In this review, we will be comparing Sonetto II 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 II and Buchardt S400 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sonus Sonetto II | Buchardt S400 MKII |
|---|
| Brand | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 | Buchardt
Denmark · founded 2014 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.15" high definition DAD Dome | 0.74" aluminum waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers | 6" paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42-25k Hz | 33-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-200 watts | 40-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.6" x 10" x 13"
370.0 x 250.0 x 334.0mm | 14.4" x 7" x 11"
365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Sonus Sonetto II 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Sonus Sonetto II |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Sonetto II and S400 MKII are 2-way speakers.
Sonus Sonetto IIBuchardt S400 MKII
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Sonus Sonetto II |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Sonetto II features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2650 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 II has a frequency range of 42-25k 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 II's min frequency of 42Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Sonetto II and S400 MKII have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Sonetto II 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 II, 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 II and the Sonetto II 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Sonetto II and S400 MKII have the same power range of 40-200 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 II's and Buchardt S400 MKII's external dimensions. Sonus Sonetto II has external dimensions of 370.0 x 250.0 x 334.0mm (15 x 10 x 13inch) whereas Buchardt S400 MKII has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm (14.4 x 7 x 11inch).
Sonus Sonetto II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 70mm wider, 5mm taller and 54mm deeper than Buchardt S400 MKII.
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 II is approximately 835.0cm2 / 129.4inch2 and base area of the Buchardt S400 MKII is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The Sonetto II requires 66% 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 II weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the Buchardt S400 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the S400 MKII 10% heavier than the Sonetto II.
Here is a comparison of how Sonetto II 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 II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sonetto II:
- 2 Masks
- 2 Fabric dust guards
- 2 Jumpers
- 1 Manual
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
2200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
42 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 |
 Height |
365mm
vs
370mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
504cm2
vs
835cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Sonus faber Sonetto II |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| Brand |
Sonus faber |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
42-25k Hz |
33-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
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 |
2650 Hz |
1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
250.0mm (9.8") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
334.0mm (13.1") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Buchardt S400 MKII digs deeper - 33Hz against 42Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | Buchardt S400 MKII is easier to place; Sonus Sonetto II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Expandability | A | Sonus Sonetto II: bi-amping. Sonus Sonetto II sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Sonus Sonetto II is cheaper - $1,499 against $2,200, about 32% less. |
A Sonus Sonetto II B Buchardt S400 MKII
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 42Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Sonus Sonetto II much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Sonus Sonetto II has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Buchardt S400 MKII is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.