Having owned Dynaudio's Confidence 5s, Confidence 3s, Contour 1.3SEs, and now the Special 25s, I'm definitely in the Dynaudio camp when it comes to sonic magic. I find the Spec 25s superior to all of the speakers listed above except, perhaps, the Con 3s, which they resemble sonically and visually. If you want your monitor speaker to be truly full range, i.e. not in need of a subwoofer, then the choice between the new Confidence 1 and the Spec 25 comes down easily in favor of the Spec 25. It is strong and tight, in-room, to the mid-30Hz region, and reproduces below that once broken in. It has the same esotar 2 tweeter that's in the Con 1, and uses technology borrowed from the Evidence line for the mid-woofer, as does, I believe, the Con 1. But the Con 1 is voiced "lighter" and needs a subwoofer since it is not nearly as full-range as the Spec 25. So unless you like the looks of the Con 1 (I personally don't like the looks of the entire new Confidence series) and absolutely want a subwoofer interfering with imaging, etc. (and Dynaudio doesn't have a matching one out yet), go for the Spec 25 (and save considerable $$ in the process). It's by far the best monitor I've heard, and I've heard most of them. You'll need a good, solid stand filled with lead shot and sand to properly isolate them and realize their full potential, though. I use the Osiris, which unfortunately is discontinued, but Dynaudio's own stand is very similar. And keep them away from the back wall or you'll have too much bass (don't use the foam plugs to make up for improper placement). Happy listening.