I've been busily rebuilding my hifi rig and these speakers I will pick up next year. Mass Buchardt was asked in an interview "what amps pair well with the S400 MKII?" He rattled off a list and at the top of that list was Atoll. Apparently Atoll is quite popular in Europe. So I kept my eye on the used market for any Atoll amps in Canada and landed the IN300. Beautiful amp. In fact, it breathed new life into the old cheap pair of PSB Alpha speakers I still have. They're sounding mighty good! If an amp like that brings such improvement on a cheap pair of speakers, imagine what it'll do with a pair of S400's. Looking forward to getting them later. Your assessment is consistent with other reviewers.
Had the original S400 for quite a while... liked them allot,I finally sold them . I went through several others speakers till I was Mads open up the S400 MK2 and showed the quality parts inside.. I have had the mk2 ever since they came out! They always had a good wide sound stage, it wasn't until I upgraded my DAC then I was getting some layering & depth of sound! They are very good speakers for my small space!
I loved your enthusiastic review. I get the idea that you like these speakers. LOL I had never believed in speaker break in until I bought my Klipsch towers. They actually sounded distorted. I played them for two days straight on a radio station and I listened to them again. They sounded great.
I have been listening to the A500 Ibenholt actives for the last couple of months and am very pleased with the Buchardt sound (via Denefrips Ares II/Enyo>Schiit Freya +>Buchardt, all balanced interconnects.) Thanks for this review. It seems there is consistency across the company's line.
They do get better over time. I thought mine were great from the get-go; and were "perfect" after six months, but after a year+ of fairly active use, they have really opened up and are making great music. I have a sense they in little ways they will continue to improve. Enjoy the ride!
Hi Joseph, thanks for sharing your experience. I have had mine for just 1 month working. I mean, I purchased them to replace my floorstanders, but, out of the box I was not satisfied and put them back in the box, and on sale. But, a friend of mine wanted my floorstanders, and I sold them out, and was forced to get S400MK2 out of the box and put it in work. Well, yes, after 1 month I realize they perform better and better. btw, you said after 6 months they sounded perfect. Let me ask you: did you listen to them every day in those 6 months? Also, I am thinking of attaching 1 subwoofer with them (my room is 28 sq. meters). Is your room bigger/smaller than mine, and did you accompany some sub with S400? regards, Zoran
Zoran: I listened to them at least 5 days a week, more during Covid when I was at home a lot more. I still have them on for about 3-4 hours or more a day almost all week. Music is an important part of my life, and I would be pretty miserable without it. I don't need a subwoofer. I listen to music at lower to moderate sound levels, maybe between 50-85 db. I listen to jazz, classical, opera and atmospheric (Brian Eno-type) music. For me the bass performance is very good. And I listen to organ concerts and solo double bass and I am very satisfied. I never feel I am missing anything, but I don't play aggressive punk, rock or whatever bass-heavy music. Are yours still getting better? @@zoranpavlovic3319
We both like the same sound signature from speakers. I pulled the trigger on a pair of white Triangle Genese Trio stand-mounts. They are perfect with the Audiolab 6000A. Lovin' life! Thanks for the video Mike.
@@audioarkitekts I still have a pair of BR03s hooked up to a Music Hall integrated for my secondary system. That combo is really smooth with a sweet top end. 80% of good sound comes down to SYNERGY. Btw, you better be quick about picking up a new pair of Genese Trios. Triangle stopped making them last month. That is why I got them at a deep discount. They will be replaced by a much more expensive model according to Triangle. Just thought you should know. Have a good one.
Been playing on these speakers for half a year now, driven by Hegel H390 and Denafrips Pontus ll dac, and without doubth, they are the most musical speakers I have heard to date, with a huge soundstage both in width and depth. They are most certainly worth the price and even a lot more. Just love these speakers for their musical ability.
@@nodyaheads5111 Not really able to answer your question, I have not heard them on the H390 alone. Had Pontus ll since before I bought these speakers. But I have tried Kef R3 both without and with Pontus ll, and the difference between the internal in H390 and Pontus ll is quite obvious, Pontus ll produces a slightly warmer sound, opens up the soundstage with more focus on each instrument , more clarity and definition in the sound, and this even more pronounced on Buchardt S400 mk.ll compared to Kef R3.
