In this review, we will be comparing Focus 10 and A500, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Dynaudio and Buchardt. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Dynaudio Focus 10 and Buchardt A500 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Dynaudio Focus 10 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 390-watt RMS Integrated Amplifier
- 1.1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 5.5" MSP Woofer
- 43-22k Hz Frequency Response
- 24-bit Max Depth / 192 kHz Max Sample Rate
- Built-in 4.2 Bluetooth
- App Control Feature
- Weight:7.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 315.0" x 7-1/8" x 10-1/4"( 315.0 x 180.0 x 261.0mm )
Buchardt A500 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 450-watt RMS( 1320-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
- 0.74" aluminum waveguide Tweeter
- 6" Midrange
- 6" paper Woofer
- 6" Midrange
- 25-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 24-bit Max Depth / 192kHZ Max Sample Rate
- No Bluetooth
- Weight:9.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 365.0" x 7" x 11"( 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Dynaudio Focus 10 and Buchardt A500 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 Focus 10 is a 2-way design whereas the A500 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 |
Dynaudio Focus 10 |
Buchardt A500 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Focus 10 features a 1.1" Cerotar Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" MSP Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200 Hz. On the other hand, the A500 features a 0.74" fine weave soft fabric textile aluminum waveguide Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 1 x 6" paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 150Hz and 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
Focus 10 has a frequency range of 43-22k Hz whereas A500 has a frequency range of 25-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the A500 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Focus 10's min frequency of 43Hz.
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.
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 Focus 10's and Buchardt A500's external dimensions. Dynaudio Focus 10 has external dimensions of 315.0 x 180.0 x 261.0mm ( 12-3/8-inch x 7-1/8-inch x 10-1/4-inch) whereas Buchardt A500 has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) .
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Dynaudio Focus 10 and Buchardt A500 in scale.
Comparison image of Dynaudio Focus 10 and Buchardt A500 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 Focus 10 is approximately 469.8cm2 / 72.8inch2 and base area of the Buchardt A500 is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The Focus 10 requires 7% less surface area than the A500 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 Dynaudio Focus 10 and Buchardt A500 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 Focus 10 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the Buchardt A500 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs. This makes the A500 20% heavier than the Focus 10.
Here is a comparison of how Focus 10 and A500's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
315mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
469cm2
vs
504cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
Service only
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Digital Input |
1x Toslink, 1x RCA
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
43 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
3850USD
vs
5500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 XLR Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via XLR input |
| General |
Dynaudio Focus 10 |
Buchardt A500 |
| Brand |
Dynaudio |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
43-22k Hz |
25-40k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
390-watt RMS |
450-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
1320-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
192kHZ |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
MSP |
paper |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
aluminum waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
6" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2200 Hz |
150Hz and 1800Hz |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
100 hours |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
315.0mm (12.4") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
261.0mm (10.3") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss, Blonde Wood, Walnut Wood |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
2x RCA |
XLR |
| USB Port |
Service only |
Service Only |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
n/a |
| Digital Input |
1x Toslink, 1x RCA |
No |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
|
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |