Short answer: the Behringer B2030P on value and directivity, the Dynaudio Special Forty for smoother tone. The B2030P’s CEA2034 spinorama shows strong horizontal directivity control and a wide beamwidth, though a resonance around 800Hz shows in the on-axis response and waterfall. At $220 versus $3,600 it is far cheaper, while the Special Forty’s smooth, “buttery” character is undercut by a glaring, sometimes sibilant quality around 3-4kHz.
Buy the Dynaudio Special Forty, since the Behringer B2030P is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Behringer B2030P | Dynaudio Special Forty | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220 per pair Discontinued | $3600 per pair |
| Ranked | #80 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #88 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.75” woofer, 0.75” ferrofluid-cooled tweeter | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Handling | up to 100W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot | ported |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.30 | 4.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 | 6.74 |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Behringer B2030P: $220 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows strong horizontal directivity control, keeping the response nearly constant off-axis through most of the audible spectrum, with a wide beamwidth that eases seating position and toe-in requirements. Distortion measurements hold up well against the pricier Revel M106 at both 86dB and 106dB SPL. With EQ to tame a resonance around 800Hz and a bit of a bass fill, the reviewer called it a “winner” that could play loud without bottoming out. Measured bass extension of 98.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.5dB.
Cons: A resonance around 800Hz shows up clearly in the on-axis response and the waterfall/CSD plot, and the flat, near-horizontal predicted in-room response makes it sound bright without an equalization target curve. Vertical directivity is only typical, not exceptional. Long discontinued: the reviewer noted you’ll have to hunt for a used pair.
Full Behringer B2030P review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in |
| Drivers | 6.75” woofer, 0.75” ferrofluid-cooled tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | up to 100W |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Dynaudio Special Forty: $3600 per pair Safe and Sound HQ eBay
Pros: Smooth, “buttery” overall tonal character consistent with Dynaudio’s house sound. Surprisingly precise, focused imaging despite wide horizontal radiation (about ±70°): atypical, since wide-radiating speakers usually sacrifice some image precision in reflective rooms. Strong output capability: reached 100-101dB average at 3.5 meters with no audible distortion or woofer distress, and compression testing at 102dB shows the cabinet holding up mechanically well at extreme output. Bass reaches a genuine 50Hz (potentially 40Hz) in most rooms from a rear-ported design. Distortion stays below 1% at 86dB and doesn’t cross 3% THD until about 50Hz even at 96dB. Extra weight and impact on snares and percussion around 700-800Hz that the reviewer found appealing on many tracks. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.5dB.
Cons: 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. Multiple enclosure resonances appear between 500Hz-1kHz across on-axis, listening window, early-reflections, and sound-power measurements, corroborated by independent third-party CSD data showing similar 500-800Hz cabinet resonances. A dip around 1.2kHz traces to a cone-edge-to-surround compliance mismatch in the driver itself (confirmed by testing the bare driver’s impedance): a known artifact common to many similarly-sized drivers across several manufacturers, contributing to elevated second-order distortion in that region. A somewhat laid-back, recessed 1-2kHz character (sometimes described as a “BBC dip”) gives an overall subdued quality that isn’t overtly problematic but shapes the tonal balance. Impedance drops below 3 ohms in the 100-200Hz region, requiring a genuinely 4-ohm-stable amplifier rather than an AVR. Rear port means it can’t be placed directly against a wall.
Full Dynaudio Special Forty review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.74 |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
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