In this review, we will be comparing Sonetto I and S400 MKII, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sonus Faber and Buchardt. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Sonetto I and Buchardt S400 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Sonetto I 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 Sonus Sonetto I 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 Sonetto I and S400 MKII are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Sonus Sonetto I |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Sonetto I features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 Hz. 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
Sonetto I has a frequency range of 45-25k 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 Sonetto I's min frequency of 45Hz.
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
Sonetto I and S400 MKII have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Sonetto I sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the S400 MKII's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Buchardt S400 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Sonetto I, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Sonetto I and the Sonetto I can provide this impedance level.
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.
Sonetto I can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Sonetto I 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 Sonus Sonetto I's and Buchardt S400 MKII's external dimensions. Sonus Sonetto I has external dimensions of 359.0 x 219.0 x 305.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 12inch) whereas Buchardt S400 MKII has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) .
Buchardt S400 MKII is 39mm narrower and 25mm less deeper than Sonus Sonetto I but it is also 6mm taller.
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 Sonus Sonetto I is approximately 668.0cm2 / 103.5inch2 and base area of the Buchardt S400 MKII is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The Sonetto I requires 33% more surface area than the S400 MKII 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 Sonus Sonetto I weighs 5.50kg / 12.1lbs and the Buchardt S400 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the S400 MKII 36% heavier than the Sonetto I.
Here is a comparison of how Sonetto I 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 Sonus Sonetto I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sonetto I:
2 Masks2 Fabric dust guards2 Jumpers1 Manual
 Height |
359mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 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
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Base Surface Area |
504cm2 (180x280mm)
vs
668cm2 (219x305mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Sonus Faber Sonetto I |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| Brand |
Sonus Faber |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
33-40k HZ |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
cellulose pulp and other natural fibers |
paper |
| Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD Dome |
aluminum waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500 Hz |
1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
359.0mm (14.1") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
219.0mm (8.6") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
305.0mm (12") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
5.50kg (12.1lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
10 years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
10 years |