Short answer: the Buchardt S400 MK3, if you are buying new. The Buchardt Audio S400 ranks higher than it (#30 vs #77 of 222 bookshelf speakers, 4.4/5 vs 4.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Buchardt S400 MK3 is still sold new at $2,300.
Why pick the Buchardt S400 MK3: A redesigned compact bookshelf speaker with a larger 7.5 inch woofer, deep rated in-room bass, port plugs, and a ten year warranty. Watch for: No independent measurements have been published yet.
The Buchardt Audio S400 is the better-sounding choice. A compact bookshelf speaker with impressively deep bass for its size and smooth, broad dispersion, now discontinued but worth buying used. The catch: The impedance reaches 3.7 ohms (Erin), so a genuinely four-ohm-stable separate amplifier is recommended rather than a basic AVR.
Buy the Buchardt S400 MK3 if you want one new; the Buchardt Audio S400 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
About the ratings: the Buchardt S400 MK3’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.8 to 4.2, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt S400 MK3 | Buchardt Audio S400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 per pair | €1,800 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #77 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #30 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.2kHz (first order) | - |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 7.8”W x 11”D (392 x 198 x 280 mm) | 14.8”H x 7.1”W x 9.6”D (375 x 180 x 245 mm) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter in waveguide, 7.5” Satori Papyrus paper cone woofer | 0.74” waveguided tweeter; 6” aluminum woofer |
| Frequency Response | 33Hz - 20kHz (in-room, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB anechoic, 90dB in-room (manufacturer specified) | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) each | 16.1 lbs (7.30 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed with rear passive radiator |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.23 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.43 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Buchardt S400 MK3: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Buchardt Audio S400: 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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