These “Might” be a Unicorn…

[@Newrecordday2013]

0:00 Start 1:07 The Woofer 2:33 The Crossover 4:00 The Cabinet 4:50 First Impressions 8:04 Final Thoughts

[@rehn1kri]

Glad to see you back in the speaker reviewing game, Ron! Thanks.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Heck yeah!

[@ChaiBearProductions]

Got them today. Absolutely fantastic and beautiful sounding. It’s so detailed while retaining smoothness. It sounds perfect

[@gokhanersan8561]

What is the price range of your amplifier? They say you need a 5-10K amp to make these sound impressive.

[@fcamiola]

Congrats!

[@fcamiola]

@@gokhanersan8561 Its not the price of the amp, its the sound of the amp. Check out Rogue Audio - I own the Sphinx V3. Its mindblowing for the price. The Cronus Magnum 3 is also amazing, all tube design. Mark O'Brien is one of the best designers in the business, along with Danny Ritchie.

[@ChaiBearProductions]

@@gokhanersan8561 I’m using a Peachtree Nova 300 currently. 300w 8 ohm, 450w into 4 ohms. Runs them wonderfully.

[@ChaiBearProductions]

@@fcamiola Thanks!

[@RUMBLEGO1]

Glad to see you healthy, relaxed and back in the saddle Ron! Will be looking forward to the sound demos of these for sure!

[@stuharrison1]

Hey Ron, I just pulled the trigger on these, mainly due to your breakdown and warmth towards them. I know you are critical, so it fills me with confidence when you give an overall positive review. Now to save for the Buchardt 150 amp! Thanks mate. Keep on keeping on...

[@Newrecordday2013]

Right on!

[@stuharrison1]

@@Newrecordday2013 they just arrived in Australia, four days after ordering. Straight out the box they are very impressive. I was concerned they would not be better than my KLH Model 3, but boy was I wrong. Sometimes you have to take a risk (no audition), by being as informed as you can be, look at the company and business model and then take the plunge. Thanks for your review again, you helped bring out the younger man in me ;)

[@rikardekvall3433]

He’s back! It is alive….. and kicking. Rock on

[@Newrecordday2013]

Rock on!

[@joesapereira5539]

Nice to see you back Ron. Looking forward to the rest of the review as well as your room build.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Thanks Joe! Appreciate that!

[@HeavyBeats24]

I can feel my blood pressure lowering as I listen to you talk about loud speakers. Best in the game by far. Welcome back to new record day Ron!

[@Newrecordday2013]

Thanks man!

[@GreybeardMO]

Man, good to see you back at what you do best.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Thanks Chris!

[@HandsofMagic89]

I just received these late last week in the light oak veneer, and the finish exceeded my expectations. Just waiting on my H190 to arrive so I can actually hear them… needless to say, I’m glad you have a positive first impression because I truly trust you as a reviewer. Excited to see your new listening room once it’s finished!

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

Hook whatever amplification you currently have up to them and go for a drive. You are not going to hear what they have to offer for quite a few hours. So by the time your new amp turns up the speakers will be ready for them.

[@jakus514]

Dude, just wait till those things are broken in with 50+ hours on them! When I first got them, I honestly wasn't shouting from the rooftops about unicorns. But now I'm stunned every time I turn on my system, have to shun disbelief as I can't believe what I'm hearing is coming from a bookshelf speaker. And I did do a little test by not touching them or adjusting their spacing or toe-in until they had 50hrs on them. They went from kinda flat in the vocals and a little muddy throughout the whole spectrum, to perfection as far as my ears are concerned. Break-in is real. You're gonna love them! Probably 😉

[@gokhanersan8561]

Is your amplifier reasonably priced? They say you need a 5-10K amp to make these sound impressive.

[@jakus514]

@@gokhanersan8561 hmm, dac and amp together were about $4500, but amp alone was $2700. And what youre hearing may be true, most of the better reviews were using fairly nice electronics.

[@seanb3303]

I hope you bring it next door so Danny can build a fix it kit with no-rez and tube connectors. Get rid of any cheezy crossover parts.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Hey Sean, not sure how appropriate that would be. I feel it’s my job to review the speaker that was sent to me as-is. If one of Danny’s customers wants to send him a pair, that’s totally fair and up to them. As always, thanks for the comment man!

