Short answer: the Buchardt S400 MK3, if you are buying new. The Buchardt S400 MKII ranks higher than the Dynaudio Special Forty (#111 vs #148 of 222 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Buchardt S400 MK3, is rated 4.0/5 at $2,300 and is still sold new.
The Buchardt S400 MKII is the more accurate option. Bookshelf speakers with very flat sound, precise imaging and adjustable bass, now discontinued but worth buying used. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.38 against 4.73 for the Dynaudio Special Forty. The catch: Sounds a bit bright and slightly boosted above about 7-8kHz on-axis, even with 30° of toe-out: benefits from about 1 inch of sidewall absorption at the first reflection points to tame it.
What the Dynaudio Special Forty does well: 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 Buchardt S400 MK3, the replacement for the discontinued Buchardt S400 MKII; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Special Forty.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt S400 MKII | Dynaudio Special Forty | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2400 per pair Discontinued | $3600 per pair |
| Ranked | #111 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.4”H x 7”W x 11”D (365.8 x 177.8 x 279.4 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, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.7dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” aluminum cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 4.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.46 | 6.74 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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