Short answer: the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It ranks #96 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $5,750. The Dynaudio Special Forty ranks #148, rated 3.5/5, at $3,600, $2,150 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
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 Dynaudio Contour 20i is the better-sounding choice. Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. Watch for: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $2,150 you would save on the Dynaudio Special Forty does not close the gap.
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.
Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Special Forty | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3600 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 82.5dB |
| Drivers | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.73 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.74 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Dynaudio Contour 20i compares with other leading options: