In this review, we will be comparing S400 MKII and Synchrony B600, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Buchardt and PSB. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Buchardt S400 MKII and PSB Synchrony B600 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Buchardt S400 MKII Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 0.74" aluminum waveguide Tweeter
- 6" paper Woofer
- 33-40k HZ Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:40-200watts
- Weight:7.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 365.0" x 7" x 11"( 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm )
PSB Synchrony B600 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Carbon fiber Woofer
- 55-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:15-150watts
- Weight:10.45kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 402.0" x 9-1/8" x 13-9/16"( 402.0 x 232.0 x 345.0mm )
What size room are the Buchardt S400 MKII and PSB Synchrony B600 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 MKII |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
| 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Buchardt S400 MKII and PSB Synchrony B600 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 Synchrony B600 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.74-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
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 Synchrony B600 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Carbon fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k HZ whereas Synchrony B600 has a frequency range of 55-20k 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 Synchrony B600'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 Synchrony B600 which has a nominal impedance of 6 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 Synchrony B600 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 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 PSB Synchrony B600'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 PSB Synchrony B600 has external dimensions of 402.0 x 232.0 x 345.0mm ( 15-13/16 x 9-1/8 x 13-9/16inch) .
PSB Synchrony B600 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 52mm wider, 37mm taller and 65mm deeper than Buchardt S400 MKII.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Buchardt S400 MKII and PSB Synchrony B600 in scale.
Comparison image of Buchardt S400 MKII and PSB Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600 is approximately 800.4cm2 / 124.1inch2. The S400 MKII requires 37% less surface area than the Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600 weighs 10.45kg / 23lbs. This makes the Synchrony B600 39% heavier than the S400 MKII.
Here is a comparison of how S400 MKII and Synchrony B600's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Synchrony B600?
Here are the items that come with the Synchrony B600:
Bookshelf loudspeakrGrille2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)Owners ManualWarranty Card