Short answer: the Buchardt A700. It ranks #6 of 8 powered floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $6,600; the B&O Beolab20 ranks #8, rated 3.5/5, and costs $15,000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Buchardt A700: The standard tuning measures a 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and scores 7.72 with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: Standard-mode bass crosses -3dB around 51Hz but continues to -6dB around 26Hz; it is not flat to the deepest advertised frequencies.
What the B&O Beolab20 does well: ASR measured bass reaching about 20Hz in a relatively compact enclosure, giving substantial low-end weight without a separate subwoofer. The catch: A 4.88 ideal-subwoofer preference score shows that deep bass does not compensate for the tonal flaws.
One note: the B&O Beolab20 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the Buchardt A700. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beolab20 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 A700 | B&O Beolab20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,600 per pair | $15000 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #6 of 8 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers | #8 of 8 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers |
| Drivers | 3/4” tweeter with waveguide, 6” midwoofer, 2x 6” front woofers, 2x 6” rear woofers | 10” driver woofer, 5” driver midrange, 0.75” Acoustic Lens tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 600W total (4x150W amplifier channels per speaker) | 640W (160W tweeter + 160W midrange + 320W dual woofer) |
| Dimensions | 40”H x 7”W x 11”D | 15.5”W x 32.3”H x 12”D (393.7 x 820.4 x 304.8 mm) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | <20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | RCA, Optical, Platin wireless hub (streaming) | PowerLink (RJ45), RCA, TOSLINK optical, WiSA wireless |
| DSP | Yes (multiple selectable Master Tuning profiles via USB, plus room/manual EQ via Platin hub app) | Yes (Digital Sound Engine) |
| App | Yes (with Platin hub) | Yes (B&O app) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.60 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.72 | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Weight | 61.7 lbs (28 kg) each | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) each |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 29kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 19.5Hz - 23.6kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adaptation: Free/Wall/Corner) |
| Outputs | - | PowerLink, TOSLINK |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes (WiSA) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Buchardt A700:
- KEF LS60 vs Buchardt A700
- KEF LS60 vs B&O Beolab20
- Pitt & Giblin Superwax Mini vs Pitt & Giblin Superwax
- Pitt & Giblin Superwax Mini vs Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1
- Pitt & Giblin Superwax vs Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1
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The Two Speakers In Full
Buchardt A700: $6,600 per pair Buchardt Audio eBay
Pros: The standard tuning measures a 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and scores 7.72 with an ideal subwoofer. Low midrange multitone distortion supports clean reproduction at ordinary listening levels. Selectable Master Tunings include cardioid operation for near-wall placement, while an optional Platin hub adds streaming and useful room and manual EQ. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Standard-mode bass crosses -3dB around 51Hz but continues to -6dB around 26Hz; it is not flat to the deepest advertised frequencies. Cardioid tuning changes that balance and bass reach substantially. The roughly +/-50-degree horizontal presentation is more focused than wider-radiating alternatives, and vertical listening height needs care. DSP limiting constrains loud full-range playback; a subwoofer with high-pass filtering can improve headroom.
Full Buchardt A700 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 600W total (4x150W amplifier channels per speaker) |
| App | Yes (with Platin hub) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (multiple selectable Master Tuning profiles via USB, plus room/manual EQ via Platin hub app) |
| Dimensions | 40”H x 7”W x 11”D |
| Drivers | 3/4” tweeter with waveguide, 6” midwoofer, 2x 6” front woofers, 2x 6” rear woofers |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 29kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Optical, Platin wireless hub (streaming) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.72 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 61.7 lbs (28 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beolab20: $15000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: ASR measured bass reaching about 20Hz in a relatively compact enclosure, giving substantial low-end weight without a separate subwoofer. Distortion at ordinary listening levels is respectable for the size. Built-in amplification and Free/Wall/Corner adjustment simplify integration into a compatible home system. Measured bass extension of 20Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A 4.88 ideal-subwoofer preference score shows that deep bass does not compensate for the tonal flaws. A roughly 5dB dip near 7kHz and uneven vertical response make treble balance sensitive to ear height. Midrange distortion rises at higher playback levels, with resonance-related problems around 700-800Hz and 5kHz. Difficult to recommend for neutral monitoring at its premium price. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beolab20 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 640W (160W tweeter + 160W midrange + 320W dual woofer) |
| App | Yes (B&O app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 20Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (Digital Sound Engine) |
| Dimensions | 15.5”W x 32.3”H x 12”D (393.7 x 820.4 x 304.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” driver woofer, 5” driver midrange, 0.75” Acoustic Lens tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adaptation: Free/Wall/Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 19.5Hz - 23.6kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | PowerLink (RJ45), RCA, TOSLINK optical, WiSA wireless |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | PowerLink, TOSLINK |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) each |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (WiSA) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons