Buchardt S400 MKII bookshelf speaker review. Perfection to my ears.

Reviewed Today: Buchardt S400 MK2
buchardtaudio.com/collections...
Discord Link: / discord
Preamp & Power Amplifier & Integrated amps used:
Kinki Studio EX-P7: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-p7
Kinki Studio EX-B7 Monoblock: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-b7
Source: Bluesound Node 2i
www.crutchfield.com/p_813NODE...
(all music is hi-res streamed from Tidal)
DAC: Denafrips Ares II
www.vinshineaudio.com/product...
RCA Cables: Analysis Plus Oval One
analysis.plus/product/oval-on...
Speaker & Power Cables: Maze Audio REF4
www.mazeaudio.com/speaker-cabl...
Subwoofers Used:
Rythmik FVX12 www.rythmikaudio.com/FVX12.html
SVS 3000 Micro www.svsound.com/products/3000...
REL T7X Pair rel.net/shop/powered-subwoofe...
Your results may vary based on your ears, room, and associated equipment:

[@davekosztan4641]

Hi Nemo, I really enjoy your reviews and after this one I've now treated myself to the S400 MK 2 🙂 Looking forward to setting them up

[@markhershberger9477]

Thank you Sir for your very clear and confident review of Mad’s new speaker. These should be perfect for many listeners in terms of high quality performance and price.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charlesclifton1006]

I truly appreciate this review. Mid to low volume quality is important to me and you are now, the second reviewer to mention this. I understand dynamic range, in particular that presented in some classical music, is also spot on. That cross-over is, for me, a true high quality audio component that even some so called high-end speaker manufacturers cheap-out on. I could never understand this. This is a very much different speaker than the original and I've really been impressed with Buchardt's craftmanship, engineering and 100% integrity relevant to giving the customer a very high quality product. I have to own a pair of these beauties - also- switching to a paper cone driver was brilliant. Somebody knows what they're doing. EXCELLENT REVIEW !!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hi Charles, glad you enjoyed the review! I don't know how people are listening so loud. I spoke to one gentleman who said he needed at least 95dB!! I thought he must be deaf!

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

When you say low to mid volume what are you saying , when I asked Guttenberg are they good for low volume he said no , I listen about 50 decibel , on a good day when my neighbour is out 60 plus , I like the clean sound of my klipsh rp600m but really want to give these a try ,

[@mikaelhiltunen8939]

Thanks for a really good review of how the new Buchardt S400 MKII sounds. I myself have been working with two channel sounds for a little over four years. And during this time, I have read and bought different speakers that were used. The last ones in my possession were a pair of Buchardt S300. And my ownership of this speaker, I have only changed the dac's and the rca cable between the amplifier and the dac. It has been very rewarding to hear different sound characters. Now I have watched a number of videos on KZbin and read a bunch of tests on the Buchardt S400 MKII. Now after watching your entire video, this time I will buy a pair of new speakers from Buchardt then S400 MKII. Thankful for watching your video. Good work!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hi Mikael, I'm glad you found the video helpful :)

[@theorangeguyna6762]

Hi Nemo, thank you for the thorough review as always. You must know that you are one of the rare people that got to review the S400 MK2. You convinced me to pull the trigger!!! and I just purchased a pair after emailing Buchardt. I was bit confused about the warranty period, its 10years and covers the entire speaker (the 2yr term with electronics is more for active speakers/integrated amp). You mentioned these are great for listening at low volumes and that is very important to me, as I do primarily that - I do work in bedroom with background music. That really help me check off that these boxes per say. I gave you shout out to Buchardt. Cheers😀

[@NemoPropaganda]

Just don't use a cheap denon amp with them :)

[@theorangeguyna6762]

@@NemoPropaganda Yes sir, I'm gonna pair it with a Hegel H95 in small bedroom. If that isn't enough, i'll look at upgrading to H190 or something else.

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@theorangeguyna6762 that should be plenty.

[@MrShaggy789]

First time viewer of your channel. Regarded your assessment and format of the new S400's review as well thought through, detailed and easy to understand. Bought the mkii couple of days ago, very much looking forward to hearing them in-room.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hey Geoff, welcome to the channel my dude!! Thank you for the kind words, I'm sure you will enjoy the S400 MKII, it's a sound I think most people will love.

[@Psyphonyx_Life]

Very nice to have hook ups on great speakers.. Love these things and Mads is a maniac.. :-) Stopping by to hype the channel.. Keep at it !!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Thanks Kanga!!

[@kriso75]

Hi man! I really love your reviews! So, a few months ago I started to search for a new bookshelf speakers (I have a pair of REGA X1) and was interested of Focal Aria 906. I check your video about them and I like what you said about it, BUT in the video you mentioned that your "daily drivers are S400" and I went looking for them in official site of Buchardt and WOW there was a MKII ! I spend five days and nights of thinking and finally I push the ADD TO CART button! Today I saw this review and I cant stop smiling! I can't wait for them to come ! So, thanks to you I will be a proud owner of S400 MKII! Thank you, man!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hey Kriso!!!!!!!! Nice choice my man!! I think you will be happy with them, I'm still using the review sample over here non-stop. I have the Buchardt A500 I need to review also but I can't stop listening to the S400 MKII.

[@joshdekubber3631]

Great review Nemo! Buchardt has some pretty intriguing speakers for sure. Sounds like the perfect speakers for you. That's super exciting to listen to something and think that's exactly what I'm looking for! I'm happy for you and hopefully you can get your own pair soon. Pre-order or backorder I'm finding can take FOREVER.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Yeah, pre-orders can be slow sometimes but I think it's worth it and from talking with Mads he has a large batch that is arriving very soon so most orders should be filled by next month which isn't too bad at all.

[@joshdekubber3631]

@@NemoPropaganda That's not bad at all and yes I agree totally worth it!

[@johnlg2209]

you sir are an awesome hifi reviewer!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Thank's John, you rock!

[@mchrome3366]

You can’t talk enough about bass. Bass is my #1 consideration before I’m even thinking about a speaker. Great detailed review. Thanks.

[@Slickman2006]

Last on my list, I never listen in direct mode though I always listen with subs.

[@NemoPropaganda]

glad you enjoyed watching the vid, I enjoyed making it :).

[@tweedpenguin712]

Then you don’t know what good speakers sound like lol. Too many kids are obsessed with bass because they listen to shitty rap and reggaeton music.

[@gg0297]

Great review. I enjoyed it. 👌

[@marc-andregagne6826]

I could see it in your face, I felt the emotional surge and resignation as the arias got beat up…. :-) great video

[@NemoPropaganda]

Honestly brother I still love the Aria, I just don't need to go back and fourth so often now. The Aria still have a permanent place in my home and will not be sold.

[@slyfoxx8540]

Well, after a lot of tooing and throwin, I might have just found my new speakers. Very much appreciated👍👍

[@NemoPropaganda]

It's always nice when the hunt comes to an end.

[@ayewhite333]

Great review thanks!

[@donjaun540]

These from listening to you go on must be such an awesome speaker. 👍

[@NemoPropaganda]

they're awesome for me, no matter what I review or listen to I always come back to these. They are my love.

[@V4zz33]

Thanks for the comment on the low volume performance! To live in a country where sound insulation is a bloody afterthought even in apartment buildings, this characteristic is golden. I was thinking about to upgrade my matched Pioneer Whisky Barrell speakers, and these might be just the right ones.

[@HPPG2017]

Fantastic review

[@gerard3797]

Hi Nemo, excellent review and very nice to see you got this opportunity. Maybe a relevant factor here in terms of assessing the bass performance against other reviewers is (1) the fact that you are driving these with huge power reserve. I also own the Kinki B7 mono blocks (conservatively rated at 250w, but probably closer to 300-350w) and the difference against other amplifiers around the 150w rated power mark (I tried Keces S125, Kinki Ex-m1 and Buchardt I150) is just night and day really in terms of control over the drivers and in particular the passive one. Especially on lower volumes this is very noticeable. With those other amps the bass drops off, whereas with the Kinki B7 blocks the bass stays strong in my room at any level. (2) The fact that you have them placed pretty close to corners also amplifies the bass frequencies and room interaction will certainly play a role in this respect. I have similar setup closer to the corners ;)! One downside BTW in terms of esthetics is that the cabinet is 4cms deeper. 4cm doesn’t seem much, but it is more than you would think. I noticed that already with the A500 I had on tryout. The design of the original one is more balanced in this respect and could be relevant for a potential buyer as well. I have them in my living room, but nonetheless I will probably be upgrading to :), because the MK2 seems to address the exact issues I still notice with the original one. One of the thing I still love the most is how wide the sweet spot is with these speakers.

[@NemoPropaganda]

oh yeah, I'm familiar with what my room does, I take that into consideration when I review speakers and take that out of the equation but I have my speakers pulled off the front wall a lot so I don't have that much room gain. But every room has room gain (or loss) so I will leave that to each end user to be familiar with their own room or at least be accepting of their rooms limitations :). Congrats on owning the Kinki gear, it's truly fantastic!! Most other reviewers have even more expensive gear than me and have multiple amps on hand so they should be able to find a good match and give an accurate assessment :) But if the reviewer only has cheap amps then that's what they are used to so I think they should still make an accurate assessment.

[@shawnorjiakor]

Excellent review.

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

thanks for a great review i own the mk 2 se for a month now and you are spot on. amazing speakers loves tubes or a warm rich solid state. mine are paired with my class a headphone amp as a preamp and an old arcam power amp for warmth. it lacks high end detail in that combo so i boost 8k about 2 db on my loki eq as a quick temporary fix. as a solution i boght a rogue rp 1 tube preamp which i'll load with vintage longplate mullard tubes for a 3d experience with the best midrange known to man.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Loki is a great option to have laying around in case you need it! I have one too but don't use it anymore as my amps/preamp are very open sounding.

[@Staybrown11]

Great review Nemo….I feel confident making a decision on the MK2. That’s how it’s ✅.

[@NemoPropaganda]

sorry i didn't see this comment, did you order it :)

[@Staybrown11]

@@NemoPropaganda no. But I feel like your video was so good that if I was looking I could make a good decision on the MK2. I had the original S400. Loved them. But I’m stuck with bigger speakers now. KLH model 5. Love them too.

[@robk5745]

Great review dude, happy they made this product even better in basically all categories. Hard to accomplish man. I’m going to be buying this or the model 5 next, hard decision lol

[@NemoPropaganda]

ooof, tough choice. Personally the Model 5 look isn't for me but I know they sound killer.

[@robk5745]

@@NemoPropaganda I don’t love the look either, and it seems like you’re choosing fun retro modern over the s400 mk2 which is just more refined and high end sounding. Tough call, kinda want both hahah

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@robk5745 flip a coin or pick the one you think will look best maybe? That's how I do it lol.

[@myhomeaudio8751]

hey nemo. nice as always.

[@wertha123]

Hey Nemo, new to the channel but loving all the vids I've watched! Im stuck between these and the LS50 metas. Seems you definitely enjoyed the Buchardrts more from your reviews. Love the work, keep it up!

[@NemoPropaganda]

thank you bro! we have a free dicord if you want to join, link should be in newer vids! Yeah I liked both a lot because both speakers sound really good but for me yes I prefer the S400 MK II for sure :)

[@scslite5206]

As an original S400 owner I received an email about a couple weeks back offering an exclusive S400 Crossover Upgrade Kit for a very reasonable price. Buchardt felt that with the release of the MKII that they would offer a great option for original S400 owners which I thought is a great gesture and real appreciation to their customers old and new. I haven't decided to upgrade the crossovers yet since I've been on another set of speakers which I'm currently enjoying. It would be a great comparison of how close the original S400s would be overall with the upgrade kit to the MKII. Now that'll be interesting!

[@kirkaparty4143]

I would like to hear your impressions with the upgraded system. in the same boat.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I spoke to Mads and he said the crossover upgrade provides in improvement in the top end, soundstage, and detail while the bass remains mostly the same but the overall sound is still different from the MKII so it's difficult to answer the question of should you upgrade your crossover or buy the new MKII. Perhaps the best answer is like this: If you like the bass of your current S400 and want more detail do the crossover upgrade. If you want different bass then go for the MK2!

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

I love the comparing with the Porsche 911 :)

[@NemoPropaganda]

Thank you!

[@petervanderham4725]

Great review! Ordered them today, cannot wait for them to get here. Will be streaming with the Node 2i, through my Van Medevoort MA220 amplifier :). They will replace another ‘Great Dane’, the Dynaudio Contour 1.3II.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Sounds like a killer system!

[@petervanderham4725]

@@NemoPropaganda thanks Nemo. I sure hope it is :-) Now let’s watch your video on which sub to get for it…

[@kbudagian]

Love your reviews. Wish I could afford some of these speakers and subs. :)

[@NemoPropaganda]

just remember rome wasn't built overnight, 10 years ago my whole sound system was less than $400.

YOU ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST!

[@NemoPropaganda]

I don't know what I did but I'm happy you liked it :)

[@mathiasandersen9328]

Best analogy ever 911 vs S400 ON POINT!!!!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Thanks' Mathias.

[@mathiasandersen9328]

@@NemoPropaganda It just gives Weight to all of your other reviews.. !

[@danielhenderson8316]

This sounds like what I would describe the Dynaudio Special 40, however the Dyn loses a little bit on the bass for a tweeter closer to the Focal. They packed a lot of high detail and clarity into the S40 without it becoming harsh. I found my red birch pair used and got an Evoke center channel that pairs up great for home theater. I'd love to see a comparison between the Dynaudio and the MkIIs. And the Focal Aria K2 906 should have a little more SPL bass then the flax cone if it's the same like their car audio products, but it won't go lower than the normal Aria.

[@fatika4598]

2nd that. If the new S400 can keep up with the detail, imaging and soundstage of the Special 40s, I’ll create a 2nd system around them.

[@erics.4113]

Buchardt was risky messing with the formula so much. But I hand it to them for not alienating their biggest fans such as yourself. I know you had massive expectations with these and to hear that they did not let you down is impressive.

[@NemoPropaganda]

oh yeah, I was honestly scared they would turn it into something I didn't like but it's a fantastic evolution of something already great.

