Short answer: the Buchardt Audio E50 if sound quality matters most, the XTZ Spirit 4 if price matters most. The Buchardt Audio E50 ranks #16 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $4,600. The XTZ Spirit 4 ranks #159, rated 3.4/5, at $477, $4,123 cheaper.
Why pick the XTZ Spirit 4: Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass. Watch for: The third-party measurement is low confidence.
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 4.18 for the XTZ Spirit 4. Its bass reaches about 34Hz before falling 10dB, against 40Hz for the XTZ Spirit 4. 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 XTZ Spirit 4 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Buchardt Audio E50 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass.
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
| XTZ Spirit 4 | Buchardt Audio E50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $477 per pair | $4600 per pair |
| Ranked | #159 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 40.0Hz (measured, Spinorama data) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Enclosure | 2-way passive, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1” dome tweeter, 6.5” woofer | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 13.8H x 7.5W x 10.6D in | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms nominal |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.18 | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.30 | 7.61 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| 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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