The Buchardt Audio S400 ranks #24 out of 84 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See Top Recommended Speakers By Attribute for all the top speaker suggestions.
#24 Buchardt Audio S400: Discontinued 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.
How it compares: Just above it: Dynaudio Heritage Special - 1Hz lower bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: Selah Audio Purezza - 1Hz lower bass extension (-3dB).
| 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 |
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