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Dynaudio Contour S 1.4 vs Special 25?

Hello everyone,
Please, help me to solve my dilemma.
Recently I heard the Contour S 1.4 at the end of Naim electronics similar to mine which is CD 5x, NAC 202 and NAP 250.2. I played some of my favorite music – hard & heavy rock, electronica, acid-jazz and I was totally convinced about the speakers.
While trying to find some good deals in the used market I realized I could stretch for a used Special 25 pair as well.
The problem is that I haven’t heard the Special 25 neither in Naim system nor in A/B comparison with the S 1.4.
Could you please describe me the main differences, pros/cons etc. of both models.
I imagine the Special 25 are more detailed but on the bright side as well which I am trying to avoid – currently I am using huge studio monitors from Tannoy DMT 15 II, which are quite revealing, uninvolving and pain to listen to bad recorded rock&roll on them.
My listening room is rater small – 12 x 9 x 8 – may be a problem for the bigger back ports of the Specials?
On the other hand Special 25 are upper in the Dynaudio’s ladder and “the best sounding monitors” according to some but will they be better for my case?
Thanks for your suggestions!
Ivo
natzev_i
hoff48's avatar
hoff48
26 posts
 
I have the Special 25's in a 15X19X8.5 room. They fill my room very easily. I think they might be a bit much for a room your size. They have incredible bass response, but to get that they need to be into the room at least 3'.
The 25's and the C1's are two of the best monitors out there. I think the 25's are more suited to your taste in music, but again room size could be a problem. I have never heard the S1.4's, but I have listened to the 1.3SE's and they were an incredible little speaker.
rkerv
51 posts
 
The problem with the Special 25's is that you need great outboard to support them. If you have mid level outboard it is very hard to make them shine. I was using an Arcam FMJ32 with P1 monoblocks. I really was never wowed by the 25's, but then again I had the same size room as you. I do think they needed a ton of room to operate in. The tweeter was definately superior to the Esotec, but not mind blowing. The cabinet seemed to add something strange to the sound I was getting. That is why I ended up going back to the 1.3SE. I had the S1.4s, 1.3MKII, 1.3, and 140's. Between the 1.3SE and the S1.4, I would rather have the 1.3SE. There really is something special about the 1.3SE's. The S1.4's were a bit overblown to me. An exagerated bottom end and a top end that was not as exciting.
goatwuss
877 posts
 
It sounds like your question is whether to buy the S1.4 New from the dealer, or the Special 25 used off of Audiogon.

Go with the dealer. The S1.4s are excellent sounding, and unless you have complete top notch gear and room, they will not be your weakest link. The S25s are better, yes, with bigger dynamic capabilities, and a smoother top end due to the better tweeter. They are both ultimately similar sounding, though, and both completely awesome and incredibly dynamic (and full bass) for their size.

However.... and I don't mean to rain on any parades... but don't get Dynaudios with a 12x9 room. You will never by happy. Even though these Dynaudios are monitors, they need big rooms, even bigger than many floorstanders.

I had the S1.4s in a 13 x 15 room, and even this room was too small for them. No matter what I did with room treatments, the bass was peaky, and I couldn't drive enough current through them to get them to open up.

I would look for a small sealed box (or front ported) for that size room. For bass, with that sized room the placement flexibility of a small subwoofer would be best.
keithr
1,306 posts
 
the Special 25s have amped up treble as noted in two online reviews with measurements fwiw. weird as dyn usually is not noted for that
natzev_i OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for all your responses, gentlemen.
As far as I get it the Special 25s are really "special" in the Dyns ladder and are more revealing and unforgiving for the type of music I mainly listen to. Also they are harder to drive and place in smaller rooms as well.
Although I haven't made my final decision yet it seems I'll skip the Special 25 and will stick with S 1.4 or wait for a good deal on used C1 which are definitely the best choice, I suppose.
Thanks for all your help everybody!
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