Please dont use those click sounds when descriptions appear. It sounds like my speakers are going to explode each time!🤗😉🤔🙄😬 Great info like always otherwise!
@@Newrecordday2013 Thanks! I actually thought I had a spike when I first turned on my Audio system. Funny thing is, I thought I might have keyword might have blown a tweeter! The funnier thing is you are goning to show us how to take apart this 530's in order get to the tweeter!🤯😝 I watch your video using my 590's so even more of a pain i* t** a** if that was the case.🤪 STAY SAFE!🤗😇
HA! I was just about to type something similar. If their volume were to be reduced a bit, it would be fine. But I want to add that the background music... I dunno... I watch youtube vids through a decent stereo and the ongoing music in the background track kind of become annoying at times, as it sometimes fights with what you're saying . That said, I do love these videos, and what I'm saying here is really so minor, I shouldn't have bothered even interjecting. But here I am! lol Cheers!
I did try the extreme toe-in for my S400s, and it did certainly result in a very strong center image, but a limited soundstage width. However, I couldn't do as extreme a toe-in lining the laser on the opposite edges of my listening chair as you could with a couch. Instead, I tried a toe-in of about 15 degrees (pointing straight ahead being 0 degrees). Magic. This gives a strong enough center image, but also a spacious, even soundstage. I think this is going to be highly room dependent. As for the thing about the resistors, you guys need to show your work on this one. You guys tend to just assert that better resistors = better sound. Either show it with measurements or with double blinded listening (e.g. have an assistant swap out one speaker modded and one not). You guys are not superhuman and free from expectation bias.
"Some speakers" "Other speakers" "Heard better"... Which ones specifically are you comparing to? That would be helpful in a review. OR, as another youtube reviewer often says, "Compared to what?"
@@Newrecordday2013 I bought the Adantes after your review. I thought they did a hell of a lot right. If they had more bottom end, I would have kept them. Years ago, I had a 2-way monitor with a 5.25 Scanspeak paper driver. The bass was out of this world. I judge every bookshelf by that speaker. Nothing stays in my system if you can not match that speaker. I was foolish to sell it.
I run my Buchardt s400s with a Hegel H190 amplifier and dual rel T7i subwoofers connected high level they sound fantastic really enjoying them no listener fatigue at all. My room is also treated which makes a big difference to the sound of your set up.
I own these speakers now for about half a year and with respect to positioning, especially if you have a modern interior with a lot of hard surfaces it is best to place them further apart with with NO TOE IN. With the toe in as suggested the sound becomes to direct and forward, I think because of early reflections. This will not be an issue if you have a fully treated listening room, but than again why would you go with Buchardt in the first place? Yes the center imaging is a little bit compromised, but it is still incredible compared to anything I heard before (including Kef and Dali floorstanders). I use them in a stereo set up with my TV and movie watching and even my girlfriend is everytime amazed by the fact that dialogues always seem to come from the TV screen rather than from the speakers. With respect to speaker stand height I would like to add that you should also account for the fact the speaker is slightly tilted backward. So in my case about 13 feet from the speakers smallers stands actually result in the perfect height. But again, the waveguide is that good that you get great imaging in a fairly large spot if you place them just straigth, with no toe in. I think the speakers are also designed to be used that way if you look at the modern interiors in Scandinavia.
I'm living with S400s for over a year now. It was one of my better audio related purchases, and it came with a great customer service! S400s sound very good out of the box, but I soon discovered that these Great Danes love high current amps. Crown class D did power them just fine, but when I switched to my old Parasound A21, I realized that the mids gained warmth and smoothness, the low-end and soundstage have expanded. Bingo! What a wonderful match. I've spent the last year or so with a Parasound A21 + Buchardt S400 combo. Not regretting a moment.
@@VickyLovesHeadphones I have that one, listening to it now on my lcd-2c. Hopefully I will have the s400 hooked up tomorrow....what else you got ? Need something I haven't heard before, I need MOAR. I actually haven't seeen the show yet either, its on my list. How far away do you have your speakers from the wall ?
@@jsharp9735 Well, I cannot advise MOAR regarding music selection. I will say though that lately I've been listening to a lot of new retro wave and 80's music (⌒‿⌒) S400s can be a party animal once you push that passive radiator. However, when listening at quiet levels that radiator is pretty much disengaged, making the S400s tame and polite sounding. I hope this will give you a few clues on music genres that will work on S400s for you. No matter how much I played with placement, I found that S400s image is just ok, not pinpoint accurate... and I don't think it's my room's fault really. Stage, however, can be easily tuned by pushing the speakers further apart. I perceive the S400s stage as an arch - The sound is coming from about 70cm high at the arch edges, and about 1m at its center. After much moving around, I settled my S400s on 80cm stands (with IsoAcoustics Aperta), 60cm from the back wall, 2.5m apart from each other, and tilted in towards shoulder level. This is what worked best for me in my room, so I do recommend you spend some time playing around with placement. Cheers, Vicky💖🎧🎧🎧
My comment on the extreme toe in setup: I own the s400s, I saw your video about the extreme toe in some weeks ago, and I tried it out, just like you described and also at many variations of it. In contrary to many feedbacks I read, it didn't work for me / my room. Yes the center image was more clear and stable, but for the price of a very small soundstage, almost in a way if you put the speakers very closely together. The setup I like most is a triangle with each length ~same, speakers pointing straight inti the room, no toe in. BR, Joe
I found the same. I’m still messing around with this setup, but If it works for Ron/others without reducing the soundstage width, it may be because my room isn’t wide enough (~10.5’)
@@rlowes You're maybe right. I saw the dimensions of your room and they are very close to the ones in my room. I also have the speakers along the shorter side of the room. Probably in contrast to you I already treated my room to get resonances, unclear bass out, and this also improved mids.
Talking about a good/bad room reflections is a give/take situation. Each wall has a slight different eq curve on the reflections, some speakers will work in a particular room while some don't. I feel the sound is more precise with less reflections, but more reflections gives with and depth to the sound. I'd like to have it all of course but its very difficult to achive in a living room. The dispersion pattern of the speaker also affects the reflections and sweetspot size. I'd like a large dispersion pattern but it lowers the efficiency so larger driver is needed which has its own problems. With current speakers technology its impossible to have it all, so with that in mind it sounds like this speaker achived all its design goals. On an objective engineering standpoint this speaker is well made.
When you say certain area's of the sound signature of this speaker don't match up to others, who are the others? What price point are you comparing them to? A $200 a pair speaker? A $10,000 a pair speaker? What brand are you comparing them to? You talk about them using sand cast resistors. Many, many manufactures of $10,000+ a pair speakers use sand cast resistors. Never heard you complain about any of them and the parts that they use. Why would a manufacturer use more expensive components if the components they are using give them the sound they are looking for? Why increase the cost for no reason? At least when most other reviewers are comparing to others, be it sound signature or build quality, they state what brand or price point they are comparing it to. I used to enjoy your reviews, but this just sounded like a way to differentiate yourself from most of the well respected reviewers.
@@parapobabam Lolol........ That statement couldn't be any further from reality. Truth is, I have never heard, seen or touched a pair of Buchardt speakers. But I have built, rebuilt, repaired and modded 300+ pair of crossovers in my day. In speakers ranging from very affordable to those that cost as much as a new car. "Most" speaker designers will tell you that crossover design is an art, not strictly science. Just because it measures well doesn't mean it will sound good. Don't get me wrong, I am totally in the camp that different components in the crossover can make a huge difference in the sound of a speaker. But making it sound different doesn't always make it sound "better". Just because you throw in an expensive set of Mundorf caps or Mills resistors doesn't mean the speaker will sound better. Many speakers will sound better with a pair of cheap Dayton caps and sandcast resistors. I am a fan of Ron's, been a subscriber for several years. If he had actually tried a more expensive resistor in the crossover and then stated he thought they sounded better, great! But to make a statement that just because they use sandcast resistors makes the speaker a cheap build quality, hit me wrong. Also, to just say these didn't compare well to other speaker's without giving a reference to what those "other" speakers are, leaves this viewer scratching my head. I mean no disrespect to Ron, I will continue to watch his reviews, but this review was well below the quality I'm used to seeing from him, IMHO.
@@brianriley3092 I agree with you. It was frustrating hearing Ron say, numerous times, that he'd heard certain things done better in other speakers -- without giving hint as to whether those other speakers were of comparable price or several times more expensive. If the former, then one would want to look at other similarly priced brands. If the latter, the Buchardts would become very interesting. The limbo we're in is quite unhelpful.
@@brianriley3092 coming from my 1990 Thiel cs 2.3 speakers, im close to buying gr research $4k nx extreme for my 13 by 18 by 8 room, but it's worrisome that ron is the only reviewer to look at Danny's open baffles speakers.klipsce forte 3 used for $2.3k is my 2nd choice, one of few klipschs ive heard and liked. What your take, since i like your opinions on many things
I've experimented with many forms/brands of resistors and sand-cast are not at all sonically inferior. This is simply a case logic of "it's cheap so it must not perform well." Yes, I'm aware of GR Research's stance and that it's sort of gospel around here, however, while I agree on the topic of inductors and capacitors, I've yet to hear how sand-cast is audibly inferior to anything else. What matters is pair-matching their tolerances between the two crossovers. Many manufacturers have realized this same truth which is why you'll still find sand-cast resistors in some $5K+ speakers, the same speakers that will have custom-made caps elsewhere in the circuit.
Thank you that's the best review of these speakers so far. No endless superlative terminology, nor people shouting with high emotional sparks (without knowing what is inside the box). I looks that these speakers are a safe buy, I don't like to have big towers in my living room. Thank you for pointing to the very careful positioning in the heigh, such to use them at 100% of their potential. Keep with the good job.
Had the S400's for about a month, and agree they are good speakers. I did A-B listening and calibrated mic measurement comparisons with them against quite a few other bookshelves. If someone is considering these, I highly recommend listening to SVS UltraBookshelf before making the decision..
@@BastianUllr I strictly use the Martin Logan electrostats for classical - like any good classical aficionado does (speed comes with better transducer designs like estats, ribbons, or open-baffle) - sort of joking, as I don't listen to classical even with the ML's (every good joke has a bit of truth though). Maybe S400 midrange sounds fast compared to the bass? Between the budget bookshelves I had side-by-side at the time (S400, SVS UltraBS, Elac D2-B6.2, Martin Logan LX16, B&W) the speakers I kept were the Elac's because they were by far the best value at $200/pr. You could buy 7 or 8 pair of Elac D2-B6.2 for the price of one pair of S400's. You could stack them up on their sides and make a massive line array tower - and that line array (wired correctly for 4 or 8 ohms) would likely sound absolutely amazing! I use the Elac's in the garage because they also had the best bass of the bunch (mentioned above), and I didn't want to have a sub taking-up space. Don't get me wrong, Buchardt S400 isn't a bad choice - they are great speakers.
@@BastianUllr Appreciate the feedback. Admittedly, I could be wrong thinking wave guides are a subcategory of horns used primarily to manipulate (I'd say fix, others might say maximize) driver directivity, freq response, and output. I'm not saying they're ineffective (everyone has cupped their hands to their mouth to direct and amplify their voice to be heard farther away), they just seem like a crutch to me. And lately, manufacturers point to them as a selling feature - like the cleaning function on printers... why does the ink leak-out begin with? My opinion is likely rooted in a distaste for horns, and maybe I've just never heard great ones. Certainly there are brilliant successful people who have invested their lives in pursuit of horn perfection - I respect that.
@@mw4609 Really? The Elac B6.2 had better bass than the S400? I had the Elac UF5 towers & thought the bass was only what I'd expect from a budget speaker, nothing more. I thought they sounded fine overall but had a totally flat 2D soundstage. I can't imagine a budget Elac product comparing to a $2000 bookshelf. I had the Andrew Jones Pioneer budget towers as well (both models) and I thought they sounded fine for $200 budget speakers too. Nothing more. Regardless, thanks for your impressions. I hadn't considered the SVS bookshelves but their measurements seem more appealing than the SVS Ultra Tower measurements (bright peaks in the 4khz range which can be harsh).
Dude Kefs are very particular about power / current. They need a proper amp. If you give them power they are great. If you want to spend money get bucharts or R3. Or spend less than half and get R300 from kef. They are the predessesor of r3 and are pehaps worse but the difference is minimal. You can get r300 for very little money.
Great speaker. I love the S400, I do wish some of the internal stuff..the guts were a bit higher quality. I would have gone with the "all Made in Denmark" Signature version, but I didn't want black oak speakers, and the didn't have he Nordic wood version when I bought. I did get the smoked oak. Still I love them. They get better all the time...Price is not a big issue for me... I wanted quality and light weight. I thought the Von Schweikerts monitors at 10K for heavy (50lbs) were ridiculous. Love these speakers.
The sloped baffle doesn't replace bracing, it reduces the effect of acoustic reflections from bouncing directly back to the woofer cone and creating a delayed backwave force on the woofer. The baffle slope is very mild because this backwave issue is also helped by the passive radiator being mounted on the backwall (absorbing some of the backwave). Bracing is to prevent cabinet wall resonance due to pressure loading during cone movement. S400 don't have bracing (and don't need it) because the passive radiator absorbs the pressure loading inside the cabinet. Problem with passive radiators (and ports) is that it slows and 'muddy's' bass response. Open baffle avoids all these (and many other) technical issues - get real and find Linkwitz Labs (DIY), GR Acoustics, PureAudioProject, Emerald Physics, or Spatial open baffle stuff (open baffle is not new technology). Box speakers just can't compete, there are too many technical issues to build on - it's an outdated and bad foundation that came from a long-gone era where music systems were made to look like furniture (RCA/Victrola).
@@mw4609 There is no perfect design, all are compromises. I agree about the passive radiator effectively "allowing" the pressure to be utilized, but I don't agree that no bracing is required, as we might say the same thing about, say, a port. Ported designs can definitely benefit from bracing. My point wasn't the loss of standing waves here due to the angled baffle (though that is of course a potential benefit), my point was that by making non-90 degree angles, the structure will be inherently stronger. Which is physics.
@@yuckysamson I'm no physics professor - just an average guy. Curious what category of physics explains when a plane (front baffle) is sloped producing supplementary angles, results in additional overall rigidity of the side walls? Whatever (strength/rigidity) is gained in the acute corners is lost in the obtuse. Area of the side panels is unchanged. Seems like cartoon physics - maybe Acme sells an Anti-resinator. I'm not saying these are the best choice in affordable bookshelves (see my other comments recommending SVS UltraBS), but cabinet resonance is not a problem with these S400's. If you want to hear cabinet resonance, listen to the Martin Logan Motion box series... LX16, Motion 20/40/60XT - and I'm an ML fan saying that! It's so audible, I wondered if it's a design 'feature'. Cannot comment on Motion 20 or 35XT - never heard them (would like to hear 35XT's sometime). SLM-series does not suffer this affliction, nor do the elestrostats, or any of the in-wall/in-ceiling (obviously since there's no box).
I noticed there was no accelerometer on the side of the cabinet. Would have been interesting to see what excitations would have been elicited in the unbraced cabinet. Far more objective than "I didn't notice any resonnances." My KEF LS50's are even smaller than the Buchardts, use a 5 inch concentric driver rather than a 6.5 inch one, and are build like a bank vault. Evidently KEF engineers felt the need for extensive bracing.
I think it's safe to say Ron, (and other respected reviewers that speak highly of the MKII's in particular) has a relatively good ear. How important are vibrations that don't produce an audibly noticeable resonance?
I added bracing to the box and gasket material for the speakers damping material to the speaker basket/frame and more poly fill. Sounds better. $50-$60
🚨 !SOS RON! 🚨 And as much as I want the GR Research NX-Studios, I am torn over buying the Buchardt A500's as my studio monitor of choice. Would love to see you review the A500's. I can't see a reason not to get them. Not only are they a complete (yes, active) system, but they're usable as studio monitors and a (future) Home Theater surround system. Buchardt is working on the surround channel speakers and subwoofer as we speak. Would love your input Ron! P.S. There isn't enough REVIEW info on RUclips for the NX Studios!
I do not own these but I believe that these speakers would not require bracing when they employ a passive radiator. The radiator takes up the pressure and turns it to sound. Therefor, the pressures incurred from otherwise sealed units would not present themselves in this size and energy of speaker.
Hi Mike, would you elborate on your troubles? I have the the S400 too and found them challenging to make work in the room. I didn’t try too hard and fairly quickly decided to bench them until I get some stands in a suitable height.
@@thepickyaudiophile I think my setup wasn't ideal for the S400. Too close to the wall and an amp that isn't the last word in bass control. I just found the sound, while impressive, lacked the agility and transparency that I'm used to.
I find it odd making a point on the 1800 euros price tag for a pair of speakers when you follow up with a discussion on amps that are at least equal if not far more.
I was thinking of the exact same thing. I just ordered the MKII after I got to know about the big changes they've made to the mid bass driver & crossover.
Very nice review. I had the S400 and liked them very much, but eventually let them go. For the money, another consideration would be the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2ex, which I enjoyed a fair bit more than the S400.
@@TH-lo8mq I took a gamble on the 2ex and bought them without a chance to demo. glad I did. pairing it with a rel T7i with a benchmark stack, and I couldn't ask for more.
Gavin Lim Very nice. Sounds perfect. How do they sound with the Benchmark amp? Did you have a different amp previously? I've had the DAC3 for a while and, coincidentally, ordered the AHB2 last week. It may be replacing an Emotiva amp I've been using (if I can hear a difference). I have some Stealth 8s in my office that I will probably never get rid of. So much power and clarity. The 2EX are a bit sweeter than those so they are more for when I want pure relaxation.
@@TH-lo8mq I was using an Audiolab 6000a as a power amp before the AHB2. The AHB2 sounded fuller and a bit warmer than the Audiolab. I do regret selling the 6000a as it is quite a nice integrated amp.
Pennies for Mills resistors?? Better think again. It would be like $27 plus shipping to replace all 4 of them based on Parts Express pricing on their site. Also, if he doesn't plan on keeping the review samples, why would he change out crossover parts and pay for them out of his pocket knowing he will be shipping them off to somewhere else? You don't make any sense...LMAO.
It’s not just Mills who makes Non-Inductive wirewound power resistors with the same power rating and values.. There are others, but not as easy to look for.
@@stephenoverton8352 Well pennies was just a figure of speech (considering the price of speakers). Also, I understand he has to get them back, but if he already got permission to take them apart... I would be tempted lol. And one more thing - Parts Express is not the only one I have sourced it cheaper AND it would be enough to replace tweeter resistor IMHO
The LTA MZ3 is what i use as my dedicated headphone amp which is the best that I have heard to date which doesn't surprise me as the LTA stuff is using David Berning designed circuits who is one of the truly great designers & a real maverick. I also strongly agree with your thoughts on bass as many people seem to think you need solid state but as you said there is a lot of texture and nuance in bass that gets overlooked. Don't let anyone convince you tubes can't do bass which should go a long way in taming that aluminum cone driver. Thanks for a great review Ron, all the best to you and the family.
Awesome review and just a little note to sandcast resistors, they are a no no at high frequency because they work as a first order filter due to the inductans they have. So for zobel filters and extra bandpass resistance the sandcast resistor are totally fine.