If you get better amplification these speakers will scale up nicely with it. I have them on a Yamaha AS2200, main source is Musician Pegasus and the sound is clear, detailed, dynamic but not in a overly analystical/hifi candy way, they just get out of the way. The imaging I think is what really separates these speakers from the obvious competitor Dynaudio. I really can't fault them. Also, I would add that "buttery/smooth" etc, is not a fair description, depending your system pairings, they speakers won't gloss over harshness, but yes, compared to brands like B&W/Focal the response is more linear.
Arendal and amphion are two other scandinavian brands that aren't very well known but seem to have excellent products. Maybe you could review some of their products too... 😀
@@audioarkitekts Would love to hear a comparison of the 1723 bookshelves and buchardt's . Arendal say they designed their speakers with music in mind. I currently have the 1961 bookshelves on trial, but honestly not a fan of the mids. I really wonder if the 1723 is any better.
Wow! Love your review of the Buchardt s400 mk II. You cleared up all of my doubts regarding the speaker's performance. Just one question: ¿Any recommendation of which speaker stands to use - besides de expensive Buchardt stands -?
I do like them both for different reasons. The Buchardts take up less real estate and still provide amazing sound quality, while the Model 5 provides nostalgia and very nice performance. I would chalk that up to personal aesthetic preferences since you will enjoy them both.
I have Chora 826 and i have been looking at these s400mkII ! Since i can’t listen/compare does anyone can explain gain/loss one over the other ? Is it worth the switch?
I am also very sensitive for too bright treble, but also foor boomy bass. Is the bass of the Buchardts too boomy? My room is 22 by 20 feet, including kitchen.
Great review, Mike! I'm in dilemma, I'm looking at Buchardt S400 MK2 and Harbeth C7ES-3XD as my 1st HiFi Speakers. Which of the two speakers plays great on wider range of musical genre from classical, jazz, acoustics to current songs? My room is about 12x12 ft. Your comments will be highly appreciated.
Unfortunately, I can't speak on the Harbeth's. I have only heard them once and I wouldn't be able to remember them properly to give an opinion. I can definitely atest to the Buchardt, though. Phenomenal speakers.
It's this generation's Vandersteen audio. (Giant killer) I say that because it aims for a similar sound profile. Gentle, sweet, articulate, transparent without boxiness. They do it for a price that isn't the extreme boutique gouge. Other companies would start pricing as twice as much. I'd say it's a budget alternative to Dynaudio or sonus faber (for example) and a solid product for it's sound profile. they will articulately describe texture and tamber quality and subtle changes. If gentle and soft is your goal, these win. They are perfect for all-day fatigue-free listening 2 channel music. Unlike the abysmally incompetent and overpriced/overhyped sonus faber lumina, these have a well integrated tweeter that doesn't easily distort. They are also more elegant than the lumina. Much better value than the B&W 705s2. Incidentally, the top notch parts they use in this speaker aren't normally found un til you cross the $4,000 price point. Instead of $6.00 caps, they use $22.00 CU/paper/oil capacitor from Miflex . Counterpoint so no one gets too arrogant about these and gives them super powers that they don't have.... As the polar opposite of klipsch, focal and B&W, in an HT setup they sound dynamically constipated and gooey by compare. An EPIC failure for HT realism. Been there, tried that. They won't slam or have any of the energetic qualities for movies. Gunshots sound muffled. (boomph vs BANG!) Glass breaking sounds like it's behind a towel. Instead of a realistic TSSHHH! you get a weak "tssh". They don't slam (soft transient attack) or have any of the energetic qualities for HT applications. Otherwise, movie theaters would have adopted this type of speaker. So, this is also why the S400 hype needs to be tempered into realistic application. Sonus-faber and Vandersteeen are equally sad at HT, so the S400 are not alone. YMMV, but they don't work at all for me in HT.
great review! i am currently thinking of upgrading my buchardt s400mk2. how would you compare the buchardt to the sourcepoint 8? i most likely will buy the 8's to replace my buchardts and pair it with a sub.
I would go with the Buchardts if you want precision and detail paired with scale and power. The Sourcepoints don’t shine as much in the precision category like the Buchardts do.
