IMPRESSED! Dynaudio Heritage Special FULL REVIEW. My Last Speaker? My Last Audio Review?

#dynaudio #hifireviews #heritagespecial
My 10,000 Word Written Review: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2021/0...
My Instagram: / stevehuffofficial
Today I review the Dynaudio Heritage Special. This is a speaker limited to 2500 pairs worldwide, and I find out if it is as special as Dynaudio says it is! I share sound samples, and compare to the Special 40's and my Klipsch Heresy IV. After being into HIFi for 25 years, what will I think of these $7000 USD stand mount speakers?
This video is not monetized, nor do I have any affiliation with any dealer or Dynaudio. I bought these with my own money, they were not sent to me to review. I bought them from Dedicated Audio in Scottsdale AZ.
Dedicated Audio Heritage Special Page: www.dedicatedaudio.com/produc...
I run these with a Pass Labs INT-25 integrated amplifier and the pairing has amazing synergy. I also talk in this video as to why this may indeed be my last audio review for a while. Maybe not, but it could be!
My Photo Gear 2021:
My Studio Video Camera: bhpho.to/36yROze
My Main Video Lens: amzn.to/3rSAC0p
My Fave Digital Camera Body Ever: bhpho.to/3jCthxy
My 2021 Fave Mirrorless Full Frame: bhpho.to/3oJH1cX
My Crazy Editing Computer: bhpho.to/35vhnBc
My fave Display: bhpho.to/3q8MLgN
My fave 35mm Lens: bhpho.to/3s92EFU
My Canon: bhpho.to/3oBXHDl
My fave Canon RF Lens: bhpho.to/2MQCGXz
A Perfect KZbin Camera: amzn.to/3dc7xsJ
A Gorgeous 50mm Manual APO Lens: amzn.to/3rQfHLu
My Audio Gear 2021:
An AMAZING Tube Amp for LESS: amzn.to/2LeCl0E
This ALL IN ONE is Stunning: amzn.to/3bvPXzg
The Speakers I will Die With: amzn.to/3nBHZXs
The Best Klipsch Heritage Speaker Hack: amzn.to/2MXXTz7
The BEST Bang for the Buck Streamer: amzn.to/39oHATg
These are still my fave Bookshelf Speakers: amzn.to/3i5hgl9

[@tomtemp6810]

Enjoy your reviews so much, absolutely inspiring. Please keep it up. And I love these speakers too ...

[@mikegoppert4177]

Love listening to your reviews for the music as well. Found amazing tunes through your channel. Keep posting music suggestions.

[@MrSathishkumar1981]

Execellent in-depth review and keep rocking with this new born babies(HS) 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@HiFiHuff]

Thank you!

[@melvinmansatainday5771]

Best review ever. You seems sincere about this review

[@johnsimmons5056]

One thing I do have to say about your reviews is that not only are they very good but I have discovered a lot of cool music because of them.

[@not-ya-business]

You are very special to me. I'm watching you back from the mirrorless era with Fuji x100, Leica M240... but, audio to me is something... Thank you!

[@Miguelissimmo]

Damn, your setup seems to sound so transparent, lively, colorful, that when you're shooting with your camera in front of these speakers, I feel like you're filming an acoustic concert, in person .. What a great setup you have here, and not yet "crazy expensive" in my opinion ..

[@1968krug]

Thank you for sharing, love your style and your info vids.

[@larsraue6343]

Great Review! I had the Dynaudio Crafft, the only component I regret That I sold them

[@bobe3250]

Love these speakers! I already have more than one pair of of very high end speakers. I don't think I could ever say I'm done. When speakers like this come up, I'm always thinking of what room do I have left that I can put these in. So much fun. Thanks for sharing!

[@dougg1075]

I’ve been doing the refined thing for so long! , I tried the Heresy IVs and I haven’t enjoyed my system this much in years.

[@bikemike1118]

Like the last pictures of your vid with the snow outside blowing ...very cosy

[@brucecarter6205]

By far my favourite brand for a 2 channel music speaker. Amazing drivers! Loved the Special 40!

[@Skyshakerrrr]

I'm loving the special 40's as well dynaudio for life here.

[@chrisdearmitt7474]

@@Skyshakerrrr the GR Research crossover takes the Special 40 to a whole new level.

