In this review, we will be comparing Duetto and A10, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Sonus faber 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 Sonus faber Duetto and Buchardt A10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sonus faber Duetto | Buchardt A10 |
|---|
| Brand | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 | Buchardt
Denmark · founded 2014 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 700-watt RMS | 200-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Soft-Dome | 0.74" Dome with waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Paper-Pulp | 6.5" paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 37-30k Hz | 28-40k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 192 kHz | 24-bit / 192kHZ |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.0 | No |
|---|
| App control | Yes | — |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 6.80kg / 15lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.4375" x 8.3125" x 11.0625"
342.0 x 212.0 x 281.0mm | 14.6" x 7" x 9.65"
370 x 180.0 x 245.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Duetto and A10 are 2-way speakers.
Sonus faber DuettoBuchardt A10
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 faber Duetto |
Buchardt A10 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Duetto features a 1.1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Paper-Pulp Woofer. On the other hand, the A10 features a 0.74" Aluminum Dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz.
Frequency Response
Duetto has a frequency range of 37-30k Hz whereas A10 has a frequency range of 28-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the A10 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Duetto's min frequency of 37Hz.
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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Duetto has a rear firing port whereas A10 has a front firing ports. Buchardt A10's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Sonus faber Duetto with its rear-firing port.
Sonus faber Duetto Port
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 faber Duetto's and Buchardt A10's external dimensions. Sonus faber Duetto has external dimensions of 342.0 x 212.0 x 281.0mm (13.4375inch x 8.3125inch x 11.0625inch) whereas Buchardt A10 has external dimensions of 370 x 180.0 x 245.0mm (14.6 x 7 x 11inch).
Buchardt A10 is 32mm narrower and 36mm less deeper than Sonus faber Duetto but it is also 28mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Sonus faber Duetto needs about 35% more floor or shelf area. Sonus faber Duetto is 36mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Buchardt A10 is 28mm 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 faber Duetto is approximately 595.7cm2 / 92.3inch2 and base area of the Buchardt A10 is approximately 441.0cm2 / 68.4inch2. The Duetto requires 35% more surface area than the A10 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 faber Duetto weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the Buchardt A10 weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs.
Here is a comparison of how Duetto and A10's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus faber Duetto?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Duetto:
- 2 Wireless powered speakers
- 2 Grilles
- Two 6.5-feet AC power cords
- Remote control
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Instructions
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
342mm
vs
370mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 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 |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
 HDMI Input |
eARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
37 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Base Surface Area |
441cm2
vs
595cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
3950USD
vs
3999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 XLR Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via XLR input |
| General |
Sonus faber Duetto |
Buchardt A10 |
| Brand |
Sonus faber |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
37-30k Hz |
28-40k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
700-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
192kHZ |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper-Pulp |
paper |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Dome with waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
342.0mm (13.5") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
245.0mm (9.6") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
n/a |
Solid wood |
| Available Colors |
Black,Walnut |
Black,White, Walnut, Oak, Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
XLR |
| USB Port |
Service only |
Service Only |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
n/a |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
No |
| HDMI Input |
eARC |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Yrs (3 Yrs registered) |
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Yrs (3 Yrs registered) |
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your sources and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Buchardt A10 digs deeper - 28Hz against 37Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | A | Sonus faber Duetto has the bigger amplifier (700W vs 200W RMS). |
| Connections | A | Sonus faber Duetto adds Bluetooth, streaming, HDMI and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | A | Sonus faber Duetto: a sub output. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($3,999 vs $3,950 a pair). |
A Sonus faber Duetto B Buchardt A10
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?
Sonus faber Duetto has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 37Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.
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.