@@jamesminotto8036 thanks you beat me to this Q! and thanks for the feedback @MikeOnAudio this is exactly the two speakers I was considering for my (eventual) next upgrade, can pick up the Lintons now for $2,500 AUD and the S400 MKII work out to $3,400 so decent difference, but seems like the S400 MKII are better
Not everyone loves them, they are too Polite(*) that's why I didn't buy them. If you look at the Xover circuit board it has too many components that suck the life out of the drivers. * Many reviewers use this term too. They are very good speakers but not great well priced for the sound you get. The big plus is the bass response. I am sure Buchardt sells hundreds if not thousands of pairs and good on him and well done.
When you realize that they used around 120$ components (without crossover) then you should cry at this price.... The chassis are all sb acoustic drivers which are cheap.
I've been busily rebuilding my hifi rig and these speakers I will pick up next year. Mass Buchardt was asked in an interview "what amps pair well with the S400 MKII?" He rattled off a list and at the top of that list was Atoll. Apparently Atoll is quite popular in Europe. So I kept my eye on the used market for any Atoll amps in Canada and landed the IN300. Beautiful amp. In fact, it breathed new life into the old cheap pair of PSB Alpha speakers I still have. They're sounding mighty good! If an amp like that brings such improvement on a cheap pair of speakers, imagine what it'll do with a pair of S400's. Looking forward to getting them later. Your assessment is consistent with other reviewers.
Had the original S400 for quite a while... liked them allot,I finally sold them . I went through several others speakers till I was Mads open up the S400 MK2 and showed the quality parts inside.. I have had the mk2 ever since they came out! They always had a good wide sound stage, it wasn't until I upgraded my DAC then I was getting some layering & depth of sound! They are very good speakers for my small space!
I agree they are fantastic speakers
I loved your enthusiastic review. I get the idea that you like these speakers. LOL I had never believed in speaker break in until I bought my Klipsch towers. They actually sounded distorted. I played them for two days straight on a radio station and I listened to them again. They sounded great.
It happens. That's why I will never dismiss the theory because I believe things like this will change over time the more they move.
I have been listening to the A500 Ibenholt actives for the last couple of months and am very pleased with the Buchardt sound (via Denefrips Ares II/Enyo>Schiit Freya +>Buchardt, all balanced interconnects.) Thanks for this review. It seems there is consistency across the company's line.
They do get better over time. I thought mine were great from the get-go; and were "perfect" after six months, but after a year+ of fairly active use, they have really opened up and are making great music. I have a sense they in little ways they will continue to improve. Enjoy the ride!
Hi Joseph, thanks for sharing your experience. I have had mine for just 1 month working. I mean, I purchased them to replace my floorstanders, but, out of the box I was not satisfied and put them back in the box, and on sale. But, a friend of mine wanted my floorstanders, and I sold them out, and was forced to get S400MK2 out of the box and put it in work. Well, yes, after 1 month I realize they perform better and better. btw, you said after 6 months they sounded perfect. Let me ask you: did you listen to them every day in those 6 months? Also, I am thinking of attaching 1 subwoofer with them (my room is 28 sq. meters). Is your room bigger/smaller than mine, and did you accompany some sub with S400? regards, Zoran
Zoran: I listened to them at least 5 days a week, more during Covid when I was at home a lot more. I still have them on for about 3-4 hours or more a day almost all week. Music is an important part of my life, and I would be pretty miserable without it. I don't need a subwoofer. I listen to music at lower to moderate sound levels, maybe between 50-85 db. I listen to jazz, classical, opera and atmospheric (Brian Eno-type) music. For me the bass performance is very good. And I listen to organ concerts and solo double bass and I am very satisfied. I never feel I am missing anything, but I don't play aggressive punk, rock or whatever bass-heavy music. Are yours still getting better? @@zoranpavlovic3319
One other thing, and I think this is important, they are easy to place. Not placement fussy at all in my experience.
We both like the same sound signature from speakers. I pulled the trigger on a pair of white Triangle Genese Trio stand-mounts. They are perfect with the Audiolab 6000A. Lovin' life! Thanks for the video Mike.
I need to try those Triangles. I did enjoy the Borea series.
@@audioarkitekts I still have a pair of BR03s hooked up to a Music Hall integrated for my secondary system. That combo is really smooth with a sweet top end. 80% of good sound comes down to SYNERGY. Btw, you better be quick about picking up a new pair of Genese Trios. Triangle stopped making them last month. That is why I got them at a deep discount. They will be replaced by a much more expensive model according to Triangle. Just thought you should know. Have a good one.