[@CaptainJamesTKirk-en4kt]

I had the S40 and they were nice, I wanted to go up the food chain and listened to both the Heritage and Confidence 20's, both excellent in my mind. To me, the Confidence 20 sounded more like a full-range speaker and had more 3D imaging than the Heritage, and was overall more balanced. So what he said about the Special 40's you can apply that type of logic when auditioning the Confidence 20's and Heritage. Regardless all were Superb, but a lot of these reviews are like buyer's justification reviews. ;)

[@bobsteele1199]

Great review. Sounds like you have found your hi-fi nirvana bro

[@mikeyp1866]

I'm hooked, love your passion and honesty and yes I believe you, you had me at heart . Just to let you know I listened to your opening with my Samsung s10 paired to a uE boom of utube and it sounded glorious, so to be in your home Space would be another super level obviously. But I'm sold , speakers and amp .love your work until you find another speaker 🤣cheers mate.

[@gozi8146]

thanks for the review... my personal goal for future is this same pass amplifier paired up with spendor d9.2‘s... immagine that would sound terrific 😅

[@Skyshakerrrr]

Firstable I'm happy you got what you have been searching for. Secondly I wish I had a pair 😪, But within 3 years to 5 years I will be on the market again. As I just got my first real audiophile setup. Enjoy it man.

[@veteq101]

Another great review. Thank you.

[@HiFiHuff]

Thank you!

[@juanmillaruelo7647]

Audiophile sound as well as sublime sports motorcycles. An unlikely, yet delicious treat for the senses of the initiated. :-)

[@ilkkajarvilehto346]

Thanks for your great review🤗👍 So, which one would be your choice of speakers for deserted island, Dynaudio Heritage Special or Klipsch Heresy IV? Thanks in advance for all great reviews to come🤗😁

[@frankverschoof8083]

I always loved Dynaudio, the Esotar especially, it produces high without being heard (rare in dometweeter land). Excellent driver, but they always winged cabinets and crossovers. With this speaker they went all the way: solid cabinet, good crossover components. This is a good size speaker also: big speakers, big problems. This reminds me of the early nineties, when Dynaudio was at its best.

[@scottlowell493]

I found them to be the anti-B&W. I found B&W tweeters always stick out.

[@LarsPallesen]

@@scottlowell493 I can confirm that the tweeters certainly stick out on my B&W 602 S3 to the point where I had to give up my longstanding "no tone controls" policy and switch in the tone controls to dial the treble back by 15-20% just to tame the damn titanium tweeters.

[@Stranded360]

I know you said these will be your last speakers but would love to see more of your audio gear =)

[@HiFiHuff]

I own Special 40's, a naim and musical fidelity amp, a few extra cables and power cords, and the Klipsch. I reviewed most of it.

[@audiomacaudiomac5019]

You may want to bring in the Grato AMP150 for a 30-day demo and compare it with the INT-25 driving these awesome speakers.

[@jasonme3557]

I have the Evoke 20's and they sound fantastic. I cant imagine they guys

[@zoranpavlovic3319]

Hey Jason, which amp drives your Evoke? I have Evoke 50 + Devialet ExpertPro 220 CI, but seems to me that Devialet is not powerful enough for my Evoke.

[@shiranRSA]

Loved the written review and this … number 365 … because music matters everyday of the year 💫

[@HiFiHuff]

Absolutely!

[@chrissnyder7968]

As a subscriber I have a request. You may have hit your destination as far as the audio gear is concerned but you are passionate about music as are many of us. I have been looking for any channels that discuss music. Music so good that the titles should be shared with others looking to broaden and deepen their love for music. I know it goes without saying, but if you play a really bad recording through your setup it is still going to sound really bad. I for one would love a couple of reviews that discuss your take on what you love listening to, not like but love. With your choice of gear out of the way, now you can spend more 2am nights enjoying your music. I hope you’ll consider taking us alone for the ride! (As you share, my hope would be your subscribers would share as well. A win/win for all perhaps .....)

[@JoshKaufmanstuff]

Great review! Your room doesn't seem well treated for audio, do you compensate somehow with the setup?

[@jamesb.walker9177]

Great review, very passionate! Did you paired with the Willsenton R8 Tube Integrated Amplifier?

[@parfridberg]

I have a pair of Herritage Special. They are fantastic! It’s hard to stop listening when you have started and they sound fantastic even on lower volumes. I’m a professional musician and also a recording engineer. Together with Dynaudio Sub 6 and Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 amplifier this setup is my last one. Love it!

[@kohnfutner9637]

I can live with the fact you found what you can live with and I can live with the cost because it's full package and hopefully the last you'll ever have to buy. I probably won't put this much in my system but it's nice to see where the road could end and it's within a realistic budget.

