Zero Fidelity Reviews the Buchardt S400

halo
halo Posts: 5,616
in Speakers
Here's the link:

https://youtu.be/gZJiEBtfah0
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    VERY interesting speaker. Watched this review earlier this week.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    Steve Gutenberg (CNET’s “audiophilliac”) even commented on Sean’s rview saying that Sean “has his attention”
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    Sean's got a good ear and knows how to communicate what a component sounds like in real world terms. I have BIG respect for his opinions.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    https://www.buchardtaudio.com/shop/s400-smoked-oak

    DO WANT.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    i6cmxikxcf1u.jpg

    I'll post some thoughts after they settle down as they are all over the place right now.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    Nice. What stands are those?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    Skylan, custom specs.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,130
    And secret ones. Don't even look at them.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,290
    Looks great Jesse! Just got my first set of Skylans today and I must say I am extremely happy. No wonder you sing their praises all over the place, simple and well made
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    following . . . BigTime
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    Does LSA have a similar design?
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited April 2019
    I'm having a love/hate relationship with these speakers so far. They can get peaky at times. Not sure if they need more burn in time or it's the wave guide or if it's the Bennic caps.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    I am surprised a bit since Sean said he would take these over the Joseph Pulsar. The Pulsar is one of my fave bookies. How many hours do you have on then?
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    I noticed that you have them setup with the tweeter on the bottom. Will flipping them over provide a difference in the treble presentation?
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,905
    F1nut wrote: »
    I'm having a love/hate relationship with these speakers so far. They can get peaky at times. Not sure if they need more burn in time or it's the wave guide or if it's the Bennic caps.

    My armchair assessment/SWAG would be all of the above. B)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited April 2019
    erniejade wrote: »
    I am surprised a bit since Sean said he would take these over the Joseph Pulsar. The Pulsar is one of my fave bookies. How many hours do you have on then?

    I've heard the Pulsar's and noted his reference to them, which peaked my interest. However, so far these don't really sound like the Pulsar, which sound fluid, musical and well balanced to me.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    halo wrote: »
    I noticed that you have them setup with the tweeter on the bottom. Will flipping them over provide a difference in the treble presentation?

    Tried that, no difference.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    I'm having a love/hate relationship with these speakers so far. They can get peaky at times. Not sure if they need more burn in time or it's the wave guide or if it's the Bennic caps.

    My armchair assessment/SWAG would be all of the above. B)

    Likely so.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,903
    i've liked every speaker i have heard that uses seas drivers.
    wonder why more speaker manufacturers don't use them.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    edited April 2019
    DSkip wrote: »
    marvda1 wrote: »
    i've liked every speaker i have heard that uses seas drivers.
    wonder why more speaker manufacturers don't use them.

    Agreed. Although, personally, they all tend to have extremely similar sound.

    Notably, all the Salk iterations through my door . . .
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • Thorton
    Thorton Posts: 1,324
    GlennDog wrote: »
    DSkip wrote: »
    marvda1 wrote: »
    i've liked every speaker i have heard that uses seas drivers.
    wonder why more speaker manufacturers don't use them.

    Agreed. Although, personally, they all tend to have extremely similar sound.

    Notably, all the Salk iterations through my door . . .

    That's personally one thing I like about his speakers. Every model I've heard put a smile on my face and I wouldn't mind putting money down on them. I can't say that about many other speaker brands.
    _____________________________________________________________________________________________
    Ethernet Filter: GigaFOILv4 with Keces P3 LPS
    Source: Roon via ethernet to DAC interface
    DAC: Bricasti M1SE
    Pre/Pro: Marantz AV8805
    Tube Preamp Buffer: Tortuga TPB.V1
    Amp1: Nord One NC1200DM Signature, Amp2: W4S MC-5, AMP3: W4S MMC-7
    Front: Salk SoundScape 8's, Center: Salk SoundScape C7
    Surround: Polk FXIA6, Surround Back: Polk RTIA9, Atmos: Polk 70-RT
    Subs: 2 - Rythmik F25's
    IC & Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, Signal Cable
    Power Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, PS Audio
    Room Treatments: GIK Acoustics
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    DSkip wrote: »
    Parasound apparently did announce that they will be using these at Axpona.

    Yep, I saw it here: https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/title-to-be-added/audio-shows/axpona-2019/109436-axpona-2019-sneak-peaks?p=111908#post111908

    Looking forward to hearing this setup.
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  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 788
    halo wrote: »
    Here's the link:

    https://youtu.be/gZJiEBtfah0

    I'm very intrigued by these speakers! At that price point compared to something like the Amphion Argon S3s how could you not be. I wonder how they compare.
    2ch rig: Speakers: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands Preamplifier: Parasound P5 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)

    Standby: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,582
    @F1nut , how are these breaking in?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    They are coming around nicely. The peaky issue has smoothed out. However, they are still not fully cooked, so I'm not ready to give my final thoughts. I noted a comment on another forum from someone at AXPONA who stated they didn't have enough treble for him. I also noted he liked Klipsch, so that should tell you all you need to know.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,582
    Thank you. There seems to be a good deal of interest in these.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited April 2019
    I'll say this much for now. Other than the peaky issue, which at this point seems to have been burn in related I am throughly impressed and it takes a lot to impress me.

    The one thing I don't like are the separate round grill covers. Should be a one piece job covering the entire front.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    F1nut wrote: »
    I'll say this much for now. Other than the peaky issue, which at this point seems to have been burn in related I am throughly impressed and it takes a lot to impress me.

    The one thing I don't like are the separate round grill covers. Should be a one piece job covering the entire front.

    I know that you listen with your eyes closed so, aside from the aesthetic issue, it's all good! ;):D

    Glad you're digging the tunes man and thanks for letting us know :)
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    edited April 2019
    Heard them powered by the Parasound JC5 earlier this evening. They sounded very good. Very punchy and dynamic. Impressive bass. No harshness from the treble even at 90db.

    If I had to criticize them, I'd say it sounds like the treble is more "directional" than some speakers, meaning it sounded distinctly like it was coming from the lower portion of the speaker. Versus just the general area of the speaker, or from the area in between both speakers.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    Just the opposite here, the treble just floats....doesn't matter if I'm sitting or standing it sounds the same.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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