Buchardt S400 versus Buchardt S400 Special Edition
Last year I purchased the standard S400 version and after my 30 day demo returned them due to their peaky/shouty nature. Right after I returned them Buchardt came out with a limited special edition, which a friend purchased. I listened to them at his house and liked what I heard, but he has very different gear and of course, a very different room. Fast forward to the present. He agreed to let me try his speakers at my house if I could lend him some, which I did.
I used 3 recordings that I remember revealed my issue the standard S400. Traffic - Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory (MoFi gold CD), Albert King - I'll Play The Blues For You (Stax SACD) and Aimee Mann - Bachelor No. 2 (MoFi SACD). Albert King loves to play his guitar loud and proud. With the standard S400 that was like ice picks in my ears at anything but very low volume. Listening to the S400SE at a good volume the guitar, while still loud and proud, didn't hurt my ears sounding like an electric guitar should. On the Traffic CD just after the beginning of the first song there is a sharp vocal attack, which on the standard S400 made me wince. Not so on the SE version. On Bachelor No. 2 there are vocal transients which get pretty loud. This was hard to take on the standard version. The SE handled them with aplomb. While listening to the SE I kept thinking how similar they sounded to my modded NHT SB3's with one exception, the Buchardt presents a wider sound stage....nice.
In a previous thread on the S400 I stated that I had a damn good idea what the cause of the peaky/shouty issue was, the Bennic/Dayton caps. The upgraded crossovers in the SE proved I was correct. It also proves that crossover components do indeed matter.
IMO, this is the only version of the S400 they should be selling. During the last year I demoed monitors in my office, which ranged from $5k to $7k, this SE version at $2600.00 beat all of them. If they do another run of the SE version I believe I'll have to buy a pair.
Link to previous thread, https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/184028/zero-fidelity-reviews-the-buchardt-s400
Standard crossover.
SE crossover.
I used 3 recordings that I remember revealed my issue the standard S400. Traffic - Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory (MoFi gold CD), Albert King - I'll Play The Blues For You (Stax SACD) and Aimee Mann - Bachelor No. 2 (MoFi SACD). Albert King loves to play his guitar loud and proud. With the standard S400 that was like ice picks in my ears at anything but very low volume. Listening to the S400SE at a good volume the guitar, while still loud and proud, didn't hurt my ears sounding like an electric guitar should. On the Traffic CD just after the beginning of the first song there is a sharp vocal attack, which on the standard S400 made me wince. Not so on the SE version. On Bachelor No. 2 there are vocal transients which get pretty loud. This was hard to take on the standard version. The SE handled them with aplomb. While listening to the SE I kept thinking how similar they sounded to my modded NHT SB3's with one exception, the Buchardt presents a wider sound stage....nice.
In a previous thread on the S400 I stated that I had a damn good idea what the cause of the peaky/shouty issue was, the Bennic/Dayton caps. The upgraded crossovers in the SE proved I was correct. It also proves that crossover components do indeed matter.
IMO, this is the only version of the S400 they should be selling. During the last year I demoed monitors in my office, which ranged from $5k to $7k, this SE version at $2600.00 beat all of them. If they do another run of the SE version I believe I'll have to buy a pair.
Link to previous thread, https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/184028/zero-fidelity-reviews-the-buchardt-s400
Standard crossover.
SE crossover.
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
"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
Comments
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Good stuff. I have been very impressed with the Jantzen Superes resistors which I'm assuming they are using.
Not as bright as Mundorf lox with similar detail- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Jesse, would you not be able to mod a standard set of the S400's to your liking/preference?Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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Good stuff. I have been very impressed with the Jantzen Superes resistors which I'm assuming they are using.
Not as bright as Mundorf lox with similar detail
You assumed correctly.The Signature is equipped with an High-End crossover made by the Danish Jantzen Audio team. We use Superior caps for the tweeter network and Cross caps for the woofer network. All inductors are baked air coils for low distortion. Resistors are Superres 1% tolerance.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 -
Jesse, would you not be able to mod a standard set of the S400's to your liking/preference?
I talked about this in the linked thread. It didn't appear possible to remove the crossover to work on it.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 -
BummerAudio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Thought I'd add a pic of the latest SE edition, which came in Nordic raw oak.
