I've heard the Reference and it was a really smooth listen. Maybe a tad dark sounding, but I kinda like that signature. In a fairly large room the sub 40hz bass was missing, so that was probably my only gripe.
I've also listened to the special 40 and to me at had more sub bass impact, but this was in a smaller room. I thought it sounded a bit aggressive for my taste, but again it could have been the room. The Confidence 20 goes deeper in the bass than the special 40.
I've also listened to the special 40 and to me at had more sub bass impact, but this was in a smaller room. I thought it sounded a bit aggressive for my taste, but again it could have been the room. The Confidence 20 goes deeper in the bass than the special 40.