The Buchardt S400 MKII REVIEW!

I go over the improvements and sound qualities of Buchardts' top-tier passive stand-mount speakers. If that's your thing, you've found your place. Welcome to the Vinyl Attack!
Today's sponsor Nura and their award-winning headphones can be found here: www.nuraphone.com/
0:00 - Intro
2:22 - Upgrades
5:20 - Component List
5:50 - Bass Response
7:39 - Those "Other" Frequencies
9:08 - MKII vs B&W
9:48 - Caveats
10:24 - The Big Picture
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The Vinyl Attack!
P.O. Box 484
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[@rickhermann7599]

Great review! You get to the point quickly and use simple and descriptive language. A great review and a great beard. Can’t ask for much more than that!

[@DAKILLAGORILLA]

I have been collecting for years , but I am just gaining a better understanding about my gear your channel has helped a lot. And I’m digging your whole vibe, your funny and chill with good info, well done dude keep it up. Very helpful to us simple music fans that want to learn.

[@thevinylattack]

I'm glad to hear it, thank you.

[@robertbartolomie857]

Another great review! You have convinced me that the MKII should be my next speakers. Thank you for your efforts. Robert

[@thevinylattack]

My pleasure!

[@derekfaughn4982]

Well done! Second review I’ve seen of these speakers…VERY intriguing!

[@stephenkay319]

Thanks you for the detailed and well-thought-out reviews. I appreciate the thought that goes into them. Keep up the good work.

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks.

[@j2yellin]

Great review, Chris. I've been hearing (well, reading actually) more people talk about these speakers so it's nice to get a really nice review of them.

[@thevinylattack]

Glad it was helpful.

[@dougturner6907]

Great review. Thanks for the update, as always!.

[@ricko2418]

Great review , I always look forward to your detailed and informative reviews

[@thevinylattack]

I appreciate it.

[@thecrazylifeofafrazier61]

Good evening and thanks for another great review! I look forward to all of your videos and honest feedback!

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you :-)

[@damayor62]

Outstanding as always and thank for confirming the MKII's are THAT good. I'll have to start saving up for a pair. Keep up the great work.

[@thevinylattack]

I really think they are.

[@geohom7980]

Thoroughly enjoying your review style. TVA is now part of my regular KZbin hifi rotation. I too am saving up for a pair of the “MKII” - thanks for helping to confirm this choice.

[@thevinylattack]

I'm glad you like the show.

[@Starbux45]

Your channel came up as a suggested, great suggestion! Really enjoying your content.

[@thevinylattack]

Welcome aboard!

[@dunderhill70]

Again, another fantastic, in depth review. Keep up the great work.

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you.

[@jamon6875]

Been enjoying your channel for some time now. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@thevinylattack]

Doing my best.

[@jconde5]

Delighted to hear this review. Thank you for the details.

[@thevinylattack]

No problem.

[@crimsonghost6454]

Great job ! This is the best review of the mk2 I have seen. I like all of your videos. It really seems like the mk2 is a hell of a step up from the last model and I hear those were good. I'm not into stand mounts but these could change my mind.

[@thevinylattack]

The new model really does do a fantastic job.

[@chrisblackburn1872]

Really enjoy the show with new product reviews always something to think about. Keep up the Great work 🤘😎

[@thevinylattack]

Doing my best.

[@tycheesey]

Nice review! These are near the top of my list for next speaker purchase.

[@thevinylattack]

A fine choice.

[@LifelongMusicJunkie]

I bought the Buchardt S400 MK2's a few weeks ago and I love them! I echo your sentiments about placement, as my room is small-ish and I need them off the wall by at least a foot to avoid some reverb at high volumes. I am amazed by the Base that comes out of these. Cheers

[@thevinylattack]

Glad you like them.

[@XavierABird]

Fantastic as always and thanks for another great review!

[@thevinylattack]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@rarfn8035]

Excellent review. Love your reviewing style and being to the point.

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks!

[@geepee280]

Enjoy your reviews, one of the best on KZbin, keep ‘‘em coming, stay well

[@thevinylattack]

Much appreciated!

