Dynaudio Special Forty
Cutting-edge acoustic technology in a classic Dynaudio design.
The Special Forty anniversary speaker from Dynaudio is a celebration of four decades of advanced research, updated with the company's most iconic techniques and technologies. This isn't about introducing something revolutionary; rather, it offers a reflection on Dynaudio's history while also providing a glimpse into future innovations.
True to Dynaudio's heritage, the Special Forty exemplifies exquisite craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep passion for genuine sound that fans have come to expect. It represents the choice for aficionados: a straightforward pair of passive hi-fi speakers that honors the brand's legacy. However, this speaker doesn't just dwell on past achievements; it leverages them as a foundation to propel forward into new technological advancements.
Greatest hits… reimagined
We excel in creating compact speakers, a tradition we've upheld with pride. In homage to iconic models like the Special One, the Special Twenty-Five, the Crafft, and the Contour 1.3SE, we've ensured the Special Forty remains authentic, yet it's packed with sophisticated advancements.
An anniversary speaker wouldn't be complete without incorporating some of our most significant achievements. However, we haven't simply reunited the old hits without change. We've updated, enhanced, and reconfigured them to transition seamlessly into 2017 and beyond.
This is evident in the Special Forty's use of one of our hallmark first-order crossover designs, featuring our exclusive Phase Alignment and Impedance Alignment technologies. This design meticulously manages the signal flow between the woofer and tweeter, ensuring each driver receives precisely the frequencies it's designed to handle and performs optimally. The carefully chosen components optimize impedance, and with both drivers boasting extended frequency ranges for improved overlap and integration, the outcome is nearly spellbinding
The song remains the same
The Special Forty features a driver made from Dynaudio's exclusive MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) material, chosen for its ideal blend of stiffness, damping, and stability that ensures the most accurate sound reproduction. Distinctly, MSP's properties do not deteriorate over time, guaranteeing that the Special Forty speakers will perform just as excellently in the future as they do today.
The driver's cone is engineered with a meticulously developed symmetrical excursion, enhancing midrange performance. It's supported by an asymmetrical spider, acting as a passive harmonic rectifier, which reduces upper harmonics and refines the sound. This precision allows for the distinct recognition of individual parts within a musical composition, and even specific instruments within an orchestra, spotlighting performances such as those by the Third Violin section. The cone, a one-piece MSP design identifiable by special balance ribs around the central dust cap, ensures a robust connection to the voice coil and maintains its shape, especially important at higher volumes.
This assembly is anchored within Dynaudio's innovative AirFlow Basket, which secures the driver motor in the cabinet. The development of the AirFlow Basket represents a significant breakthrough by Dynaudio engineers, tasked with minimizing internal reflections and enhancing air movement without sacrificing the basket's rigidity or stability. Their solution is a testament to Dynaudio's commitment to continuous innovation and excellence in speaker design.
Airflow is king
The Esotar Forty tweeter introduces an advanced level of air manipulation. While it elegantly directs air with its Dynaudio Secret Recipe (DSR) precision-coated soft dome, the true marvel lies in the engineering behind the scenes.
Consider the innovative pressure conduit. This is a strategically designed vent at the back of the hybrid magnet system, which expands the space in the rear chamber. This extra space allows for the inclusion of additional damping material, diminishing back-pressure, and the vent's design itself enhances the flow of air from behind the dome.
Additionally, the tweeter features an aero-coupled pressure-release system located beneath the voice coil. This system effectively mitigates unwanted pressure accumulation that could impair the coil's movement. By preventing the formation of these air pockets, resonance is significantly reduced, leading to an even greater capacity for uncovering subtle details.
Flux optimisation and beam control
We enjoy challenging the laws of physics. Ultimately, physics has the final say (most of the time), but we frequently succeed in shaping it to our advantage, as demonstrated by our work with magnet systems.
The magnet system converts the electrical energy from your amplifier, channeled into the voice-coil, into the physical oscillations of the driver diaphragm. These oscillations are minuscule and rapid (particularly in the tweeter), requiring a delicate touch to fully capture the rich detail and emotion in your music.
Behind the woofer
IIn the woofer, we've refined our approach in two key ways: by integrating the magnet within the voice-coil, and by ingeniously manipulating magnetic energy.
Contrary to the common practice among other manufacturers of encircling the voice-coil's outer edge with the magnet, leaving the voice-coil itself empty, we position the magnet internally. This placement ensures the magnetic energy (or flux) is optimally concentrated around the voice-coil, where it's most effective. This strategy allows for a more efficient use of the magnet's power relative to its weight and minimizes internal sound reflections due to reduced material within the driver.
Additionally, we utilize a hybrid magnet system to achieve precise control over the flux and the movement of the voice-coil. A potent neodymium rare-earth magnet provides substantial force, distributing flux liberally, while a ferrite magnet moderates this force, directing the flux back to where it's needed most. The outcome is a symmetrical movement of the diaphragm, a decrease in second-harmonics, and a further enhancement in the accuracy and authenticity of the sound produced.
Box clever
Regarding the finish, whether you choose Grey Birch or Red Birch, our designers have crafted something exceptional for you. Our special anniversary speakers have always featured remarkable finishes, from the exquisite bird’s-eye maple of the Contour 1.3 SE, to the breathtaking burled birch of the Special Twenty-Five, and the extraordinary Mocca, Bordeaux, and Ivory veneers of the Sapphire. The Special Forty elevates this tradition even further. We challenged our team to innovate beyond what we've previously accomplished, and they embraced this challenge wholeheartedly. As a result, the finishes are raw, visceral, and striking. Our goal was for the Special Forty to visually embody the authenticity and honesty of the music they reproduce.
Enjoy the party!
More info: Dynaudio Special Forty