Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2 for better sound quality, the Buchardt A500 for the lower price. The HEDD Type 20 MK2 ranks #7 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers at $4800. The Buchardt A500 ranks #12 at $4150, $650 cheaper.
What the HEDD Type 20 MK2 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice flat on-axis response with a very smooth directivity index, plus an intentional boost at 40-50Hz for extra bass warmth. Watch for: Horizontal beamwidth is asymmetric (+60/-80 degrees depending on reference point) and narrows above 10kHz.
What the Buchardt A500 offers: A sophisticated three-way active system with 450W and DSP per cabinet, using the rear 6-inch driver as a cardioid/low-bass element rather than a passive radiator. Watch for: Passive sensitivity is not applicable and performance depends materially on the selected DSP master, so a single response specification cannot describe every setup.
Buy the HEDD Type 20 MK2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Buchardt A500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Type 20 MK2 | Buchardt A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4800 | $4,150/pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 11"W x 13.3"D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) | - |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) | - |
| Max SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) | - |
| Drivers | 7" honeycomb composite woofer, 4" honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) | - |
| Weight | 34 lbs / 15.4 kg each | 55.1 lbs / 25kg/pair |
| Output Power | 900W (3x300W) | - |
| Bass Extension | - | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Amplification | - | 3 x 150W per speaker |
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- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Buchardt A10
- Buchardt A500 vs JBL 4329P
The Two Speakers In Full
HEDD Type 20 MK2: $4800 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice flat on-axis response with a very smooth directivity index, plus an intentional boost at 40-50Hz for extra bass warmth. Predicted in-room response is nice and smooth. Early reflections integrate very cleanly with the direct sound, rated “very nice” by the reviewer. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is very good, staying well below the reviewer’s audibility threshold across the range. Its open-port configuration measures notably lower bass distortion than the same speaker run in closed-port mode.
Cons: Horizontal beamwidth is asymmetric (+60/-80 degrees depending on reference point) and narrows above 10kHz. Vertical directivity means listening position needs to stay at or below the reference axis for accurate tonal balance. At 96dB SPL/1m, distortion rises broadly across the spectrum, exceeding the reviewer’s audibility threshold over a wide frequency range - a notably worse result than at 86dB. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows resonances lingering in the 500Hz-2kHz region. Switching to closed-port mode increases bass distortion further, so the open-port configuration is preferable.
Full HEDD Type 20 MK2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 11"W x 13.3"D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 7" honeycomb composite woofer, 4" honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Max SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) |
| Output Power | 900W (3x300W) |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| Weight | 34 lbs / 15.4 kg each |
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Buchardt A500: $4,150/pair Buchardt Audio
Pros: A sophisticated three-way active system with 450W and DSP per cabinet, using the rear 6-inch driver as a cardioid/low-bass element rather than a passive radiator. Erin found neutral balance, excellent directivity matching through the shallow waveguide, strong imaging and surprisingly deep, clean bass for the enclosure size. Downloadable master tunings can trade extension, latency and maximum SPL, while the Platin hub adds WiSA wireless, room correction and streaming. Distortion remained unobtrusive even at levels Erin considered unnecessarily loud.
Cons: Passive sensitivity is not applicable and performance depends materially on the selected DSP master, so a single response specification cannot describe every setup. The standard tuning protects the small woofers with limiting at high bass output, and ultimate headroom cannot match a large tower or a subwoofer-assisted system. Hub dependence and app/software lifecycle add failure modes absent from passive speakers; analog input is converted to DSP, and the premium price buys an ecosystem as much as drivers and cabinet.
Full Buchardt A500 review and specifications →
| Amplification | 3 x 150W per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
| Dimensions | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches |
| Drivers | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs / 25kg/pair |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons