Dynaudio Evoke 30 Loudspeaker Review: A Premium 2.5-Way Floorstander

Experience rich, balanced sound with the Dynaudio Evoke 30 loudspeaker — a 2.5-way floorstander designed for audiophiles seeking excellence in mid-sized rooms.

Introduction to the Evoke Series

Dynaudio, the renowned Danish loudspeaker maker, launched its elegant Evoke series at the Munich High End show in 2018, with U.S. availability beginning mid-2019. While the series initially escaped my radar, the Evoke range deserves a closer look. This slender lineup consists of four models plus a center channel: compact two-way Evoke 10 and 20, and the taller floorstanders—the 36” Evoke 30 and the larger 49” Evoke 50.

The Evoke series perfectly occupies the middle ground in Dynaudio’s collection, becoming the brand’s best-seller in the U.S. and ranking third in overall sales globally. Pricing ranges from $1,699 for the Evoke 10 to $5,499 for the Evoke 50 per pair. Here, we dive deep into the $3,999 Evoke 30, a 2.5-way bass-reflex floorstanding speaker that strikes a perfect balance between performance and elegance.

Design and Build Quality

Visually, the Evoke 30 is a masterpiece of understated style. The cabinet exudes a low-key, traditional elegance with seamless construction and softly rounded corners. The front baffle measures seven inches wide and tapers to six inches at the back, all without a single visible screw or bolt. The speaker terminates with single-wire terminals near the cabinet’s base, just below the rear-firing bass port. Four brackets with adjustable spikes stabilize the slim cabinet, easily installed in pre-threaded mounts.

The cabinet’s rigidity is evident with the classic “knuckle-rap” test, which produced a crisp, high-pitched note, indicating excellent bracing. My review sample arrived in exquisite walnut veneer, flawlessly applied. The Evoke 30 is also available in black high gloss, white high gloss, and blonde wood veneer finishes.

Premium Components and Technology

The Evoke 30 benefits greatly from Dynaudio’s expertise and crossover technologies borrowed from higher-end Confidence models. Its high frequencies are handled by a Cerotar 28mm precision-coated soft-dome tweeter, which is a refined, scaled-down sibling of the Esotar tweeter. Driven by an advanced strontium-carbonate/ferrite+ ceramic magnet system, it maintains a powerful magnetic field without relying on neodymium.

This tweeter incorporates airflow systems from the Esotar, precision coatings from the Contour series, and the Confidence’s Hexis “inner” dome—a tiny dimpled device behind the soft dome that minimizes resonances and smooths frequency response. These innovations help deliver a smooth, natural treble response without harshness.

For the low and midrange, the Evoke 30 features a pair of 5.5″ Esotec+ mid/bass drivers. Each uses aluminum voice coils, glass-fiber formers, and Aramid-fiber spiders built around a rugged Magnesium Silicate Polymer (MSP) cone—a Dynaudio classic since 1977. The Contour-derived surround design allows extended cone excursion for punchier bass and midrange dynamics. The woofers, like the tweeter, are driven by ceramic ferrite+ magnets.

The speaker’s second-order crossover operates at 1.2kHz and 2.3kHz, keeping the design straightforward to ensure better sound fidelity and component quality. Thanks to Dynaudio’s in-house driver design, the Evoke 30 enjoys a simpler, more refined crossover than competitors who rely on sourced components.

Precision in Measurement and Setup

One key advantage for the Evoke 30 was its development in Dynaudio’s state-of-the-art Jupiter measurement facility in Skanderborg, a 17,200-square-foot R&D lab housing an expansive 13m-square Free Field Impulse Measurement Room. Here, speakers are suspended mid-air and analyzed by 31 microphones, allowing Dynaudio to fine-tune performance to exceptional levels.

Setup can make or break a speaker’s performance. In my modest-sized listening room with an asymmetrical bay window causing complex reflections, expert help from Dynaudio’s VP of Sales and Marketing, John Quick, proved invaluable. Precise toe-in angles and placement adjustments, down to the inch, unlocked the Evoke 30's full sonic potential.

System Integration and Listening Impressions

The Evoke 30 was tested alongside a Lumin S1 Media Player with the new X1 power supply, a SOTA Cosmos Total Eclipse turntable with SME V tonearm, and a Parasound JC 3+ phono preamp, Aesthetix Mimas integrated amplifier, and premium cabling. The newly installed EBI Khumar moving-coil cartridge ensured rich vinyl playback throughout.

