Short answer: the Buchardt Audio E50. It ranks #16 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $4,600; the Dynaudio Heritage Special ranks #29, rated 4.4/5, and costs $7,000, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Buchardt Audio E50 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.84 against 4.32 for the Dynaudio Heritage Special. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 52Hz for the Dynaudio Heritage Special. The catch: A roughly 3dB dip in the upper midrange/lower treble softens attack and dialogue clarity: the reviewer’s main complaint, and it’s baked into the crossover rather than a directivity artifact, so it’s audible both on and off axis.
What the Dynaudio Heritage Special does well: A limited edition bookshelf speaker with huge output for its size, robust bass, and a big, well proportioned soundstage. Watch for: At lower listening volumes, dynamic range and kick-drum punch fell short of higher-sensitivity speakers the reviewer has tested (JBL 4367, KEF Reference 1 Meta): the sheer output ceiling is impressive, but it isn’t a highly dynamic-sounding speaker at modest levels.
Buy the Buchardt Audio E50. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Heritage Special and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall.
A limited edition bookshelf speaker with huge output for its size, robust bass, and a big, well proportioned soundstage.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt Audio E50 | Dynaudio Heritage Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4600 per pair | $7,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) | 15.2”H x 8.2”W x 12.6”D (385 x 208 x 320 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 5.1 ohms minimum, ported mode (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators | 18cm MSP cone woofer, 28mm Esotar 3 dome tweeter |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator loaded | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2000Hz | - |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 60W - 200W | - |
| Country | Denmark | Denmark |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.84 | 4.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | 6.33 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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