Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Buchardt A500 is the better pick: it ranks #18 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.6/5), against #73 (rated 4.1/5) for the JBL 4329P. If you want one new, the Neumann KH 150 ranks #8 at $3,398.
The Buchardt A500 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Now discontinued but worth buying used: active speakers with remarkably deep bass for their size and balanced, full range sound. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.02 against 5.40 for the JBL 4329P. Its bass reaches about 24.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 31Hz for the JBL 4329P. Watch for: Bass extension depends on the selected tuning and comes with output tradeoffs at high levels.
What the JBL 4329P does well: Discontinued powered horn speakers with deep bass, streaming, and Bluetooth, a convenient full range living room system. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Buchardt A500 lacks. 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.
Buy the Buchardt A500 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Neumann KH 150 instead.
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Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Buchardt A500 reaches 23.4 Hz (10 dB down) against 27 Hz for the JBL 4329P, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Buchardt A500 scores 7.9 against 6.7 for the JBL 4329P on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt A500 | JBL 4329P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,150 per pair Discontinued | $4,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #73 of 119 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 |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Buchardt A500: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner video.
- JBL 4329P: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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