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KEF R3 META or Dynaudio Special 40?

I am looking to replace my current office speakers (ML Motion 20i floorstander) with some standmounts. I like the ribbon tweeters on the MLs, especially for HT where I also have them, but I am looking for something with more sparkle for my office 2-channel rig. Amp is an Atoll in200 Sig integrated with a Node 2i for streaming and a Project Carbon Evo for vinyl. The office is small (10x10x9) and untreated (including the glass French doors). I will be treating in the future, but I mostly listen at low to medium volumes so it hasn't been a huge issue thus far. I am shopping the used market with a budget of ~$1500. Right now I am looking at two local options: new in box KEF R3 META ($1500) and Used Dynaudio Special 40 ($1400). The Dyns had a small dent in one tweeter that has been pulled out but you can still see an imperfection. Neither are available for demo. The Atoll has a warmer presentation. Have any of you AB’d the two with a similar amp? The tweeter imperfection in the Dynaudio is a bit concerning, but I wonder if there is any discernible effect. The tweeter can be replace for $350.

128x128rutlanda
grislybutter
3,494 posts
 

I am a big Dyna fan but I would stay away from the Special 40s. They never sounded special to me.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,138 posts
 

I've listened to the Dyns and strongly prefer Fritz Carbon 7's

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,098 posts
 

@avanti1960 

What are you talking about?

deep_333
1,627 posts
 

Get these Yamaha HS8 active monitors ($800/pair new, also found in white, grey) that have a lot of sparkle, clarity, resolution etc.. the other 2 options you were looking at are not very good at all.

https://shop.usa.yamaha.com/en/p/pro-audio/studio-monitors/hs8-studio-monitor-pair

Since they are active, you don’t need your amp. Get this Schiit Saga 2 class A preamp ($279) and run its balanced outputs to the monitors. Connect your analog and digital inputs to this preamp.

https://www.schiit.com/products/saga_2

Since they were new, you didn’t have to deal with some guy’s beat up junk. Tis a good day.

 

but I am looking for something with more sparkle for my office 2-channel rig.

Node 2i for streaming and a Project Carbon Evo for vinyl. The office is small (10x10x9)

Right now I am looking at two local options: new in box KEF R3 META ($1500) and Used Dynaudio Special 40 ($1400).

The Dyns had a small dent in one tweeter that has been pulled out but you can st

stevehardy1
82 posts
 

Get these Yamaha HS8 active monitors ($800/pair new, also found in white, grey) that have a lot of sparkle, clarity, resolution etc.. the other 2 options you were looking at are not very good at all.

Surely you jest! I have a pair in my project studio. Not bad to work up a rough mix, but they aren’t in the same league as the KEFS or the Dyns. Hell, even my little KEF LS50s have more "clarity & resolution, etc.." and much better imaging, which is almost non-existent in the Yamahas.  Also, the Yamahas are designed for near field monitoring, which is not what the original poster is looking for. 

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