This is the best review for S400 I have ever seen! Hopefully Matt one day can enhance Buchardt even more base on your comments. I don't mind it cost more.
Here's some much needed critique: -A coaxial driver would help vertical dispersion, and allow these to be used closer to nearfield without integration issues... And you could fit a three way in the same box. -Legacy box design doesn't seem to minimize diffraction or reduce internal reflections. Hopefully it's fully stuffed, watching other video shortly.
No bracing. It is not needed when one wall is moveable the whole back wall is a passive radiator. So when the pressure increase in the box then the passive radiator goes out and do not let the cabinet pressure get to high. And when there is a under pressure then the passive radiator is sucked in to the cabinet. With that that is not needed to have as thick walls or bracing when the passive radiator even out the cabinet pressure. Just physics no magic at all.
How does that matter beyond the band pass of the port/passive radiator? That woofer isn't being rolled off till at least 1khz and the tuning frequency of the passive radiator is going to be near the f3 of the speaker. You are talking about 4 octaves of potential box resonances. And ports/passive radiator are still resistive in nature and will not auto magically remove all resonances in the band pass. Box resonances can be conductive in nature after all the drivers are bolted to the boxes and the cones/spiders have energy and is being transferred to the frame which is bolted to the box. That might be physics too.
NO HYPE, they PERFORMERS! They are "NOT". HEADACHE BOOKSHELF BOXES, like so many that are on the market today. If anyone knows of a better Speaker at the Same Price point and 4ohm, please let us know! They are Not SHOUTY and you can enjoy them ALL DAY LONG ! I push them with a IOTA SA3& PA3, also my New Yamaha AS2200 does a nice job.
Hey love your channel and been enjoying your content and also your daily hi fi podcast with other guys. I am looking to buy 2 channel stereo system. I currently have Anthem STR Integrated Amp that was on huge discount recently. I am trying to set up system in one of my room - its about 11x11 feet. I keep thinking any 3 way towers would be too big - Looking at Wharfdale Evo 4.4 - looking for warm neutral sound (Opposite of bright Klipsh/KEF). All the reviews of Buchard S400 has been amazing and feel like they are good size for my room. Any opinions?
God damn those are fucking gorgeous I swear to God those are my absolutely dream speakers 🙂 I love passive radiators they're the best because my JBL xtreme 2 they both have it and it makes a big difference they sound beautiful and I use them as my studio photography speakers for my PC I have two of them but I want to upgrade soon
How did you get schiit to comment on 4 ohm speakers with Aegirs in Bridged mode? They refused to tell me anything outside of 8 ohms for running those in mono
Nice review Ron! Really enjoyed it. Now, one question - image you were in my shoes and had the opportunity to build a pair of CSS Criton 1TD ($1075) or buy a pair of S400's. Based on the review you recently did on the 2TD, which one would you lean towards?
Have $3000 to spend. Would you recommend these over the the Double Impacts? I know it’s an apples and oranges hype match up. I’m using a McIntosh ma5200, by the way. No preamp
Your amp should match perfectly with both. It would drive the double impacts easier but both would sound great. The double impacts are more efficient so they'd be more balanced between movies and music listening and they'd have a bigger sweet spot. The buchardt are excellent as well.
By the way I believe Revel uses those exact woofers. SB Acoustics makes good shit. Lastly, I think you measured those speakers incorrectly. Find out what the design axis is supposed to be then remeasure. I know you know this.
Heigh HO!! Love your vids the most! Listen to "Gold Coast Sinkin'" on Heigh Ho thru the Buchardt S400. A wonderful sonic experience. My favorite speakers of the last couple of years, the Buchardt S400 and the Tekton Double Impact, are only available direct from the manufacturer, and in my mind offer the best value in audio today. What I like about the S400 is not each individual aspect like top end, midrange, etc. It's the gestalt of the speaker, how it performs together and stays together, and sounds good from any point in my room. It's a toe tapper for sure. A totally enjoyable speaker, not at all fatiguing.
Thanks Ron ! Great review and tips on placements ! Just got the JBL-Studio 580s in a week ago for a review ,and ohh my what drivers they have ! Big motor structure ! Full POP-The HOOD coming soon ! (Scale and Crazy Bass) Pared with my Sansui G-8000 ! Super Synergy ! I had an expierence today with this combo ! Soon i will have better cameras and microphones ! Ron the Towers were on sale for 635.00US normally 1500.00 Simply a Real JBL ! I haven't seen many reviews of the 580s and their 90db efficient ! How's the 400s sound on low volume 😆
Very Important: These are 4 ohm speakers. Your standard-issue 8ohm amp, integrated amp, or receiver won’t work with these speakers. The 400’s should be 3ft min off the back wall and at least the same off the side walls, and at least 6 feet apart. So your listening room needs to be at least 13 feet wide. These speakers require THREE HUNDRED HOURS minimum of continuous break-in time - and not at a whisper volume. That’s 12 and a half days of continuous playing at normal listening levels. 68db is the minimum listening level to get any benefit out of these speakers. Put a decibel app on your phone and find out how loud that is when you do it for 2-3 hours non-stop. Mads Buchardt will tell you that this is not a fault of the speaker, but a fault with our human hearing. These are not speakers for background music while you’re doing other things. Rather, they are Critical Listening speakers (reference also Ron’s insistence on your being at the precise listening height & position) requiring your full and disciplined attention. This isn’t a slam on the 400’s, just a heads-up.
Just ordered my S400 today. Your review was my final decision among all the the reviews I have encountered. While I enjoy my LS50’s and even my lower end ELAC B6, I am excited to get these and pair them with my Cambridge CXA-81 amp - 🤓
Thanks for the review Ron, I really enjoyed it. It seems to me that now that you’ve developed a good relationship with Danny (GR Research), along with your previous experience with building crossovers, it’s probably difficult to enjoy a good set of speakers like S400s while knowing they could be improved by better crossover components. Every pair of speakers I’ve owned or heard in the last year or so, especially my new ML Motion 40s, I can’t help wondering the same. ‘How would they sound with better parts inside?’ I’m hoping to see Danny hot-rod them a bit.
The S400's are offered with upgraded Jantzen Audio crossovers for an add another $800 USD. I wish I could audition them and I am waiting to hear back from Mads Buchardt about his impressions of that upgrade. The SE's or Signature Editions come with the upgraded crossovers but they will add them to the standard finishes as well for the cost above.
Hi thanx for all great videos 👍 I have the s300, does the extreme toe-in work with those to? I have them pointing strait forward right now. And by the way, I saw your video about the stands. And I got new speakers. Filled them up with sand 👍
Great job Ron. Thorough, subjective review. Now here's the question, your looking at $2200 USD, what have you heard at this price that are better, or put another way if YOU had $2200 what would you get??
I didn't realize the price of S400 was that high now! For $2200, I'd get 10 pairs of Elac D2-B6.2 and lay them on their sides atop each other to create a giant line array stack.
Texan Range Or...Pendragons, which I own and love. I’ve heard the S400’s and prefer my Tektons. Not to mention, they were $200 cheaper, and I even bought the ones with the upgraded crossovers.
Hi, just a constructive comment. The sound effect for your points/comments is a bit distracting. Also kind of reminds me of when you hook up speakers with an amp on or something lol.
These commenters with "better resistors/inductors/caps are just an audiophoolery" comments need to explain why there is a better S400 Signature Edition with better components/cables sold by Buchardt.
@@Newrecordday2013 Thank you for such a speedy response. Highly appreciated I would be super interested in your thoughts on upgrading the components in a system to better quality components. Obviously there is tube rolling to better ones and swapping op-amps. But you kinda have me really needing to itch this curiosity to know what all sub-components I can swap out for higher quality counterparts. Essentially turning, lets say a 500$ pair of speakers into a 2500$ pair. Or an amp etc etc..
Hey Ron, great review. I’m very aligned with your impressions, although I was not able to “cross the streams” with positive results - I suspect this has to do with my small room (around 10.5’ wide) and that I only sit about 8 feet from them. Anyhow I wrote some detailed impressions here if anyone is interested: www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/bookshelf-standmount-speaker-impressions.8941/page-2#post-291100 I would be very interested if @mads_buchardt would consider selling an improved crossover upgrade kit for these, especially since they already have one for the Signature Edition. Warranty may be an issue in this case however.
Rick Lowes Hi Rick. Mike Powell (OCD HiFi Guy) tried to address this issue with upgrading the crossover components, and did it. The speakers sounded immediately better even through the RUclips filter. I know he’d spoken to Mads about it too, so you might wanna contact Mike. You can email him at: Verastarr@gmail.com
Nick Pantazi I had watched Mike’s video on that and I thought mainly what he had done was upgrade the internal wiring and other aspects, but not the crossover/components themselves. Am I wrong about that?
Rick Lowes I’m actually not sure, now that you bring it up, but whatever Mike did made quite a difference in upgrading the SQ of the S400’s. I’d just shoot him an email or better yet, just give him a call. Good luck, Rick.
Hello Ron. I have a question. I have the s400 and I am driving them using a Yamaha A-S2100. And I have the volume up about 40-45% and it seems like the speakers are bottoming up. I can send you a small clip. I was playing Africa -Toto and and little room -Nora johns. Any advice?
@@reflux1986 good luck with owning it one day. The AS1100 is a great bargain at about half the price and they actually aren't that different except headphone amp and a couple f other small things. I wa lucky to get a near new 2100 second hand for half the price otherwise I would have just gone with the 1100
@@broadhurst5000 Thanks! I could sell my current amp and get the 1100 for the same money but still hoping for a great deal on the 2100. That's a keeper for years
@@reflux1986 yep for sure, it's so well built. Check out a RUclips channel called stereopolice. He does a thorough bunch of videos on the AS-1100 which kinda sold it for me. This is the first one but he also does an in depth comparison with the AS2100 in another video. ruclips.net/video/xUe3iLa7-as/видео.html
Your stands will never really be the right height because people's couches and yours are at different heights, so adjustable stools seem to be the best.
Not sure about the lack of bracing being justified... Sure, you can have a cabinet that resonates and adds 10dB at 400hz, and just make a dip in the speakers -10dB at 400hz, but I don't think that is good engineering.
Harbeth is no where near as to been regarded as some of the best loudspeakers in the world. For a start I for one don't like their plastic drive units, then their too many lossy components in their crossovers, and that is just the start, their sound quality and for ultimate transparency is jusy not no where near good enough. They are just far too compromised designs full stop. There are definitely no kind of monitor loudspeakers thats for sure.
@Fat Rat I don;t know much about Harbeth other than seeing their praises online, but if you're saying he designs-in resonance to fill-in frequency response - cool!
$2200 ? what a waste of money. My older special edition metallic silver monitor audio gold reference gr20 wipe the floor with any loudspeakers at that new price, and more expensive new loudspeakers at over that price. They are revealing extremely balanced and neutral 2 1/2 design. Mine are bi- amped with like window clean reveiling uncoloured sound spectrum amplification and source too. I Picked them up for £450 uk British Pounds. There is no other 2 1/2 way dynamic coned loudspeakers like their design and equivalent size, and their drive unit equivalent type and size out there at their value that betters their detailed and transparent alround abilities, especially with high quality digital sources and recordings. To better their sound quality ratio performance quality you will need electrostatic type loudspeakers of an equivalent balanced sound frequency spectrum top to bottom frequency response, that's how good they are. Poor quality equipment, recordings, also your room not set up to a good enough standard need not apply, if you really want know how really capable these loudspeakers are. Monitor quality design they truly are. I do not mean like the very cheap and nasty type variety of monitors either.
Well, that's your opinion. I think the size of instruments and size of soundstage was rather underwhelming with monitor audio. The gold tweeter was very detailed yet not hot, very nice on that regard but it lacks the depth of Audiovector or Elac IMO. It could have been the electronics, but it had 16 thousand dollars in electronics behind, not counting cables, and they were just meh...
They dont wipe the floor with much, including the Buchardt. It would take extremely limited speaker ownership to come to that conclusion. Please upload a video showing you've done in room comparisons. I used GR20's as secondary and bedroom speakers. Eventually they went on classifieds, not a very engaging speaker.
I don't believe you can hear those resistors. They are non-inductive wire wound and they are not some kind of old fashioned junk. Capacitors, they are audible. Inductors, in some cases yes. But I can't go along with the resistor comment. Too much woo woo.
Not to be nitpicky, but if you listen to the Danish press, the pronunciation of the name of the company sounds like the English words “Book Heart.” It’s not “Booooook Heart” as you are saying. That’s all.
if they made a sound quality oriented speaker that was sealed box and proper crossover i would be interested. right now they built this thing to do too much, too many compromises just to get more bass out of them.
Yes, you can get better if get an ATC bookshelf with subs. But if you want an impressive all rounder, this is it. It's damn impressive and has the right output for a mid room. I was mostly concerned with midrange speed, and it has it. The driver is fantastic and can do bass with a very distinct tone on the midrange and or various voices going. Impressive midrange although the bass. But... Yes, can be done better if you have the room and 2 thousand dollars more to spare.
@@BastianUllr indeed that is my point, there are speakers made for sound quality and there are other speakers that compromises some sound quality tom more bass. it will work better alone if you so desire but its not a complete system until you get a subwoofer. its a bit odd that it has come to this, all speakers should be made to sound as good as possible for the money. and ported or passive radiator design does not do this.
@@sudd3660 I think your claim is rather nonsense about port and passive radiators. There is quite little speakers that can do 20hz with no subwoofer, and placing the sub 30hz on the same package as the speakers requires a lot of plasticity to play with the room. I think I might not be getting your idea? Now, the whole point here is that it's sub optimal to match S400 with subs without using a high pass filter. They dig really deep already for most music. Now, you want true full range? Little to none makes that. And, if you use a high pass filter the passive radiator becomes a nuance to the sealed box or not. What you end up with is an stellar driver capable of a clarity and speed that's rathed ridiculous, with a properly integrated subwoofer of your choise that's sealed and get you the bass. I'd take myself rythmik over SVS any day.
@@BastianUllr there is no one that make and knows about speaker design that don't know about cabinet design options, sound quality is sealed and open baffle, in subwoofer and any size speaker. i cant possible explain everything to you her on youtube comments section. if i can at least inspire you to educate yourself on the topic and get better sound in return. if you use a subwoofer with any ported or passive radiator designs you should have gone for a sealed box from the start. and true full range can be done cheap and easily depending on room size and listening volumes, and an eq on a pc as source. 16hz to 20khz i consider fullrange. plugging ports or using high pass filter on bookshelf speakers won't solve all the problems, still a sealed box for example will always inherently be superior from low end up to midrange, only the tweeter is the same on all designs.
Three things: Is Danny Ritchie getting a crack at these speakers? Did you try listening with the speakers turned upside-down? Well respected manufacturer, Living Voice, also intentionally does not brace their cabinets.
They don't have bracing because the passive radiator relieves (limits buildup of) internal cabinet pressure - same reason they can have thin walls. Better electrical components won't eliminate the wave guide (mini-horn), nor will it fix the imbalance of fast highs/mids with slow bass (also because of the passive radiator).
I would love to hear these at some point since there is so much hype. Being that a pair costs more than my entire system it will have to be a pair of someones else's. Sorry I'm a true believer that cheap (set up properly) can outperform many peoples systems that they spent a lot of money on while just hooking them up sitting down and saying yeah!!!
Please dont use those click sounds when descriptions appear. It sounds like my speakers are going to explode each time!🤗😉🤔🙄😬 Great info like always otherwise!
Thanks for the feedback! I’ll clean that up next time.
@@Newrecordday2013
Thanks! I actually thought I had a spike when I first turned on my Audio system. Funny thing is, I thought I might have keyword might have blown a tweeter! The funnier thing is you are goning to show us how to take apart this 530's in order get to the tweeter!🤯😝 I watch your video using my 590's so even more of a pain i* t** a** if that was the case.🤪 STAY SAFE!🤗😇
@@bigjay1970 I didn't have a problem with it, but I think the level of that sound could be turned down a bit.
HA! I was just about to type something similar. If their volume were to be reduced a bit, it would be fine. But I want to add that the background music... I dunno... I watch youtube vids through a decent stereo and the ongoing music in the background track kind of become annoying at times, as it sometimes fights with what you're saying . That said, I do love these videos, and what I'm saying here is really so minor, I shouldn't have bothered even interjecting. But here I am! lol Cheers!
I did try the extreme toe-in for my S400s, and it did certainly result in a very strong center image, but a limited soundstage width. However, I couldn't do as extreme a toe-in lining the laser on the opposite edges of my listening chair as you could with a couch.
Instead, I tried a toe-in of about 15 degrees (pointing straight ahead being 0 degrees). Magic. This gives a strong enough center image, but also a spacious, even soundstage. I think this is going to be highly room dependent.
As for the thing about the resistors, you guys need to show your work on this one. You guys tend to just assert that better resistors = better sound. Either show it with measurements or with double blinded listening (e.g. have an assistant swap out one speaker modded and one not). You guys are not superhuman and free from expectation bias.
"Some speakers" "Other speakers" "Heard better"... Which ones specifically are you comparing to? That would be helpful in a review. OR, as another youtube reviewer often says, "Compared to what?"
Elac Adante is one. The other I’ll be doing a review on pretty soon. Thanks for the comment!
@@Newrecordday2013 I bought the Adantes after your review. I thought they did a hell of a lot right. If they had more bottom end, I would have kept them. Years ago, I had a 2-way monitor with a 5.25 Scanspeak paper driver. The bass was out of this world. I judge every bookshelf by that speaker. Nothing stays in my system if you can not match that speaker. I was foolish to sell it.
New Record Day something 2x the price and that’s a floor standing speaker. That’s not a very fair comparison.
*
I run my Buchardt s400s with a Hegel H190 amplifier and dual rel T7i subwoofers connected high level they sound fantastic really enjoying them no listener fatigue at all. My room is also treated which makes a big difference to the sound of your set up.
I need room treats badly, but there are so very few reviews for me to use and make an educated choice. What did you use?
I own these speakers now for about half a year and with respect to positioning, especially if you have a modern interior with a lot of hard surfaces it is best to place them further apart with with NO TOE IN. With the toe in as suggested the sound becomes to direct and forward, I think because of early reflections. This will not be an issue if you have a fully treated listening room, but than again why would you go with Buchardt in the first place? Yes the center imaging is a little bit compromised, but it is still incredible compared to anything I heard before (including Kef and Dali floorstanders). I use them in a stereo set up with my TV and movie watching and even my girlfriend is everytime amazed by the fact that dialogues always seem to come from the TV screen rather than from the speakers. With respect to speaker stand height I would like to add that you should also account for the fact the speaker is slightly tilted backward. So in my case about 13 feet from the speakers smallers stands actually result in the perfect height. But again, the waveguide is that good that you get great imaging in a fairly large spot if you place them just straigth, with no toe in. I think the speakers are also designed to be used that way if you look at the modern interiors in Scandinavia.
I'm living with S400s for over a year now. It was one of my better audio related purchases, and it came with a great customer service! S400s sound very good out of the box, but I soon discovered that these Great Danes love high current amps. Crown class D did power them just fine, but when I switched to my old Parasound A21, I realized that the mids gained warmth and smoothness, the low-end and soundstage have expanded. Bingo! What a wonderful match. I've spent the last year or so with a Parasound A21 + Buchardt S400 combo. Not regretting a moment.