[@raymoore8435]

Ha ha

[@rosswarren436]

If the crossover is as on their website, Danny might not have much to do, if the cabinet is fairly solid. Will be interesting to see Ron's measurements in room.

[@seanb3303]

@@rosswarren436 yes we will see. So far all reviewers seem to point to more energy in treble and upper mids compared to original model.

[@rosswarren436]

@@seanb3303 I'm torn. I have a living room about 13 feet X 24 feet x 8 feet high. Speakers are on the 13 feet wall, listening position about 15 feet from speakers. I have an amp with plenty of power (395W/ch) if needed, but I don't play at ear splitting volumes anymore. Looking for a speaker that would do that room justice and I'm just not sure a small high quality bookshelf like these will do the trick, even with a sub. Thinking floorstanders would be better. But I want something that will play in the 80dB range and still sound good with some dynamics. I know, decisions, decisions and choosing priorities...

[@BoxOfPringles]

Bought these today 😊 cant wait!

[@NickP333]

Geez, Ron. Sorry you even felt the need to give all that information regarding the review beforehand. The audio world (mostly on KZbin) seems to be pointing fingers at reviewers for withholding information. You’ve always been one of my go to reviewers. for good solid and honest information about HiFi gear. Anyway, fantastic review of the Buchart “bookies”. 😂 (poor Randy) The pic of the crossover looks pretty top notch, and I much prefer paper cones as well. I’ve heard the first incarnation of these speakers and was very impressed. Appreciate the great review. Thanks, Ron.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Thank you Nick!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Nice one, I thought they are tremendous, particularly with Buchardt’s I150 and all room eq / manual eq features

[@Newrecordday2013]

Thanks man!

[@epi2045]

Does the bigger beard improve the sound deadening and refraction reduction? Long time subscriber. Keep up the good work!

[@ArunPaul-Malaysia]

Hahahaha

[@davidjurney]

Thanks for your early impressions. I'm looking forward to the full review. I wish I had known these were coming before I pulled the trigger on the R3s.

[@JohnScheppler]

These seem very promising speakers and hopefully are the unicorn 🦄 and not just rainbows. Can't wait to hear more about them.

[@GoggleAX]

Ron, your room is looking really nice, and like an awesome set-up. 🤔👍🏼

[@Newrecordday2013]

Appreciate that man!

[@mattholland315]

Really looking forward to the full review, particularly the measurements and binaural clips.

[@keithhorton4990]

I got the upgraded crossover for my S400 mk1, and I think they are just spot on. Comes across even better at everything I liked about this amazing speaker.

[@Brett1334]

Hi what differences did you notice? I’ve been thinking about getting the upgrade. Thanks

[@keithhorton4990]

@@Brett1334 in my case, I'm sensative to highs that are at all rough, as I can usually tell after listening to a Tool album and needing to take a break. i.e., I can't always hear an obvious change after a minute or two. But I know when it's an issue when I can't listen to a full album. After this change, I didn't find that being an issue anymore. There may have been other changes, but I didn't A/B both crossovers 😊.

[@RanTausi]

@@Brett1334 You are willing to spend 500 euros for this upgrade?

[@Brett1334]

@@RanTausi no most probably not, but depending on sonic performance I might have, mainly I was just curious.

[@RanTausi]

@@Brett1334 I am asking because I have the opportunity to buy the S400 MK1 for 1300 USD second hand. Or I can buy the Dynaudio Emit20 new for 900 USD

[@JukeboxAlley]

100% agree, paper cones all day, they normally always have a certain something that doesn't sound artificial or forced, they are a fuller and well dampened quality sound and natural bass quality and decay almost everytime you compare with other poly cones etc, and when a soft dome tweeter is done right, they usually win in my book also.

[@connorduke4619]

Double thumbs up. It is not by coincidence that the world's greatest loudspeakers (ATC SCM 40A) have a paper cone woofer and a soft dome tweeter. Oh and as a small bonus, also the widely acknowledged greatest midrange driver of all time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZWklqeOa8SMiNU

[@sunvalleydrivemusic]

I hope this is a sign of things to come. I miss the kind of content you were putting out before covid.