Performance-wise, the Evoke 30 impressed with a wide frequency range that handled all musical styles effortlessly—from jazz combos and a cappella vocals to hard rock and delicate chamber music.

• The midrange was warm, full, and balanced.
• Treble was natural and airy without harshness.
• Bass extended deeply into the low 40Hz range with impressive weight.
• Dynamics ranged broadly and transients were crisp and clean.
• Mono playback was flawlessly centered, a testament to excellent driver matching.

For example, Paul McCartney’s bass line on “Daytripper” from the Beatles Mono Masters LP revealed crystal-clear detail and a precise soundstage.

Orchestral Sound and Imaging

The Evoke 30 delivered well-focused imaging and a spacious acoustic environment for orchestral recordings. Though not quite reaching the extreme depth and focus of ultra-high-end references like MBL 126 Radialstrahlers or Raidho X2.6, the speaker faithfully reproduced complex timbral shifts.

Listening to Andre Previn’s performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue demonstrated the Evoke 30’s broad tonal palette. Instruments like saxophone, tuba, and glockenspiel came through vividly, and the piano’s position on the soundstage felt true to a live concert.

Articulation and Vocal Performance

The Evoke 30’s articulation was superb without overdoing it. Excessive clarity often results in a harsh, fatiguing sound, but this speaker avoided that trap. It maintained a natural energy balance across the frequency spectrum.

Bass frequencies were solid but didn’t overextend, with a smooth roll-off below 40Hz. The port was effective and unobtrusive. Foam port plugs are supplied to tailor bass response to room acoustics if needed.

A personal highlight was the Evoke 30’s vocal reproduction. From bass-baritone Bryn Terfel to soprano Renée Fleming, the speaker handled complex vocal textures with vivid color and emotional expressiveness. Transitions from chest to upper registers were seamless, thanks to the close alignment of its drivers—about 11 inches from the low midrange cone to the tweeter dome center.

Bill Henderson’s “Send In The Clowns” from Live at the Times was a stunning demonstration of the speaker’s intimacy and resolution, capturing club ambiance and minute details like ice cubes clinking in a glass.

Room for Improvement

While the Evoke 30 is excellent, a few minor limitations exist:

• The top end could be a little sweeter and more open.
• Dynamic nuance, especially with brass and horns, might be slightly restrained compared to three-way designs.
• A touch more low-end extension would enhance spaciousness and immersion.

These are small quibbles relative to the speaker’s many strengths and can be addressed by stepping up to the Evoke 50 model.

Final Thoughts

Dynaudio’s Evoke 30 is a refined, musical speaker from a seasoned manufacturer that truly understands audiophile needs. Its size and output make it a near-perfect choice for small to medium rooms, even tempting some committed two-way stand-mount fans to explore floorstanders.

With a warm, balanced sound, excellent imaging, and solid bass performance, the Evoke 30 stands out as a top contender in its price range. It’s a loudspeaker that earns a hearty recommendation.

Specifications & Pricing

• Type: 2.5-way bass-reflex floorstander
• Drivers: 28mm tweeter; two 5.5” mid/woofers
• Frequency Response: 40Hz–23kHz
• Sensitivity: 88dB
• Impedance: 4 ohms
• Dimensions: 7.1” W x 35.4” H x 10.5” D
• Weight: 34.2 lbs each
• Price: $3,999 per pair

“The Evoke 30 spoke with one voice, expressing each performance with near point-source precision.” – Reviewer

FAQs

• What type of speaker is the Dynaudio Evoke 30?
  It’s a 2.5-way bass-reflex floorstanding speaker designed for balanced performance and room versatility.
• How does the Evoke 30 perform in small rooms?
  It’s ideal for small to medium-sized rooms, delivering excellent bass and clear imaging without overwhelming the space.
• What finishes are available for the Evoke 30?
  Available finishes include black high gloss, white high gloss, walnut veneer, and blonde wood veneer.
• Does the speaker handle vocals well?
  Yes, it reproduces vocal timbres accurately and expressively with smooth transitions across vocal ranges.
• Is the Evoke 30 suitable for all genres of music?
  Absolutely! It handles jazz, rock, classical, and vocal performances with warmth, clarity, and dynamic range.

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