Awesome!
Nice, what are some good tracks/albums to listen to on them ? Weeb selection welcomed ;p
@@jsharp9735 (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ Buchardt S400 goes like peanut butter and jelly with the Made in Abyss OST
@@VickyLovesHeadphones I have that one, listening to it now on my lcd-2c. Hopefully I will have the s400 hooked up tomorrow....what else you got ? Need something I haven't heard before, I need MOAR. I actually haven't seeen the show yet either, its on my list.
How far away do you have your speakers from the wall ?
@@jsharp9735 Well, I cannot advise MOAR regarding music selection. I will say though that lately I've been listening to a lot of new retro wave and 80's music (⌒‿⌒)
S400s can be a party animal once you push that passive radiator. However, when listening at quiet levels that radiator is pretty much disengaged, making the S400s tame and polite sounding. I hope this will give you a few clues on music genres that will work on S400s for you.
No matter how much I played with placement, I found that S400s image is just ok, not pinpoint accurate... and I don't think it's my room's fault really. Stage, however, can be easily tuned by pushing the speakers further apart. I perceive the S400s stage as an arch - The sound is coming from about 70cm high at the arch edges, and about 1m at its center.
After much moving around, I settled my S400s on 80cm stands (with IsoAcoustics Aperta), 60cm from the back wall, 2.5m apart from each other, and tilted in towards shoulder level. This is what worked best for me in my room, so I do recommend you spend some time playing around with placement.
Cheers,
Vicky💖🎧🎧🎧
My comment on the extreme toe in setup: I own the s400s, I saw your video about the extreme toe in some weeks ago, and I tried it out, just like you described and also at many variations of it. In contrary to many feedbacks I read, it didn't work for me / my room. Yes the center image was more clear and stable, but for the price of a very small soundstage, almost in a way if you put the speakers very closely together. The setup I like most is a triangle with each length ~same, speakers pointing straight inti the room, no toe in. BR, Joe
Thanks for commenting!
I found the same. I’m still messing around with this setup, but If it works for Ron/others without reducing the soundstage width, it may be because my room isn’t wide enough (~10.5’)
@@rlowes You're maybe right. I saw the dimensions of your room and they are very close to the ones in my room. I also have the speakers along the shorter side of the room. Probably in contrast to you I already treated my room to get resonances, unclear bass out, and this also improved mids.
Talking about a good/bad room reflections is a give/take situation. Each wall has a slight different eq curve on the reflections, some speakers will work in a particular room while some don't. I feel the sound is more precise with less reflections, but more reflections gives with and depth to the sound. I'd like to have it all of course but its very difficult to achive in a living room. The dispersion pattern of the speaker also affects the reflections and sweetspot size. I'd like a large dispersion pattern but it lowers the efficiency so larger driver is needed which has its own problems. With current speakers technology its impossible to have it all, so with that in mind it sounds like this speaker achived all its design goals. On an objective engineering standpoint this speaker is well made.
When you say certain area's of the sound signature of this speaker don't match up to others, who are the others? What price point are you comparing them to? A $200 a pair speaker? A $10,000 a pair speaker? What brand are you comparing them to?
You talk about them using sand cast resistors. Many, many manufactures of $10,000+ a pair speakers use sand cast resistors. Never heard you complain about any of them and the parts that they use. Why would a manufacturer use more expensive components if the components they are using give them the sound they are looking for? Why increase the cost for no reason? At least when most other reviewers are comparing to others, be it sound signature or build quality, they state what brand or price point they are comparing it to.
I used to enjoy your reviews, but this just sounded like a way to differentiate yourself from most of the well respected reviewers.
sounds like you own a pair and came here to hear a review that will reinforce your decision to purchase them.
@@parapobabam Lolol........ That statement couldn't be any further from reality. Truth is, I have never heard, seen or touched a pair of Buchardt speakers. But I have built, rebuilt, repaired and modded 300+ pair of crossovers in my day. In speakers ranging from very affordable to those that cost as much as a new car. "Most" speaker designers will tell you that crossover design is an art, not strictly science. Just because it measures well doesn't mean it will sound good. Don't get me wrong, I am totally in the camp that different components in the crossover can make a huge difference in the sound of a speaker. But making it sound different doesn't always make it sound "better". Just because you throw in an expensive set of Mundorf caps or Mills resistors doesn't mean the speaker will sound better. Many speakers will sound better with a pair of cheap Dayton caps and sandcast resistors. I am a fan of Ron's, been a subscriber for several years. If he had actually tried a more expensive resistor in the crossover and then stated he thought they sounded better, great! But to make a statement that just because they use sandcast resistors makes the speaker a cheap build quality, hit me wrong. Also, to just say these didn't compare well to other speaker's without giving a reference to what those "other" speakers are, leaves this viewer scratching my head. I mean no disrespect to Ron, I will continue to watch his reviews, but this review was well below the quality I'm used to seeing from him, IMHO.
@@brianriley3092 I agree with you. It was frustrating hearing Ron say, numerous times, that he'd heard certain things done better in other speakers -- without giving hint as to whether those other speakers were of comparable price or several times more expensive. If the former, then one would want to look at other similarly priced brands. If the latter, the Buchardts would become very interesting. The limbo we're in is quite unhelpful.
Brain and Charles, I agree with your comments 100%.
@@brianriley3092 coming from my 1990 Thiel cs 2.3 speakers, im close to buying gr research $4k nx extreme for my 13 by 18 by 8 room, but it's worrisome that ron is the only reviewer to look at Danny's open baffles speakers.klipsce forte 3 used for $2.3k is my 2nd choice, one of few klipschs ive heard and liked. What your take, since i like your opinions on many things
I've experimented with many forms/brands of resistors and sand-cast are not at all sonically inferior. This is simply a case logic of "it's cheap so it must not perform well." Yes, I'm aware of GR Research's stance and that it's sort of gospel around here, however, while I agree on the topic of inductors and capacitors, I've yet to hear how sand-cast is audibly inferior to anything else. What matters is pair-matching their tolerances between the two crossovers.
Many manufacturers have realized this same truth which is why you'll still find sand-cast resistors in some $5K+ speakers, the same speakers that will have custom-made caps elsewhere in the circuit.
Thank you that's the best review of these speakers so far.
No endless superlative terminology, nor people shouting with high emotional sparks (without knowing what is inside the box).
I looks that these speakers are a safe buy, I don't like to have big towers in my living room.
Thank you for pointing to the very careful positioning in the heigh, such to use them at 100% of their potential.
Keep with the good job.
Had the S400's for about a month, and agree they are good speakers. I did A-B listening and calibrated mic measurement comparisons with them against quite a few other bookshelves. If someone is considering these, I highly recommend listening to SVS UltraBookshelf before making the decision..
The midrange speed. Did you play classical with the SVS?
@@BastianUllr I strictly use the Martin Logan electrostats for classical - like any good classical aficionado does (speed comes with better transducer designs like estats, ribbons, or open-baffle) - sort of joking, as I don't listen to classical even with the ML's (every good joke has a bit of truth though). Maybe S400 midrange sounds fast compared to the bass? Between the budget bookshelves I had side-by-side at the time (S400, SVS UltraBS, Elac D2-B6.2, Martin Logan LX16, B&W) the speakers I kept were the Elac's because they were by far the best value at $200/pr. You could buy 7 or 8 pair of Elac D2-B6.2 for the price of one pair of S400's. You could stack them up on their sides and make a massive line array tower - and that line array (wired correctly for 4 or 8 ohms) would likely sound absolutely amazing! I use the Elac's in the garage because they also had the best bass of the bunch (mentioned above), and I didn't want to have a sub taking-up space. Don't get me wrong, Buchardt S400 isn't a bad choice - they are great speakers.
@@mw4609 you are SO wrong about waveguides. Man, let's leave it at that. You need some more reading.
@@BastianUllr Appreciate the feedback. Admittedly, I could be wrong thinking wave guides are a subcategory of horns used primarily to manipulate (I'd say fix, others might say maximize) driver directivity, freq response, and output. I'm not saying they're ineffective (everyone has cupped their hands to their mouth to direct and amplify their voice to be heard farther away), they just seem like a crutch to me. And lately, manufacturers point to them as a selling feature - like the cleaning function on printers... why does the ink leak-out begin with? My opinion is likely rooted in a distaste for horns, and maybe I've just never heard great ones. Certainly there are brilliant successful people who have invested their lives in pursuit of horn perfection - I respect that.
@@mw4609 Really? The Elac B6.2 had better bass than the S400? I had the Elac UF5 towers & thought the bass was only what I'd expect from a budget speaker, nothing more. I thought they sounded fine overall but had a totally flat 2D soundstage. I can't imagine a budget Elac product comparing to a $2000 bookshelf. I had the Andrew Jones Pioneer budget towers as well (both models) and I thought they sounded fine for $200 budget speakers too. Nothing more. Regardless, thanks for your impressions. I hadn't considered the SVS bookshelves but their measurements seem more appealing than the SVS Ultra Tower measurements (bright peaks in the 4khz range which can be harsh).
The Danish make some good speakers. Jamo's Concert series from the 90's is still some of the best speakers i have listened to.
There is a side benefit to extreme toe-in: reflections from the back wall bounce away from the listening position instead of towards it.
How does S400 compares with Kef R3? Would love to hear your view on that.
Dude Kefs are very particular about power / current. They need a proper amp. If you give them power they are great. If you want to spend money get bucharts or R3. Or spend less than half and get R300 from kef. They are the predessesor of r3 and are pehaps worse but the difference is minimal. You can get r300 for very little money.
