New Buchardt S400 MKIII

[Purité Audio]

Presumably they know their demographic.
Keith

 

[Matt_Holland]

Presumably they know their demographic.
Keith

Exactly.
Mads hinted that they might do an active E50 with a linear tuning. Maybe that’s the right direction. Passives for the subjectivists, actives for the objectivists.

 

[goat76]

Criticising a manufacturer for attempting to improve a design…

Improvements or just changes to revive the hype, that’s something we are yet to see.

 

[BeeKay]

I still enjoy the original S400 with the Jantzen Audio SE crossover.
Till this day I was leaning towards a Korean replacement. Now I’ll wait for Buchardt’s Klippel data.

The backplate somehow whispers „active version coming soon“ …

 

[Paul7777x]

I still enjoy the original S400 with the Jantzen Audio SE crossover.
Till this day I was leaning towards a Korean replacement. Now I’ll wait for Buchardt’s Klippel data.

The backplate somehow whispers „active version coming soon“ …

I was hoping the same.

An active version does appeal.

 

[Paul7777x]

The original S400 came out in 2019, and they are already on MkIII.

That tells a lot about how things have become in this time and age. A speaker manufacturer must release new speakers to stay in the spotlight, and a new hype train is needed to keep them relevant in the market. Isn't this a bit sad? Or do you really think this MkIII is really a much better speaker than the original S400?

These constant releases of updated versions and new models have a backfiring effect on me. It's almost as if the previous models were found to be defective or had real problems that needed to be addressed immediately, or something like that. But yes, I realize it's all about keeping them seem more current in the marketplace.

No idea yet. But it is a literally entirely different one. Except for the connectors, nothing is the same as the other S400s.

Not even the driver layout.

 

[Chromatischism]

I think the move to a 1st order crossover must be to address the elephant in the room of the 7.5" woofer and higher crossover of 2400 Hz. I understand they are trying to make an S400 with more power handling. But that will have the woofer playing really high and introduce a lot of overlap to try to reduce the narrowing of directivity of both drivers through the crossover area. I hope they are able to address the potential for phase issues.

 

[Chromatischism]

According to Mads Buchardt, he recommends those with S400 MK2's to look at the E50 instead if they really want a solid upgrade. That implies it's a noticeably better speaker than the S400 MK3, which will still be priced around the same as the prior version.

But the E50 was tuned to a test group's preference, while the S400 line is designed to be completely neutral.

We'll see.

 

[Paul7777x]

… currently around £1600 price difference; to become about £1400.

I’d expect an instantly notable improvement for about an 80% increase.

And I’d expect to get it.

I do think Buchardt Audio are as honest as they come. And that their self appraisals can be relied upon.

 

[Matt_Holland]

According to Mads Buchardt, he recommends those with S400 MK2's to look at the E50 instead if they really want a solid upgrade. That implies it's a noticeably better speaker than the S400 MK3, which will still be priced around the same as the prior version.

But the E50 was tuned to a test group's preference, while the S400 line is designed to be completely neutral.

We'll see.

E50 is beautifully built, looks amazing and has some good, albeit quirky, performance.

S400mk3 looks like a cost cutting exercise to keep the price the same as the mk2. Simpler crossover and port instead of a PR. Although I’ve heard the drive units are more premium/expensive.

Pending data of course, and I hope I’m wrong, but I’ll be surprised if mk3 will be neutral because it uses a 1st order crossover.

 

[Shrek6]

Seems like a lot of non-coaxial 2-ways are converging on that baffle and waveguide configuration.

Carcinization

 

[Chromatischism]

S400mk3 looks like a cost cutting exercise to keep the price the same as the mk2. Simpler crossover and port instead of a PR. Although I’ve heard the drive units are more premium/expensive.

Yeah I don't think there is much cost-cutting here. Both drivers are more expensive. They are skipping the PR, but increasing the cabinet size. Maybe the crossover is simpler, but we don't know, and the difference in component costs can't be that huge.

I think they are using the 1st order because there will be narrowing directivity between the drivers, moreso than before. It could be their attempt to fill that in, but at the risk of phase issues.

 

[Jonazkur]

Buchardt always make gorgeous looking speakers!

But you pay the European premium.

Curious to see how this compares with much cheaper Ascilab C6B that Erin rates so highly.

Also, bit weird to start selling preorder with no published measurements. How do you work out what your getting? Unless I have missed it somewhere?

Not that weird, most of the companies do that and never releases measurements.

 

[snapsc]

I’m surprised that the early buyers only get a 9% discount. Full payment is up front at time of order… with delivery promised 5+ months after order???

 

[BeeKay]

True. Not really tempting at that price point.

 

[3125b]

AsciIab are hard to beat for the money - but these look better.

 

[PGansz]

As noted, strange configuration. And obvious cost-cutting. Cheap cabinet, exposed screws, giant metal plate on the back and a first order crossover...at 2400hz?!

Buchardt has a legit reputation, but man this seems odd playing a 7.5in driver that high. You know its break up will be evident in the treble response via FR measurement and/or harmonic distortion.

Edited to correct minor grammar issue

 

[Matt_Holland]

As noted, strange configuration. And obvious cost-cutting. Cheap cabinet, exposed screws, giant metal plate on the back and a first order crossover...at 2400hz?!

Buchardt has a legit reputation, but man this seems odd playing a 7.5in driver that high. You know its break up will be evident in the treble response via measurement or harmonic distortion.

It will be evident in the frequency response!

Edit: sorry I misread your last sentence as saying ‘measurement of’

 

[BeeKay]

Let’s wait for the Klippel results. Backplate isn’t beautiful but neither is Ascilab‘s.

Can’t really imagine Buchardt would screw it, as the S400 series is a cornerstone for them.

 

[Penelinfi]

I wonder if 1st order crossover can include a notch filter. Would need to be a broad one looking at the Satori frequency response. The e50 supposedly used 1st order on the woofer right?