[@antonelosheytanov1528]

Another spot on video. I agree with everything Chris said as I’ve been living with the MK2s for the past 4 months and cannot see myself parting ways with them unless a Signature Edition of the MK2s comes to the market.

[@thevinylattack]

I'm glad to hear you like them.

[@sidvicious3129]

The MKII is getting some great reviews and for a manufacturer to offer an upgrade patch for an older speaker model really speaks to the character of that company. Excellent review as usual.

[@thevinylattack]

Mads is really staking a claim.

[@jasonturg2053]

Great video, very informative and detailed as always!

[@thevinylattack]

Much appreciated.

[@spunkthecombo]

Great review! Thanks!

[@jamesmoore5469]

Perfect review for these speakers. I am looking forward to owning a pair 😁

[@easymike7176]

That crossover is beautiful!! Reminds me of when I got custom Solen crossovers built for my car audio back in the day. A thing of beauty!

[@thevinylattack]

Mads really went all out with the second version.

[@easymike7176]

@@thevinylattack For sure!

[@hummerbeats]

watched so many reviews of these speakers and all have said they are fantastic. Need to place my order soon haha

[@thevinylattack]

You won't regret it.

[@seansbox01]

I've been sitting on the fence re these speakers and you've made it extraordinarily difficult to maintain my perch. Thanks, Chris.

[@thevinylattack]

No worries ;-)

[@snavs1966]

From one wiking to another. Great stuff Robert. Seems like your journey never stops. I like every review you do. I might not agree every time. People do have different opinions ( 👂) and opinions. It’s a very great sounding speaker there will please the most. Take care and have fun. Regards Suren

[@chrisv9419]

Definitely would love those speakers and wanna start a vinyl channel at some point haha. Great review and they look very slick and pristine

[@graemeguthrie2054]

Excellent review, I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I am tempted I have to say.

[@thevinylattack]

I don't blame you.

[@flavius6497]

Another excellent review. Thanks for an honest opinion of the MKII's.

[@thevinylattack]

No problem.

[@rayludwig1381]

I really enjoyed your review of MKII's. Although I'm not in the market at the moment for new speakers, they are next on my upgraded list. Another bookshelf speaker I have been looking at is the Sonus Faber Lumina II's. Keep up the good work, always look forward to the next video!

[@thevinylattack]

I appreciate you watching.

[@kcad1974]

Thank you so much for your excellent and entertaining reviews.

[@thevinylattack]

Glad you like them.

[@richardmarquis7643]

Great review of the Buchardt s400 Mkii This review pushed me over the edge and I’m going to buy the Buchart’s soon

[@thevinylattack]

You won't be disappointed.

[@timhermann2226]

I just recently subscribed to your channel. I enjoy your reviews and look forward to upcoming videos

[@thevinylattack]

Welcome aboard!

[@miketallica315]

Chris, I am a scientist (archaeologist) for the federal government. As a scientist, one of the things that I appreciate most about your content is the careful delivery of, what seems to be, a scientific analysis of vinyl and audio equipment. Keep it up. Hello from Toledo, Ohio!

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@josephchamberlain3681]

Thanks for the review and having the giveaway. Excellent as always.

[@thevinylattack]

Glad you liked it.

[@chrisharding6205]

Great review as always. The headphones really perked my interest and the upgraded mk2s sound like they would be well worth the money if I had it lol.

[@ericharrelson2045]

That crossover is legit, especially at that price point. When I saw the XO, the S400 MKII immediately went on my short list. Nice review, Chris.

[@thevinylattack]

Mads really stepped it up this go around.

[@keithhorton4990]

Mads is great. I bought the upgraded crossover for my original S400's, and when I broke a lead off one of the speakers, he sent a replacement immediately, even after I offered to pay for costs and shipping. So few places to buy that make this great of a product, stand by their products, and care about their customers

[@thevinylattack]

He definitely cares about his customers and his products.

[@tweedpenguin712]

How did you break a lead? Sounds like bad build quality.