[@Ryu288288]

Hi Nemo, excellent review. You're getting so good at this. You are one of the best on KZbin. Just wondering if you will be reviewing the Focal Aria 906 K2?

[@NemoPropaganda]

Thank's Dave, I will if they send me a review sample but I think my channel is too small for that. I don't think I will buy it just for the review as I'm very happy with the non-K2 model.

[@jharismaiden]

Mmmm this really does sound like my kind of speaker. If I had the extra money and the space (current use a nearfield desk setup, and I've read the S400s don't sound great nearfield) I'd be all over it. As a sidenote, I recently got the LS50 Meta and pretty much agree with what you said in your review! Great speaker, massive upgrade from my KEF Q100 in almost every way.

[@NemoPropaganda]

if you're a desktop user I'd just keep the Meta honestly, they're as big as I'd want on a desk.

[@bobb.9917]

Nice the way you clearly showed and explained all of the physical details of the speaker….especially the front rake of the cabinet and the passive radiator + binding posts. Nice work! I like to be aware of what’s out there, these appear to be incredible speakers…would love to hear a pair. I am currently enjoying a pair of DynAudio Contour 20s that I really love! Wonder how The Contours would compare to the new S400s?

[@NemoPropaganda]

ooo nice, those countour 20's are a bit more expensive, fantastic looking speaker though.

[@bobb.9917]

@@NemoPropaganda …well more expensive does not necessarily mean better sounding! The way you and Sean are raving about these speakers…I am beginning to think that I may be missing out on something!?

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@bobb.9917 We take price into consideration when reviewing a product. I gave a raving review for the $200 JBL 550P subwoofer, but if it was a $1000 subwoofer that would have been an extremely negative review instead. Like I gave the Velodyne a negative review, it was $1200 and terrible. But if that same Velodyne was $500 or less it would have been a good (not great) review instead. Hope that helps clarify :).

[@bobb.9917]

@@NemoPropaganda Thanks Nemo.

[@geraldgreene5563]

Excellent review again, I wonder how they would compare to my monitor audio gold 100 G5 , AMT tweeter

[@Pentenfi]

Those drivers on Buchardt Audio's products look very similar to SB Acoustics drivers - and I was not mistaken. Actually, the owner, Mads Buchardt, worked very closely with engineers from SB Acoustics to tailor their products to Mads' needs. SB Acoustics produces driver very highly regarded in the sophisticated DIY community, so it's no wonder that Buchardt Audio's products are so well reviewed. I also find those paper drivers look nice

[@toneswinger]

Sb acoustics drivers are very good drivers without paying enormous amounts of money. That's why they are used in diy speakers. Very good engineering and spec and sound.

[@lollinger123]

Thanks for this great review! Damn I justed wanted to upgrade my LS50 to the LS50 Meta. But if you are just enthusiastic about them... That makes me curious and I want to listen to them as well. But I like the looks (and size) of the Kef much more - so hopefully I'll get this idea out of my head that I need those S400 - and the KC62 will do it's work enough

[@NemoPropaganda]

Oh dude, LS50 meta/KC62 combo is insanely good!

[@lollinger123]

@@NemoPropaganda yeah, I think so too. Can you recommend an amp or amp combo? What are you using? I'm thinking about buying the Hegel H120 or even H190. But I would like a high pass filter and room correction - so I would need a mini DSP for that as well. What are you thinking about those two features in general? You are doing a great job, love your work and honesty! Keep up the good work!

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@lollinger123 Thank you for the kind words. I'm using the Kinki EXP7 preamp and EXB7 Mono Block amplifiers. For a stereo only system I don't like dsp, room correction, or high pass filtering. But for a theater system where you are integrating so many speakers I think it can be a big help and give some really nice improvements. Sorry I don't have any amp recommendations at this time as I haven't really reviewed too many.

[@chickenceo]

@@NemoPropaganda Hey Nemo, how would you compare LS50Meta/KC62 combo vs S400MkII? Thanks!

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@chickenceo pretty much how I said in the video except when we get to the bass portion now the Meta/KC62 combination will take the edge with respect to extension and fullness. The meta/kc62 combo is awesome and it should be at $3k.

[@todddonaldson2822]

Nice detailed review! Interested in your opinion in regards to pairing with equipment that has extended upper mid range/lower treble. MK1 or MK2 best in this scenario?

[@NemoPropaganda]

I think the original S400 may have better synergy with that however that is not enough reason to skip the MKII that is better overall. I say get whichever one you want but I would go for the MKII easily.

[@ferdi9554]

Really a solid choice, I think the Meta and Buchardt are the front runners for price and sound quality. But visually the Buchardt are more appealing. As far as Focal, I am not going to comment on this, because I am sold to this brand. I am into vocal songs and Jazz music so Focal is the perfect fit.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I love my Focal too honestly so I don't blame you :)

[@supikoiraroy]

Thanks for the review! Which do you think would be a better choice, S400 MK2 or LS50 meta / LS50W2 + KC62?

[@NemoPropaganda]

There is almost $1000 price difference between those two options but here is my answer: S400mkII/KC62 :D

[@denizekintanrsever4749]

Hi Nemo - Great review! In your opinion, is S400 MKII a good fit for classical music and jazz for imagining and separation? Or would you prefer the Aria 906 for that? Problem is I love electronic, too. Also, do you think either of these speakers could be driven by a 20 watt Decware tube amp.. Decware thinks it is more than plenty for a standard 2 bedroom apartment use but wanted to see if you had a view. I know it is hard to say without testing but curious on your thoughts based on your experience. Lastly, would a Schist Aegir/Vidar be potent enough if a low wattage tube amp is too weak?

[@NemoPropaganda]

how much watts is enough is a very personal question. I tried a 20w class D amp a few years ago and for me it was not enough power. I don't have any experiene with tube amps however so I can't really say for sure.

[@alessandrosantamaria9464]

Great review Nemo, indeed. I’ve just bought a Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 and my old speakers Elipson Planet L don’t satisfy anymore; so the S400 will be next move. Do you think Lyngdorf works fine with the S400? I was also wondering what stands are you using in the review. The S400 original stands are not fine for my rooms. Thanks and keep on doing such great reviews!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hello, S400 MK II is not very picky for amps, your lyngdorf puts out 120w at 4ohm and is capable of higher currents so I think you'll be fine. Of course if the pairing is to your taste or not is another story and we only know when we try :). For stands I'm actually waiting on a pair of Kanto SX26 that are coming in for review that should fit the S400 nicely. My current stands are Revel M16 stands and the baseplate is too large for the S400, you can see if you look closely so i do not recommend them.

[@Stephenwongdirectimaging]

S400ii very good match with Macintosh amp boss is solid and deep . Sound stage is amazing I have compare more expensive model b&w 850 d2 I choice s400ii

[@TheRitualChannel]

I wonder how this compares to the "Helios Loudspeaker Kit" or "Satori Ara", or something else in the 2-way to 2.5-way bookshelfs in the DIY space.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I wish I had the wood working skills to find out :).

[@franhholz]

Good review. Would this speaker work well with a Cambridge Audio CXA81 ?

[@NemoPropaganda]

It should work well with most amps, I have not heard the CXA81 specifically though.