YAY, Triangles!!😊
Been playing on these speakers for half a year now, driven by Hegel H390 and Denafrips Pontus ll dac, and without doubth, they are the most musical speakers I have heard to date, with a huge soundstage both in width and depth. They are most certainly worth the price and even a lot more. Just love these speakers for their musical ability.
How do they sound on the Hedel H390 dac compared to the Pontus II ? Thanks
@@nodyaheads5111 Not really able to answer your question, I have not heard them on the H390 alone. Had Pontus ll since before I bought these speakers.
But I have tried Kef R3 both without and with Pontus ll, and the difference between the internal in H390 and Pontus ll is quite obvious, Pontus ll produces a slightly warmer sound, opens up the soundstage with more focus on each instrument , more clarity and definition in the sound, and this even more pronounced on Buchardt S400 mk.ll compared to Kef R3.
Thanks@@bjoernarberg
Great review. I could sense your enthusiasm for the loudspeakers. Which is great. Well done.
They were fantastic!
If you get better amplification these speakers will scale up nicely with it. I have them on a Yamaha AS2200, main source is Musician Pegasus and the sound is clear, detailed, dynamic but not in a overly analystical/hifi candy way, they just get out of the way. The imaging I think is what really separates these speakers from the obvious competitor Dynaudio. I really can't fault them. Also, I would add that "buttery/smooth" etc, is not a fair description, depending your system pairings, they speakers won't gloss over harshness, but yes, compared to brands like B&W/Focal the response is more linear.
Love your t-shirt, great review Mike!!!!
Thank you!
I bought a pair and they cost me around £2,000 and to me they are worth every penny.
Given your shirt and those bass heavy speakers put on The Cures record Disentagration and get ready for some ear candy.
I will definitely try it!
Arendal and amphion are two other scandinavian brands that aren't very well known but seem to have excellent products. Maybe you could review some of their products too... 😀
I am in talks with Arendal. I'm not sure if their focus is two channels, but I am willing to try it. 😉
@@audioarkitekts their 1961 model seems excellent. (as a two channel setup. well maybe 2.1...😀)
@@audioarkitekts Would love to hear a comparison of the 1723 bookshelves and buchardt's . Arendal say they designed their speakers with music in mind. I currently have the 1961 bookshelves on trial, but honestly not a fan of the mids. I really wonder if the 1723 is any better.
Wow! Love your review of the Buchardt s400 mk II. You cleared up all of my doubts regarding the speaker's performance. Just one question: ¿Any recommendation of which speaker stands to use - besides de expensive Buchardt stands -?
Thanks for giving a review and not playing a song through the speakers.
No problem 😉
What about low level listening impressions (late night)? Do they need to play loud to play it's best?
They are excellent at low and high volumes.
Hey Mike, great review. I’m looking at these or KLH model 5. How would you compare the two ?
I do like them both for different reasons. The Buchardts take up less real estate and still provide amazing sound quality, while the Model 5 provides nostalgia and very nice performance. I would chalk that up to personal aesthetic preferences since you will enjoy them both.
Ouch out of my price range! I'll be sticking with my modest JBL Northridge E80 towers for now. I do believe in break in time.
Yeah, the price point isn't for everyone, but I do believe there is value there.
You can do better than northridge for that money.
Good review!
Thank you!
I have Chora 826 and i have been looking at these s400mkII !
Since i can’t listen/compare does anyone can explain gain/loss one over the other ? Is it worth the switch?
I am also very sensitive for too bright treble, but also foor boomy bass. Is the bass of the Buchardts too boomy? My room is 22 by 20 feet, including kitchen.
The bass is incredible 😍
how does it compare to JBL HDI 1600 can be had for 800/Pair new on sale right now
Great review, Mike! I'm in dilemma, I'm looking at Buchardt S400 MK2 and Harbeth C7ES-3XD as my 1st HiFi Speakers. Which of the two speakers plays great on wider range of musical genre from classical, jazz, acoustics to current songs? My room is about 12x12 ft. Your comments will be highly appreciated.
Unfortunately, I can't speak on the Harbeth's. I have only heard them once and I wouldn't be able to remember them properly to give an opinion. I can definitely atest to the Buchardt, though. Phenomenal speakers.