[@keithhorton4990]

It was my dumb mistake. The wires connecting to the speaker have a locking mechanism to hold them tight. I was at a bad angle and ended up using needle nose pliars to try and remove the wire. But I pulled so hard as to break the speaker connector. I learned the hard way to do things in a different order so I had a good angle. Once I did that I could easily depress the locking mechanism and remove the wire from the speaker. If anything I think it speaks to how well built the speaker was made and how dumb I was to try and brute force it

[@marklatham4811]

Great review. I have a pair of these and they are very good. Not overly forward, never shouty. They definitely need time to break in.

[@thevinylattack]

Totally agree.

[@StevePilgrim2013]

Buchardt - hmmm. Wasn't on my radar, but now it's going to get a look. Very descriptive review! Thanks.

[@thevinylattack]

They're certainly worth a look.

[@38fishing44]

Great review, thank you as as always.

[@thevinylattack]

My pleasure.

[@joeldeal9878]

Thanks for the review. My wife told me she was going to need those Nura headphones... Thanks

[@thevinylattack]

Best of luck!

[@christerry9059]

As always great review

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you.

[@pickynicky2112]

Great review,as always:)

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you.

[@FirstDonkie]

Great review as ever. I'd love to try them as my room is sonically challenged. Can't use big speakers so I'm looking for good performance from small speakers. I think I'll look up the dimensions now....

[@thevinylattack]

These might just fit the bill.

[@bryce83]

great review. would love to see one on the Buchardt towers !

[@thevinylattack]

It's possible.

[@jeffschmidt7431]

As usual…..another spectacular review!!!

[@thevinylattack]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TLA1014]

Nice review, Chris! If you are going to buy them, you must LOVE them!

[@thevinylattack]

I'm definitely a fan.

[@ginovairo6487]

Great review Chris.

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks.

[@MLDAVIS453]

Interesting design on the headphones. I would definitely like to own a pair of S400's.

[@mnmlist1454]

You have just convinced me to save up for the Buchardt. Thanks.

[@thevinylattack]

You won't regret it.

[@richardharding6099]

Great to see a manufacturer paying attention to the quality on the inside as well as the outside.

[@thevinylattack]

Definitely.

[@kylem4541]

Very informative! Thank you

[@thevinylattack]

Glad it was helpful.

[@jasonsayre84]

Great review!

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks!

[@Mike_Jones68]

Wonderfully detailed and perceptive review Chris. Ive always been interested in Buchardt speakers and more i look into them i think im more in the same "save up to buy" mode now like you. Tho wld i sell my Lintons or Zu DWs? Hmmm. Thanks!

[@thevinylattack]

I'll leave that to you.

[@kjbiz]

Great review. Glad to see some music used that relates to my taste in Morphine. Good job!

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks much.

[@slimjim_1090]

I brought a pair of the S400 MKll which I got back in February and can easily say they are the best speakers I've ever owned...

[@lonniestringfellow9854]

Great speakers have always been a head scratcher for me. I get having a great Turntable [Check], Receiver [Check], and Amp [Check]. But I've had dozens and dozens of speakers, and have always noticed that price and brand don't always equal to great sound. I'm currently using large Peavy monitor speakers on my main setup, and they sound wonderful.

[@tweedpenguin712]

Are you sure they sound wonderful?

[@billfremgen5566]

Enjoyed the review. Were i looking for standmount speakers they'd be my clear choice.

[@CosmicJive]

Great review. Not an easy thing, to describe sound qualities & characteristics.

[@thevinylattack]

It really isn't.

[@Vince_Tasciotti]

Interesting speaker design. I'm always intrigued by the off axis speaker configurations.

[@thevinylattack]

It certainly worked in this application.

[@jonvanderhoek6117]

My first time on this channel and what a great review. A mate has a pair of these on order and I cant wait to hear them with his vintage amplifiers. I personally still have my original Advents and Rotel amp that still sound great. These will be a big step upthough, however @ $4500 Aussie dollars, a little out of my price range :(

[@thevinylattack]

Everything costs so much more down there.

[@hamdc4291]

They are around $3400NZ ish, with free shipping, so would expect that would be about $3000Aus?