[@stephenscharf6293]

Ron, did you ever publish the "full review" Buchardt S400 MkII that you said you'd make in this first impressions video, because I cannot find it on your channel. If there is a link to your full review of the Buchardt S400 MkII, could you please provide a URL link to it? Thank you.

[@polroger90]

Hi Ron, I've always been more of a random KZbin lurker but someone not long ago recommended NRD for your LOTS setup video. I found that I liked your review style and all the various audiophile content enough that today I decided to create an account and subscribe! I'm looking forward to your upcoming full review of the S400 mkII. P.S. I've also been rockin' some new Spatial Audio M series Sapphires. :)

[@izumispa2993]

Wow. Ron’s vids quality keeps improving. Really fantastic on the eye. Like art. Really appreciated!

[@Old_Sailor85]

Are they better than some of the top kits? The X-LS Encore or CSS TD1-X to be specific.

[@JukeboxAlley]

And the real question I wanna know now is.... so, how does the encore hold up against it? Does it hold it's own or is it better in certain ways, because I can't find one thing wrong with the encores period.

[@Herbert_Knavs]

Oh my. Waiting for your next review like a little kid waiting for Santa. :)

[@dannyjonze]

Always wondered where the 'time-domain' was. It does exist but in Ron's head. That's fair enough, would love to have a listen for it. Love the backing music ,just don't like the swooshes everyone find necessary nowadays. I like the uniqueness of channels, but there you go.

[@tellthemborissentyou]

I have heard speakers that invoke inappropriate hand gestures. But never in a good way. Thanks Ron, I look forward to hearing more.

[@sidesup8286]

Paper is light, so maybe its more responsive and a little faster on transients, but cone breakup is what causes distortion, and metallic drivers are much stiffer and way less prone to breakup and distortion. Some of them have obvious coloration; but not the better examples of them. I like stiffer materials than paper for the midrange, where the ear is more sensitive to distortion. But blanket statements are not what is needed. That's just my experience with what I have listened critically to. My favorite midrange drivers of all time are a few dual high impedence drivers that were used as double woofers in an old Aerial Acoustics speaker. Maybe Aerial never even tried them as midranges and had no idea how good they were in that capacity. I sometimes have good instincts, and that was so great that I thought of it. They are not a metallic driver, but looks like doped poly or something. In my experience, paper's forte is lack of colration, and higher distortion is its weak point. Not pleasant distortion either, like certain orders of harmonic distortion can be. I think its becoming politically correct to like paper cone. Maybe if I hear just the right one.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

100% agree with you Ron about paper drivers. Nothing hurts my ears more than metallic drivers. There is a harshness to them that just can't be tamed. A good stiff paper cone is always my preference. Although saying that I do have a 0.004 mm thin aluminum foil in my ribbon tweeter, so maybe the area of the driver has something to do with it.

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

bought the mk 2 se sounds amazing needs proper pairing tubes or a warm lively amp.

[@thirdkey9]

Listening to The Smile’s brilliant 22’ release through these and some A/B 200W. Not enough audiophile auditioning & analysis to know about unicorns or flying pigs though I can say that my experience with these balanced little beasts has been a phenom joy; only increasing since the Jan. delivery and with different pre-amps/power amps. I use a small down firing sub with ‘em though as many have shared, they are stand alone impressive & formidable without one. All my vinyl listening is going through these now and with a solid R2R, I get easily pinned down in tranceville for hours on end.

[@TombstoneTube]

Where's the rest of the review? Thanks

[@joecartwright9221]

It’s the crossover 👍

[@markcarrington8565]

Hi Ron, I’m one of the people who believes that components matter and I’ve experienced similar changes when I upgraded the crossovers in not one, but two pairs of speakers. Interestingly, neither of my speakers had anywhere near the number of components in the crossovers as these Buchardts, which leads me to believe that the drivers, irrespective of their ‘favoured’ material, may have some interesting resonances in need of controlling. On the other hand, I may be completely off beam, and perhaps the reason for the complexity is to manage the phase of the drivers. Anyway, I look forward to your full review, as you were one of the few to see past the hype of the Mk1 version.

[@olo81]

It would be fun to compare with the Amphion Argon3s

[@gonsta]

Looking forward to the upcoming review. Do you still have H390 in house for an audio test with the Buchardt?

[@BS513]

Could not find the official review of this speaker on ur channel.

[@alltimefavoritesongs2135]

Sir what is the best cone material for you in midrange driver you ever hear?

[@bobbinsonmatthew]

Hi Ron. What would you recommend this or the JBL 4309?

[@louiesipes2257]

Hey Ron! What turntable you using these days? Look forward to the full review of these😊

[@Newrecordday2013]

Pure Fidelity Harmony

[@louiesipes2257]

@@Newrecordday2013 Wowsa, beautiful. 👍

[@goodsound4756]

I am looking forward to learn about in the full review how they are reproducing voices (female and male). Holographic and full-bodied versus thin and rough, etc.

[@jakus514]

It's the former for sure. Beautiful, thick and clear, the airy holographic is there but so is the weight 🤙

[@stephencosta6814]

👍🙌 Very nice to hear that Ron ❤️❤️

[@jamestorres4705]

Hi Ron thanks for the great content. Would it be possible to review the Tekton Double Impact?

[@H2OFSU]

Hi Ron, nice review. Any timeframe on the SVS Ultra Tower review?

[@calvincurry8496]

Ron Could you PPPLLLEESSEE do a review on the Salk Song 3 s or the Philharmonic BMR Monitors Both Dennis Murphy Designed Speakers. Good to see you Back

[@freakin13guy]

So I need to place these a little wider than usual and was going to try your “across the streams” method. How do these preform with this placement method?

[@t0nyxgq]

Thanks for another great video! In your review, can you compare this to the Critons? I’m debating if I should get the Critons or these. Thanks!

[@Newrecordday2013]

I don’t have the latest version of the Critons on hand so I’d be guessing. I believe @cheapaudioman has both so he might have some thoughts.

[@t0nyxgq]

@@Newrecordday2013 Thanks Randy! I'll await his video.

[@Herbert_Knavs]

Hi Ron. Would you mind a few words comparing it to UB52? I know its a different price league, but anyway. Thank you

[@ii1825]

How do they compare to the CSS audio Criton 1TDX?

[@tomb375]

What amplifier are you using? Thank you for all your video's.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Hegel h390 for now

[@tomb375]

Thank you.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

I still have yet to hear these. Hoping to find a local resident that I can drop in for a listen. =)

[@mcrelly]

Thanks for the review. very informative. please turn down the background music a little bit. it distracts from your words. LOL take care!

[@m4nc1n1]

Some wood is good too. Dali

[@aceofspades6667]

Bookies! This vs. KLH model 7s will be very hard fight for my wallet this year.

[@swd7901]

Could you PLEASE review speakers from manufacturers other that Buchart, Klipsch and KEF (+ a few others)? It seems like no one else is willing to send you speakers to review?

[@sebastianskopek]

I bought those speakrs, but really im not feeling them at all. Sound kinda muddy and cheap? I dont hear that much of space from them, there are not a lot of details in highs, i hear a lot of bass though. Are my a500 faulty?

[@howard5992]

this review is the 400s MKII

[@sebastianskopek]

my bad. Anyway after sometime the a500 started to sound amazing and right now they are the best speakers i have ever Heard lol

[@Mizzy154]

hi, im planning on building a 2 way (woofer and tweeter)speaker with a pre made 2 way crossover, how would i calculate the watts needed for the speaker and would it be ok if i just sent the signal from amp to the crossover to the drivers even though the drivers might have different wattage requirements?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Well, the first thing I would say is there is no way to build any speaker with a premade 2 way crossover without a mess on your hands.

[@Mizzy154]

@@Newrecordday2013 how big of a no no is it

[@Newrecordday2013]

@@Mizzy154 a huge no no. There is no way to predict how the drivers are going to work together unless they are measured.

[@Mizzy154]

@@Newrecordday2013 how would i go about with measuring them and making a cross over that is good for them, also im planning on using a hivi b4n (or m6n depending on how much the total cost comes out to) and probably a dome tweeter havent decided yet

[@FOH3663]

@@Mizzy154 Contact Madisound and have them do it... or, purchase Vance Dickanson's Loudspeaker Design Cookbook, plunge in head first and learn. There's several software offerings available too.

[@saint6563]

"Time Domain" is real. Who told you time domain isn't relative to speakers? That's where clarity/texture resides.

[@Drawnbychrist]

How about a “what’s inside” series again?

