In this review, we will be comparing S400 MKII and 707 S2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Buchardt and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Buchardt S400 MKII and B&W 707 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Buchardt S400 MKII and B&W 707 S2 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Buchardt S400 MKII and B&W 707 S2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both S400 MKII and 707 S2 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
B&W 707 S2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
0.74-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the 707 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k HZ whereas 707 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 33Hz, the S400 MKII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 707 S2's min frequency of 50Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
S400 MKII is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the 707 S2 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the S400 MKII can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. S400 MKII sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the 707 S2's is rated at 84 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Buchardt S400 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 707 S2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
S400 MKII can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 707 S2 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the S400 MKII.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 MKII's and B&W 707 S2's external dimensions. Buchardt S400 MKII has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) whereas B&W 707 S2 has external dimensions of 280.0 x 165.0 x 276.0mm ( 11-inch x 6.5-inch x 10.9-inch) .
Buchardt S400 MKII is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 15mm wider, 85mm taller and 4mm deeper than B&W 707 S2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Buchardt S400 MKII and B&W 707 S2 in scale.
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 MKII is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2 and base area of the B&W 707 S2 is approximately 455.4cm2 / 70.6inch2. The S400 MKII requires 11% more surface area than the 707 S2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the B&W 707 S2 weighs 6.00kg / 13.2lbs. This makes the S400 MKII 25% heavier than the 707 S2.
Here is a comparison of how S400 MKII and 707 S2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 707 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 707 S2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Height |
280mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
455cm2 (165x276mm)
vs
504cm2 (180x280mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1599USD
vs
2200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2 |
Brand |
Buchardt |
Bowers Wilkins |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
40-200 watts |
30-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
84 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
4.0 ohms |
Frequency Response |
33-40k HZ |
50-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
paper |
Continuum |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
0.74" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
aluminum waveguide |
Decoupled Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
1800Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
365.0mm (14.4") |
280.0mm (11") |
Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
276.0mm (10.9") |
Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
6.00kg (13.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
10 years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
10 years |
5 Years |