[@dianesinnett4391]

Sounds like you are sitting on the front row of a Great Concert!!!! Love them But out of my price range

[@topkho]

You should really try and review Harbeth speakers since you like voices and natural sound… would be priceless if you do and would be a huge contribution to the hifi community!

[@philb-ze8sz]

They look a lot like the Confidence series back in the 90s, and they were superb, I had the Confidence 5s and to this day I miss them, they looked simple but they could shake the room if on a recording.

[@wim1983]

2 boxes 7K? OMG!!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!! Nice review btw.

[@JohnVander70]

That’s a pretty solid setup.

[@yippie6862]

These will be Steve's last speakers just like the Lio integrated amp was his forever and last amplifier. :) The first step to understanding your addiction is first to acknowledge that you're an audiophile. You're always going to be changing around your audio gear. That's half of the fun.

[@stephencosta6814]

Leave us addicted people alone. Thank you lol

[@PH-gm2qe]

I only can agree. Those are the best sounding standmounts I ever heard.

[@kentonkirkpatrick5225]

Obviously beautiful speakers! Would like a comparison to B&W 805 D3. Enjoy!

[@Skyshakerrrr]

I bet base on reviews they probably image similarly but dynamics and texture I bet the dynaudio will beat it.

[@dougg1075]

After 80 years they finally perfected the speaker.

[@wanderbaldini2883]

it's clear that you never correctly listened to Dynaudio.

[@matthewharrington5526]

Just got these speakers. Wonderful! I have a Michi X3 amp that I’m driving them. Would the Pass Int amp be significantly better?

[@HenrikDall]

I have the entry level Emit M20 and even at that level the sound is fantastic.

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Your right I can’t stop listening to them

[@gokhanersan8561]

How much did you spend on the amp to make them sound satisfying?

[@veetour]

@@gokhanersan8561I would start with a similar priced point amp. If the speaker is $5000, I would go with an amp plus or minus $1000 from that price point, i.e. $4000 - $6000.

[@Simon-dn9kv]

Content until curiosity strikes again ;-)

[@miles9729]

Running “The Gryphon Diablo 300” with the Heritage Specials and can confirm these speakers are wonderful.

[@shaylevy2192]

Is it worth buying the Diablo 300 for the heritage or it is to much?

[@ajzepp8976]

Beautiful!

[@GentielioGaming]

i did order a pair. Did you tried these with class D? I have the Cherry Golden Maraschino from digital amp. It is the top system of class D.

[@thomasdonohue1120]

Guess I need to get into cameras to watch your videos then since you have a wonderful way of expressing yourself. My interest is piqued in these and I'll be making a call to a local dealer to see if there is any stock.

[@HiFiHuff]

Thank you!

[@Jake-2011-]

The last gear is always the next one.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thats true but their are some heavy hitters for price point

[@jonberg469]

Amen!

[@Skyshakerrrr]

Ain't that the truth.

[@robertm.5816]

Echo that!

[@timw.9466]

Story of the hobby. Mnfg needs returning revenue.

[@rolandgeorges960]

Great presentation, great speakers. Seriously, do they really sound that good with glass windows in the back and sides ?

[@juanmillaruelo7647]

Well, "low volume listening" was mentioned. If you listen in almost "near" or "mid field" you are not pumping so much energy that the bass overwhelms the room causing problems ...so many of us have had to resort to that configuration at different moments and situations, and if well handled can be perfectly adequate.

[@BottomFragSneer]

How would the Dynaudio Heritage compare with the Wilson Audio Tune Tots or Sabrina??

[@anandshah71]

Hope if u could show some measurements Wanting to hear Berilium tweeters with Purifi woofer That I think will be my 2 way spesker

[@dhmallet]

Commenting from the future. Everything in your system has changed 1 year later. Me too. It is hard to stop.

[@utubecomment21]

That's a lot of Cheddar! It seems since Wilson came out with the £10k Toto, more and more brands are realising they can charge high prices ... for average performance products! With that aside, I loved your comments, and your enthusiasm for what I think is a good brand … in an industry where far too many average products receive too much praise, based solely ... from what I can see … on the price!

[@KidCatypus]

Average performance. 😂

[@audiojunkie1047]

Have been upgrading many aspects of my system past couple of years and looking at speaker wire now. What is the brand and model you are using here? Also, if you would please... what is it about the wire you chose and what does it bring to the table for your end sound? Thanks for your time! Great sounding simple systems you have put together now and in the past!

