In this review, we will be comparing Evoke 30 and S400 MKII, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Dynaudio and Buchardt. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Buchardt S400 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Dynaudio Evoke 20 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Buchardt S400 MKII 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 Evoke 30 and S400 MKII are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Evoke 30 features a 1.1" Cerotar with Hexis Tweeter and 1 x 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3200Hz. 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
Evoke 30 has a frequency range of 40-23k Hz whereas S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k 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 Evoke 30's min frequency of 40Hz.
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
Evoke 30 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the S400 MKII which has a nominal impedance of 4 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. Evoke 30 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the S400 MKII's is rated at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Buchardt S400 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to Dynaudio Evoke 20, 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.
Evoke 30 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Evoke 30 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.
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 Dynaudio Evoke 20's and Buchardt S400 MKII's external dimensions. Dynaudio Evoke 20 has external dimensions of 380.0 x 215.0 x 343.0mm ( 15 x 8.5 x 12.1inch) whereas Buchardt S400 MKII has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) .
Dynaudio Evoke 20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 35mm wider, 15mm taller and 63mm deeper than Buchardt S400 MKII.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Buchardt S400 MKII in scale.
Comparison image of Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Buchardt S400 MKII 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 Dynaudio Evoke 20 is approximately 737.5cm2 / 114.3inch2 and base area of the Buchardt S400 MKII is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The Evoke 30 requires 46% more surface area than the S400 MKII 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:
Size Comparison image of Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Buchardt S400 MKII 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 Dynaudio Evoke 20 weighs 9.90kg / 21.8lbs and the Buchardt S400 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the Evoke 30 32% heavier than the S400 MKII.
Here is a comparison of how Evoke 30 and S400 MKII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Evoke 20?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Evoke 30:
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
365mm
vs
380mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
504cm2 (180x280mm)
vs
737cm2 (215x343mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2200USD
vs
4798USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| Brand |
Dynaudio |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 180 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40-23k Hz |
33-40k HZ |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
aluminum waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3200Hz |
1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
380.0mm (15") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
215.0mm (8.5") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
343.0mm (13.5") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
9.90kg (21.8lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
10 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
10 years |