[@MarcusMaximus909]

I have just ordered these speakers I know you reviewed them a few years ago but I've only just found your channel after reading lots of reviews. About different speakers. I must say I find you articulate, knowledgeable and interesting! What centre would you recommend with this speaker? No one has actually mentioned how this speaker performs in am atmos set up home cinema as well as for music. Any comments on that Mr Nemo?

[@NemoPropaganda]

I don't do multi channel audio, only 2ch.

[@MarcusMaximus909]

@NemoPropaganda I have my answer...more bushardt speakers!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Hi Nemo, sorry if I’ve got your name wrong. I Couldn’t agree with you more about the kefs versus these. Especially soundstage fore and aft soundstage of the kef. Doing a review on the Buchardt’s atm. Very nice speakers. I have monitor audio gold 100 and Dynaudio emit 20 to compare as well as my ls50 metas. Cheers Simon

[@NemoPropaganda]

hey what's up man! I'm watching your EMIT 20 review now, I have the EMIT 10 I'll be covering soon :)

[@jamesbaranowski8755]

Love the Aria 906 comparison because I have them and been looking at the 400mk2. Have 906 pair with Rotel 1592 and pair of svs sb2000 subs which system sounds really good but want the next level. How does 400 mk2 pair with subs crossed really low? Great review!

[@NemoPropaganda]

The S400 MKII is really good but so is the Aria 906, it's hard to say one is an upgrade over the other as they're rather different. To me the S400 MKII is what I prefer by a long shot but to someone who loves as much detail as possible they may feel the Aria is the better but those who prefer a fuller midrange will prefer the S400 MKII. Personally I could never get the S400 MKI or MKII to sound good with SVS subs, even crossed over low. I always just ended up with too much in the 40-50hz realm and not enough below 30hz. that could be my room though as many other people enjoy that combination. I may do another video on what subwoofer pairing for the MKII.

[@jamesbaranowski8755]

@@NemoPropaganda sounds great and I think the Aria is a little bright once pushed hard but was really interested when you said more depth and stage! Sounds like a great speaker

[@larrycox2563]

Hi Nemo, great review. I'm curious how the Buchardt S400 MKII compare to the Perlisten audio s4b, they even in the same league?

[@NemoPropaganda]

I never heard Perlisten but the stands for the S4B cost almost the same as what the S400 MK2 speakers price. Also from seeing reviews S4b is neutral sounding while s400 MK2 is not, I don't think the two are comparable.

[@thecliqueshallsetyoufree8745]

Yes, Nemo Propaganda knows his bass....Great Review.

[@NemoPropaganda]

what if I changed my profile pictures to the bass fish and started pronouncing bass like the fish lol, oh man... that would be so fun.

[@ChaiBearProductions]

Hi Nemo, I see you have your speakers toed in a bit. In regards to the s400 what is the benefits of toe in? I tried it the other day and it greatly locked the center image so much so that it sounds so much more resolute in its presentation. 😁

[@NemoPropaganda]

Yes, exactly! A little bit of toe in can really help sharpen upt he imaging. Every room is a little different. My room just a little bit is all I need :)

[@jonabrim1]

Hey Nemo. Thanks for your video about the MKIIs. I’m curious, have you heard the A500s? Just wondering how you think they compare if you’ve heard them.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I have the A500 here but I have to get through my current backlog before I start using them so we're a few months out from a review.

[@jonabrim1]

@@NemoPropaganda Sounds good. I’ll look forward to watching it when it comes out.

[@BS513]

Hi. I enjoy watching your reviews. I own S400 and ordered mk2 because i want more vocal presence and want the speaker to be more open sounding. How much better would you say is mk2 in that regard (precent wise). Happy Holidays.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I don't believe in rating products in units of percentages with respect to other products because I believe it to be inconsistent and misleading. I will say as long as your gear or room aren't awful it should be a nice improvement that is noticeable and you will appreciate it.

[@BS513]

Thanks man.

[@airidaslaugalis74]

Thanks for the video. What height stands are most suitable for Buchardt S400 MKII?

[@NemoPropaganda]

Whatever height puts your ear in the middle of the two drivers :)

[@MrPJAT]

I'd love to see your review of the Aria K2 906. Can you do it? Thanks👍

[@NemoPropaganda]

I want to but the damn yellow driver makes me really upset so might pass on that.

[@edmundgil6008]

Wow bro… what a thoughtful and comprehensive email to Mads! Thistle was a second watch for me; (ya…. I’ve been doing a lot of re-watching!) And you know… maybe the Mii is THE speaker I am looking for. Because I run two sealed svs subs right now, and am pretty decidedly set on upgrading them to two Rel subs, I didn’t consider the new S400 Mii because of its excellent bass performance. But it seems that the new Mii have SO much more to offer in the mid and high frequency regions. 2.5K is my price area… give or take a few hundy either way. Damn… Aria, out… S400 Mii in, along with the B&W 706 S2, & System Audio SA Legend 5.2. All different speakers, to be sure. All three equally priced speakers are beautifully sounding, detailed and dynamic. No doubt the B&W will be the brighter of the three, but the other two are no slouches in the treble department. Thanks again bro, for one of your best reviews on a great speaker! (I think I would be happy with any of the three!) ❤️🎶🔥🙏🏽💪🏽

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hey Edmund, what about the KEF R3? I have not heard it but people say it's also great at that price point.

[@edmundgil6008]

@@NemoPropaganda Thank you so much for the suggestion! Actually, the R3 was one of my original targets/speaker crushes! …it is sooo gorgeous! What do you think about it? I really dig all of your speaker choices… and for different reasons, I think they are better than the R3, TBH. (RIP Focal Arias! :-) I was saddened to hear over and over from different reviewers, that the R3, while having great clarity, the high frequency detail & high frequency extension were not that great. I hate generalizing, but many written & video reviewers used the dreaded “rolled off” or “smooth” treble words to describe the top end. Other common comments were that the R3 has a narrow soundstage, and the R3 in general was either neutral, or on the darker side of neutral, lacking “sparkle”…. Definitely some characteristics I am not looking for, and truly not what I expected; (I really wanted to love them! Kinda like going on a date with a hot girl, but by the end of the date, she turns out to be annoying and lacking enough positive character traits, to ask for a second date! I was so bummed the R3 is likely not “the one!” But…. You gotta admit, the R3 is definitely one of the best looking bookies IMO! As for the bass, I read and listened to conflicting opinions on the R3’s bass character… so there is that… They are supposed to be a little easier to drive than the LS50 Metas, which is cool. As you often say, equipment pairing is key; which is another area I want to upgrade (x2); downstairs in my living room, and in my bedroom. Kinda waiting to learn more about the V2 version of the NAD M10. NAD says audio is the same; (same amp, power supply, streamer & DAC sections.). Maybe the updated “gain algorithms” made a difference? Very few KZbin reviews on the V2; I had to go to written reviews. Some say they noticed slight sonic improvement. I think I want to keep my primary new system under 3K for my integrated amp; And the same for my speakers; (2k to under 3k). I also want to get a new CD player, before they become extinct! Not really looking to go transport and either separate DAC, or utilize DAC in new integrated amp. I have some ideas. So there you go! 😆

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@edmundgil6008 I haven't heard the R3 personally but I can't imagine it's rolled off. The KEF sound at least from the LS50 Meta I had is a bit forward in the top end with outstanding separation and really good refinement so it never feels harsh. It's not a sharp sound but it is very detailed. They're easily found around $1600 now, I'd maybe just grab a set and have your own experience, you can always return them.