[@KidCatypus]

He’s using Nordost. Maybe the Blue Heaven? That’s what I’m using with my HS and it’s incredible!

[@audiojunkie1047]

@@KidCatypus Thanks for replying... I'm surprised I never got a reply.

[@jdm-uk-yank]

Would you be able to give the differences between the Special 25, Special 40 and Heritage Special? Just over all differences from memory. Cheers

[@KeenAesthetic1]

Ah but is it the speakers or the amp? How much would those other speakers have been improved?

[@rickg8015]

They would likely be a good match to some Accuphase gear..

[@greenbow7888]

You absolutely should demo the TT2 or DAVE with your M-Scaler rig. Please anyone know what the power rating of the Pass Labs Int-25 at 4 ohm? (I know it's 25w/ch at 8 ohm.)

[@Borednlonely]

If you had to choose between the Klipsch and the Dynaudio Heritage which one would you choose?

[@dfj555]

How do they compare with the Harbeth Speakers?

[@adeypoos]

I so want a pair of these! What happened to the Nova and Vinnie Rossi?

[@RealHIFIHelp]

The cabinets are deeper than normal for this type of speaker, I bet that does a lot.

[@HiFiHuff]

Yes, I believe that helps.

[@javiermiranda3474]

Can you please compare these to the CSS Criton 1TD-X ? They can provide you a sample. I am eager to see how both compare.

[@MyNorthAmetican40]

When have I heard that before?

[@MowSow]

Nothing out there sounds better than Dynaudio, the tweeters are so clear without being sharp to hurt your ears like other speakers. I have a set of components in my car, nothing comes close !! My question is, where is your subwoofer ? It’s not true you don’t need one as you said !!

[@michaelweber5968]

I have been building speakers for sometime now and always thought I was doing something completely wrong because they sounded beautiful until I put on some of my favorite 80s music I would have to stick my fingers in my ears and scream. growing up in the 80s I never thought it was that bad (no wonder my parents hated it so much😂)

[@BeatPoet67]

The main problem is that a lot of 80s recordings were simply horribly compressed and flat sounding. Compare these with some great recordings from the 60s and it's like a veil is lifted.

[@Maccaboy1984]

Have you compared to the Contour 20i?

[@wayneg296]

Perfection 👍👍😎✌️

[@jonnlennox4176]

Hi How is your thinking about Dynaudio Heritage today after the time that has elapsed listening to them? Do they still seem definitive to you, the best you've heard from the brand? Best regard Jonn

[@jonnlennox4176]

@@joshklein6450 haha already sold them? wow, very fast-track speakers !!

[@ulfstensland2540]

I am really really enthusiastic about all the fuzz about this speaker. I alway wonder, can I make an upgrade from what I have today. MA9000 and XR50 is a great mix, but maybe having both McIntosh speakers and amp is coloring to much. Could it be that the SH would be more neutral on top of anything else and make the sound even better. Anybody has some experience matching the SP against McIntosh amps??

[@genotabby]

A bit late but there's one guy on KZbin Mark on hifi using a ma8900 with the HS. Myself I'm looking to upgrade my Hegel H360 to a ma12000.

[@margix1172]

A good looking Dynaudio at last

[@labalo5]

Wait. I’m confused. I thought the heresey wasn’t going anywhere?

[@PH-gm2qe]

These are a exceprional speakers IMO. When I first hear them I could not believe it is a standmount speaker.

[@anjinsan1977]

Got rid of my Heritage Specials last week and they are sorely missed already. One of the best standmount speakers I've had the pleasure of hearing. The Special 40's were wonderful with a Pass X1 and X250.5. Heritage Specials on a Pass integrated must be magic!

[@KidCatypus]

Why did you get rid of them already?

[@anjinsan1977]

@@KidCatypus I moved up to Confidence 20's

[@KidCatypus]

@@anjinsan1977 That’s interesting. I’ve been hoping to chat with someone thats heard both in the same room with same electronics. What things did each speaker do better or worse and what are your overall thoughts on the upgrade so far?

[@anjinsan1977]

@@KidCatypus The Confidence 20's are the better speaker overall. That becomes apparent from the first note, if you have both in your own listening room. More refinement, wide and recessed soundstage, great imaging, deeper bass. You can tell there was a good amount or research and development behind it. I feel they sacrificed a bit of the balance to make a standmount speaker with deep, room filling bass. They're more bass heavy than my larger 3 way horn speakers. Heritage Specials have superior (awesome) mid-bass and they reveal every detail. The presentation is more rough around the edges, somewhat fatiguing, and they are not forgiving of source material. IMO they score very high for listening enjoyment and have an addictive quality you won't find in most speakers. IMO they are a good value. Any shortcomings from the Confidence 20 and Heritage Specials are easy to deal with regardless of the criticism.

