Short answer: the AsciLab C6B. It ranks #6 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $1,145; the Dynaudio Special Forty ranks #148, rated 3.5/5, and costs $3,600, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The AsciLab C6B is the more accurate pick. Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.33 against 4.73 for the Dynaudio Special Forty. Watch for: Bass rolls off around 50Hz in-room (F3 54Hz, F10 35Hz), so a subwoofer is needed for real extension below that.
The case for the Dynaudio Special Forty: Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet. The tradeoff: A glaring, sometimes sibilant quality around 3-4kHz was the most noticeable issue in listening, the one thing the reviewer would want notched out with EQ.
Buy the AsciLab C6B. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Special Forty and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position.
Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab C6B | Dynaudio Special Forty | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1145 per pair | $3600 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 10.4”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 264.2 mm) | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 2.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6” Aluminium Ceramic Cone with cast Aluminium Chassis woofer, 1” Aluminium Ceramic Dome tweeter | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 | 4.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.28 | 6.74 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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