[@edmundgil6008]

@@NemoPropaganda Exactly! That was my expectation as well. But the Meta, from all the research and listening to video comparisons with R3, sounds EXACTLY as you described, and the R3 noticeably less bright; less sparkle; less high end extension; less wide. I know video comparisons are not the best for “single” speaker listening. But comparisons, even if Mics are low quality, or overall recording method is not the best; I was able to hear a difference. Just as you do in your new review format, I watch every review on KZbin, and read a lot of written reviews. There is enough similarity in high frequency description from reliable reviewers, (you are one of the top in reliability! Truly. ), and consistent audible observations from sound demos, that made me conclude that Meta are as you described in high frequency description, and R3 are different.

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@edmundgil6008 my friend owns both and says R3 is more extended and detailed.

[@acd784]

Thank you for your insight. The LS50 Meta have a nice subwoofer pairing with the KC62. I read and saw nice reviews about this combo. I was wondering if you would suggest a suitable subwoofer for the S400 mkii. And is it worth it? Cheers!

[@NemoPropaganda]

i made a whole video for s400 MK2 subwoofer pairing :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHLWda2CjtuYp5Y

[@acd784]

Watched it! Thanks 👍

[@mattolsziewski7164]

The guy knows bass

[@Rod007man]

Any chance you will review KEF R3 speaker? KEF R3 competes head to head with this model in price and scale. This would make a very interesting comparison

[@leech-myster-funk2677]

Sorry I know I’m late to the buchardt party but just wanted your thoughts on how these handle poorer material in terms of production? I listen to a lot of 90s metal which can be quite harsh and thin. I know dynaudio handle these well but I am keen to hear your thoughts. Great channel and thanks for the reviews as it helped me pull the plug and get duel rel t5 x subs a couple of years ago 👍 now looking to upgrade my speakers

[@NemoPropaganda]

if music sounds harsh on the S400 MK2 its the music itself, the S400 MK2 sounds great when I listen to Cradel of Filth or Arch Enemy.

[@leech-myster-funk2677]

@@NemoPropaganda wow if COF sound fine on it then it handles things well. Those earlier albums of theirs such as Midian and Cruelty are exactly what i want to sound 'acceptable'. Cheers again dude.

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@leech-myster-funk2677 yeah no problem man, Cruelty doesn't sound great, that album will never sound great lol, but I can enjoy it no problem :)

[@johnradovich8809]

I have a pair of S300’s. I like them a lot but thinking of upgrading to the 400 Mk ll’s. Problem is living in Colombia there’s a 35% tax. You think it a worthwhile upgrade? Thanks!

[@NemoPropaganda]

man that's a bummer, that's a hard question to answer. I will say if you have a lot of money go for it but if you don't the S300 is a really good speaker and instead I'd just enjoy them.

[@strykerking]

Hi Nemo, you recently helped me select a great subwoofer, thank you. I'm shopping for a big upgrade to my first speaker the Kef Q150 which I've enjoyed but never really wowed me the way I wanted, I have a question for you. I'm using Emotiva gear, TA-100 integrated amp as preamp and BasX A2 as power amplifier. Do you think this gear will be suitable enough to power and enjoy a speaker of this calibur? I know there is some gap in the price bracket between the gear and this speaker, so I'm hoping you can lend your experience about that. Thank you!

[@NemoPropaganda]

I was actually using a TA-100 with my original S400 when I first got them, it's actually a very good match though the TA-100 cannot bring the best out of the S400 MKII as they have a very high performance ceiling. Either way I think it's a great match tonal match and the A2 has more than enough power to drive the S400 MKII. If you can add an Ares2 DAC in the chain it will be even better :).

[@strykerking]

@@NemoPropaganda That's great to hear, thanks for your feedback

[@doifeellucky]

Great review. Would these work in a smaller room in the corners? Also what would be the minimum amp to use with them. I currently have a Cambridge CXA60 but in the future would be looking to upgrade to something like the Hegel H95 or Exposure 2510. Any recommendations for an amp in the $1500-2000 range?

[@thepickyaudiophile]

I alternate between the Exposure 2510 and a Nad M3 and both are great with the S400, though different in presentation. FWIW I tried the H90 (should be largely the same amplifier wise) with my slightly difficult B&W Nautilus 805 and found it unresolving and underpowered. I listen at low volumes and if an amp is not up to the task, things can really fall apart here in my experience. The Exposure on the other hand was well up to the task, despite having a damping factor of only around 40 (vs 2000 😀). Lots of people love Hegel, just make sure you try before buy and don’t just trust the numbers. To be clear I never tried a Hegel with the S400’s!

[@doifeellucky]

@@thepickyaudiophile Great feedback, much appreciated. My understanding is the 2510 is very neutral and the S400’s slightly on the warm side. Would you say that is the case? The British Audiophile’ said they worked well together. It’s quite a big upgrade and investment for me but I’m wondering if my room would be too much of a compromise. Thanks again.

[@thepickyaudiophile]

@@doifeellucky I would agree and find the 2510 more or less neutral, but with some warmth. Its a pretty subtle amp, that’s all about musical flow and engagement, without making too much fuss about it. Conversely it’s pretty detailed and fast (while still smooth and without undue emphasis on leading edges or other party tricks) but without drawing attention to those qualities also. But hell I’m no reviewer 😃 I currently have the Rega Aethos here, which take the S400 to another level and has a bit more character. That’s a different price bracket, but I imagine the Rega Elex-r might be a worth auditioning too. Cheers

[@NemoPropaganda]

sorry since I don't review many amps I don't have too many reference points. I do know the Kinki gear I used is as close to a perfect match as you can have with the Buchardt speakers.

[@chickenceo]

I can feel how excited you are with the S400Mk2, and that excitement makes me want to trade my Chora 816 with the S400. Two question, which subwoofer would pair well with S400Mk2, specifically KEF KC62 and Rel HT1003? Secondly, is S400Mk2 power hungry? I am running Naim Atom with 40w per channel. Do you think its enough? Many thanks for another great review!

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hey Chicken, I will maybe do a future video for subwoofer pairing for the MKII as most of my listening was without a sub. No they are not power hungry, the Naim sould be fine.

[@Audfile]

Sounds like he also gets to enjoy now finding an upgrade to the Focals too.

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@Audfile nah, the Aria are good as they are and the new model (K2) is super ugly with it's yellow cone. The Aria are here to stay, they'll get less play time but they're not going anywhere :).

[@aiCorner]

Great review Nemo!! I was wondering how well will it match with Audiolab 8300A (75w @ 8 ohm) or Marantz or IOTAVX SA3+PA3 combo? Does anyone has experience on these combination?

[@NemoPropaganda]

Since these speakers are not released yet I think you will have to wait for more reviews. IotaVX is good but you will not get the best from the speakers but if that's the most you can afford IotaVX is one of the best amps in it's price range.

[@marcossousa4891]

Excellent review. What was a good pairing for it? The kinki behind it?

[@NemoPropaganda]

Yes! Kinki is a great match for Buchardt. Their own amp the i150 is also a fantastic match and has tons of great functionality.

[@marcossousa4891]

@@NemoPropaganda have you tried their amp? Don’t remember seeing a review

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@marcossousa4891 Yes, I have it here now, review coming soon :)

[@fabioconceicao3315]

Hi Nemo, I’ve looked at the 400s in the past. My question is would you listen to them on their own or would you have a subwoofer to help out?

[@NemoPropaganda]

That really depends on the room and how much bass you want. My review was based on not using a subwoofer. I will make a second video for subwoofer pairing recommendations but the choice to use a subwoofer or not is like answering the questions of how much bass is enough, how spicy do you like your food, etc... The answers are so personal only the end user can decide. I think many people will be happy without a subwoofer but I also think many people will always want more bass.

[@fabioconceicao3315]

Hi Nemo, I ordered the Buchardt S400 MKII and they sound exactly like you said “perfection to my ears”. I’m soo happy with my purchase. Thanks again for a great review!

[@freakin13guy]

This review was dope AH! That Midrange sounds like it’s CRAAAAAZZZYY GOOD! I’m beyond excited to receive mine in November! Did you feel like these still need quite a bit of break in like the original S400??

[@NemoPropaganda]

Yes for sure, like 100 hours. I just played mine at 20hz while I was at work, not too loud but loud enough to get the woofers moving, i also played bass I love you on repeat at night while I slept so I had them broken in within 5 days. I only recommend doing that If you really know what you're doing though as playing those kinds of tracks can damage speakers. Generally it's suggested to just play normal bass heavy music.

[@backrack01]

@@NemoPropaganda is your comment about being careful just referring to break in? Then after break in someone can have it.

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@backrack01 yes. Running 20hz nonstop through a speaker can be punishing for any speaker so you can damage it if you don't know what you're doing. Most people should just use music for break in.

[@tweedpenguin712]

Break in is a myth

[@thunderpooch]

@@tweedpenguin712 mostly a myth

[@zackpetrovic3029]

Is the new woofer the SB Acoustics "Norex" coated paper version? maybe SB17NRX2C35-4 as opposed to the natural paper SB16PFCR25-4

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hey Zack, I'm not sure. I'm not really familiar with individual components and the different build houses that make them. There was this russian guy that used to do these awesome super technical breakdowns but he stopped about a year ago :(. Sometimes Ron from NRD will do an indepth tear down like that but it's really not my style. Personally I'm only interested the end result and how it performs :)

[@jackfalco5351]

I have both the 906 and the s400mk ll. I find there is greater clarity with the Focal. Did you notice this?

[@NemoPropaganda]

yes, Aria is the brighter speaker while S400 is the warmer speaker.

[@thomasfitzhugh7936]

You have me more interested in these speakers than I once was. What about amp pairing? Would you go with a neutral sound signature over warm?

[@NemoPropaganda]

mmm, so the speaker is mostly neutral in the grand scheme of things and a little laid back in the top end so get an amp that will match your taste. If you like that get an amp that has more of that, if you like more extended and expressive top end go for an amp that is known to bring that out, and so on. I've found the S400 MKII to be fairly friendly with amp pairing and what seems to be most important is just that it's a quality amp with good honest power and good current capability so I would not use an AVR for example.

[@thomasfitzhugh7936]

@@NemoPropaganda appreciate that.👍🏼

[@ChaiBearProductions]

Hey Nemo! I picked up a pair a few weeks back and I’m curious as to what personally sets the S400MK2 apart for you compared to others at this price point. I realize this is all very subjective but would like your thoughts.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Midrange depth, soundstage, sense of scale, fullness of sound, bass, basically all the stuff I talk about in the review.

[@ChaiBearProductions]

@@NemoPropaganda Thank you. Comparing this to the Chora 806 in terms of dimensionality and staging would you say they’re on par with each other?

[@shawnwu3170]

I would love to hear you talk about what your impression is for Buchardt A500 or A700 :-)

[@NemoPropaganda]

I have the A500 here for review, we're probably a few months away from having a video though :). I will make sure to compare it to the S400 MKII though.

[@shawnwu3170]

@@NemoPropaganda Awesome!

[@Fahrenheit38]

Erick sent me, love ht stuff

[@NemoPropaganda]

Yooooo! Welcome, Eric is the man!

[@Fahrenheit38]

@@NemoPropaganda I keep drooling over a set of buchardt for my retro area. Gotta pinch them pennies

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@Fahrenheit38 I once new a guy who owned TAD speakers that cost $25k! I told him "wow you must be rich!". He said "No! I saved money slowly for 5 years to buy them", and that day I learned a man can have almost anything he wants as long as he is patient and disciplined.

[@Fahrenheit38]

@@NemoPropaganda absolutely! I'm pretty lucky, my wife let's me get whatever if I tired to get 25k speakers in the door she would murder me. I put a few hundred a month away for the buchardt, glad it took me a while since the mark 2s are out now

[@789ghost342ghost]

Good day can you please recommend a center channel speaker to compliment this beast cheers

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hi Edwin, I believe Buchard may sell a single S400 to existing owners who wish to use it as a center channel. Aside from that I do not have much experience with Center channels.

[@wali9254]

Keeping with the same sound profile of the s400 mk2, which speakers would be the next logical upgrade from the with a Naim XS3?

[@NemoPropaganda]

I'm not sure, none of the expensive speakers I've reviewed sounded like the s400 mk2 and I've never cared to look for an upgrade from them.

[@homerjones3291]

Have a pair ordered from the first batch - should be to me by mid-October if all goes as planned. I have a pair of the originals so I’ll see if the mkii’s knock me out.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Nice dude, enjoy!!!

[@homerjones3291]

Just got the tracking number, about 3.5 months from preorder to shipping.

[@themoistgreenorganic]

Nemo, I have a pair of Aperion floorstanding speakers and never owned a pair of bookshelves. My room is 13’ wide and 18’ deep, could these replace floorstanders as far as depth of midrange/mid bass? Note I also have 2 Sumiko S.9 subwoofers to augment the bass.

[@NemoPropaganda]

That's a really tough question to answer. The S400 MKII will best many floor standing speakers but of course not all. Without hearing them I can' t say with any certainty which one would sound better. You really just have to try it.

[@matsudakodo]

So I've followed you for a while and I'm also a 2-year vet with the S400's. I don't agree that there is a "bass bump". The S400 is dead flat from 70-300 Hz, which is one of its strongest selling points. No exaggerated bumps or sags, just a flat line that only your room can screw up. In fact it's probably the small rooms we're in that boost the bass. I'm curious to hear what's different about the MKII in this regard and hope to have them in a couple of months. I hope my fears about the treble are unfounded because I'm really sensitive in the region they brought up with the crossover, like I have an extra strong ear resonance or something. That's what trial periods are for, as you say.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hey Eric, I'm pretty darn sensitive to top end also, I've left movie theaters because they're too loud, I wear ear plugs when I go boating with my friends because the wind noise hurts my ears, I don't go to concerts as they are way too loud, etc... So I think we might be similar. With that said the new MKII while having more treble energy also has more refinement. It's like making a car faster and improving it's gas mileage at the same time. It's a welcomed upgrade with no downsides. Naturally if your front end gear is harsh or sharp that may change things but if you have baby ears like me then I'm guessing you don't have any sharp sounding gear.