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 -
PURDY."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
Thought I'd add a pic of the latest SE edition, which came in Nordic raw oak.
That finish is beautiful!See my profile for list of gear. -
Man that’s a beautiful veneer.
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I need to make a correction. I'm not sure how I got this wrong, but SE stands for Signature Edition, not Special Edition. Sorry for any confusion.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 -
I forgive you.
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LOL....thanks.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 -
I heard the non-SE versions at Axpona last year being powered by a Parasound JC5 amplifier. The tight and controlled bass had astounding depth and speed. It's perfection still haunts me.
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Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
They also have another model that appears to not be a slouch either....for under a g note. They also over a 10 year warranty, and free shipping world wide.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Thought I'd add a pic of the latest SE edition, which came in Nordic raw oak.
They should have left that worm hole unfilled. That'd have been cool!Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
I need to make a correction. I'm not sure how I got this wrong, but SE stands for Signature Edition, not Special Edition. Sorry for any confusion.
I will never believe another word written here!!See my profile for list of gear. -
I thought that I’d post here rather than starting a new thread. John Darko (Darko.Audio) recently reviewed the A500. It’s an active version of the S400, with some modifications, notably that the tweeter is now more conventionally on top. It can be purchased with or without a streaming hub. It’s not cheap, but especially with the hub, appears to be very versatile. There are multiple tuning programs available and there is room correction below 300 Hz, among other goodies. The review is a longish (30 minute) video, in which John is about as enthusiastic as he gets about new products. It follows a recent podcast in which John discusses this speaker and other topics with Mads Buchardt. I checked out their site, @F1nut, and the S400 Signature Edition is still listed as sold out.
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That's the last run, which sold out a long time ago.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 -
IMO, this is the only version (SE version) of the S400 they should be selling. During the last year I demoed monitors in my office, which ranged from $5k to $7k, this SE version at $2600.00 beat all of them. If they do another run of the SE version I believe I'll have to buy a pair.
Link to previous thread, https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/184028/zero-fidelity-reviews-the-buchardt-s400
I just received an email from Buchard today. This might be your Huckleberry Jesse
Wish I had a room I could put them in…
https://www.buchardtaudio.com/shop/s400-signature-editionAC 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 -
IMO, this is the only version (SE version) of the S400 they should be selling. During the last year I demoed monitors in my office, which ranged from $5k to $7k, this SE version at $2600.00 beat all of them. If they do another run of the SE version I believe I'll have to buy a pair.
Link to previous thread, https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/184028/zero-fidelity-reviews-the-buchardt-s400
I just received an email from Buchard today. This might be your Huckleberry Jesse
Wish I had a room I could put them in…
https://www.buchardtaudio.com/shop/s400-signature-edition
Thanks, I saw it a few days ago. Unfortunately, I don't like the cabinet color.....at all.
Not sure why they are calling the color graphite because graphite is a very dark gray. What they have there is what's known as pickled oak. Basically, a white stain that's wiped back, so that most of the white stays in the grain pores with a little left on the surface level.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 -
They also have a nice integrated amp to go along. Seems you get your bucks worth, it's no whimpy amp.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
They also have a nice integrated amp to go along. Seems you get your bucks worth, it's no whimpy amp.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Thanks, I saw it a few days ago. Unfortunately, I don't like the cabinet color.....at all.
Not sure why they are calling the color graphite because graphite is a very dark gray. What they have there is what's known as pickled oak. Basically, a white stain that's wiped back, so that most of the white stays in the grain pores with a little left on the surface level.
That's one of the ugliest looking finishes I've seen in a while. Maybe the style is trendy in Scandinavia. Looks like bleached driftwood and accentuates the fact that the speakers are little more than somewhat angular boxes.
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YepPolitical 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 -
Looks like that distressed white wash barn wood people like so much, not a big fan- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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Another run of 50 available mañana!
No info on pricing, but a sexier looking speaker 🔊 than the pickled white wash
https://buchardtaudio.com/pages/s400mkii-se-soon?customer_posted=true#contact_form
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 -
That finish looks much nicer
Polk should do something like that for the fifty year anniversary. 50 pairs of a sda monitor, 3k a pair.
Sign me up- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Zebra wood, €2,750. Still available when I looked.
