Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2, if you are buying new. The Buchardt A500 ranks higher than it (#15 vs #18 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, 4.6/5 vs 4.5/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the HEDD Type 20 MK2 is still sold new at $4,800.
What the HEDD Type 20 MK2 does well: The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 7.69 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting.
What the Buchardt A500 does well: Erin measured unusually deep bass for the cabinet size: 24.9Hz at -3dB. The tradeoff: Bass extension depends on the selected tuning and comes with output tradeoffs at high levels.
Buy the HEDD Type 20 MK2, since the Buchardt A500 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Type 20 MK2 | Buchardt A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4800 per pair | $4,150 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #15 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 23.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 24.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | 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) | 25Hz - 40kHz (+/- 1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) | XLR, WiSA |
| 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 |
| Amplifier Power | 900W (3x300W) | 3 x 150W per speaker |
| Maximum SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.11 | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 | 7.92 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension | - | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Buchardt A500 compares with other leading options:
- Kii THREE vs Buchardt A500
- Genelec 8361A vs Buchardt A500
- Buchardt A500 vs Buchardt A10
- Yamaha HS8 vs Buchardt A500
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Buchardt A500
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
HEDD Type 20 MK2: $4800 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 7.69 with an ideal subwoofer. A 2.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids, while ported operation reduces deep-bass strain compared with the sealed setting in the review. Measured bass extension of 32Hz (-3dB).
Cons: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting. Horizontal asymmetry and vertical crossover behavior make orientation and listening position important. Distortion rises at higher output, and linear-phase processing can add latency for live monitoring.
Full HEDD Type 20 MK2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 900W (3x300W) |
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Maximum SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Buchardt A500: $4,150 per pair Discontinued Buchardt Audio eBay
Pros: Erin measured unusually deep bass for the cabinet size: 24.9Hz at -3dB. A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.02 standalone preference score support balanced, full-range listening. Master Tunings and optional wireless integration provide practical flexibility. Measured bass extension of 24.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass extension depends on the selected tuning and comes with output tradeoffs at high levels. The 7.92 ideal-subwoofer score is good but not class-leading. A rear-facing woofer does not by itself establish cardioid radiation, and alternate Master Tunings should not inherit the measured configuration’s score. Discontinued.
Full Buchardt A500 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 3 x 150W per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 23.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches |
| Drivers | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers |
| Frequency Response | 25Hz - 40kHz (+/- 1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, WiSA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.92 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25kg)/pair |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons