Buchardt S400 vs B&W 705 s2

[@mariosupa4027]

Excellent comparison review. I currently own the SE S400 and after some adjustment in placement and small tweaks I'm loving them. I have to say the only gripe I have is I tend to listen at high volume and the woofers bottom out on certain recordings and spl levels. Short of that they are fantastic especially at their price and size, very enjoyable for extended listening sessions. They are my first ever two channel bookshelf or more precisely stand mounts. I've always owned floor standers and huge ones at that. So that's saying a lot in my experience with much more expensive and physical stature speakers. Again great video post.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

Wow. I wanted the SE version too. Congrats!

[@ag_a3346]

This was a great video to watch and nicely done. I'm torn between choosing the 2 speakers however I am currently leaning on the S400 as I do have lots of old music that I listen to. Thanks again for a producing a detailed comparison video.

[@davidmlevitt]

The B&W 705 s2 are listed on the Crutchfield website for $2,998.98 for the pair. One can buy, all duties, taxes and import fees included, a B-stock (in perfect condition) Buchardt s400 from Buchardt Audio for $1795 (today's eur to us conversion rate of 1 eur to 1.12 us). The B-stock Buchardt comes with the same 10 year warranty. This is a $1,204 savings if you go with the s400. Given this price disparity, unless money is no option, I would opt for the Buchardt s400.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

I agree with you. Without the deal I got for the 705s2, I wouldn't have considered it.

[@tyleryosef9862]

Thank you very much for taking the time to put this up. I own the 705

[@petervanvalderen9136]

Nice detailed comparison, about the highs of the 705 being maybe too fatigue to some, I bought the 702 S2 three weeks ago. My initial impression was the opposite. My previous speakers are the B&W Matrix 3 floorstanders from 30 years ago. Highs seemed more restrained than the old B&W's. Or maybe more refined/more detail and therefore less in the face than I was used to. (I love your series of the 705 s2.)

[@NoStereoNoLife]

Thanks for sharing. Yeah really it depends on what you've been used to. In some ways, I think the speaker breakin is has actualy some ear break in too right :)

[@stevenoconnor5693]

I have the 705 s2 as well, They definitely needed to be configured properly they will let you know when they’re not this speaker well as silly as it sounds voice it’s opinion of a for set up and let you know right away by what you get back out from them. Towing in an experimentation Will pay you back in dividends. Also it will definitely need a level of Burnin mine definitely needed it they are much better for it now I would say a good 35 - 50 hrs. Also I don’t know if you’re running them with high frequency and low frequency set up in that type of configurations separately but it definitely brought out the sound of mine if you are running just a single set of wires and you have the jumpers you may wanna consider getting different jumpers they will give you a better sound but I do not think they will give you a better sound as if you ran them completely separate my opinion at least from my experience

[@craigcoughlin1834]

Spot on. Choice should come down to what you really enjoy listening to. I own a pair of 804's and my impression is similar. I think that B&W sparkle wins in the showroom but in reality, may be harder to live with for a lot of people in the long-term. I love the detail of the 804 for more intimate acoustic recordings and its reproduction of human voices but probably 70% of what I listen to is rock (Wilco, GBV, Modest Mouse) which can get fatiguing pretty quickly.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

Thanks. I've learned to adjust to this speaker by lowering the volume and moving closer. This lets me enjoy listening longer without fatigue. Having dialed in more warmth in my preamp tubes, I also connected to miniDSP and tame the 10k region.

[@craigcoughlin1834]

@@NoStereoNoLife I’ll have to give that a try

[@stevenoconnor5693]

Thank you I own the 705s2 also great speakers in my opinion.

[@thomasfitzhugh7936]

Thank you for this detailed review as I've already been considering the 705 s2 speakers. How big is ur listening room? I really want to stay away from subs so I'm wondering if a smaller sized room will suffice with the 705's.🤔

[@NoStereoNoLife]

My room is 13x20 with 12ft ceiling. Depending on your taste of music you get do away from subs. For example, that demo I have with Lauv, has satisfying bass lines that I can enjoy without sub.

[@respondent5226]

What is the current best Bookshelf Speaker with great sound without the need for SUBWOOFER?

[@bryansu]

Good explanation. finally able to decide which speaker to buy. one thing i do not understand. based on the measurement, 705 has higher spl on most of the low end frequency. But how come it doesnt produce more bass as compare to s400 ? i understand there is a bump up at 30hz on s400, but 30hz is just a soft bass as compare to the hard bass produced from 60hz ->110hz by 702. shouldnt it be the 702 that has more bass ?

[@chartliner]

S400 has a large oval passive radiator at the back, that is how they get the deep bass.

[@Wooster77]

I remember watching your video on the UB5s a couple years back, and ended up getting a pair, which I still enjoy. In your opinion, how much better are the Buchardts and 705s2? In a different league and not even close?

[@JonathanGurgul]

I would like to know this as well. I’ve heard the 705s all the time working at Magnolia at Best Buy but never the UB5

[@NoStereoNoLife]

I enjoyed vocals/mids better in UB5s and the bass was spectacular with the size. Overall, the S400 and 705s2 are more revealing. The S400 has better upper and lower freq extension and soundstage is the best. 705s2 is better on imaging. I think you only hear the difference as you improve your sources and amplificaiton.

[@vintageflanker7096]

WOW! Is that an "audiophile" channel with measurments to back up your listening impressions?! Much appreciated!! 😉

[@NoStereoNoLife]

Thanks

[@Mr.Grimble]

I have the s400 for 6 months now and they indeed sound great, although I miss the big bass that my old Paradigm Studio 100v2 had. I still have a Paradigm servo 15v1 sub but it's not the same. Granted, the bass on the s400 is more refined and detailed, but there's something about a floor stand speaker setup that I miss. I'll wait for the Buchard's floor stands :) My current setup includes the Anthem amp 2 (Hybrid - 300W) + Denon 4200 AV. I love music as much as HT and I don't want to give up on any of them. Do you think that switching an amp or separating my HT setup and adding a dedicated stereo setup would improve on my current setup that I have?

[@NoStereoNoLife]

It looks like the Buchardt A500 are also amazing - going down to 25hz. That might be your ticket :) In my room, I measured the S400 to have in-room extension down to 25hz. That should give you enough bass. You probably have a really big room. Perhaps look for amp with higher damping factor. The next step would be a preamp with home theater bypass like the Parasound P6.

[@Mr.Grimble]

@@NoStereoNoLife This preamp costs more than the av reciever :) Is it really worth the money? Am I not paying here just for a slightly better dac than what my reciver has? Isn't worth spending that money on a dedicated dac unit?

[@NoStereoNoLife]

@@Mr.Grimble Check out their other product NewClassic 200 Pre, almost half the price. Good deal with good reviews/ratings.

[@moktaabdul6310]

S400 are rubbish. Dead dull soft warm bad stereo imaging laidback cold , not good at instruments separation nor atmospheric. There are good for normal music listening, not good at all for analysing focusing on music. Abbey wood studio would never use this rubbish speakers.

[@moktaabdul6310]

@@NoStereoNoLife yea because the cabinets are deep and woofer suspension are thicker, that's why. Common sense.

[@Spierdalajyoutube]

I sold my BW 805 d after 45day trial with buchardt s400 BW are to clean too close to the listener. Buchardt's sound stage is great for me, and in my room with classe amp they phenomenal.

[@alanip4577]

Great review thank you! These two speakers are in my short list as well as the Elac 403. I’m unable to audition the s400 so I’m finding it difficult to reach a decision. I would use them for both music and movies (50-50), which of these are better for AV? I also run a subwoofer (REL T7i). Also which center speaker would you recommend to pair with the S400? My components are: Cambridge Audio Edge NQ + W, OPPO UDP-205, and Denon AVR 4200 ( I’m currently using the AE1 MKIII speaker which I’m replacing) My listening area is 12 feet X 12 feet. In your opinion which speaker would be best suited to my case? Your help would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

I've read that the Vela is an excellent speaker with that ribbon tweeter and good imaging. Since it has sets of matching centers and floor standers, I think the ELACs are better for you - in the future, you may complete them in your room. The S400 might be better by themselves but it may be hard to match voicing with other speakers in an HT setup. I'm not sure. For example in S400 I had difficulty with DIRAC live to optimize in my room. If you do critical music listening session, I recommend you also have more powerful 2channel amp to drive the Elacs or S400. They need more power to sing :)

[@rpechler6965]

thank you for the good work! I own a pair of B&W 685s2 and I am thinking of an upgrade to these 705s2's. But my current 685s2's are very sonicly soundstage. I've heard the 705s2's are lesser sonic and lesser soundstage. I think it could be fixed with a good source just like you said. Would you advise these 705s2's to me? Currently I own the SOTM-sms ultra neo > Chord Qutest DAC > HAT LA2 MK2 Tube pre amp > Rotel RA-06 SE > bi-wire 2x70 watt

[@NoStereoNoLife]

You already have a very good source and preamp, much much better than mine :) Rotel is very good match to B&W as well. I'm not sure what else to improve :). For me, I'm actually eyeing Mcintosh or Hegel for my next upgrade. About soundstage, the 705s2 soundstage actually very good. When I heard the 705s2 in demo room, it was heaven :). In my room, less effect due to placement. Yes, I recommend the 705s2. The 706s2 is also about the same too, just different tweeter placement. It's cheaper, so you can have more buck for upgrading preamp/amp as well.

[@rpechler6965]

@@NoStereoNoLife Thanks mate, I'll buy them thanks! I love B&W as I grew up with em. I will also upgrade to a power amp Rotel RB 1552 MK2 and better speakercables. keep up the good work. really like you reviews

[@rpechler6965]

@@NoStereoNoLife I changed the output current of my DAC from 3v to 2v. After this change the sonic effect has vanished dramaticly. I see your DAC has an output voltage of 2.1. Maybe you could borrow an other DAC with higher output.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

@@rpechler6965 Oh thanks for the tip. I'll try this tonight. Moode Audio allows me to switch the Allo Piano dac voltage as well as gain (just two choices each though ). We'll see :)

[@rpechler6965]

@@NoStereoNoLife no thanks! I'd like to hear the results. I hope it is heaven

[@felixlaboy1453]

Hey buddy amazing video thank you for the comparison I’m so confuse I’m buying the Burchardts. One is I was concerned about it being shipped to the US I’m also here in New York and at that price range there’s so many other options out there but they have such great reviews. Plus I have a set of old B&Ws. The D602 I think. Lol. I love they sound a little on the bright side for me but yet clean and nice. I was wondering how do you like them set up with the amplifier you have which I believe that is a Schitt Audio. Do you think I should still order the Buchardts. ? Thanks for any help and advice that you can give me and please anyone else reading this please I will be more than happy to hear your input thank you

[@NoStereoNoLife]

What amp are you gonna be using? Have you seen the new Buchardt A500 on pre-order? Amazing. Anyway, since you already have the 602's maybe you should get the S400 for different sound experience. If you really like B&W, the 705s2 will be very good. Since you are in NY, bring them home and try them.

[@felixlaboy1453]

No Stereo, No Life oh no I haven’t Sean it. I also need a amp. What would recommend.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

@@felixlaboy1453 For budget, I recommend the PS audio Sprout, Musical Paradise MP301MK3. Moderate budget - like my Schiit Vidar+Saga stack, or Rega Brio. Above those, get the Hegel 120 or Macintosh.

[@felixlaboy1453]

No Stereo, No Life Thanks Buddy. I was thinking of the Schiit Audio

[@NoStereoNoLife]

@@felixlaboy1453 Oh try the Aegir - class A. Maybe do Freya+ then balance out to 2 (mono) Aegirs. I always want to find out what that sounds like on either 705s2 or S400.

[@eXquisite.SoundStage]

B&W 😎

[@CuongBui-ms3wp]

Compare to ls50w pls.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

For now all I can say: LS50w is for party! :) They are really enjoyable - fast, bass with good punch and powerful mids. It's less musical than the S400 and 705s2. The S400 is better all rounder with superb soundstage and fuller sound. The 705s2 wins on imaging, best for intimate listening (acoustics, vocals).

[@timmajni9293]

Great review. Have had a pair of 705 S2 for two years now, mated with high quality subs. High end electronics absolutely shine through these speaks. Bought other b&w as center and rears driven by an old toroidal Onkio. TV is good, actually excellent, but magic happens when just the mc252 and benchmark dac3 are running. The S400 no question would perform well, and may make it into a new system in the study. Would be a great excuse to upgrade to the mc275 for the main system.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

I was wondering pairing with Mcintosh amplification would roll off some of the hump at 10k region which some perceive as too bright. I did upgrade my speaker cables which seem to lessen that effect.

[@jcarlson2727]

705 with rel sub(s) running off the amp(s)

[@martinmbokazi8372]

Which REL subs are you using with the 705's ? Thank you

[@JonathanGurgul]

The 705S2s match your clock haha.

[@NoStereoNoLife]

lol

[@dednside5229]

Russel K Red

[@moktaabdul6310]

Soft dull dead warm laidback dark S400. Crap.

[@moktaabdul6310]

Rubbish trash junk speakers S400, even the guy admits and in forums they are warm laidback dull dark.

[@nate_8403]

Matching equipment is wise