[@billparsons9119]

Thanks for the great review of the Mark 2's. Sounds like they are decent speakers for the money.

[@thevinylattack]

They are.

[@raymoore8435]

I too,will be saving for those fantastic speakers ! Hope I win the headphones. Top notch review.

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks.

[@ORMike]

I can see those MKII’s in my future. If they sound as amazing as they look it’s a no brainer for me.

[@thevinylattack]

They really do.

[@jamesphogg]

Those look like some amazing speakers. Thanks for the opportunity to win some pretty great headphones.

[@thevinylattack]

Good luck!

[@dustyguac]

Well I’m sold! I need me a pair now too!

[@robertvanzella7106]

Great video. I agree I do like the design of the tweeter at the bottom of the cabinet and the tilt back makes sense in time alignment. I prefer speakers with different designs over conventional ones. Would love to hear them but unfortunately there are no dealers where I live.

[@thevinylattack]

There are no dealers period. Buchardt is direct to consumer. They do have a lengthy return policy though.

[@eldloppa2]

Yep as said, they are direct-to-consumer. The price is fixed, including shipping, worldwide. And you get to return them within 45 days of receiving them. All you pay is a smallish return fee, and they arrange the shipping of that too. Check out their website, it's a pretty neat deal.

[@kevinolson2644]

These speakers are on my short-list. Thanks for the review.

[@thevinylattack]

No problem.

[@damiangriffin9466]

Amother great video, the tilted look is quite appealing, just wish I had a room big enough to do them justice

[@thevinylattack]

They'll work in a smaller room, they just seem to do best with a bit of space.

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

i bought the mk 2 se version sounds great but needs proper pairing i recommend a warm lively amp, loves tubes. thanks for a great review

[@brianlewis5042]

Great review. These speakers have need getting a lot of exposure. They could be the best sounding and value in the stand mount arena this year.

[@thevinylattack]

I haven't heard anywhere near all the offerings at this price, but I'm still confident the MKII's would fare well against any of them.

[@hifitommy]

i would truly love to hear the Buchardts. i have heard quite a few monitor sized speakers and use Spendor S3/5s with a Rythmik 12" sealed srevo sub which mates well with them and my Fried Model RIIs and MMGs as well. i have enjoyed watching your channel improve over time and it is a welcome watch any time. ...hifitommy

[@thevinylattack]

I'd definitely recommend giving them a try.

[@doctormidnight]

I've been a huge fan of passive radiators for decades. I've got a very small Niles SW8 that uses a single 8" active driver and two 8" passive radiators in my fairly small apartment living room and it sounds awesome with the 706s and RB27s provided I adjust the crossover from 90 to 60. Plus it's so small that it can go anywhere. I'd love to see something in the sub-$500 range that uses them, but as you mentioned the cost is probably too prohibitive. A guy can dream, though!

[@thevinylattack]

Yeah, it's a tough pill at $500

[@cliffgeter1105]

Love your reviews... would love to hear you review the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX

[@thevinylattack]

Those look like they're made more for home theater.

[@jeppemichaeljensen2684]

Great review. Buchardt is really that good !

[@thevinylattack]

I certainly think so.

[@Anand.Asrani]

Another Smooth review ...

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks.

[@andreasmeyer510]

This review was great. I am still thinking about buying the Buchardt S400 MkII as many reviewers are raving about them. but first, I would still have to sell my current speakers 🤔

[@thevinylattack]

Not a bad problem to have.

[@andreasmeyer510]

@@thevinylattack That is true! 😂

[@stevenichols5708]

Amazing video, again. You may want to add a link to the video sponsor in the show notes:)

[@thevinylattack]

Not a bad idea.

[@irashapiro9189]

Chris, great video as always. Those Nura "hybrid" headphones/earbuds look very interesting. I would love to hear them. Please pick me.

[@thevinylattack]

It's all down to the luck of the draw.

[@alanblumenstock7863]

Great review. Been a lurker on the Buchardt Product line for a few years. At 88db I don't think they will pair well with my Denis Had Inspire Amp though. Anyway, thanks for the fine review. PS those headphones are very interesting

[@thevinylattack]

I'm not familiar with the Inspire. I'll have to look it up.

