In this review, we will be comparing S400 MK3 and E50-S, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Buchardt.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Buchardt S400 MK3 and Buchardt E50-S first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Buchardt S400 MK3 | Buchardt E50-S |
|---|
| Brand | Buchardt
Denmark · founded 2014 | Buchardt
Denmark · founded 2014 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" waveguide | 1" waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 7.5" SB Acoustics Satori Egyptian Papyrus papercone | 7.5" Custom-made Satori TeXtreme |
|---|
| Frequency response | 33-20k Hz | 38-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30+ watts | 15 - 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.50kg / 18.7lbs | 9.00kg / 19.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.4" x 7.8" x 11"
392 x 198 x 280 mm | 15.5" x 7.9" x 11.1"
395 x 200 x 284 mm |
|---|
S400 MK3 and E50-S are members of Buchardt's Passive series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Buchardt Passive Series
History
What size room are the Buchardt S400 MK3 and Buchardt E50-S speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Buchardt S400 MK3 |
Buchardt E50-S |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both S400 MK3 and E50-S are 2-way speakers.
Buchardt S400 MK3Buchardt E50-S
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Buchardt S400 MK3 |
Buchardt E50-S |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7.5-inch
|
1 x 7.5-inch
|
S400 MK3 features a 1" Custom aluminum dome with neodymium motor waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 7.5" SB Acoustics Satori Egyptian Papyrus papercone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the E50-S features a 1" Custom Scanspeak textile dome waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 7.5" Custom-made Satori TeXtreme Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
S400 MK3 has a frequency range of 33-20k Hz whereas E50-S has a frequency range of 38-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 33Hz, the S400 MK3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the E50-S's min frequency of 38Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
S400 MK3 and E50-S have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S400 MK3 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the E50-S's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Buchardt E50-S a more sensitive speaker compared to Buchardt S400 MK3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the S400 MK3 and the S400 MK3 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
E50-S can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas S400 MK3 has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 100 watts less than the E50-S.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Buchardt S400 MK3's and Buchardt E50-S's external dimensions. Buchardt S400 MK3 has external dimensions of 392 x 198 x 280 mm (15.4 x 7.8 x 11 inch) whereas Buchardt E50-S has external dimensions of 395 x 200 x 284 mm (15.5 x 7.9 x 11.1 inch).
Buchardt E50-S is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 2mm wider, 3mm taller and 4mm deeper than Buchardt S400 MK3.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Buchardt S400 MK3 is approximately 554.4cm2 / 85.9inch2 and base area of the Buchardt E50-S is approximately 568.0cm2 / 88.0inch2. The S400 MK3 requires 2% less surface area than the E50-S which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Buchardt S400 MK3 weighs 8.50kg / 18.7lbs and the Buchardt E50-S weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs. This makes the E50-S 6% heavier than the S400 MK3.
Here is a comparison of how S400 MK3 and E50-S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
392mm
vs
395mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
554cm2
vs
568cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2300USD
vs
4300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 6-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
| General |
Buchardt S400 MK3 |
Buchardt E50-S |
| Brand |
Buchardt |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30+ watts |
15 - 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
33-20k Hz |
38-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
7.5" |
7.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
SB Acoustics Satori Egyptian Papyrus papercone |
Custom-made Satori TeXtreme |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
waveguide |
waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2200Hz |
2000Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
392.0mm (15.4") |
395.0mm (15.6") |
| Width |
198.0mm (7.8") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
284.0mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
15mm HMR.E2 moisture-proof fiberboard |
19 & 28mm (front baffle) solid european oak |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut, Natural oak |
Rounded Natural Oak, Rounded Smoked Oak, Rounded Charcoal |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 years |
10 years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 years |
10 years |
Siblings in Buchardt's Passive series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Buchardt S400 MK3 digs deeper - 33Hz against 38Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Bass Reflex vs Passive Radiator. |
| Price | A | Buchardt S400 MK3 is cheaper - $2,300 against $4,300, about 47% less; arguably a different class. |
A Buchardt S400 MK3 B Buchardt E50-S
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Buchardt S400 MK3 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 38Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $2,000 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.