Short answer: the Kii THREE for better sound quality, the Buchardt A500 for the lower price. The Kii THREE ranks #2 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers at $14000. The Buchardt A500 ranks #12 at $4150, $9850 cheaper.
What the Kii THREE offers: A genuinely full-range active cardioid monitor. Watch for: The protection limiter becomes evident above approximately 96dB at 1m; bass-heavy material can overdrive the compact woofers with an audible plop even though many tracks exceed 100dB at a four-meter seat.
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 Kii THREE if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Buchardt A500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kii THREE | Buchardt A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14,000/pair | $4,150/pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 28Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Drivers | Four 6.5" woofers; 5" midrange; 1" waveguided tweeter | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers |
| Amplification | Six Ncore channels, 1,500W total per speaker | 3 x 150W per speaker |
| Radiation | DSP-controlled cardioid above approximately 70-90Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 7.9"W x 15.7"D | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches |
| Weight | 42 lb each | 55.1 lbs / 25kg/pair |
| DSP | Yes; boundary, contour, phase-exact and low-latency modes | - |
| Bass Extension | - | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kii THREE: $14,000/pair Vintage King
Pros: A genuinely full-range active cardioid monitor. Erin measured a 28Hz F3, and boundary gain in his room kept useful response close to 20Hz. Four side/rear 6.5-inch woofers use DSP delay and cancellation to suppress rearward radiation above roughly 70-90Hz, reducing front-wall and sidewall interaction while the 5-inch midrange and waveguided tweeter maintain exceptionally smooth directivity. Six Ncore amplifier channels provide 1,500W total per cabinet, phase-exact mode offers precise impulse behavior, and Erin found imaging, tonal neutrality and left/right symmetry outstanding.
Cons: The protection limiter becomes evident above approximately 96dB at 1m; bass-heavy material can overdrive the compact woofers with an audible plop even though many tracks exceed 100dB at a four-meter seat. The BXT modules are the appropriate but very expensive solution for more deep-bass headroom. Erin preferred the treble control at -2dB because broad radiation around 3-5kHz could sound sharp. Phase-exact operation adds latency, while low-latency mode trades away some low-frequency correction. System cost, proprietary connectivity and 42-pound cabinets also narrow its audience.
Full Kii THREE review and specifications →
| Amplification | Six Ncore channels, 1,500W total per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 28Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Yes; boundary, contour, phase-exact and low-latency modes |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 7.9"W x 15.7"D |
| Drivers | Four 6.5" woofers; 5" midrange; 1" waveguided tweeter |
| Radiation | DSP-controlled cardioid above approximately 70-90Hz |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Weight | 42 lb 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