If you went to college in the 1980’s to about 2000 and you lived in a dorm, you experienced the stereo wars, whereby each male dorm room that had a system would blast out music. The purely loudest usually went to the guy with Cerwin Vega’s, as they were quite efficient and designed to play LOUD. In later years, with the rise of rap and hip-hop, bass wars reigned.
While today most music listening is done via ear buds or headphones, except when driving, there still is plenty of runway for home audio systems for the average consumer. The key is getting younger consumers to want such a setup in a smaller package, yet with big sound, and without taking away their daily coffee budget. Numerous manufacturers are adopting the smaller form factor components, using class D amplification with some form of streaming. The missing ingredient has been smaller speakers that could deliver the bass.
Enter Buchardt Audio. With the success of the small, but near full-sounding S400mkII, owner Mads Buchardt recognized the need for an economical model that fit the music that younger listeners enjoyed, would create brand loyalty. Thus, the P300 was born. In order to be efficient, the Buchardt team used the same MDF cabinet, tweeter, and passive radiator. Veneer wood choices were eliminated, currently offering two matte paint finishes, white or black. The six inch paper driver is new, using a shorter extension or “stroke” and “regular proportioned motor”. The not-so-secret weapon in the Buchardt recipe is a passive radiator. This allows them to move a lot of air, which translates to bass that's deeper and more impactful than you'd expect from a speaker this size.
The crossover is where Buchardt found significant savings. However, they stuck with Jantzen brand resistors and air core inductors components and avoided sand caster resistors altogether. To Mads credit, he admits that the binding posts are just standard level in order to keep the overall price within targeted price-point of about $1560 for the pair, with fast shipping from Denmark. The review pair arrived in just four days!
Now, let's get to the sound with comparisons to the S400mkII. The P300s, have a youthful sound. That means the bass is somewhat aggressive and punchy, though in reality, not as detailed or deep as their older sibling. Since I felt like the P300’s are targeted for younger buyers, I accepted the recommendation of a former student on some hip-hop tracks. These speakers can handle the complex bass lines of a track like "DNA." by Kendrick Lamar without losing composure.
The mid frequencies are a bit hidden by the bass when listening to multiple instruments, but with just an acoustic instrument the mids have a slightly warm presentation. Though not with the overall character and detail of the S400mkII, and the superior level of Jantzen crossover parts. The same holds true with the high frequencies. The P300 has a bit more edge and less refinement. Once again, the crossover components are the key difference.
The P300’s to my ears even with the caveats above, have a serious sense of clarity in their presentation. They're not overly bright, and beyond the healthy bass, they're not muddy or veiled. They just present the music in a way that's engaging. The midrange vocals have a presence and clarity that's captivating. When I was listening to Billie Eilish's "Bury a friend”, her voice was right there in the room, intimate and detailed, with the subtle nuances of the recording coming through.
The treble is nicely extended. It's clear and detailed without being harsh or fatiguing. No surprise since it the same tweeter as in the S400mkII. This allows you to enjoy them for hours without getting listener fatigue. Taking in the intricate electronic textures in a track like "Midnight City" by M83, the P300s rendered the shimmering synthesizer and driving beat with both precision and spaciousness.
One of the things that really stands out with the P300s is their soundstage. I did find that in my 11x10 foot room (3.35m x 3.05m), they liked being closer to the side walls than I expected, just 11 inches (.28 cm). Out from the front wall 29 inches (74 cm). They create a wide and deep soundstage that makes you feel like you're in the middle of the performance. When listening to a well-recorded live track, like "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver (live at AIR Studios), the P300s placed the instruments and vocals in a believable acoustic space, creating a sense of immersion.
Comparisons
Beyond the S400 MKII, I did side-by-side comparison with two models. The Totem Acoustic Rainmakers at approximately $1300pair have that open, sparkly top end that the P300’s don’t, with the opposite being true with the bass. The P300’s win and it’s not close. Imaging is very good with both, while I found the P300’s to be more detailed and richer.
The LSA Signature 80 at $1200pair, the upper frequencies are laid back/softer than the P300, giving the midrange a bigger presence. While the bass, while more dynamic than the Rainmakers, is still no match for the P300.
Finally, I thought the P300’s deserved some time with my simple 2.0 home theater setup. With their bass response and upper mid clarity, the speakers proved to be a notable choice. Playing my reference test movie, “Runaway Train” with Jon Voight and Eric Roberts, the deep growl of the locomotive stayed separate from the vocal track, providing clear dialogue without having to adjust with the volume control.
After finishing the rough draft of my review, I watched what others reviewers had to say about the P300’s. Steve Huff was enamored by them. He saw great value and emotional connection. I have to wonder if his listening space has a concrete floor, as he didn’t mention the intensity of the bass frequencies.
On the other hand, my friend Sean Fowler of Zero Fidelity, was quite blunt in his critique, finding fault in the bass being too much. As previously said, the P300’s are targeted to younger buyers, though anyone who loves a healthy bass will find happiness. That’s why I went back and edited out songs from my generation and focused only the tracks mentioned above that the under 35 buyer would best connect with in this review.
Now, let's talk about amplification. The P300s aren't the most sensitive speakers out there, so you'll want to pair them with an amplifier that has some decent current. But if you do, they'll reward you with a dynamic and expressive performance. They scale well with better equipment, so you won't feel the need to upgrade your speakers as you improve the rest of your system. My reference Galion TS-A75 solid state amp as usual provided everything I wanted. The Peachtree GaN400 class D I believe will find favor with those looking for a tighter bass and more sparkly top end. Vacuum tube amplification will be the most room specific, based upon the bass warmth and bloom.
In conclusion, the Buchardt P300s are speakers that offer a level of performance that's rare at their price point. They're balanced, detailed, and engaging, and they can handle a wide range of musical genres with ease. In addition, they form a worthy 2.0 home theater system. If you're looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers that deliver high-end sound without the high-end price tag, the P300s are definitely worth checking out. Since Buchardt is a direct to customer company they are a fine value, and they'll provide you with years of listening pleasure. If I wasn’t so spoiled by their sibling S400 mkII’s I’d buy them. For those of you raised in the hip-hop/rap era, or parents looking for speakers that will make their teen’s entertainment space fun, the Buchardt P300’s make a first-rate choice.
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