Short answer: the Buchardt A500. It ranks #15 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $4,150; the JBL 4329P ranks #45, rated 4.1/5, and costs $4,500, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Buchardt A500 does well: Erin measured unusually deep bass for the cabinet size: 24.9Hz at -3dB. Watch for: Bass extension depends on the selected tuning and comes with output tradeoffs at high levels.
What the JBL 4329P does well: Measured -3dB extension of 32.2Hz provides deeper native bass than the smaller 4305P. Watch for: The measured 4.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes a notable midrange dip, so it is not as neutral as its size and price might suggest.
Worth knowing: the Buchardt A500 is discontinued, though it still ranks #15 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the Buchardt A500. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 4329P and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt A500 | JBL 4329P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,150 per pair Discontinued | $4,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 23.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 27Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Amplifier Power | 3 x 150W per speaker | 300W RMS per speaker (600W total system power) |
| Drivers | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers | 8” midwoofer, 1” compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn |
| Dimensions | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches | 20.3”H x 12.6”W x 12.7”D |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25kg)/pair | 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (primary), 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (secondary) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.02 | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.92 | 6.72 |
| Inputs | XLR, WiSA | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 25Hz - 40kHz (+/- 1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | - | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX Adaptive |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Buchardt A500:
- Kii THREE vs Buchardt A500
- Genelec 8361A vs Buchardt A500
- Buchardt A500 vs Buchardt A10
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Buchardt A500
- Yamaha HS8 vs Buchardt A500
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Buchardt A500: $4,150 per pair Discontinued Buchardt Audio eBay
Pros: Erin measured unusually deep bass for the cabinet size: 24.9Hz at -3dB. A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.02 standalone preference score support balanced, full-range listening. Master Tunings and optional wireless integration provide practical flexibility. Measured bass extension of 24.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass extension depends on the selected tuning and comes with output tradeoffs at high levels. The 7.92 ideal-subwoofer score is good but not class-leading. A rear-facing woofer does not by itself establish cardioid radiation, and alternate Master Tunings should not inherit the measured configuration’s score. Discontinued.
Full Buchardt A500 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 3 x 150W per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 23.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches |
| Drivers | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers |
| Frequency Response | 25Hz - 40kHz (+/- 1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, WiSA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.92 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25kg)/pair |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 4329P: $4,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 32.2Hz provides deeper native bass than the smaller 4305P. Integrated amplification and streaming make it convenient for a full-range living-room system, and its larger format is useful when scale matters. Measured bass extension of 31Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 102.2dB.
Cons: The measured 4.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes a notable midrange dip, so it is not as neutral as its size and price might suggest. Its 6.72 ideal-subwoofer score trails the 4305P. There is no HDMI connection for the simplest TV hookup. Discontinued.
Full JBL 4329P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 300W RMS per speaker (600W total system power) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 27Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20.3”H x 12.6”W x 12.7”D |
| Drivers | 8” midwoofer, 1” compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.72 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (primary), 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (secondary) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons