models. They aren't the most accurate sounding speaker, but they are very efficient, so you'll get quite loud with only a couple of watts of tube amplification, if that's your thing.

I would have too many pairs of speakers if I could haha!

 

[Isaac C.]

I have not owned either the D-3s or the A25s, but I've had the D-5s for quite a while and have owned lots of acoustic suspension speakers (ADS, Advent, Avid, Bostons), as well as sealed cabinet passive radiator speakers like the Polk Monitor 7.

As two very general rules, I think acoustic suspension and passive radiator speakers sound better than ported speakers, and that big speakers sound better than little speakers. I think all the love for ADS reflects that, its hard to beat a big acoustic suspension speaker.

Having said that, if you want a big, ported speaker, you can do way worse than the D-5s. I imagine that the D-3s and the rest of the D line are also very good. Vegas get a bad rap from many, but I personally think their speakers are underrated. They knew what they were doing, and built some good stuff.

I would still like to get my hands on some of the bigger ADS models one of these days.