Great speaker. I love the S400, I do wish some of the internal stuff..the guts were a bit higher quality. I would have gone with the "all Made in Denmark" Signature version, but I didn't want black oak speakers, and the didn't have he Nordic wood version when I bought. I did get the smoked oak. Still I love them. They get better all the time...Price is not a big issue for me... I wanted quality and light weight. I thought the Von Schweikerts monitors at 10K for heavy (50lbs) were ridiculous. Love these speakers.
Because the front baffle is sloped it effective IS braced: geometry. Triangles don't 'move' per se, as opposed to rectangles. Just a thought.
Yeah, thought about the mild slope stiffening the cab up in his other video..
The sloped baffle doesn't replace bracing, it reduces the effect of acoustic reflections from bouncing directly back to the woofer cone and creating a delayed backwave force on the woofer. The baffle slope is very mild because this backwave issue is also helped by the passive radiator being mounted on the backwall (absorbing some of the backwave). Bracing is to prevent cabinet wall resonance due to pressure loading during cone movement. S400 don't have bracing (and don't need it) because the passive radiator absorbs the pressure loading inside the cabinet. Problem with passive radiators (and ports) is that it slows and 'muddy's' bass response. Open baffle avoids all these (and many other) technical issues - get real and find Linkwitz Labs (DIY), GR Acoustics, PureAudioProject, Emerald Physics, or Spatial open baffle stuff (open baffle is not new technology). Box speakers just can't compete, there are too many technical issues to build on - it's an outdated and bad foundation that came from a long-gone era where music systems were made to look like furniture (RCA/Victrola).
@@mw4609 There is no perfect design, all are compromises. I agree about the passive radiator effectively "allowing" the pressure to be utilized, but I don't agree that no bracing is required, as we might say the same thing about, say, a port. Ported designs can definitely benefit from bracing. My point wasn't the loss of standing waves here due to the angled baffle (though that is of course a potential benefit), my point was that by making non-90 degree angles, the structure will be inherently stronger. Which is physics.
@@yuckysamson I'm no physics professor - just an average guy. Curious what category of physics explains when a plane (front baffle) is sloped producing supplementary angles, results in additional overall rigidity of the side walls? Whatever (strength/rigidity) is gained in the acute corners is lost in the obtuse. Area of the side panels is unchanged. Seems like cartoon physics - maybe Acme sells an Anti-resinator. I'm not saying these are the best choice in affordable bookshelves (see my other comments recommending SVS UltraBS), but cabinet resonance is not a problem with these S400's. If you want to hear cabinet resonance, listen to the Martin Logan Motion box series... LX16, Motion 20/40/60XT - and I'm an ML fan saying that! It's so audible, I wondered if it's a design 'feature'. Cannot comment on Motion 20 or 35XT - never heard them (would like to hear 35XT's sometime). SLM-series does not suffer this affliction, nor do the elestrostats, or any of the in-wall/in-ceiling (obviously since there's no box).
@@mw4609 I'm not a physics professor either. My brother is though.
I noticed there was no accelerometer on the side of the cabinet. Would have been interesting to see what excitations would have been elicited in the unbraced cabinet. Far more objective than "I didn't notice any resonnances."
My KEF LS50's are even smaller than the Buchardts, use a 5 inch concentric driver rather than a 6.5 inch one, and are build like a bank vault. Evidently KEF engineers felt the need for extensive bracing.
I think it's safe to say Ron, (and other respected reviewers that speak highly of the MKII's in particular) has a relatively good ear. How important are vibrations that don't produce an audibly noticeable resonance?
I added bracing to the box and gasket material for the speakers damping material to the speaker basket/frame and more poly fill. Sounds better. $50-$60
🚨 !SOS RON! 🚨 And as much as I want the GR Research NX-Studios, I am torn over buying the Buchardt A500's as my studio monitor of choice. Would love to see you review the A500's. I can't see a reason not to get them. Not only are they a complete (yes, active) system, but they're usable as studio monitors and a (future) Home Theater surround system. Buchardt is working on the surround channel speakers and subwoofer as we speak. Would love your input Ron!
P.S. There isn't enough REVIEW info on RUclips for the NX Studios!
I’ll reach out to Mads and see what I can do!
@@Newrecordday2013 that would be amazing! Thanks man! You da best.
I do not own these but I believe that these speakers would not require bracing when they employ a passive radiator. The radiator takes up the pressure and turns it to sound. Therefor, the pressures incurred from otherwise sealed units would not present themselves in this size and energy of speaker.
THanks for the review. A humble opinion, please, if you are comparing speakers, tells us which ones. It is otherwise useless as a comparison element.
Mads is a top notch guy. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to, I couldn't get the S400s to work in my system/room. Hopefully next time Mads.
Hi Mike, would you elborate on your troubles? I have the the S400 too and found them challenging to make work in the room. I didn’t try too hard and fairly quickly decided to bench them until I get some stands in a suitable height.
@@thepickyaudiophile I think my setup wasn't ideal for the S400. Too close to the wall and an amp that isn't the last word in bass control. I just found the sound, while impressive, lacked the agility and transparency that I'm used to.
@@mikecees2230 Thanks Mike 👍
Wonder if the A500's would work better with their built in room correction! ☺️
Great video. These are on my short list "used". You really break it down and help my decision. The Ryan S 610 also.
New viewer here. Your reviews are captivating and on a whole new level altogether.
Thanks Ron, love the review. I'm seriously thinking of buying the new mkII. With 45 day free trial...why not
I find it odd making a point on the 1800 euros price tag for a pair of speakers when you follow up with a discussion on amps that are at least equal if not far more.
I they Mads may have taken your advice with the Mark II version of these speakers!
Looks like he did step up the quality in that crossover and I’ll bet it does make a difference.
I was thinking of the exact same thing. I just ordered the MKII after I got to know about the big changes they've made to the mid bass driver & crossover.
The new changes are like a check list of Ron's comments. Bracing, paper cone, upgraded parts on the crossover.
Very nice review. I had the S400 and liked them very much, but eventually let them go. For the money, another consideration would be the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2ex, which I enjoyed a fair bit more than the S400.
Gavin Lim I own the 2EX and haven't heard a better bookshelf in the price range. I am curious about the S400, but I can't imagine it's better.
@@TH-lo8mq I took a gamble on the 2ex and bought them without a chance to demo. glad I did. pairing it with a rel T7i with a benchmark stack, and I couldn't ask for more.
Gavin Lim Very nice. Sounds perfect. How do they sound with the Benchmark amp? Did you have a different amp previously? I've had the DAC3 for a while and, coincidentally, ordered the AHB2 last week. It may be replacing an Emotiva amp I've been using (if I can hear a difference). I have some Stealth 8s in my office that I will probably never get rid of. So much power and clarity. The 2EX are a bit sweeter than those so they are more for when I want pure relaxation.
@@TH-lo8mq I'm using it with a dac3b as well, and the hpa4 and ahb2. AHB2 is a super clean amp. You'll be very happy with it.
@@TH-lo8mq I was using an Audiolab 6000a as a power amp before the AHB2. The AHB2 sounded fuller and a bit warmer than the Audiolab. I do regret selling the 6000a as it is quite a nice integrated amp.
Swap those resistors for Mills when you already have them out! I'm sure It would be a worthwhile upgrade for pennies...
Pennies for Mills resistors?? Better think again. It would be like $27 plus shipping to replace all 4 of them based on Parts Express pricing on their site.
Also, if he doesn't plan on keeping the review samples, why would he change out crossover parts and pay for them out of his pocket knowing he will be shipping them off to somewhere else?
You don't make any sense...LMAO.
It’s not just Mills who makes Non-Inductive wirewound power resistors with the same power rating and values.. There are others, but not as easy to look for.
@@stephenoverton8352 Well pennies was just a figure of speech (considering the price of speakers). Also, I understand he has to get them back, but if he already got permission to take them apart... I would be tempted lol. And one more thing - Parts Express is not the only one I have sourced it cheaper AND it would be enough to replace tweeter resistor IMHO
If you compare these Buchardt to the XLS Encore?
Great review, the preambles are always super interesting!
Also +1 on the ZOTL amplifiers, those things are something else! 😄
The LTA MZ3 is what i use as my dedicated headphone amp which is the best that I have heard to date which doesn't surprise me as the LTA stuff is using David Berning designed circuits who is one of the truly great designers & a real maverick. I also strongly agree with your thoughts on bass as many people seem to think you need solid state but as you said there is a lot of texture and nuance in bass that gets overlooked. Don't let anyone convince you tubes can't do bass which should go a long way in taming that aluminum cone driver. Thanks for a great review Ron, all the best to you and the family.
Awesome review and just a little note to sandcast resistors, they are a no no at high frequency because they work as a first order filter due to the inductans they have. So for zobel filters and extra bandpass resistance the sandcast resistor are totally fine.
Ron - loved Your, " Is the Juice worth the Squeeze ? " lol
No more sandcast resistors, but also no more passive crossovers.
I agree with the first part! Thanks for the comment!
No more passive crossovers means no more resistors, or capacitors, etc. Love it! Go full-range or go DSP for some real control.
@@mw4609 Exactly. Active crossovers and amps still use resistors as far as I know though. Just a much smaller and not using them for the same thing.
As a non-technical person, what's the issue with sandcast resistors?
"What's the issue with sandcast resistors?" Cost. Impacts the BOM.
The sand encases a wire-wound resistor, aka an inductor. It's not purely resistive.
Too cheap for audiophiles!
That's not necessarily right. Lots of wirewound resistors are non inductive.
Nothing, it's just audiophile assumption based on cost.
I don't believe the color scheme of a speaker matching Ron's fitness tracker is a coincidence.