[@MrDirwood]

@@NemoPropaganda I have the original s400's. I like to play 95db + sometimes (parties etc) The woofers / bass radiator pop through over extension when there is significant bass (no other speakers I have owned have ever done this). Does the mk2 do the same? Also, I blew the woofers and crossovers after playing > 100db for 20 minutes. Is the new mk2 is only good at < 95db also? Over wise I like them!

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@MrDirwood The new MKII has some improvements that allow it to play louder. How much louder I'm not sure. 95dB is loud and extremely loud if the room is larger. Remember the speaker has to work much harder to product 95dB in a bigger room vs a smaller room. I suggest you email Buchardt, let the know your room size & listening habits and ask them the same question. They should be able to provide a clearer answer than I can :)

[@MrDirwood]

@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for the feedback. Your channel has really been putting out some great content this year. Great REL and SVS reviews as well as Buchardt and Elac.

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@MrDirwood thank you for the kind words my man.

[@planetag310]

I have a Rogue Cronos Magnum 100-watt integrated tube amp. I'm wondering if that would work well with the MK2s, or whether it would impart too much warmth to an already warm speaker.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Hi Audrey, this really will come down to personal taste. Some people like so much warmth that it sounds like you're inside an acoustic guitar while others prefer cool & analytical. I couldn't say what is "too much" for your taste :)

[@lucask3]

Hi! I would love to have your opinion about the 2 options that I'm currently considering. Would you rather have the Buchardt S400 MKII bookshelf (with the original stands) or the Arendal 1961 towers + 1961 1S Sub? Both options are about the same price here in Denmark. Which one would you choose? Quality, definition, soundstage and imaging are really importante for me. Thanks a lot and congratulations for having such a nice channel!

[@NemoPropaganda]

1961 tower is very neutral until the bass where there is a bit of a rise in the midbass region. Buchardt S400 MK2 is a warmer sound overall, more flavor in the midrange, no midbass boost but very strong and full bass overall, much stronger bass than the 1961 tower. If you want the more neutral midrange/treble then go for the 1961 tower, if you want the warmer & more tonally rich sound with stronger bass then go for the S400 MK2. As far as what I would choose, of course that is always the S400 MK2 as it is my favorite speaker.

[@lucask3]

@@NemoPropaganda would you choose the Buchardt even at the cost of not being able to buy a subwoofer? I'm more and more inclined to get the S400 but my only doubt is that I won’t be able to add a subwoofer to the system for a few years. Thank you for your help!

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@lucask3 if you're asking what I would do for speakers & sub with a budget of under $2500 I would buy the Heco Celan Revolution 3 for $1150 and put the rest towards a subwoofer that would fit my needs of sound quality and had enough output/extension for my room. If you're asking me if you will be happy without a sub the answer is I don't know. That's an impossible question for me to answer.

[@lucask3]

@@NemoPropaganda Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! I just watch your review of the HECO and the comparison with the Buchardt, and I think I'll go for the S400 as I'm looking for a better quality of sound overall, and I think I can wait and add a subwoofer to the system later.

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@lucask3 you're making a great choice either way, both speakers are fantastic!

[@ChaiBearProductions]

How would you describe the difference in soundstage width and height vs the original S400? I’m trying to decide between the original and MKII. I’m coming from LS50s where the dispersion and sweet spot is very narrow. I want a much bigger sound. I’ve heard that the new S400 does better in the regard to soundstage but wanted to get your opinion. Regards,

[@NemoPropaganda]

original s400 and MKII both have incredibly large staging with respect to height and width. MKII improves depth considerably though.

[@ChaiBearProductions]

@@NemoPropaganda Great! Thanks for your detailed reviews. How would you compare these to the LS50 Meta staging wise?

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@ChaiBearProductions they both stage pretty wide but the S400 stages taller and deeper. Do keep in mind the LS50 Meta is a very good speaker. The s400mkII will give you a big upgrade in bass, vertical sound stage, and to a lesser degree depth. But from the midrange and up may come down to personal taste. I love the S400 so for me it's easy but the s400 also fits my personal taste.

[@ChaiBearProductions]

Thank you. I owned the Meta but sold them. Just order the MKII yesterday in white. These paired with a T9/x should be a treat.

[@xadrian23]

I am now between S400 MK2 and Aria 906 , but I really need the best imaging out of my speakers as I usually use them for movies. I know Aria needs a subwoofer so even if I am from Europe and Aria's are cheaper , S400 doesn't really need a subwoofer like Aria's. So, I think they are head to head because of that here. How is the imaging for S400 Mk2 compared to Aria 906? Yeah I am a low volume listener. :(

[@NemoPropaganda]

The EU price of Aria 906 makes this a really easy question. Go for the Aria 906 and add a sub. While the S400 has great bass it will not be the same as a subwoofer especially for movies.

[@MartinHAndersen]

Has ordred this. What sub would you recommend for the s400?

[@NemoPropaganda]

Will release a video soon for subwoofer pairing :)

[@Rod007man]

Any chance you will review KEF R3 speakers? This would be a more direct comparison to Buchardt S400 MKII. It’s also a step up from KEF LS 50 META Because of the price point, a little more expensive then KEF LS 50 and Same price as Buchardt S400 MKII it would make for a very interesting review .

[@NemoPropaganda]

I think they're going to replace it soon so maybe I'll try and review the updated version :)

[@nc3419]

Would these work with a lower powered amp say 40 watts at low to moderate volumes and would the speakers sound coherent in midfield listening say 6-9 feet away from the speakers? One review stated you need some distance from them so definitely not nearfield. Currently have Focal 807W which are great but looking for something a bit smaller without losing SQ.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Yes and yes. I sit 8ft away but did test sitting closer and had no issues. Zero Fidelity is who said that (we're friends). We talked about the nearfield and it was the 1 thing we disagreed on and that could come down to the fact that I have room treatment at the first reflection points while he has room treatment on the main wall & corners. My guess is they'll be just fine closer up but some rooms may need first reflection panels.

[@homerjones3291]

I’m about 5 feet away from my S400’s now and I’d really not want to be any closer - have to give the drivers some space to coalesce. They also need some volume to come alive; not crazy loud but maybe 75dB or so. The mkii’s might be fine with 40 watts into 4 ohms.

[@nc3419]

@@homerjones3291 Thx. Considering this speaker. I have a hegel h160 but the small Keces E40 at under 10lbs is a small powerhouse in and of itself. It was measured by one review site as putting out up to 34 watts at 8 ohms and 62 at 4 ohms both at .7% distortion. Capable of 15 amps output according to manufacturer. At moderate volumes it should be fine while the Hegel would probably improve the SQ a bit but also has the power to drive louder. Still, these speakers are small and that is appealing given what they can do. Probably give's something up in relation to the Focals and gains something in return. As one gets older, smaller and lighter has its' appeal.

[@gokhanersan8561]

Can these speakers fill a large living room at high volumes? Or are they only good at smaller spaces to crank up music?

