Short answer: the TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX). It ranks #1 of 84 bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Buchardt Audio S400 ranks #24.
What the TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) offers: A 3-way stand-mount design built around a coaxial tweeter-and-6.5” midrange assembly plus an 8” woofer, crossed over at 250Hz and 2kHz, rated for 200W and 86dB sensitivity (measured at about 85.2dB, 2.83V/1m). Watch for: Extraordinarily expensive at $87,500 per pair.
What the Buchardt Audio S400 offers: Compact passive design with a 6-inch aluminum woofer, rear passive radiator and waveguided 0.74-inch tweeter positioned below the woofer. Watch for: The impedance reaches 3.7 ohms (Erin), so a genuinely four-ohm-stable separate amplifier is recommended rather than a basic AVR.
Buy the TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Buchardt Audio S400 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) | Buchardt Audio S400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $87,500.00 | €1,800 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Coaxial 1.38" tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 8" woofer | 0.74" waveguided tweeter; 6" aluminum woofer |
| Weight | 101 lbs / 45.8 kg (101 lb) each | - |
| Sensitivity | 85.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 200W max | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 250Hz, 2kHz | - |
| Dimensions | 24.7"H x 13.4"W x 17.6"D (628 x 341 x 446 mm) (24.7"H x 13.4"W x 17.6"D) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 100kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Country of Origin | Japan | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed with rear passive radiator |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Perlisten S4b vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- Perlisten S4b vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- Perlisten S4b vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) vs Revel M106
- DIYSG HTM-12 v2 vs Buchardt Audio S400
The Two Speakers In Full
TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX): $87,500.00
Pros: A 3-way stand-mount design built around a coaxial tweeter-and-6.5” midrange assembly plus an 8” woofer, crossed over at 250Hz and 2kHz, rated for 200W and 86dB sensitivity (measured at about 85.2dB, 2.83V/1m). On-axis linearity holds within about ±3dB down to its F3 of 69Hz (F10 38Hz). The coaxial layout gives it exceptionally wide, consistent tonality moving around the room - both horizontally and vertically - since the tweeter and midrange radiate from the same point, unlike a conventional offset tweeter-over-woofer layout that narrows vertically much sooner. Harmonic and multitone distortion measured the lowest the reviewer has recorded to date, beating even the KEF Blade Two Meta and PS Audio Aspen FR10, previously his two lowest-distortion references. Compression is minimal - only about 0.5dB of low-frequency loss between 76dB and 102dB output (26dB of usable dynamic range), with softening only appearing at the very top end at 102dB. At 101 lbs each, the massive, heavily braced cabinet is completely inert - no audible panel resonance even driven hard with full-range bass. CTA-2034 sound power is excellent, and a mild dip in the lower treble/upper midrange shows up with smooth, consistent directivity through that region, indicating it’s a deliberate voicing choice rather than a crossover flaw.
Cons: Extraordinarily expensive at $87,500 per pair. Despite the manual recommending the speakers be placed close to a wall (about 1-2 feet) and aimed directly at the listener, the reviewer found direct on-axis aiming made the treble read a bit hot, and preferred toeing them out about 20-30° for a smoother top end - worth experimenting with in your own room. The mid-base-to-midrange transition region is deliberately sloped down in anechoic measurement, meaning it’s designed to be reinforced by nearby wall boundary gain rather than played free-standing well out into the room. At 101 lbs each, the speakers are genuinely difficult to move or set up alone.
Full TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
| Crossover Frequency | 250Hz, 2kHz |
| Dimensions | 24.7"H x 13.4"W x 17.6"D (628 x 341 x 446 mm) (24.7"H x 13.4"W x 17.6"D) |
| Drivers | Coaxial 1.38" tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 8" woofer |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 100kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 200W max |
| Sensitivity | 85.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 101 lbs / 45.8 kg (101 lb) each |
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Buchardt Audio S400: €1,800 Discontinued Buchardt Audio
Pros: Compact passive design with a 6-inch aluminum woofer, rear passive radiator and waveguided 0.74-inch tweeter positioned below the woofer. Erin measured F3/F10 at 53Hz/38Hz, approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and smooth, broad horizontal directivity. The waveguide controls crossover handoff effectively, the passive radiator avoids port chuffing, and Erin heard no objectionable narrow-band distortion despite excellent extension for the enclosure volume.
Cons: The impedance reaches 3.7 ohms (Erin), so a genuinely four-ohm-stable separate amplifier is recommended rather than a basic AVR. Low-frequency distortion naturally rises at high output and the compact woofer cannot supply theater-level deep bass; crossing to a subwoofer protects headroom. Erin measured narrow distortion features above 8-9kHz and vertical lobing outside the intended axis. This is the original S400, distinct from the S400 MKII already ranked. Discontinued.
Full Buchardt Audio S400 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 0.74" waveguided tweeter; 6" aluminum woofer |
| Impedance | 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 86dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed with rear passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons