Short answer: the Buchardt S400 MK3. It ranks #77 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $2,300 and is still sold new; the Buchardt S400 MKII ranks #111 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the Buchardt S400 MK3 does well: A redesigned compact bookshelf speaker with a larger 7.5 inch woofer, deep rated in-room bass, port plugs, and a ten year warranty. The catch: No independent measurements have been published yet.
The case for the Buchardt S400 MKII: Bookshelf speakers with very flat sound, precise imaging and adjustable bass, now discontinued but worth buying used. The tradeoff: Sounds a bit bright and slightly boosted above about 7-8kHz on-axis, even with 30° of toe-out: benefits from about 1 inch of sidewall absorption at the first reflection points to tame it.
Buy the Buchardt S400 MK3. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Buchardt S400 MKII is discontinued.
Worth knowing: the Buchardt S400 MK3 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.8 to 4.2, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Efficiency: the Buchardt S400 MK3 is rated at 87 dB sensitivity against 84.7 dB for the Buchardt S400 MKII, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt S400 MK3 | Buchardt S400 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 per pair | $2400 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #77 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #111 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) | 14.4”H x 7”W x 11”D (365.8 x 177.8 x 279.4 mm) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter in waveguide, 7.5” Satori Papyrus paper cone woofer | 6.5” aluminum cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 33Hz - 20kHz (in-room, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB anechoic, 90dB in-room (manufacturer specified) | 84.7dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) each | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.46 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Buchardt S400 MK3: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Buchardt S400 MKII: 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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