As a C1 owner I would say yes. Contour s1.4's and Special 25's may have a tad more bass but to me both are also more forward sounding with a tad more 'punch' but lack the transparency - imaging and detail that the C1's have. You pay for it also. Everyone has their own tastes. I think 25 years ago (if all were available) either the S1.4's or special 25's would have been my choice for the cost factor. That being said today the C1's to me are an excellent value for the sound they reproduce.
And the "Best" Dynaudio monitor is...?
They've built quite a few monitors over the years. The C1 seems to be getting a lot of press recently but is it the "best" monitor they've built? For the money they should be but.....are they?