Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2, if you are buying new. The Buchardt A500 ranks higher than it (#18 vs #26 of 119 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 $4,798.
What the HEDD Type 20 MK2 does well: Three-way studio monitors with balanced mids, useful deep bass, and switchable ported or sealed bass for different needs. The catch: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting.
The Buchardt A500 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Now discontinued but worth buying used: active speakers with remarkably deep bass for their size and balanced, full range sound. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.02 against 6.11 for the HEDD Type 20 MK2. Its bass reaches about 24.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 32Hz for the HEDD Type 20 MK2. The catch: 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.
Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (26 Hz vs 23.4 Hz, 10 dB down); preference score with a subwoofer (7.7 vs 7.9).
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Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Type 20 MK2 | Buchardt A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,798 per pair | $4,150 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 119 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 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- HEDD Type 20 MK2: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review.
- Buchardt A500: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner video.
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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