Short answer: the Buchardt Audio E50. It ranks #16 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $4,600. The Perlisten A3m ranks #51, rated 4.2/5, at $3,000, $1,600 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the Perlisten A3m: A sealed high output monitor with dual 8 inch woofers and a waveguide tweeter, a great match for a subwoofer in a home theater. Watch for: The low-quality vendor Spinorama data measures only 85.8Hz at -3dB, 74.1Hz at -6dB, and 55.7Hz at -12dB, conflicting with Perlisten’s much deeper in-room extension claim.
The Buchardt Audio E50 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.84 against 4.30 for the Perlisten A3m. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 85.8Hz for the Perlisten A3m. The tradeoff: A roughly 3dB dip in the upper midrange/lower treble softens attack and dialogue clarity: the reviewer’s main complaint, and it’s baked into the crossover rather than a directivity artifact, so it’s audible both on and off axis.
Buy the Buchardt Audio E50. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,600 you would save on the Perlisten A3m does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A sealed high output monitor with dual 8 inch woofers and a waveguide tweeter, a great match for a subwoofer in a home theater.
A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten A3m | Buchardt Audio E50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,000 per pair | $4600 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 61Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Enclosure | Sealed | - |
| Drivers | Two 8-inch carbon-fiber woofers; 35mm Teteron dome tweeter | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB at 2.83V/1m | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; 3 ohms minimum | 4 ohms nominal |
| Dimensions | 26.6 x 11.0 x 13.8 in each | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) |
| Maximum SPL | 111.4dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.30 | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 | 7.61 |
| Weight | 63.9 lbs (29 kg) | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | Passive radiator loaded |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2000Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 60W - 200W |
| Country | - | Denmark |
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