Did you make a decision?
I wonder how these would compare to JBL HDI-1600s which I believe are now on sale?
I'm not sure I haven't heard the JBLs yet
It's this generation's Vandersteen audio. (Giant killer) I say that because it aims for a similar sound profile. Gentle, sweet, articulate, transparent without boxiness. They do it for a price that isn't the extreme boutique gouge. Other companies would start pricing as twice as much. I'd say it's a budget alternative to Dynaudio or sonus faber (for example) and a solid product for it's sound profile. they will articulately describe texture and tamber quality and subtle changes. If gentle and soft is your goal, these win. They are perfect for all-day fatigue-free listening 2 channel music. Unlike the abysmally incompetent and overpriced/overhyped sonus faber lumina, these have a well integrated tweeter that doesn't easily distort. They are also more elegant than the lumina. Much better value than the B&W 705s2.
Incidentally, the top notch parts they use in this speaker aren't normally found un til you cross the $4,000 price point. Instead of $6.00 caps, they use $22.00 CU/paper/oil capacitor from Miflex .
Counterpoint so no one gets too arrogant about these and gives them super powers that they don't have....
As the polar opposite of klipsch, focal and B&W, in an HT setup they sound dynamically constipated and gooey by compare. An EPIC failure for HT realism. Been there, tried that. They won't slam or have any of the energetic qualities for movies. Gunshots sound muffled. (boomph vs BANG!) Glass breaking sounds like it's behind a towel. Instead of a realistic TSSHHH! you get a weak "tssh". They don't slam (soft transient attack) or have any of the energetic qualities for HT applications. Otherwise, movie theaters would have adopted this type of speaker. So, this is also why the S400 hype needs to be tempered into realistic application. Sonus-faber and Vandersteeen are equally sad at HT, so the S400 are not alone. YMMV, but they don't work at all for me in HT.
great review! i am currently thinking of upgrading my buchardt s400mk2. how would you compare the buchardt to the sourcepoint 8? i most likely will buy the 8's to replace my buchardts and pair it with a sub.
I would go with the Buchardts if you want precision and detail paired with scale and power. The Sourcepoints don’t shine as much in the precision category like the Buchardts do.
@@audioarkitekts thank you
Ok Milke that size bookshelf technically can put out the energy of a full size what are your notes on none near field listening?
These speakers are not for near field. I would sit at least 6-8 feet from these minimum to get the best experience.
There soo sweet I only got rid of them because I went with the mission
Mission 770? How do they compare?
I want to try the Mission!
@@audioarkitekts do it sir I want your input
i would love to have your insights on the buchardt A700
Hopefully I will get to review it
What's the cheapest amp I could pair this with because if I spend 2k on a pair, I don't have much meat on the bone for an amp...
You need some power to drive these, so the amp might be pricey
thank u sir
Thank you for watching!
Google was subbing it with Bootcard, making me think you bought some kind of rip off 😂
Lol 😆 🤣 😂
Buchardt vs LintonS ?
That's a good one. 👍 I like them both for different reasons. I like the Lintons for their aesthetics but the S400 MK II beats them in sound quality.
@@audioarkitekts thank you. I thought as much. Food for thought.
@@jamesminotto8036 thanks you beat me to this Q! and thanks for the feedback @MikeOnAudio this is exactly the two speakers I was considering for my (eventual) next upgrade, can pick up the Lintons now for $2,500 AUD and the S400 MKII work out to $3,400 so decent difference, but seems like the S400 MKII are better
Not everyone loves them, they are too Polite(*) that's why I didn't buy them. If you look at the Xover circuit board it has too many components that suck the life out of the drivers.
* Many reviewers use this term too. They are very good speakers but not great well priced for the sound you get. The big plus is the bass response. I am sure Buchardt sells hundreds if not thousands of pairs and good on him and well done.
When you realize that they used around 120$ components (without crossover) then you should cry at this price.... The chassis are all sb acoustic drivers which are cheap.
Not everyone can build a kit
👍🏻😎
Thank you! 😊
UH HUH!
Uh huh uh huh uh Hoi! 😆
Burchard probably compared to Dynaudio Emit 50.
They wish
Produced in china. Chassis for 150€ plus crossover and enclosure. 😅😅😅
Dealbreaker for me
Computer
Primare is not Danish