Short answer: the Infinity IL10. It ranks #59 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $160; the Dynaudio Special Forty ranks #61 and costs $3600, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Infinity IL10 side: Impressively flat for a budget bookshelf. Set against that: Resonances at 600 and 5khz, which show up as distinct distortion spikes at 96dB SPL/1m in the same frequency regions.
The case for the Dynaudio Special Forty: Smooth, “buttery” overall tonal character consistent with Dynaudio’s house sound. 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 Infinity IL10. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Special Forty and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Infinity IL10 | Dynaudio Special Forty | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160 used, Discontinued | $3600 |
| Ranked | #59 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 5.9" MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1" Esotar soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6.5 kg | 17.9 lbs / 8.1 kg each |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 8.5"W x 11.5"D (397.0 x 216.0 x 292.0 mm) | 14.1"H x 7.7"W x 12.1"D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Infinity IL10: $160 used, Discontinued
Pros: Impressively flat for a budget bookshelf. Predicted in-room response is good aside from a bit of excess energy here and there. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays low and controlled outside two narrow resonance-driven peaks.
Cons: Resonances at 600 and 5khz, which show up as distinct distortion spikes at 96dB SPL/1m in the same frequency regions. Discontinued.
Full Infinity IL10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 8.5"W x 11.5"D (397.0 x 216.0 x 292.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dynaudio Special Forty: $3600 Safeandsoundhq
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs / 8.1 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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