Hahaha
Which combo did u like more, the Schiit or the Nad? Great review 👍
Is a tie fair? Both are great but for different reasons!
@@Newrecordday2013 please explain the reasons if you don't mind. I would love to know
Very complete, detailed and good review. 👍
Well thanks!
Just what are these other amazing speakers that go to the extra level ??
This is the best review for S400 I have ever seen! Hopefully Matt one day can enhance Buchardt even more base on your comments. I don't mind it cost more.
Here's some much needed critique:
-A coaxial driver would help vertical dispersion, and allow these to be used closer to nearfield without integration issues... And you could fit a three way in the same box.
-Legacy box design doesn't seem to minimize diffraction or reduce internal reflections. Hopefully it's fully stuffed, watching other video shortly.
So you're saying every speaker should be coaxial?
This is the most detailed review I have heard so far on the S400! I look forward to what competitors may surpass them in future reviews. Great job!
Do you want even more detailed review? ruclips.net/video/SD37No6qgPE/видео.html&ab_channel=Erin%27sAudioCorner
No bracing.
It is not needed when one wall is moveable the whole back wall is a passive radiator. So when the pressure increase in the box then the passive radiator goes out and do not let the cabinet pressure get to high. And when there is a under pressure then the passive radiator is sucked in to the cabinet.
With that that is not needed to have as thick walls or bracing when the passive radiator even out the cabinet pressure.
Just physics no magic at all.
How does that matter beyond the band pass of the port/passive radiator? That woofer isn't being rolled off till at least 1khz and the tuning frequency of the passive radiator is going to be near the f3 of the speaker. You are talking about 4 octaves of potential box resonances. And ports/passive radiator are still resistive in nature and will not auto magically remove all resonances in the band pass. Box resonances can be conductive in nature after all the drivers are bolted to the boxes and the cones/spiders have energy and is being transferred to the frame which is bolted to the box. That might be physics too.
Thoughtful, intelligent, well researched and honest. Your usual!! Thank you!
Maybe a silly question, but if the musical centrepiece is right in the middle of the two speakers, is it an option to lay them in a flat position?
NO HYPE, they PERFORMERS! They are "NOT". HEADACHE BOOKSHELF BOXES, like so many that are on the market today. If anyone knows of a better Speaker at the Same Price point and 4ohm, please let us know! They are Not SHOUTY and you can enjoy them ALL DAY LONG ! I push them with a IOTA SA3& PA3, also my New Yamaha AS2200 does a nice job.
Hey love your channel and been enjoying your content and also your daily hi fi podcast with other guys.
I am looking to buy 2 channel stereo system. I currently have Anthem STR Integrated Amp that was on huge discount recently. I am trying to set up system in one of my room - its about 11x11 feet. I keep thinking any 3 way towers would be too big - Looking at Wharfdale Evo 4.4 - looking for warm neutral sound (Opposite of bright Klipsh/KEF).
All the reviews of Buchard S400 has been amazing and feel like they are good size for my room.
Any opinions?
God damn those are fucking gorgeous I swear to God those are my absolutely dream speakers 🙂 I love passive radiators they're the best because my JBL xtreme 2 they both have it and it makes a big difference they sound beautiful and I use them as my studio photography speakers for my PC I have two of them but I want to upgrade soon
How did you get schiit to comment on 4 ohm speakers with Aegirs in Bridged mode? They refused to tell me anything outside of 8 ohms for running those in mono
Nice review Ron! Really enjoyed it. Now, one question - image you were in my shoes and had the opportunity to build a pair of CSS Criton 1TD ($1075) or buy a pair of S400's. Based on the review you recently did on the 2TD, which one would you lean towards?
Have $3000 to spend. Would you recommend these over the the Double Impacts? I know it’s an apples and oranges hype match up.
I’m using a McIntosh ma5200, by the way. No preamp
Haven’t spent time with the double impacts so I’m not sure.
Your amp should match perfectly with both. It would drive the double impacts easier but both would sound great. The double impacts are more efficient so they'd be more balanced between movies and music listening and they'd have a bigger sweet spot. The buchardt are excellent as well.
By the way I believe Revel uses those exact woofers. SB Acoustics makes good shit. Lastly, I think you measured those speakers incorrectly. Find out what the design axis is supposed to be then remeasure. I know you know this.
Do you mean the on axis reference point? If so, it’s in between the tweeter and woofer which was confirmed by Mads. Thanks.
Heigh HO!! Love your vids the most! Listen to "Gold Coast Sinkin'" on Heigh Ho thru the Buchardt S400. A wonderful sonic experience. My favorite speakers of the last couple of years, the Buchardt S400 and the Tekton Double Impact, are only available direct from the manufacturer, and in my mind offer the best value in audio today. What I like about the S400 is not each individual aspect like top end, midrange, etc. It's the gestalt of the speaker, how it performs together and stays together, and sounds good from any point in my room. It's a toe tapper for sure. A totally enjoyable speaker, not at all fatiguing.
Dude! That album is bonkers! Love it!
What speaker of similar size and price range would have the better soundstage height and depth.
Are you going to review the Buchardt S400 MK2 ?
I can reach out and ask, sure.
Great review, keep up the good work!
Thanks Ron ! Great review and tips on placements ! Just got the JBL-Studio 580s in a week ago for a review ,and ohh my what drivers they have ! Big motor structure !
Full POP-The HOOD coming soon ! (Scale and Crazy Bass)
Pared with my Sansui G-8000 !
Super Synergy ! I had an expierence today with this combo !
Soon i will have better cameras and microphones !
Ron the Towers were on sale for 635.00US normally 1500.00 Simply a
Real JBL !
I haven't seen many reviews of the 580s and their 90db efficient !
How's the 400s sound on low volume 😆
Very Important:
These are 4 ohm speakers. Your standard-issue 8ohm amp, integrated amp, or receiver won’t work with these speakers.
The 400’s should be 3ft min off the back wall and at least the same off the side walls, and at least 6 feet apart. So your listening room needs to be at least 13 feet wide.
These speakers require THREE HUNDRED HOURS minimum of continuous break-in time - and not at a whisper volume. That’s 12 and a half days of continuous playing at normal listening levels.
68db is the minimum listening level to get any benefit out of these speakers. Put a decibel app on your phone and find out how loud that is when you do it for 2-3 hours non-stop. Mads Buchardt will tell you that this is not a fault of the speaker, but a fault with our human hearing.
These are not speakers for background music while you’re doing other things. Rather, they are Critical Listening speakers (reference also Ron’s insistence on your being at the precise listening height & position) requiring your full and disciplined attention.
This isn’t a slam on the 400’s, just a heads-up.
Just ordered my S400 today. Your review was my final decision among all the the reviews I have encountered. While I enjoy my LS50’s and even my lower end ELAC B6, I am excited to get these and pair them with my Cambridge CXA-81 amp - 🤓
Awesome!
Thanks for the review Ron, I really enjoyed it. It seems to me that now that you’ve developed a good relationship with Danny (GR Research), along with your previous experience with building crossovers, it’s probably difficult to enjoy a good set of speakers like S400s while knowing they could be improved by better crossover components. Every pair of speakers I’ve owned or heard in the last year or so, especially my new ML Motion 40s, I can’t help wondering the same. ‘How would they sound with better parts inside?’ I’m hoping to see Danny hot-rod them a bit.
The S400's are offered with upgraded Jantzen Audio crossovers for an add another $800 USD. I wish I could audition them and I am waiting to hear back from Mads Buchardt about his impressions of that upgrade. The SE's or Signature Editions come with the upgraded crossovers but they will add them to the standard finishes as well for the cost above.
great review, liked what you had to say about the sandcast stuff. PLEASE rethink the clicking sound when using bullet points. Thanks Ron.
Yup! I’ll chill out on those! Thanks!
I hope you review the new S400 MK2
What would be an appropriate resister upgrade and what would I notice?
Hi thanx for all great videos 👍
I have the s300, does the extreme toe-in work with those to?
I have them pointing strait forward right now.
And by the way, I saw your video about the stands.
And I got new speakers.
Filled them up with sand 👍
Great job Ron. Thorough, subjective review. Now here's the question, your looking at $2200 USD, what have you heard at this price that are better, or put another way if YOU had $2200 what would you get??
Impact monitor?
I didn't realize the price of S400 was that high now! For $2200, I'd get 10 pairs of Elac D2-B6.2 and lay them on their sides atop each other to create a giant line array stack.
Texan Range
Or...Pendragons, which I own and love. I’ve heard the S400’s and prefer my Tektons. Not to mention, they were $200 cheaper, and I even bought the ones with the upgraded crossovers.
Hope you get the active ones when they are out!
I hope so as well
what would you recommend in same price range?
Great review ! ✌️
Great video
This is a review for Buchardt 400 ! So doesn’t matter which speaker comparing to , because he can’t say it in this video. Honest review though!
Great review style and content! Can you review some of the popular internet brands like Emotiva or Chane? Thanks!
Sure! I have a contact for Emotiva. What would you like for me to review?
@@Newrecordday2013 Awesome! I am personally looking at the T1+ or T2+ so I have great interest in those at the moment.
Requested the t2. Should be mid to late month for arrival.
Honest, love it.
these babies are on my way in 3 days, wish me luck !! would be a shame to send them back !T_T
Hi, just a constructive comment. The sound effect for your points/comments is a bit distracting. Also kind of reminds me of when you hook up speakers with an amp on or something lol.
Thanks for the feedback! I’ll relax it next time.
These commenters with "better resistors/inductors/caps are just an audiophoolery" comments need to explain why there is a better S400 Signature Edition with better components/cables sold by Buchardt.
ruclips.net/video/lmsMGILAYvk/видео.html in regards to the signature edition, the site mentions 25 pairs and are sold out.
