The Buchardt A500 ranks #12 out of 31 total Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See Top Recommended Speakers By Attribute for all the top speaker suggestions.
#12 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.
How it compares: Just above it: Kali Audio IN-8 - $3651 cheaper. Just below it: JBL 4305P - $1950 cheaper.
| 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 |
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