In this review, we will be comparing S400 MK3 and S400 MKII, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Buchardt.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Buchardt S400 MK3 and Buchardt S400 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Buchardt S400 MK3 | Buchardt S400 MKII |
|---|
| Brand | Buchardt
Denmark · founded 2014 | Buchardt
Denmark · founded 2014 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" waveguide | 0.74" aluminum waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 7.5" SB Acoustics Satori Egyptian Papyrus papercone | 6" paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 33-20k Hz | 33-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30+ watts | 40-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.50kg / 18.7lbs | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.4" x 7.8" x 11"
392 x 198 x 280 mm | 14.4" x 7" x 11"
365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm |
|---|
S400 MK3 and S400 MKII 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 S400 MKII 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 S400 MKII |
| 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 S400 MKII are 2-way speakers.
Buchardt S400 MK3Buchardt S400 MKII
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 S400 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7.5-inch
|
1 x 6-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 S400 MKII features a 0.74" fine weave soft fabric textile aluminum waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
S400 MK3 has a frequency range of 33-20k Hz whereas S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k Hz.
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 S400 MKII 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 S400 MKII's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Buchardt S400 MKII 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.
S400 MKII can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas S400 MK3 has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 200 watts less than the S400 MKII.
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 S400 MKII'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 S400 MKII has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm (14.4 x 7 x 11inch).
Buchardt S400 MKII is 18mm narrower and 27mm shorter than Buchardt S400 MK3 but they have the same thickness of 280.0mm.
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.
Buchardt S400 MK3 needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. Buchardt S400 MK3 is 27mm taller.
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 S400 MKII is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The S400 MK3 requires 10% more surface area than the S400 MKII which gives it a small disadvantage 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 S400 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the S400 MK3 13% heavier than the S400 MKII.
Here is a comparison of how S400 MK3 and S400 MKII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Woofer Size |
7.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
365mm
vs
392mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
504cm2
vs
554cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2200USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Buchardt S400 MK3 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| Brand |
Buchardt |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30+ watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
33-20k Hz |
33-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
7.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
SB Acoustics Satori Egyptian Papyrus papercone |
paper |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
waveguide |
aluminum waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2200Hz |
1800Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
392.0mm (15.4") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
198.0mm (7.8") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
15mm HMR.E2 moisture-proof fiberboard |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut, Natural oak |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
| 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (33Hz vs 33Hz). |
| 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 | evenly matched | Much the same money ($2,300 vs $2,200 a pair). |
A Buchardt S400 MK3 B Buchardt S400 MKII
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.