2024 has been a great year to review Stand mount speakers,. From the surprising and engaging Verify Audio Scouts, to the airy KEF R3 Meta and now a direct competitor, the Buchardt S 400 MK2.
In the past few years wave guide technology has come to the forefront of speaker design with regards to the tweeter, the S400s are the most obvious example of this technology. The .76in dome tweeter, surrounded by substantial aluminum cone (for lack of better word) is the guide that spreads out the high frequencies equally in all directions from the cabinet. In a twist, It is mounted below the 6 inch paper cone driver for the mid and upper base frequencies. The other noticeable part of the design facing the listener is that the cabinet leans slightly backwards. The angle is not obvious unless you really look while in the listening position. On the back side of the speaker is an oval shaped 5x 8 inch passive radiator instead of a port. In my youth, I experienced the passive radiator as an owner of the Polk Audio Monitor 10B’s. Therefore, I have a slight bias in favor of this design over ports as the air motion is pushed through to move the passive radiator, creating the bass frequencies. A high-quality set of five way binding post that are mounted slightly wider than normal complete the back panel. The cabinets are very solidly constructed with several choices of veneer finishes, the review coming in a rather understated brown-stained walnut. Compared to the original S400, the MKii cabinet is slightly larger. In talking with the designer Mads, this was done to eliminate a base resonance hump.
Unlike the KEF R3 Meta, the S400 Mii can be brought out much farther into the listening space and maintain a solid bass impact. Sitting on a set of sand-filled, 24in Celestion si stands with an extra inch of height provided from a piece of solid oak as suggested by Mads Buchardt, I found in my 11 x 10 room some 26 inches out from the front wall with approximately the same distance in from the side walls and a toe-in just outside of my shoulders, hit the sweet spot in my listening space. This amount of toe-in was confirmed during my write-up by Erin Hardison of Erin‘s Audio Corner in his review, based upon his measurements from the Klippel testing equipment.
During the 70+ hours of review time with the S400’s, they were powered by first the Emerald Physics 600.2 SE class D amplifier that has a tube in each channel of the preamp stage with a monstrous output of 750wpc into 4 Ohms. With GaN class D technology, the Peachtree GaN400 was employed. Then came the Vista Audio i34 integrative vacuum tube amplifier at 35wpc, and finally for the last month of the review, the Galion TS A75 solid-state power amplifier with 100wpc into 4 Ohms. This was the magical match of the four between the rich detailed bass, very natural, slightly warm mid range, and a smooth top end, the combination created in all honesty, the finest sound I’ve ever experienced in this listening space.
With all four amplifiers the S400s provided room anchoring gravitas, smoothness, wide sound stage, and natural effortless highs. Interestingly, the speakers pull instruments out both towards the listener as well as back towards the wall, creating a very deep sound stage. In my experiences, they revealed so much of the music in ways that I have not connected previously. There is something about getting a true three dimensional sound stage that makes the listener want to both lean towards the speaker but at the same time sit back, marvel, and get lost in the music.
About 4 to 5 years ago, I had the opportunity to hear an original pair of the S400’s, the bass response was mind-boggling for their size, and that became the calling card for the brand. Since then, other models have appeared. With the MKii edition, the S400’s have an entirely new crossover. The parts quality is obvious, starting with Jantzen capacitors. The difference is quite obvious as you can see in the two photos. If interested, check out my friend, Sean @ Zero Fidelity’s video, as he had both the original S400, as well as the MKii model during his filming, and provides excellent insight into improvements of the MKii.
One of my favorite tracks to test bass is The Beatles “Come Together”. Paul McCartney‘s bass guitar along with Ringo’s foot thumping bass drum, is a definite test of how well a speaker can provide the lower frequencies. The detail and texture that the S400’s deliver I believe is most likely due to the passive radiator with the adjustment weights that are attached to the back of the oval casket. This allows for tuning the best match for the cabinet and drivers. Various independent tests showed the rolloff really hitting at about 50 Hz. While there still is some usable frequency response down to the registered 33 Hz. In my small space, while a subwoofer is nice, it is not needed by any means.
