Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It ranks #41 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,748; the Dynaudio Special Forty ranks #148, rated 3.5/5, and costs $3,600, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Dynaudio Special Forty: Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet. Watch for: 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.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 is the more accurate choice. A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.88 against 4.73 for the Dynaudio Special Forty. Watch for: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Special Forty and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet.
A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Special Forty | Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3600 per pair | $1,748 per pair |
| Ranked | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Drivers | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.73 | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.74 | 7.95 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Power Handling | - | 150W continuous, 300W peak |
| Frequency Response | - | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Warranty | - | 7 years parts and labor |
| Country | - | United States |
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