Short answer: the Dynaudio Special Forty if sound quality matters most, the XTZ Spirit 4 if price matters most. The Dynaudio Special Forty ranks #148 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 3.5/5, at $3,600. The XTZ Spirit 4 ranks #159, rated 3.4/5, at $477, $3,123 cheaper.
The Dynaudio Special Forty is the more accurate choice. Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.73 against 4.18 for the XTZ Spirit 4. 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.
What the XTZ Spirit 4 does well: Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass. The tradeoff: The third-party measurement is low confidence.
Buy the Dynaudio Special Forty when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the XTZ Spirit 4 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet.
Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Special Forty | XTZ Spirit 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3600 per pair | $477 per pair |
| Ranked | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #159 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 40.0Hz (measured, Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) | 13.8H x 7.5W x 10.6D in |
| 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) | 86dB |
| Drivers | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter | 1” dome tweeter, 6.5” woofer |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.73 | 4.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.74 | 6.30 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way passive, rear-ported |
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