As I’ve stated many times and learned over and over during my time writing for TONEAudio, the magic is in the mid range, and to Mads Buchardt’s credit, the MKii’s really offer a sultry, open mid range. Take Jesse Colin Young‘s classic “Before You Came”. While a nice touch of softness rounds the edge of his and other male vocals, there is ample detail. For those that want a bit more lift in male vocals, with the help of the WiiM Ultra’s EQ, I boosted it up 1db around 500hz. While the very subtle change didn’t change my impression, but a neighbor liked it. Proving once again people hear differently and you should follow what you find most pleasing. Listening to Sting’s vocals in Wrapped Around Your Finger”, from Police’s Synchronicity album, the raspiness of his throat comes thru clearly.
Female vocals, being slightly higher on the frequency scale appeared to be dead center based upon various independent measurements. Now, maybe it’s the natural sound of the gender, but the slightly recessed frequencies are not needed. Proper warmth and tone is met right at the center point. Listening to Karen Carpenters unknown gem, “Crescent Noon”, the purity of her vocals in a slightly lower than normal register for her is stunning. Considering the recording is over 50 years old, to hear her performance raised my eyebrows. Do yourself a favor and look it up on your favorite streaming service.
The harmonies of the Indigo Girls helped to define the quality of the crossover in the S400’s. The ladies each have a very distinctive sound, so even when blending their continuous harmonies, the individual differences are easily spotted. It is a good test of whether this or any speaker is up to the challenge, thus taking the next step in true sound quality. The track “Watershed”, in some ways shows this best as an up-tempo and acoustic, yet shows vocal emphasis of power, followed by moments in the chorus of soft duet.
Where the S400 MKii especially shined paired with the Galion TS A75 amplifier was with recordings that avoid the loudness wars, as well as over engineering in the mixing process. Acoustic folk groups like the Milk Carton Kids just shine through the speakers, with the most impressive track being the group’s song “Younger Years”. Take a listen and you’ll hear with the speakers, the incredible separation between instruments and vocals there is beauty in simple recordings and the S400’s flush it out in ways that only truly quality designs can provide. For example, the KEF R3 Metas couldn’t find the separation or resonance even though they throw a slightly wider sound stage, the three dimensionality just didn’t rise to the level of the S400’s.
As I mentioned, a few reviewers have the measuring capability. Personally, when I’m done with my own subjective thoughts, I’ve leaned to Erin Hardison of Erin’s Audio Corner, as he has the renowned Klippel acoustic measuring machine. And just before watching his video I received in the Audio Sound Craftsman Laval, which are stand mount speakers very much in the vein of GR research XLS with its tight driver placement and crossover design. In comparing the two speakers, the Laval’s are a quieter speaker which is to say you don’t hear the hiss in the upper frequencies whereas the Buchardt S400s do. Well it turns out in Erin‘s measurements, there is a rise of about 2 to 3 dB starting in about 7 kHz. Well, if you have an equalizer or one through the software such as in my WiiM Ultra. I decided to have some fun and knock that frequency down. Sure enough that lessened the hiss. So if you are a person that doesn’t care for hiss and doesn’t mind using the EQ to find your personal auditory Nirvana, that is an option.
The Buchardt S400 MKii best quality is that they in no way genre-limited. It didn’t matter if I was listening to the great classical symphonic masterpieces, Lucinda Williams Texas rock, Dave Grusin’s joyful jazz, or Garth Brooks honky-tonk country, the S400 MKii never sounded anything less than exceptional. While they aren’t built to play at ear bleed levels, they’ll play loud and clear enough to virtually every listener happy.
Final thoughts
The Danish designed, Indonesian built Buchardt S400 Mii’s at $2250 shipped, have completely and totally justified my selling of the KEF R3 Metas that I bought this past summer. They have a rooted full- spectrum gravitas, with bass responsethat the R3 Meta just can’t match. There’s a warmth in S400’s mid range, and an easy natural yet open top end. Mads Buchardt has tapped in to something special. Therefore, I’m going to state that when it comes to the R3 Meta-versus the Buchardt S400MKii debate, I fall comfortably into the S400 camp. Not only did they hit all the areas that I love, but S400 MKii go one step further. They absolutely grab my soul and that is something that each of us audiophiles or fans understand is the ultimate goal, because without the emotional connection there is always something missing. Don’t be surprised if the S400 MKii become my reference stand mount speaker by spring.
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