Dynaudio-Which one should I buy with around $5000.

Yes I have and found the 25's sounded slow & plodding with a thumpy bass compared to the 40's...I have also owned the Excite X14's & heard the Excite X18's in my system & the X34's at a shop & feel they are superb value speakers...

Has anyone here had the opportunity to compare Special 25 and Special 40? Could be an interesting comparison.

For your budget If I can give advice will start with Confidence series even if buy used speaker but performance is top notch !
if small room start with C1 or if room big enough try C2 .

$3600 gets you the special forty's and stands 
They are very special. At least audition them. 
I bought mine the moment I heard them. 

You can get a brand new pair of Dynaudio Contour 30 - Ivory Oak Finish for $5250 from an authorized Dyn dealer in the Audiogon listings now. Dynaudio discontinued that finish so the dealer bought all remaining US stock and is blowing them out.

If I were spending $5k on new speakers I would jump on those.

Used Contour 30's

Hi guys, just found this topic as I'm a c1 signature happy owner and Dynaudio fan.I find very good information here. I had the C1 S with solid for about a year and decided to move to tubes after I tried a lampizator dsd dac. I enjoyed the 3d sound so much that I wanted to try a tube amp. Enter the Ayon spirit lll generation 4, on the beginning I was worried about enough power from tubes but I'll tell you they sound wonderful with tubes. My room is 12 by 16 with some acoustic treatment and they fully energize the room with low bass easily in the 30hz. Now I didn't get this from the beginning I had to work with some tube rolling and cables but I'll tell you am glad I did. 

I m trying to sell a pair of speakers so that I can pursue Albert Porters recommendation for a used pair of C1 Confidence Platinums

hey @netz1, i wanted to reach out because i am a long time dynaudio fan and a current raidho dealer. i moved up from dynaudio to raidho and have never looked back - the raidho sound is different (and more to my tastes). most notably, the bass is more defined on raidhos but it doesn't have the sheer power that the dyns can muster. i do find the raidhos to be more airy, have a larger soundstage, and just have that x-factor that makes you fall in love with a speaker. prior to first demoing raidhos i never thought i'd move on from dyns (having demo'd wilsons, focals, magicos, etc)

feel free to pm me if you want to discuss further and for some price quotes on raidhos. maybe we can make a deal happen!

I was very impressed by the C20's.  I would suggest picking them up. 

In really depends on your room size for proper bass with or with out a sub, The Special 25,s should be on your list of auditions and usually can be had for $3000.00.

Stretch the budget and pick up the 60's.

After break-in - spectacular.  Worth the cash.  No need for a subwoofer, just spectacular.

Have seen them out there for 7k asking.

C20 has plenty of low end for me and I consider myself a basehead. Thought I would opt for C30 but have been very happy with C20. However I only sit 8’ or so from them. C20 plays louder with no issue from the woofer bottoming out. If you like loud bass heavy music then C1 may not be for you. Black C20 for sale here now at a nice price.

+1 C1 Signature. I'm not sure why I don't own some. 

I think the Contour 3.4LEs are a fine speaker and can be found almost new for your budget. 

With Dynaudio I’d suggest

Either stick to their small two ways (which they do better than most) like the Contour/Confidence old or new version.

OR I think you are better off with another line of speakers for a good three way as the good three ways with Dynaudio are in their top of the line range - and get very expensive (above budget). Three ways in their mid range tend to be bass heavy and lack PRAT 

You might consider looking for a pair of Contour 5.4's. I had them for a few years, and really enjoyed them. Mine used were $5000, but that was over 10 years ago, I'm sure they could be found for far less these days.

Regards,
Dan

C1 Signature used for sure.