DYNAUDIO CONFIDENCE 20A

The Dynaudio Confidence 20A represents the latest evolution in active high-fidelity. They are born from the idea of transforming the renowned Confidence 20 passive speakers into an even more advanced hi-fi system, thanks to the integration of professional amplifiers directly inside their elegant stands. The result? A perfect balance between minimalist design, studio-grade audio technology, and ease of use: just add a source – analog or digital – with volume control, and let yourself be enveloped by unparalleled sound quality.

Why Dynaudio Created Confidence 20A

Dynaudio boasts a long-standing tradition in the field of active speakers (XEO, Focus, Pro series) and decided to take a further leap forward, bringing the concept of "active" to the top of their offering. The idea behind Confidence 20A was both simple and ambitious:

• Create a "definitive" audio system for enthusiasts, so complete as to make the choice of separate amplifiers or components superfluous.
• Design a compact speaker capable of rivaling larger passive configurations, while preserving the refined aesthetics and distinctive elements of the Confidence series.
• Concentrate the best of technology and performance, thanks to the experience gained with Dynaudio professional monitors and the most advanced engineering solutions.

A true Endgame: the search for the perfect speaker is over!

In a traditional system, the audiophile might dedicate time and energy to choosing the "perfect" amplifier. With Confidence 20A, Dynaudio offers a different approach: the amplifiers are already selected, customized, and optimized for the internal transducers. If you prefer simplicity and want a top-level setup without getting lost in too many choices, these speakers are the ultimate solution.

"The result is an active listening system of absolute excellence,
capable of going beyond traditional hi-fi standards"

Pure Performance: Reference Active Listening

Confidence 20A is the evolution of a Dynaudio classic that had already amazed with its design, tonal quality, and components. Now, with integrated amplifiers in the stand, audio signal management, and DSP processing, the listening experience takes a leap forward, placing the speaker at the top of the active hi-fi market. Thanks to this integration:

• No more need for separate amplifiers or complex wiring.
• The calibration and matching between amplification modules and drivers occur optimally, ensuring extraordinary sonic transparency.
• The aesthetics remain clean: from a visual standpoint, Confidence 20A is an elegant bookshelf (or dedicated stand) speaker devoid of external elements that disturb its silhouette.

Externally, the new Confidence 20A maintains the unmistakable style of the Confidence series, with the addition of some details that highlight its active nature:

• Black front baffle, in harmony with the driver trim rings.
• "Y" shaped indicator on the front of the stand, which also acts as a status LED.
• Ventilation slots on the sides of the aluminum stand, essential for proper cooling of the electronics.
• Controls and connections on the back of the stand, elegantly integrated.

The stand, made of aluminum, is not just a design element: it acts as a heat sink for the amplifiers and is designed to add overall stability, consequently improving acoustic performance. The air passage is studied to favor cooling, while the lower part houses the reflex port with Exponentially Shaped Dual Flared (ESDF) geometry.

Amplifier: Power and Control

The amplification section of Confidence 20A derives directly from Dynaudio's experience in the professional sector. At the base, we find the solid collaboration with Pascal, who supplies the power modules, while the preamplification section (front-end) is entirely designed by Dynaudio:

• 400 W dedicated to the woofer for impeccable handling of mid-low frequencies.
• 150 W dedicated to the tweeter, ensuring maximum precision on highs and a huge power reserve.

In reality, the woofer module handles up to 500 W but is limited to match the maximum power to the driver's excursion, avoiding distortion or stress on the transducer. This ensures ample headroom and effortless reproduction even at high volumes.

Integration in the Stand

The choice to integrate the amplifier into the stand guarantees greater design freedom inside the cabinet and maintains the speaker's dimensions unaltered. Furthermore, the entire aluminum body acts as a heat sink, improving overall reliability and stability.

"No distortion, maximum dynamics:
Confidence 20A brings musical reproduction to its apex"

Esotar 3 Tweeter

The beating heart of every high-end Dynaudio speaker, the Esotar 3 tweeter is an engineering masterpiece:

• Coated soft dome (28 mm), the result of decades of refinements in DSR coating.
• Hexis, the inner dome that reduces unwanted resonances and contributes to a uniform frequency response.
• Ultra-lightweight aluminum voice coil for lightning-fast transients.
• Powerful neodymium magnet, designed to increase sensitivity and improve dynamics.
• Damped metal rear chamber, which lowers the resonance frequency and favors extremely clean high frequency reproduction.

Also used in the M series studio monitors, the Esotar 3 is a guarantee of precision and vivid details, representing one of the best tweeters on the market.

Filter Tuning: DSP Signal Processing

One of the most fascinating aspects of an active speaker is the ability to manage the crossover filter digitally, without the constraints of traditional passive components. Confidence 20A adopts a "less is more" approach:

• Minimum-phase IIR digital filter, with specially designed slopes and values.
• 2-way crossover with crossover point fixed at approximately 2500 Hz.
• Advanced time correction and the ability to precisely set equalization levels.

