Short answer: the DIYSG HTM-12 v2. It ranks #14 of 84 bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Buchardt Audio S400 ranks #24.
What the DIYSG HTM-12 v2 offers: Purpose-built high-output cinema kit pairing a 12-inch woofer with a compression driver in a large SEOS waveguide. Watch for: Erin measured F3 at approximately 67Hz, the normal efficiency/bass-extension tradeoff of a high-sensitivity 12-inch design, so a subwoofer is mandatory.
What the Buchardt Audio S400 offers: Compact passive design with a 6-inch aluminum woofer, rear passive radiator and waveguided 0.74-inch tweeter positioned below the woofer. Watch for: The impedance reaches 3.7 ohms (Erin), so a genuinely four-ohm-stable separate amplifier is recommended rather than a basic AVR.
Buy the DIYSG HTM-12 v2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Buchardt Audio S400 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| DIYSG HTM-12 v2 | Buchardt Audio S400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Availability varies | €1,800 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | AVR-compatible impedance profile (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer; compression driver in SEOS waveguide | 0.74" waveguided tweeter; 6" aluminum woofer |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | sealed with rear passive radiator |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
DIYSG HTM-12 v2: Availability varies DIY Sound Group
Pros: Purpose-built high-output cinema kit pairing a 12-inch woofer with a compression driver in a large SEOS waveguide. Erin measured 91dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, extraordinarily low distortion—still below 1% to about 60Hz at 102dB—and only about 0.5dB tweeter compression at the same level. Horizontal directivity is consistent and crossover integration is unusually good, so response corrections remain EQ-friendly. The benign impedance curve can be driven by many capable AVRs.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at approximately 67Hz, the normal efficiency/bass-extension tradeoff of a high-sensitivity 12-inch design, so a subwoofer is mandatory. A few narrow resonances appear in the response, impedance and decay plots; Erin suggested crossover/component investigation could improve them. Vertical radiation narrows around the crossover, the unfinished kit requires cabinet assembly and finishing, and its broad baffle is visually and physically substantial.
Full DIYSG HTM-12 v2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer; compression driver in SEOS waveguide |
| Impedance | AVR-compatible impedance profile (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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Buchardt Audio S400: €1,800 Discontinued Buchardt Audio
Pros: Compact passive design with a 6-inch aluminum woofer, rear passive radiator and waveguided 0.74-inch tweeter positioned below the woofer. Erin measured F3/F10 at 53Hz/38Hz, approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and smooth, broad horizontal directivity. The waveguide controls crossover handoff effectively, the passive radiator avoids port chuffing, and Erin heard no objectionable narrow-band distortion despite excellent extension for the enclosure volume.
Cons: The impedance reaches 3.7 ohms (Erin), so a genuinely four-ohm-stable separate amplifier is recommended rather than a basic AVR. Low-frequency distortion naturally rises at high output and the compact woofer cannot supply theater-level deep bass; crossing to a subwoofer protects headroom. Erin measured narrow distortion features above 8-9kHz and vertical lobing outside the intended axis. This is the original S400, distinct from the S400 MKII already ranked. Discontinued.
Full Buchardt Audio S400 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 0.74" waveguided tweeter; 6" aluminum woofer |
| Impedance | 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed with rear passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons