In this review, we will be comparing S400 MKII and R3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Buchardt and KEF. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Buchardt S400 MKII and KEF R3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Buchardt S400 MKII and KEF R3 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 KEF R3 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that S400 MKII is a 2-way design whereas the R3 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
KEF R3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.74-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-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 R3 features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Hybrid aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k HZ whereas R3 has a frequency range of 52-28k 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 R3's min frequency of 52Hz.
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 R3 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 R3's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Buchardt S400 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R3, 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 R3 has a max power handling value of 180 watts RMS, 20 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.
KEF R3 Port
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 KEF R3'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 KEF R3 has external dimensions of 423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm ( 16-5/8 x 7-13/16 x 13-1/4inch) .
KEF R3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 19mm wider, 58mm taller and 57mm deeper than Buchardt S400 MKII.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Buchardt S400 MKII and KEF R3 in scale.
Comparison image of Buchardt S400 MKII and KEF R3 Size and External Dimensions
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 KEF R3 is approximately 670.6cm2 / 103.9inch2. The S400 MKII requires 25% less surface area than the R3 which gives it a small advantage 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:
Size Comparison image of Buchardt S400 MKII and KEF R3 on a Media Console
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 KEF R3 weighs 13.55kg / 29.8lbs. This makes the R3 81% heavier than the S400 MKII.
Here is a comparison of how S400 MKII and R3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF R3?
Here are the items that come with the R3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser ManualWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
52 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 |
 Height |
365mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
504cm2 (180x280mm)
vs
670cm2 (199x337mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| General |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
KEF R3 |
| Brand |
Buchardt |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
33-40k HZ |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
paper |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.74" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
aluminum waveguide |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1800Hz |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
365.0mm (14.4") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
13.55kg (29.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| 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 |