[@NemoPropaganda]

depends how large a room and how loud you want it. At the end of the day they are compact bookshelf speakers. They can play plenty loud but not as loud as floor standing speakers. I wish I could be more helpful but loudness with respect to room dimensions is really hard to advise on. One mans quiet is another mans loud and so on.

[@Audfile]

Nemo knows!!

[@keithridley4478]

What Stands are you using for your bookshelf speakers and height?

[@NemoPropaganda]

They are the stands for the Revel Concerta2 M16.

[@weikra2023]

Hi, I have the new Marantz Model 40n Stereo Amp. Do you think, that the S400 MK2 also good for movies in kind of dynamic and effects?

[@NemoPropaganda]

beautfiul amp, I've never heard it but I think it should match up just fine.

[@Slickman2006]

Bass is last on my list for speaker consideration, I have subs for that.

[@NemoPropaganda]

Fair enough :)

[@matsudakodo]

Same, but it makes it easier to blend them.

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

Hi smashing review when you say low volume can I ask what you call low , I listen at about 50 to 60 decibel range , are am I going to lose out on sound quality at this volume , I really want these . Cracking review and well explained ,

[@NemoPropaganda]

50 to 60dB is extremely low, are you certain you listen this low? If that is the case your only option is something like Focal Chora 806 or Aria 906 with an extremely dynamic amplifier.

[@NemoPropaganda]

If you are using an app on andriod phone the dB is inaccurate, if you're using an iphone use decibel X, that is the most accurate one. If you are indeed using a dB meter cross reference it to Decibel X if you have an iPhone.

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

@@NemoPropaganda yes just an android app , that's all I have thanks , I took the measurement from my listening position , which is about 7 feet , is this the correct way , thanks for your reply

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@Lovelacewatkins139 okay, yeah andriod is not very accurate with the microphone, if you can I would buy a cheap dB meter, even a $30 one from Amazon will be accurate enough :)

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

@@NemoPropaganda hi thanks I will look into them . But where is the measurement taken from . Thanks again

[@juandoe7802]

I'm deciding between these and or some SVS ultra towers/ polk reserves r700... can anyone advise?

[@NemoPropaganda]

Sorry have only heard these.

[@rapfreak7797]

So are you going to sell the Focals? If not, I’m guessing you’ll keep the Focals in rotation less?

[@NemoPropaganda]

nah I still love them :), but yeah less rotation for sure.

[@yamafanboy]

Ok i'll be honest... since you reviewed the imagine mini's this is the first bookshelf speaker review you've done where I actually resolved in the back of my mind that despite these being WAY out of my budget I still HAVE to own a pair of them. And yes in the analogy I am that porsche owner that had to save up for 6mths to make the downpayment hahahaha

[@NemoPropaganda]

get it out of your head lol, the imagine mini have that capable midrange where the vocalist projects forward with air & space of their own so it actually has a lot of the same characteristics that I like. It's still one of my favs and I still regret selling them.

[@yamafanboy]

@@NemoPropaganda Mine is a stupid F'ng problem to have so continue to read this obscenely long comment at your own peril lol. I used a pair of status audio CB-1 headphones primarily for 2 ch music before getting the Imagine Mini's and even though the headphones required some break in to reach their current sound signature I GENUINELY never ever feel like I am missing anything in terms of sound quality when I use them despite the fact that way better (but significantly more expensive) headphones exist. If I could design a speaker I would make it match the sound signature of my CB-1 headphones identically. Honestly since getting the PSB speakers I've always REALLY (secretly) wished that the switch from those headphones to my sound system was a lot less distinguishable. Switching between the Imagine Mini's and those headphones feels somewhat like making the switch between a perfectly calibrated 1080P HDTV and a 4K UHDTV with HDR. Both are fantastic experiences but once you've had the more refined one it's difficult to settle for the other. For comparison, I bought the much cheaper KOSS KPH30i headphones on recommendation from a "famous youtuber" I was formerly subscribed to, as he claimed they were amazing, and oh how I HATE the sound. The bass bump wasn't just annoying it was borderline "ghetto" and all of the intimacy of mid to higher range detail was missing. Every single time I tried the KOSS headphones they always made me feel like I was listening to music that was being played at too far a distance to resolve any real detail as if it was coming from another room down the hall. Thankfully, the Imagine Mini's sound vastly superior to the KOSS headphones, and if I didn't have the CB-1 headphones I'd probably never feel like anything was missing. Only because I'm aware of the subtle difference in sound improvement that can be had... I wish I could have it. The other thing I ABSOLUTELY LOVE about the CB-1 headphones is the bass. It's pretty much EXACTLY as you describe the MK2's bass to be. There's a lot of it and it goes very deep, but you would never know until you listened to the right track. I wouldn't even describe the CB-1's bass as actual "bass" per se, as the experience is really so synergistic with the music that you only fully appreciate it when you listen to the same track on another sound system and realize how much deep bass (and just general presence) is now gone from the track despite listening to the same track on a system with a capable subwoofer. THAT is my main reason for wanting to try a different higher quality set of speakers. This is not to say anything bad about the PSB Imagine Mini's. I love the Imagine Mini's and I'm 100% confident they would sound a lot better if I upgraded from my current crappy yamaha RX-V377 AVR to something more worthy, but the lower frequency bass detail and articulation as well as the mid to higher range resolution of the CB-1 headphones really haunt me and I am secretly dying to find a speaker with a closer sound signature to those headphones. I suspect those MK2 S400s have that potential. If you can tolerate my sometimes weird taste in music, check out the 4 Lindsey Sterling tracks I listed below and "A/B" test them between the MK1 and MK2 S400's. Most likely you'll understand what I'm trying to explain. Her music is one of the main culprits that easily distinguish between the 2 listening experiences I've been trying describe. I believe that despite the MK1's wider frequency response and deeper bass compared to the PSB Imagine Mini's, the resolution of finer detail is more in line with the Imagine Mini's and I suspect, based on your review, that the MK2's may have a sound signature more in line with the CB-1 headphones I use. (just a hunch) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6myZ3SNe62JptU kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKLXfKOCislmhMk kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoPOhKxsetGBf7s kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3zOq5WYgb6Dq6s

[@NemoPropaganda]

@@yamafanboy I like lIndsay stirling, the song crystaliz is awesome!! Sooo you wanna try a different amp... I got an amp here that's pretty good but getting a little dusty from never being in rotation... shoot me an email, I'd give you a hell of a deal on it.

[@yamafanboy]

@@NemoPropaganda email shot lol. Lindsey did most of her best work (in terms of playback quality) in the christmas songs she did IMHO.

[@11chorizo]

Has anyone compared these to the Arendal 1723 THX? I'm on the fence about these two.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I have not, maybe someone in the free discord knows, try asking there.

[@ddcstudios1]

Would make sense if you have the original to just upgrade the crossovers?? No?

[@NemoPropaganda]

that's a better question for Buchardt Audio. I don't have any experience with the crossover upgrade but the new model also has a different woofer and cabinet.

[@uprajsingh]

What is an SQ Style Bass please? I would like to read up on it - Thanks!

[@NemoPropaganda]

ask in the discord, easier to chat there: discord.gg/pNtZkqh8