[@MichelLinschoten]

I really like the looks of them too !

[@thevinylattack]

They're pretty sharp.

[@coda514]

Love and respect your reviews. Another great one. Any chance of a review of the Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 Bookshelf Speakers - UB52? For those of us with currency challenged wallets?

[@thevinylattack]

It's possible. I haven't had any dealings with Elac yet, so we'll have to see.

[@saverioricchiuto5386]

Nice review as always. I would be curious to ask manufacturer how did they get to the opposite solution to a problem Thiel was tackling more than 20 years ago. To get time alignment in their Coherent Series (CS) loudspeakers he tilted the baffle so that the mid was forward and the tweeter was recessed, based on the idea higher frequencies travel faster and more directional. Here they went the other way around: how is that?

[@thevinylattack]

You'd need to ask Mads.

[@clarabelle7104]

Another great review of these speakers. Am curious to know how your Hegel compared with the I150 when paired with the MKII.

[@thevinylattack]

I covered that in the I150 video.

[@clarabelle7104]

@@thevinylattack Fabulous! Will make sure I watch that vid. Thanks for letting me know.

[@1sebwick1]

Great review! What setting did you set up your svs 3000 micro to blend nicely with the speakers? Crossover and gain etc

[@thevinylattack]

I don't have them on-hand. I just played around with the app until I found a sound that I liked. Then it changes as I get in new amps for review.

[@jdd1811]

Great review. Looking at these or the A500.

[@thevinylattack]

I'd like to hear the A500 at some point myself.

[@kirkaparty4143]

Great review. Great speaker as you said. I have it with Marantz PM8006, wonder the sound difference between the Marantz vs the I150. And A500 vs S400ii + I150? thx

[@thevinylattack]

I've not heard the Marantz, so I'm really not sure. I can say that the I150 and the mkII do go together very well though.

[@denniswaske]

would love to have an opportunity to hear the MKII's

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Interested to hear more about placement -- specifically, several reviewers have suggested a back-wall distance of about 12" but I haven't heard much about sidewall targets. I live in Cambodia and the rooms are extremely slap-happy here -- all brick and poured concrete and faux marble floors -- if that matters.

[@thevinylattack]

In that situation, I would pay more attention to room treatment than specific speaker placement. Get rid of the slap and echo, and placing the speakers will be that much easier.

[@tomlocke7628]

At one time I narrowed down my selection to the s400 mk2 and the KLH model 5 which are highly praised. After hearing the KLH I was stunned as to how poor they sound?! Would love for you to review these and I'm saving for mk2's.

[@thevinylattack]

It's certainly a possibility.

[@gokhanersan8561]

I stopped listening to reviewers who hyped KLH during the holiday shopping season- just around the time when most people were spending their money. And suddenly no one is talking bout KLH anymore.

[@dtevepaugh]

nice review

[@thevinylattack]

Thanks!

[@jeremyr722]

I’ve always wanted to hear these speakers. As someone who is sensitive to brightness I think they’d be right up my alley, and that rosewood finish is to die for. Speakin of brightness, I bought a pair of Sivga sv021 headphones cause they were supposed to have a smooth top end. And they do… unfortunately they’re also crushingly boring. And very little bass. I decided to upgrade and ordered some Meze Classic 99’s, so we’ll see about those.

[@thevinylattack]

The first few days the highs on these were right on the edge, but then they settled in and were simply fantastic. I'm sensitive to bright sounds as well, and I'm a fan of these speakers now.

[@matthiasbohm4115]

I would love to try the headphones!

[@thevinylattack]

If you win, you'll certainly have your chance...

[@nicholas6823]

Great review! How did you find them at lower listening levels. The mk1 had a reputation for not coming alive until they had a bit of volume. Are the mk2s better? I can only play music at lower volume, so this is a critical issue, as I look for my next speaker.

[@thevinylattack]

I think most speakers come alive when you add a little volume, but I didn't notice any problems with the mkII. I also didn't measure the volume at which I was listening.