What can I replace a sandcast resistor in my crossover with? I would love to know.
Mills resistors are good.
@@Newrecordday2013 Thank you for such a speedy response. Highly appreciated
I would be super interested in your thoughts on upgrading the components in a system to better quality components. Obviously there is tube rolling to better ones and swapping op-amps. But you kinda have me really needing to itch this curiosity to know what all sub-components I can swap out for higher quality counterparts. Essentially turning, lets say a 500$ pair of speakers into a 2500$ pair. Or an amp etc etc..
Which did you enjoy more? The Buchardts or the CSS Critons? Thanks
Buchardts
It's almost as if Buchardt based the MKII on this review.
Hey Ron, great review. I’m very aligned with your impressions, although I was not able to “cross the streams” with positive results - I suspect this has to do with my small room (around 10.5’ wide) and that I only sit about 8 feet from them.
Anyhow I wrote some detailed impressions here if anyone is interested: www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/bookshelf-standmount-speaker-impressions.8941/page-2#post-291100
I would be very interested if @mads_buchardt would consider selling an improved crossover upgrade kit for these, especially since they already have one for the Signature Edition. Warranty may be an issue in this case however.
Hi, after writing my comments I found yours. I have exactly the same situation as you. BR
Rick Lowes
Hi Rick. Mike Powell (OCD HiFi Guy) tried to address this issue with upgrading the crossover components, and did it. The speakers sounded immediately better even through the RUclips filter. I know he’d spoken to Mads about it too, so you might wanna contact Mike. You can email him at: Verastarr@gmail.com
Nick Pantazi I had watched Mike’s video on that and I thought mainly what he had done was upgrade the internal wiring and other aspects, but not the crossover/components themselves. Am I wrong about that?
Rick Lowes
I’m actually not sure, now that you bring it up, but whatever Mike did made quite a difference in upgrading the SQ of the S400’s.
I’d just shoot him an email or better yet, just give him a call. Good luck, Rick.
How much are 1900 Euros in US dollars?
Ron how do these or the S300 compare to kef r300???
Not sure! Have yet to hear the r300
Hello Ron. I have a question. I have the s400 and I am driving them using a Yamaha A-S2100. And I have the volume up about 40-45% and it seems like the speakers are bottoming up. I can send you a small clip. I was playing Africa -Toto and and little room -Nora johns. Any advice?
Have mine paired with the Yamaha AS-2100 amp and it's a magical combo... check it out!
That's my current dream amplifier, nice to hear it sounds good!
@@reflux1986 good luck with owning it one day. The AS1100 is a great bargain at about half the price and they actually aren't that different except headphone amp and a couple f other small things. I wa lucky to get a near new 2100 second hand for half the price otherwise I would have just gone with the 1100
@@broadhurst5000 Thanks! I could sell my current amp and get the 1100 for the same money but still hoping for a great deal on the 2100. That's a keeper for years
@@reflux1986 yep for sure, it's so well built. Check out a RUclips channel called stereopolice. He does a thorough bunch of videos on the AS-1100 which kinda sold it for me. This is the first one but he also does an in depth comparison with the AS2100 in another video. ruclips.net/video/xUe3iLa7-as/видео.html
reflux1986 q
Your stands will never really be the right height because people's couches and yours are at different heights, so adjustable stools seem to be the best.
Not sure about the lack of bracing being justified... Sure, you can have a cabinet that resonates and adds 10dB at 400hz, and just make a dip in the speakers -10dB at 400hz, but I don't think that is good engineering.
If the engineers didn't hear a resonance, then why add bracing?
Harbeth is no where near as to been regarded as some of the best loudspeakers in the world. For a start I for one don't like their plastic drive units, then their too many lossy components in their crossovers, and that is just the start, their sound quality and for ultimate transparency is jusy not no where near good enough. They are just far too compromised designs full stop. There are definitely no kind of monitor loudspeakers thats for sure.
@Fat Rat I don;t know much about Harbeth other than seeing their praises online, but if you're saying he designs-in resonance to fill-in frequency response - cool!
@Fat Rat Before this interaction, I was ambivalent to Harbeth - now I'm not. Thanks for the introduction to Harbeth.
The best ever small speaker... Makes ls50 seem like a toy
$2200 ? what a waste of money. My older special edition metallic silver monitor audio gold reference gr20 wipe the floor with any loudspeakers at that new price, and more expensive new loudspeakers at over that price. They are revealing extremely balanced and neutral 2 1/2 design. Mine are bi- amped with like window clean reveiling uncoloured sound spectrum amplification and source too. I Picked them up for £450 uk British Pounds. There is no other 2 1/2 way dynamic coned loudspeakers like their design and equivalent size, and their drive unit equivalent type and size out there at their value that betters their detailed and transparent alround abilities, especially with high quality digital sources and recordings. To better their sound quality ratio performance quality you will need electrostatic type loudspeakers of an equivalent balanced sound frequency spectrum top to bottom frequency response, that's how good they are. Poor quality equipment, recordings, also your room not set up to a good enough standard need not apply, if you really want know how really capable these loudspeakers are. Monitor quality design they truly are. I do not mean like the very cheap and nasty type variety of monitors either.
Well, that's your opinion. I think the size of instruments and size of soundstage was rather underwhelming with monitor audio. The gold tweeter was very detailed yet not hot, very nice on that regard but it lacks the depth of Audiovector or Elac IMO. It could have been the electronics, but it had 16 thousand dollars in electronics behind, not counting cables, and they were just meh...
They dont wipe the floor with much, including the Buchardt. It would take extremely limited speaker ownership to come to that conclusion. Please upload a video showing you've done in room comparisons. I used GR20's as secondary and bedroom speakers. Eventually they went on classifieds, not a very engaging speaker.
@@anjin_x then again, what's engaging? Or at least, what's engaging for you?
Salty
Nice!!
Your review was exactly what I expected.
I don't believe you can hear those resistors. They are non-inductive wire wound and they are not some kind of old fashioned junk. Capacitors, they are audible. Inductors, in some cases yes. But I can't go along with the resistor comment. Too much woo woo.
The good news is, you don’t have to. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching the video.
Not to be nitpicky, but if you listen to the Danish press, the pronunciation of the name of the company sounds like the English words “Book Heart.” It’s not “Booooook Heart” as you are saying. That’s all.
if they made a sound quality oriented speaker that was sealed box and proper crossover i would be interested. right now they built this thing to do too much, too many compromises just to get more bass out of them.
Yes, you can get better if get an ATC bookshelf with subs. But if you want an impressive all rounder, this is it. It's damn impressive and has the right output for a mid room. I was mostly concerned with midrange speed, and it has it. The driver is fantastic and can do bass with a very distinct tone on the midrange and or various voices going. Impressive midrange although the bass. But... Yes, can be done better if you have the room and 2 thousand dollars more to spare.
@@BastianUllr indeed that is my point, there are speakers made for sound quality and there are other speakers that compromises some sound quality tom more bass. it will work better alone if you so desire but its not a complete system until you get a subwoofer.
its a bit odd that it has come to this, all speakers should be made to sound as good as possible for the money. and ported or passive radiator design does not do this.
@@sudd3660 take the S400 - high pass filter at 80hz... Enjoy the ride.
@@sudd3660 I think your claim is rather nonsense about port and passive radiators.
There is quite little speakers that can do 20hz with no subwoofer, and placing the sub 30hz on the same package as the speakers requires a lot of plasticity to play with the room. I think I might not be getting your idea?
Now, the whole point here is that it's sub optimal to match S400 with subs without using a high pass filter. They dig really deep already for most music. Now, you want true full range? Little to none makes that. And, if you use a high pass filter the passive radiator becomes a nuance to the sealed box or not. What you end up with is an stellar driver capable of a clarity and speed that's rathed ridiculous, with a properly integrated subwoofer of your choise that's sealed and get you the bass. I'd take myself rythmik over SVS any day.
@@BastianUllr there is no one that make and knows about speaker design that don't know about cabinet design options, sound quality is sealed and open baffle, in subwoofer and any size speaker. i cant possible explain everything to you her on youtube comments section.
if i can at least inspire you to educate yourself on the topic and get better sound in return.
if you use a subwoofer with any ported or passive radiator designs you should have gone for a sealed box from the start. and true full range can be done cheap and easily depending on room size and listening volumes, and an eq on a pc as source. 16hz to 20khz i consider fullrange.
plugging ports or using high pass filter on bookshelf speakers won't solve all the problems, still a sealed box for example will always inherently be superior from low end up to midrange, only the tweeter is the same on all designs.
Three things:
Is Danny Ritchie getting a crack at these speakers?
Did you try listening with the speakers turned upside-down?
Well respected manufacturer, Living Voice, also intentionally does not brace their cabinets.
Not sure on Danny looking at these, that’s up to Mads. I did listen to them upside down and didn’t care for them like that.
@Fat Rat Great call.
@@Newrecordday2013 Ron, you're spot-on there. I also tried them upside down. Doesn't work well - partly because of the angled front baffle.
They don't have bracing because the passive radiator relieves (limits buildup of) internal cabinet pressure - same reason they can have thin walls.
Better electrical components won't eliminate the wave guide (mini-horn), nor will it fix the imbalance of fast highs/mids with slow bass (also because of the passive radiator).
and S400 mkII came
Buy a set of Dyanco A25 and don’t look back
I'd like to hear these with some good subwoofers!
Pricing is to the door... :-)
I would love to hear these at some point since there is so much hype. Being that a pair costs more than my entire system it will have to be a pair of someones else's.
Sorry I'm a true believer that cheap (set up properly) can outperform many peoples systems that they spent a lot of money on while just hooking them up sitting down and saying yeah!!!