upgrade path from my current speakers? (Dynaudio Special Forty)


Hi,

have gone through a rotation in the last couple of years, LS50's, Sonus Faber Lumina V's, Heresys, Fortes, Harbeth 30.2's and Habeth Super 5's

none of these sounded good to me

recently landed on Dynaudio Special Forty, loved them, upgraded to Heritage Special, really liked them also but went back to the Special Forty

this is the sound for me by far, nothing else has come close to pleasing me

I'd like to get to a tower that provides more bass and dynamics maintaining this sound profile

Contour and Confidence are on my short list

what else should I be looking at?

 

 

audiocanada

I agree with the sub suggestion.  Lots of used subs on the market.  Do 2 as they are easier to integrate. 

Re: Dynaudio; My at home experience was Contour 20 was a significant bass response upgrade from Special Forty.  Plus you don't lose the excellent natural vocal soundstage. 

Also add:  The resale market for your Special Forty's is very strong.  I'd reach out to some of the retail resale vendors as well as posting.  If you have original box and materials you may get near what you paid for them.

The Special 40 is unique in the lineup.  If you liked the HS you should enjoy the new Confidence floor standing models as they share the same tweeter.  I’m a huge fan of the Esotar3, it strikes the perfect balance of being detailed while never getting shrill or bright. The S40 uses a modified version of the older Esotar2 so perhaps the Contour i series would be a better fit. Either way I’d stick within the Dynaudio family if that’s the sound you prefer.  

Or do what I did and move the S40 to the bedroom and go with an entirely different type of floor stander for some variety. I went Klipsch Forte since nothing fills a big room like horns. If I had the space I would have went with La Scalas + subs. 

I've mentioned this on other threads asking the same questions about what could replace the Dynaudio Special 40 and it may just be the Revival Audio Atalante 3 monitors.

Daniel Edmonds is the owner and designer of all Revival Audio speakers. He designed speaker for Altec Lansing, JMLab-Focal and Dynaudio. As lead engineer at Dynaudio for 7 years he designed: Contour 2016 range, Special 40, Evoke, Confidence 2019, Contour i series 2020 and the Heritage Special. He knows a thing or two about speakers.

Try to audition a pair of Atalante 3s if you can. I bought mine sound/unheard based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews online from all over the world. Dealers had a difficult time keeping inventories in stock when they first came out. Everything is made in house (in France) and the drivers are designed by him and used only in his speakers. He's only been in business since 2021 and his prices can't be beat. For $2500, you can conceivably get a generation or two of improvement and refinement over his earlier designs.

All the best,
Nonoise