In this review, we will be comparing S400 MKII and Bronze 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Buchardt and Monitor Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Buchardt S400 MKII and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Buchardt S400 MKII and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1 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 Bronze 1 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
0.74-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 5.5-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 Bronze 1 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k HZ whereas Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k 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 Bronze 1's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 Bronze 1 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.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 88 dBdB.
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 Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS, 130 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1'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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1 has external dimensions of 260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm ( 10.2 x 6.4 x 8.0inch) .
Buchardt S400 MKII is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 15mm wider, 105mm taller and 75mm deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze 1.
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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is approximately 338.3cm2 / 52.4inch2. The S400 MKII requires 49% more surface area than the Bronze 1 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 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs. This makes the S400 MKII 114% heavier than the Bronze 1.
Here is a comparison of how S400 MKII and Bronze 1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 1?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 2 Foam port plugs Hex-key Owner's Manual Important Safety Instructions
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
70 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k 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 |
260mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
338cm2 (165x205mm)
vs
504cm2 (180x280mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
Brand |
Buchardt |
Monitor Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
40-200 watts |
20-70 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
33-40k HZ |
55-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6" |
5.5" |
Woofer Composition |
paper |
C-CAM |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
0.74" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
aluminum waveguide |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
1800Hz |
2700Hz |
Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
365.0mm (14.4") |
260.0mm (10.2") |
Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
Depth |
280.0mm (11") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
30-31" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
10 years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
10 years |
5 Years |