[@Newrecordday2013]

It’s not a bad idea. I’ll think about it.

[@Bass4LifeBro]

Do you feel the Mkii gives a feeling like a sub is on?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Yes I do

[@dimachesebastian6407]

Can't find it in UK

[@slyfoxx8540]

That's cos you order it from buchardts in Denmark.

[@matejurbanija1589]

What about encore speakers?

[@Newrecordday2013]

The encores are fantastic and it might come down to preference in voicing between these two.

[@matejurbanija1589]

@@Newrecordday2013 I am considering buying encores, and thats why i am asking. Thanks

[@Herbert_Knavs]

@@matejurbanija1589 by the name I am guessing you are from SLO. How do you plan to get Encores here, since the transport and customs/tax costs are not cheap. :(

[@matejurbanija1589]

@@Herbert_Knavs If you only but the kit, and not flat pack, you can save a lot of money on shipping. That is the only advice i got. But yes, shipping and tax are huge.

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

No more sand cast resisters.

[@bunjidogg]

Just because it has better treble detail, extension, and openess than the Mark I doesn't really tell me anything. You already said the Mark I was not real good in that area. The Mark II is only a unicorn if it has top end to rival the best of others in it's price range.

[@tonezoneuk]

I don't like forward vocals. Given this has (nearly) a horn tweeter, won't those mids be pushed forward. I have the 2005 Dali Ikon 6 and have not enjoyed having to turn the volume down on many female vocals. I like the look of these, but am currently scrutinizing all the reviews on KZbin.

[@gokhanersan8561]

Please compare them with Dynaudio’s Emit 20 or 30-refined speakers that deliver midrange bass that cost much less than Burchard….You may become the person to put an end to this Burchard controversy.

[@Ace-Brigade]

You might want to actually show some photos of the speakers you're reviewing while you're reviewing them. Just some constructive feedback.

[@cruise2023]

Audio manufacture companies are quite funny at times, maybe all of the times. S400's mk1 1,600E + aluminium cone bass driver, okay crossover ( then comes out with an upgrade for the crossover ) S400's mk2 2,000E paper cone bass driver with upgraded crossover ( It was always going to be better ) In comes the S400's Signature ltd eddition 3,150E ( wait for it ) Aluminium cone bass driver and upgraded crossover ( from Jantzen Audio quality parts ) There is madness going on here! why jump back to aluminium drivers, why could they not use better parts in the crossover in the first place. Theres a big diff between 1,600E to 3,150E for the somewhat same speaker system. Am I to assume that the original S400's were done to a price and then get them later with a better speaker, admitably at a not so more expensive.....just my observation people.

[@rickyblair8802]

Hey Ron

[@threatripper]

5:50 Holy mother Mary's Va9!na.....

[@NISHUGARVU]

I want money so i can buy it 😂😂 I'm a student still in university 😭

[@ydid687]

i'm in the market for some bookies, some say acora srb is the best, some say tunetot, then there are obscure things like the B7W and Focal totl bookie offerings and "Fyne audio" and a myriad of other new/old/semi-old companies, then some say atohm is best some say dynaudio some say css triton then comes the selection of source gear this hobby is too dissonant to make a 'smart' be all end all purchase once and for all

[@AdrianIII]

Seems like a true "unicorn" would be immediately obvious. These are €2000/pair, BTW.

[@linkeddevices]

Paper is better gust like paper money can lasts basically forever

[@bluematrix5001]

Man, your description about the "Time Domain" you do not even understand it.....blah. blah...

[@Newrecordday2013]

Hi Blue Matrix! I remember when I was 13 and argued about made up words on the internets.

[@mattholland315]

Ironically I find the mkII very good by traditional time domain standards, I.e. low group delay in the bass region. I’d attribute the high frequency decay qualities described by Ron to the smooth frequency response that extends low and very high, and very consistent off axis response, plus minimal distortion from the crossover. These qualities result in a very high resolution design in my opinion.

[@hangdogdaddy38]

Just bought new speakers Edifier R1280DBs (cheap compared to Buchardt) but the point is they are paper woofers. They sound much better than the other pair I had without them.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 THANKS RON…FOR YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS …with all your caveats 😁😎😍😍😍still waiting for my EAMES REPLICA CHAIR with WAF 🥲🙏