Dynaudio vs. Focal - Bookshelfs - Help me Decide!


Hi - first post here and trying to decide between the twice as expensive Dynaudio Special 40 and the Focal 906 bookshelf speakers. I've heard both (in different systems, different dealers) but since a month went by in between visits, I cannot say for sure that the Dyn S40s sounded twice as good and warrant paying $3,000 vs. $1,500 price tag.  These are my top 2 contenders. 

Anyone else compare these 2?  My room is 12 wide by 20 long, using 250 wpc hafler modded DH500 and Vincent tube preamp. I do have a PSB sub I can use as well. 

If I do spend $3,000 range, then perhaps the choice is between the Floorstander Focal 926 vs. the Dyn S40 bookshelf. I'd appreciate any advice, anyone who has owned these, or compared these at the same dealer side by side. Thanks very much !!
kansas400

Showing 4 responses by kosst_amojan

......or the OP could sweet talk a dealer into parting with some 1008Be's for marginally more than the Dynaudios and have a vastly better speaker. 
I'm almost certain I could make 1 phone call tomorrow and have 1008Be's in my living room in 10 days for about $3300. That's what I paid for my 936's and my dealer quoted me the same price for the 1008Be's. I'm talking new in the box so directly from Audio Plus Services, not demo models. 
I've heard the 726 side by side to the 926. The 926's are vastly better. Tighter bass, far more resolved mid-range, more precisely extended highs. 
@kansas400 

A bit more not that I've got more time...

I bought my 936's sight unseen based on the strength of hearing the 948, 926, and 726. 

If you're a whore for stellar imaging depth and detail, good luck beating the 900 series. Few speakers touch them in that regard, especially at that price. For the price of my 936's I could have landed some 1008Be's. They would have suited some of my tastes, but I wanted the bottom end grunt the 936's provided. I have no regrets. Compared to the 726's? Yeah, they're that much better. The F cone is a major improvement over polyglass. Every aspect of the sounds is better. Better definition. Better imaging. Better tone. More neutral and revealing. Plus they are built vastly better. And no, they're not bright. Not even close, unless you decide to pair them with an amp that is bright to begin with. The 936's aren't bright with my F5 unless I run low bias through the output stage.