Buchardt Anniversary 10 Measurements and Review

[Theriverlethe]

Doesn't have a atrocious off axis behavior and a dip in the mids can't be a studio monitor.

What studio monitors are you looking at?

 

[Theriverlethe]

What obsession? The Apple Homepod is the only small speaker I can think of trying to fare without a sub. I don't know if the Buchardt is small anyway at 16 liters external.
Have you never heard of anyone having restrictions in space or aesthetics, or just preferring minimalism?

The Apple HomePod is pretty impressive for what it is. I couldn’t find a niche for it except as an alarm clock.

By “small” I meant bookshelves as opposed to towers. I’m sorry but minimalism simply doesn’t work for sub-bass dispersion unless you have a very small room or a single near field listening position.

 

[Velocipede_Acoustics]

I really don’t understand the obsession with low frequency extension in small speakers. I’m a big fan of two-ways with multiple subwoofers, but the two-ways need to be built for dynamic headroom, not unused low end.

It's the major limiting factor for output. These Purifi woofers are especially good at low distortion and bass extension.

Also it's seriously trivial to put in a crossover to roll off the bass. It's current tuning is fine and is not something that can't be easily worked around if the low end extension design is a problem.

 

[Theriverlethe]

It's the major limiting factor for output. These Purifi woofers are especially good at low distortion and bass extension.

Also it's seriously trivial to put in a crossover to roll off the bass. It's current tuning is fine and is not something that can't be easily worked around if the low end extension design is a problem.

They’re exceptional but still 6.5” woofers. Good luck getting reference level at 30 to 40Hz.

 

[Velocipede_Acoustics]

They’re exceptional but still 6.5” woofers. Good luck getting reference level at 30 to 40Hz.

Of course not. How about a much more common scenario?

Exactly how many bookshelf speakers do you see that don't suffer massively in harmonic distortion in multitone as it plays below 200hz, or even 100hz? It's not many. So the better we can play with low distortion down to a crossover of between 60 and 80 hz, I consider that a big win for a bookshelf.

I say 60 because even at 80 hz crossovers I often hear male vocals coming from the subwoofer, particularly if the crossover slope is shallow. 60hz has an advantage. Half the time I don't see bookshelf speaker is getting below 100 hertz without ramping up distortion rapidly. It's not a trivial problem.

Then there's a use case. It's not like bookshelves are meant to be put in a giant room or a floor stander would be the better option. So going for extension in a bookshelf makes sense especially if the volume isn't going to be " referce level " . A competent bookshelf similar to this would be good for that middle ground where the room is just a little small to have speaker as furniture but a little too big than say a medium sized office.

So yes shooting for low end reproduction in a bookshelf speaker is a great thing to do. Tuning it as they have plays to its strengths. It's trivial to cross over that speaker via a receiver or something else if it's that much of a problem.

 

[jaakkopetteri]

I’m sorry but minimalism simply doesn’t work for sub-bass dispersion unless you have a very small room or a single near field listening position.

I don't really see your point. Those two options are already a huge market, mostly left untouched

They’re exceptional but still 6.5” woofers. Good luck getting reference level at 30 to 40Hz.

Not nearly everyone needs reference level output

 

[Theriverlethe]

Of course not. How about a much more common scenario?

Exactly how many bookshelf speakers do you see that don't suffer massively in harmonic distortion in multitone as it plays below 200hz, or even 100hz? It's not many. So the better we can play with low distortion down to a crossover of between 60 and 80 hz, I consider that a big win for a bookshelf.

I say 60 because even at 80 hz crossovers I often hear male vocals coming from the subwoofer, particularly if the crossover slope is shallow. 60hz has an advantage. Half the time I don't see bookshelf speaker is getting below 100 hertz without ramping up distortion rapidly. It's not a trivial problem.

Then there's a use case. It's not like bookshelves are meant to be put in a giant room or a floor stander would be the better option. So going for extension in a bookshelf makes sense especially if the volume isn't going to be " referce level " . A competent bookshelf similar to this would be good for that middle ground where the room is just a little small to have speaker as furniture but a little too big than say a medium sized office.

So yes shooting for low end reproduction in a bookshelf speaker is a great thing to do. Tuning it as they have plays to its strengths. It's trivial to cross over that speaker via a receiver or something else if it's that much of a problem.

If you hear male vocals coming from a subwoofer at 80Hz, it's likely a poor subwoofer integration. We're talking about 14' wavelengths. I suppose the subwoofer could have an in-room resonance somewhere north of 120Hz if the crossover slope is too shallow and the resonance hasn't been cut with EQ or acoustic treatment. What does the in-room response look like? I have a cheap soundbar/woofer unit in a bedroom that's likely crossed over above 150Hz and I can't localize male voices from the tiny "subwoofer" at all.

 

[Theriverlethe]

I don't really see your point. Those two options are already a huge market, mostly left untouched

Not nearly everyone needs reference level output

That’s a fair point about the untouched market segment. I personally wouldn’t spend over $4,000 without the expectation of reference level capability in a ~12x20 room. It looks like the original review neglected to mention tunable low-frequency slopes, so maybe it is capable in this regard.

 

[Velocipede_Acoustics]

If you hear male vocals coming from a subwoofer at 80Hz, it's likely a poor subwoofer integration. We're talking about 14' wavelengths. I suppose the subwoofer could have an in-room resonance somewhere north of 120Hz if the crossover slope is too shallow and the resonance hasn't been cut with EQ or acoustic treatment. What does the in-room response look like? I have a cheap soundbar/woofer unit in a bedroom that's likely crossed over above 150Hz and I can't localize male voices from the tiny "subwoofer" at all.

