2. speakers
  3. 161477-141873

Would the dynaudio special 40's be a noticeable upgrade over the ELAC UF5?

Hello

I've been running the Elac Unifi UF5 (towers) on a yamaha A-S801 integrated for a year now and have been mostly happy with the sound but recently I've been looking into upgrading my speakers just to see what is out there, how much better does it get, or what am I going to hear that I'm not hearing now?

I found a good deal on a pair of mint Dynaudio Special 40's for 2K and have been considering getting them, but wondering whether is it going to be a noticeable upgrade or am I better saving longer for a bigger jump like the KEF Reference 1?

My source is Amazon music HDl being streamed from a bluesound node 2i, connected via optical to one of the two integrated that I have home right now
   The Yamaha A-S801
   A McIntosh MA8900 (loaner till next year only)

My Room is an 18x26 open floor plan that opens up to other rooms in the house. The ELAC's are currently places 2ft away from rear wall and 4.5 ft from the sidewalls and my listening position is ~8ft measured from the from the speakers.

As for the McIntosh, I borrowed it from a friend that was not using it since he sold his speakers and will take a few months to get his new set; I connected the ELAC's to it and I had the impression that it sounded nicer, but honestly couldn't pin point and after 2 weeks of listening I went back to the Yamaha and didn't feel I was missing much. When I mentioned that to my friend his answer was: "You need better speakers". So here I am. :)
asilvr
mcmvmx
108 posts
 
45 years experience under my belt I would buy the speakers and change the amp later . 
The better the speaker the more revealing . Get the speakers but be aware they will reveal much better the sonic differences between the Yamaha and Mac .
The dynaudios merit something like a pass lab , krell or Hegel . Something that will tell the the speaker what to do with a iron grip...pass labs keeps coming to mind. Take care friend and stay safe .
mcmvmx
108 posts
 
One more thing...try to get a dealer that will let you hear the amp in your system before buying . If not get another dealer if possible . Sonic differences sometimes are very obvious but sometimes take time to hear . The problem is that that which at the beginning is subtle in the long run is very obvious while the ear gets acostume to it .
mesch
3,501 posts
 
+1 mcmvmx. Focus on the speakers first. You have two amplifiers to use with them. Maybe take your Yammy 801 to a couple dealers and audition speakers with it. Any chance you could audition the 40s with the 801? 

Though the 40s are a good deal. they may not be the best deal for you. Have you auditioned them, or other speakers? 
mesch
3,501 posts
 
I should add that speakers add much to the character of a system, more so than other components. One has to understand what character best suits oneself first, then seek a  speaker having the best quality of that character based on budget. Higher quality speakers tend to 'call' for higher quality components to drive them.

I own the Yamaha A-S701 which I use in a 2ndary system. A very good amplifier at it's price point. I would think it capable for identifying a speaker of choice. After living with it driving a much higher budget speaker one might likely want to search for an upgrade in amplification. 

Again, identify speakers 1st.

Good luck in your quest.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 
+1 @mesch and @mcmvmx 
Controlling the conditions of the auditioning is crucial. 
And P.S. about the 40's -- I heard them in sequence with the others I mentioned in the Evoke line. There is really a different sound in the 40's but they are clearly Dynaudio siblings.

More to discover