Which speakers for stereo system is better Tannoy Definition DC10T or Dynaudion S5.4?
Contour s5.4 any day of the week....Also please do be aware that Tannoy and Dyns have very different presentation.
Exactly Tannoy and Dyn are very different animals. I have heard the DC10T and they were dynamic and big (in sound). I did no find them brash and would be happy to live with them. The Cabinet work was also superb.
Dyn's on the other hand (as mentioned earlier) will shine once you have 200W or so on tap. I have not heard the 5.4 but other Dyns I have heard (I have also DIYed using Dyn drivers in the late 80s) are a tad laid back.
Both are musical as are B&W 803D, Focal Electra 1038, etc. At this price range I would strongly suggest you to listen to at least 3 speakers before making a purchase.
Also when you says "different animals". What exactly you mean? Differents of what?
The Tannnoys are move lively than the Dyns I have heard (keep in mind I have NOT heard the 5.4). They also can bite if the recording allows it (very common in old poorly recorded brass music from the 70s).
The Dyns are mare laid back but they require a lot more power to "get moving".
I understand you are looking at purely a stereo sound but just for arguments sake I would that if I wanted the system to double for HT as well as stereo I would take the Tannoys. If however I had a pair of nice mono blocks that and swing volts and dump amps I would take the Dyns.
That said there are many other options at this price range ($10,000+/- 1000) including the big brands like B&W, Focal, KEF etc to smaller brands like Von Schweikert (VR5), PMC (PB1i) etc.
I would listen to at least 3, maybe more before I make any decision.