Short answer: the Danley SH50, if you are buying new. The Buchardt Audio S400 ranks higher than it (#30 vs #54 of 222 bookshelf speakers, 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Danley SH50 is still sold new at $8,000. The Buchardt Audio S400’s replacement, the Buchardt S400 MK3, is rated 4.0/5 at $2,300.
The Buchardt Audio S400 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A compact bookshelf speaker with impressively deep bass for its size and smooth, broad dispersion, now discontinued but worth buying used. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.23 against -0.29 for the Danley SH50. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the Danley SH50. Watch for: The impedance reaches 3.7 ohms (Erin), so a genuinely four-ohm-stable separate amplifier is recommended rather than a basic AVR.
Why pick the Danley SH50: A massive pro grade point source speaker with a single horn, extraordinary output, and tightly controlled sound for large rooms and venues. The tradeoff: This 133-pound, roughly 28-inch cube is engineered for venues and large rooms, not conventional domestic nearfield listening.
Buy the Danley SH50, since the Buchardt Audio S400 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Efficiency: the Danley SH50 is rated at 97 dB sensitivity against 86 dB for the Buchardt Audio S400, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (38 Hz vs 43.4 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt Audio S400 | Danley SH50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €1,800 per pair Discontinued | $8,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #30 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #54 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 97dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Just under 4 ohms near 100Hz and 1kHz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 0.74” waveguided tweeter; 6” aluminum woofer | Two 12” woofers; four 5” midranges; 1” compression driver in Synergy horn |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed with rear passive radiator | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.23 | -0.29 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.43 | 1.93 (spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 7.1”W x 9.6”D (375 x 180 x 245 mm) | 28”H x 28”W x 25.5”D |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.30 kg) each | 132.9 lbs (60.3 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Coverage | - | 50° horizontal x 50° vertical |
| Maximum SPL | - | 127dB continuous, 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Buchardt Audio S400: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Danley SH50: 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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