The New Dynaudio Special Forty
Updated - January 6th 2022
The reception of the original Special Forty has been so great that Dynaudio has opted to re-release it. Available in two special finishes not to remove the originality of the limited-in-number Special Forty MK 1 which were available in Grey and Red high gloss Birch. Two original finishes not to be found anywhere else in the Dynaudio line-up.
You can buy the new Dynaudio Special Forty MKII from us here.
This isn't a review, reviews on this speaker have been done the world over, to outstanding praise. The Special Forty is very well established, we're here to deliver the news of the 2020 changes to this incredible stand mount.
We made a first look video of the Dynaudio Special Forty MKII in Ebony Wave when they first landed back in April 2020. Take a look below.
Same, but different?
New for 2020, the same superb speaker with all the same groundbreaking driver technology, in two brand new finishes. The beautifully elegant Ebony Wave with its light to medium oak coloured 'end-on-grain' high gloss lacquered finish, and the powerful stylish Black Vine high gloss lacquered finish.
As you can see, they're both quite striking. We love the fact Dynaudio has decided to honour the limited edition originals by setting out these new Special Forty only finishes and remained brave enough to re-release an otherwise special edition product, based on its incredible reception in the stereo world.
Unique Special Forty Finishes
If you're reading this you'll likely already know how accomplished the original is and you can rest assured this is the exact same speaker, with all of the tech of the original, just in a different coloured package.
The lacquer used on the new Special Forty we're told has been subject to change alongside the new Contour i line (more on that in our other blog post). A lot deeper, and more "true" so we should see a flatter finish. I can't say we ever had a problem with the earlier units, but every little helps in the constant pursuit of improvement we've come to expect from Dynaudio.
When we finally had delivery of the Black Vine colour, we made an unboxing where you can see the glorious finish. Take a look below.
The great thing about the Ebony Wave finish (pictured above) and something we have discussed in-house is it gives the option to have a Dynaudio Special Forty in a not-so-bold finish, for a more conventional natural decor, for instance, those looking for the speaker to blend into their living space. A little less "visual statement" that some may or may not be looking for.
We're in love with the Black Vine finish, it's extremely original 'red' strikes through its beautiful gloss black finish brings something really fresh to domestic loudspeaker finishing and design.
Lacquer Finish
Both cabinets are finished as we've come to expect from Dynaudio, with almost endless depth to their hard lacquered finishes coupled with their naturally perfectly flush fitting in-house drive units specially designed for the Special Forty through to the rear single binding post and port opening. All six walls of the cabinet are finished in the same grade, of course.
We're extremely excited whenever Dynaudio releases a new product and nothing has changed here. When Dynaudio develop a special edition speaker, every 10 years or so, they plough all of their expertise, all of their technical knowledge and development in raw drivers into one speaker.
It's a rare thing for a company not to rest on its sales figures of standard units and to actually hand out at a comparatively low cost (considering its performance) but technologically superior loudspeaker. We feel lucky that the Special Forty has been reintroduced, or for any of the special edition speakers actually.
Pricing
As of January 2022 the current price on the Dynaudio Special Forty MKII is £2800.
This is a price increase of £300 over the original MK1 set, which will of course, be a bit of a hot topic. This speaker still represents outstanding value for money. We've somewhat countered this, and more, with a deal detailed below.
Get 'Hands-On' with the new Special Forty
At any given time we usually have a set or 2 of the Ebony Wave and Black Vine models. Customers are more than welcome to come and listen to our demo set at any time. We do however, ask you to book an appointment so that we can have them set up for you and ensure nobody else will be in our listening area.
Our contact details are at the bottom of this blog post.
Our Offer and Shipping
We're offering, with each set sold, the option of 50% off Dynaudio's Stand 20 Speaker stands. So if you buy a Special 40 with a Stand 20, the Stand 20 will cost you £237.50 rather than £475, direct to your door. We can, of course, accommodate associated cabling needs should you wish.
To ship these to our clients turn around will be approx 2-3 days and will be free of charge.
We're available to answer questions, offer advice and generally chat about sound on - 01489 578951 and info@studioincar.co.uk or you can use the contact form on the site - Here
Technology
In case you missed it the first time around, other than their incredible finishes, here is some of the tech that makes the Special Forty so... Special.
The Esotar Forty Tweeter
Totally new, totally exclusive to the Special Forty… and totally amazing. In the Esotar Forty soft-dome tweeter, the team in Dynaudio Labs have tweaked airflow, lowered the resonant frequency and minimised distortion. Meanwhile, the DSR (Dynaudio Secret Recipe) precision coating finesses the diaphragm’s performance without letting its transient response waver or compress.
Dynaudio's best-ever 17cm Woofer
Dynaudio has been making great 17cm woofers for years – but that’s no reason not to tinker, so they decided to see if they could do even better. The Special Forty driver has an improved spider, optimised symmetry and a new, higher grade neodymium magnet for an even clearer, more honest performance.
Seamless Driver Overlap
Dynaudio used their classic first-order crossover techniques and ramped-up unique Phase Alignment and Impedance Alignment technologies. Specifically selected components handle the impedance optimisation and, because both drivers have extended frequency ranges for even better overlap and integration, their performance borders on the mesmerising.
Harnessing Nature
The woofer and Esotar Forty tweeter both take airflow to another level with new pressure conduits, shaped vents, optimised baskets and more – all serving to reduce unwanted pressure build-up and resonances. The woofer’s hybrid motor system, meanwhile, carefully manipulates magnetic flux for more power, less weight and far more controlled sound.
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 86dB (2.83V/1m)
- IEC power handling: 200W
- Impedance: 6Ω
- Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 41Hz–23kHz
- Box principle: Bass reflex rear ported
- Crossover: 2-way
- Crossover frequency: 2000Hz
- Crossover topology: 1st order
- Woofer: 17cm MSP cone
- Tweeter: 28mm Esotar Forty
- Weight: 8.1kg/17.9lb
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 198 x 360 x 307mm
- Dimensions with feet/grille (WxHxD): 198 x 360 x 322mm
Thanks for reading,
Carl, Studio Incar