The result is a wide soundstage, a natural transient response, and excellent phase coherence. The music breathes and the listener perceives remarkable immersiveness, even with a processing load that remains transparent.

NeoTec MSP Woofer

For the mid-low range, Confidence 20A adopts an 18 cm NeoTec MSP woofer, the result of years of research:

• MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone, Dynaudio's proprietary material, which balances lightness, rigidity, and damping.
• Aluminum voice coil mounted on a fiberglass support, to reduce parasitic currents (eddy currents effect) and ensure optimal control of movement.
• Compact and powerful neodymium magnet, which optimizes the internal airflow of the cabinet.

The cone and dust cap are made in one piece, improving stability and precision in reproduction.

The result is a woofer capable of offering speed, impact, and definition, maintaining harmony and tonal coherence with the tweeter.

Not All Reflex Ports Are Equal

Dynaudio Confidence 20A uses an innovative Exponentially Shaped Dual Flared Port, designed to:

• Almost completely eliminate flow noise and reduce turbulence.
• Optimize low-end performance, with a surprising extension for a speaker of this size.
• Maintain timbral purity that is also reflected in the mid and high frequencies.

The optimized exponential shape allows for constant and regular air passage. The refinement of the port is accompanied by DSP processing, which can "recover" any small volume differences at certain frequencies. The result is superior sound balance, with powerful and controlled bass.

Limiter with Look Ahead Processor

To protect the drivers from overload and distortion, Confidence 20A integrates an intelligent limiter, designed to activate only under extreme conditions:

• Look Ahead Processor: a 1 ms buffer allows to "predict" any peaks.
• Protects both from instantaneous overload (excessive excursion) and from prolonged overload (overheating or over-supply).

At normal listening levels, the limiter remains inconsequential, ensuring maximum signal purity. Even when it comes into operation, it intervenes gradually and almost inaudibly, preserving the music from unwanted alterations.

Y-Shaped Front Indicator

The "Y" on the stand of Confidence 20A is not just a design quirk, but also acts as a status indicator:

• Steady white (variable intensity according to setting): the speaker is on and operational.
• Red flashing synchronized to the signal: clipping is occurring on the analog input; it may be necessary to reduce the sensitivity or the output volume from the source.
• Rapid red flashing: thermal protection active, with consequent automatic volume reduction or, in extreme cases, shutdown.

Versatile Connections

On the back of the stand are all the necessary connections:

• Balanced XLR analog input.
• XLR digital input (AES3) for professional or high-end sources.
• XLR digital output (AES3) to cascade a second speaker (in a stereo system, the other channel) or other devices.
• Service port (reserved for specialized technical interventions).

Therefore, just a source with volume control (digital or analog) is enough to create a complete hi-fi system, without any additional external components.

Rear Controls

In addition to the connections, Confidence 20A offers various switches for fine configuration:

• Digital channel (Left/Right): choose whether the speaker should reproduce the left or right channel when using the AES3 digital input.
• Sample-rate conversion (Off/On):
  • Off: leaves the source sample rate unchanged, obtaining maximum fidelity but with possible brief mutes if the music file changes resolution.
  • On: converts the signal to 24/192, ensuring listening continuity without interruptions between tracks with different resolutions.
• Analogue sensitivity (Low/Mid/High): adjusts the gain of the analog input, avoiding clipping or levels that are too low.
• Sound balance (Dark/Neutral/Bright): three timbral balance options inspired by the filters of professional monitors.
• Position (Free/Wall/Corner): adapts the frequency response based on the speaker's placement in the room.
• Light (Off/Dim/On): adjusts the intensity of the front "Y" shaped LED.

Dynaudio Confidence 20a Technical Specifications

Type: Bookshelf
Analog inputs (Primary): XLR – balanced
Digital inputs (Primary): XLR – AES3
Digital outputs (Primary): XLR – AES3
Amplifier Power: 400W + 150W
AC Power Input: 100-240V 50/60Hz
Max Stand-by Power Consumption (W): 0.5
Max Power Consumption (W): 120VAC: 453W / 230VAC: 425
Frequency response (±3dB @ 85dB SPL): 33 – 25000Hz
Frequency response (--6 dB Dynamic): 30 – 28000Hz

Box Principle: Ported – Exponentially Shaped Dual Flared Port

Crossover: 2-way DSP based

Crossover Frequency (Hz): 2500Hz

Tweeter: 28mm Esotar 3

Woofer: 18cm NeoTec MSP

Weight kg: 28.5

Width/Height/Depth mm: 205.5 – 500 – 396

Width/Height/Depth mm incl. feet/grill/stand: 368 – 1119 – 457

Finishes: Space High Gloss, Snow High Gloss