Maybe. But also maybe not. If the slope is 2nd order, at 80hz, the output is only down 5db at 100hz and 10db at 160hz on a Bessel. So, the slope for sure is the culprit. I think Denon uses a 2nd order slop on it's receivers, so that's easily it. Moved to 60hz, we're 8db down at 100hz and 15db at 160hz. That's enough to make the sub less noticeable with male vocals in my room.

Also, sometimes, the slope matters with phase matching / integration to the mains. Sometimes a steeper slope helps, sometimes, for coverage, less so. So it just depends.

 

[Theriverlethe]

I

Maybe. But also maybe not. If the slope is 2nd order, at 80hz, the output is only down 5db at 100hz and 10db at 160hz on a Bessel. So, the slope for sure is the culprit. I think Denon uses a 2nd order slop on it's receivers, so that's easily it. Moved to 60hz, we're 8db down at 100hz and 15db at 160hz. That's enough to make the sub less noticeable with male vocals in my room.

Also, sometimes, the slope matters with phase matching / integration to the mains. Sometimes a steeper slope helps, sometimes, for coverage, less so. So it just depends.

If it works, it works. I’d question whether Denon’s implementation counts as intrinsically broken. I’ve taken to just turning up the delays until I get a smooth integration because YPAO invariably screws it up.

 

[emilkoz]

Does the A10 use X or W purifi driver?

 

[Mads Buchardt]

X Purifi for the extented linear stroke

 

[emilkoz]

X Purifi for the extented linear stroke

That's what I thought but read W in this review https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/...eakers-and-platin-stereo-hub-wisa-transmitter.

Congrats on a very nice speaker Mads!

 

[GPx86]

I've been wanting to try some powered speakers for surround channels on my Monoprice HTP-1. These seem like a really great option. There is a scenario where I might use these in a home office for 2 channel sometime in the future, so I am trying to extract value with that proposition as well. Is there any reason why it would not be a good idea to run a cable straight off my pre-pro and have these work surround channel duty?

 

[t.Bidstrup]

I've had the A10s set up in my acoustically treated small to medium size living room for a few weeks now, and I have to say that they perform absolutely amazingly with every bit of music (and movie) that I've put through them! Clarity is stunning, imaging is very impressive, and their build quality and easy of setup is top tier! Room correction with the Buchardt app and Zen microphone is very easy and intuitive.
I've lived with a set of AVI ADM40 active floor standers for the last 13 years. They're very good, but the A10s absolutely blow them away. I'm listening to all of my music like it is new!

Regarding bass performance; It's just astounding! Deep and heavy hitting, and the objective distortion figures do not translate into the listening experience! They defy believe for anybody who understands stroke, cone area, and displacement.
I've got the Sub10 coming in June. I don't really expect it to alter my experience much, though. There's absolutely no lack of bass or headroom in my room.

Edit: I realize that this being my first post might smell a bit like "manufacturer creating account to advertise product". I assure you that this is not the case; I've been following ASR for years, but haven't had meaningful contributions until now.

 

[WOLFAGRAM]

Just to share )

"Turning our attention to the rear panel of the A10, there’s an interesting point to note. It states “Made in Denmark” and “Made in China.” The “Made in China” label applies to the electronics inside the cabinet, while the cabinet itself, constructed from solid European Ashwood, is made in Denmark. The Purifi driver is also made in Denmark, and the tweeter is crafted in Indonesia. The final assembly and quality control for the speaker are conducted in Denmark"

That is pretty much unavoidable. Majority of active speakers made in the west (if not all of them) contain components made in China (or some other asian country). I personally do not remember coming across a modern speaker that is 100% made in the west, except for some single driver passives. If there is a modern active speaker that is entirely made in a western country (or a few western countries), I am convinced it would be very very expensive. If anything, I think one should congratulate Buchardt for being honest and not simply slapping one "Made in Denmark" label on the boxes, what majority of western manufacturing companies would do.

 

[daniboun]

That is pretty much unavoidable. Majority of active speakers made in the west (if not all of them) contain components made in China (or some other asian country). I personally do not remember coming across a modern speaker that is 100% made in the west, except for some single driver passives. If there is a modern active speaker that is entirely made in a western country (of a few western countries), I am convinced it would be very very expensive. If anything, I think one should congratulate Buchardt for being honest and not simply slapping one "Made in Denmark" label on the boxes, what majority of western manufacturing companies would do.

This is a widespread trend in many markets. As you say, it is inevitable from now on otherwise our prices will inflate.

 

[Chromatischism]

I've got the Sub10 coming in June. I don't really expect it to alter my experience much, though. There's absolutely no lack of bass or headroom in my room.

Your experience mirrors mine with the S400 MK 1 and 2. On the subs--when perfectly integrated--what I hear when setting the speakers to Small is increased authority due to the subs but not much change in bass quality. The subs I use are two vented 15" models with 1000 watt Hypex amps. I also use Dynamic EQ, which bridges the gap and really delivers the bass performance out of these speakers when run solo in a small room. Subs optional for music, still preferred for movies though. But I run them at all times because it's better that way. Your Purifi drivers are even more capable.

 

[DearSX]

A lot of music does not have much below 40hz. I had a similar experience with a Kef 62 sub. That being said the A10s do a pretty good job with bass and music at low to moderate volumes! Very enjoyable with the "Red' stock settings mastertuning.