[@michaelgatti3811]

Thank you for another spot on review. I own the SP 40s but meet to match them wit an integrated. Int25 might be a bit steep for me. Next step down suggestions, tube hybrids perhaps to get best of quickness and smoothness of tubes? You mention supernait 3 in your fine article but nxs3 price fits me. Thank you, in need of suggestions.

[@danielmajors4561]

I love the SP 40's - I have a PS Audio Stellar Strata integrated amp with a Mac running Roon, and am just astonished every day at how good a 2 channel (no sub) system can sound. I can't afford the higher end equipment - although some would suggest my amp and speakers are high end. But, the PS Audio/Dynaudio pairing - to my old ears - are sublime.

[@ajaxord]

Do you know of a speaker brand that is producing bluetooth or wifi capable self powered stereo speakers that do not require an interconnect? I think KEF is the only brand??

[@neildonaghy123]

compared to the Cornwall 4?

[@locmanw1583]

Did you move to new home as room not the same?

[@divertiti]

What happened to the Line Magnetic amp?

[@DrBroncanuus]

so how do they compare to the Fleetwoods ?

[@pesto9]

I'm curious how these compare to Pulsars....

[@tms372]

Last speakers ? You mean for this month ?

[@wattimena]

well, should make the Avantgarde Duo as your last speakers! Lol

[@benjaminlasserre2781]

Superb Review

[@scottlowell493]

The special 40 aren't cheap, but they ARE radically cheaper than a lot of overhyped high end speakers. This shows what happens when you shop with your EARS, not just wallet. The Special 40> $9,500 B&W N805D.

[@Novilicious]

Amazing review!!!!!!! I must ask you: why do you not indulge in floorstanding Speakers. Something bigger with more scale? You go with quality above quantity but why not both sir? Pray tell!

[@KidCatypus]

Not required for a 12x18 room as mentioned.

[@jdm-uk-yank]

Is Class A inherently high current?

[@Eleysia1981]

Blue Heaven speaker cable?

[@blue_blue-1]

Best joke ever: my last speaker!

[@mrchinaski4125]

He likes to use this term because he’s a true salesman and if we just know we’re watching a salesman along with an audio file everything is good

[@Skyshakerrrr]

Its possible but unlikely.

[@gossipboynyc2434]

@@mrchinaski4125 paid by Dynaudio

[@dihydrotestosterone]

Flavor of the month... that's it. 🤔

[@philbarone4603]

I thought the Seville’s were your reference speakers, no?

[@rintu1232]

I'm FM India where I get this wonderful product

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

👍. BEAUTIFUL SPEAKERS BEAUTIFUL SOUNDS 😊. RELAX AND ENJOY THEM......But leave the grill covers off PLEASE😍😍😍

[@dgoullet1]

Did you try the Dynaudio Focus?

[@mikeutube7888]

I love dunaudio vocals and midrange ❤❤

[@outboardfun3353]

Why do you have speakers so close the side walls?

[@KidCatypus]

Maybe they sound best there. Stranger things have happened.

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Just curious what was the $26k standmount you owned?

[@PS987654321PS]

Stacked gold bullion.

[@trekjudas]

Your walls seem to be made of wood so you're good to go in that department.

[@GentielioGaming]

They got floorstanding speakers now!

[@billd9667]

You don’t fool me! You’ll be back in a year or less with your new last speaker. And you won’t be alone - I’ll be right there with you. That room looks perfect for some Magnepans... This is a disease and it’s expensive 🤕

[@xstensl8823]

all audio dealers are drug pushers

[@billd9667]

@@xstensl8823 Ain’t it da truth! I was considering upgrading from a Yamaha streaming receiver to a $5000 NAD M33 or Naim Uniti Star. Why? Will they sound 10x better? Of course not! Fact is, they may not sound better at all with my speakers. The n803 has been sounding very nice lately, matter of fact. I can see upgrading speakers, but electronics? That’s hokum in most cases, unless the upgrade has more features or more power. It’s laughable when people “upgrade” to an amp or preamp with just a volume control and input selector. I get a kick out of that. I guess it’s “good for the economy” though.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

It's a filthy disgusting habit.

[@KidCatypus]

@@xstensl8823 But they’re also getting high from their own supply. 😉

[@spvlinn9009]

No more jbl l82?