As soon as a reviewer mentions the slanted front creates time alignment on these A500 speakers, I put me head in my hands. The S400 this is true, where the woofer is at the top and tweeter at the bottom. The A500 is time aligned using the DSP, the slant is only there as it’s a signature look of the Buchardts after the S400. If it wasn’t for the DSP the time alignment would be even worse because of the slant with the tweeter being up top and woofer below on the A500. BTW these are amazing speakers, I own a pair.
I was thinking the same; it makes no sense anymore but it does look cool. 🙂 I am seriously thinking about buying a set. The A700 would of course be even nicer, but then I'd have to save money longer.
Nice. Clearly and comprehensively explained. First video I have seen of you guys. I like the style of asking questions. I received my A500's on Sept-24 and still breaking them in. I drive them from my PC with a dedicated USB card cabled to the USB hub input. I've been chasing authentic sounding speakers (e.g. instruments/vocals which sound like, or close to the real thing) for many years. I'm not an audiophile so not used to top high end audio, but these Buchardt A500's sound pretty like the real thing to me. I did not do the room correction yet (no iPhone) and the Android version Mads says is coming later, possibly using a separate microphone. Roon ready is also planned for later this year (by year end Mads was hoping). I currently stream Roon via the USB port in my PC, with a Roon Server PC elsewhere in the home. Great to have this extra nice sound/music during these lockdown times. UK (Wales) is in a new lockdown for 2 weeks now. Great work guys, new subscriber!
Hi Pete got my A500 at about the same time as you. They just keep sounding better every day. I'm Android only here so haven't done the room correction. Madds said they should be coming out with a microphone and sw for PCs and Android around end of February or March. I'm using the Standard Tune with the adjustment for use near a wall. Thanks for the review Tech Guys looking forward to more.
@@justlookingaround9834 I'm near Bridgend, South Wales. I'm using the new Stock.v2 tuning to bring midrange vocals slightly more forward, but not really checked out the tunings yet (except I could not stand the nearfield as the sound was on top of me). I guess I regard my PC setup (with all its inherent interference) and USB connection to a set of actives to be somewhat non-audiophile. My background and strong interest is in music rather than reproduction. I never really found anything to sound like real instruments and I spend (too much of) my time in front of the PC. These Buchardt's are way over the top for a PC setup, but suit my ambition for authentic sound. I do have some issues with the sound cutting out at low volumes (mainly during speech), but in the main I am happy. I downloaded the hub USB driver Mads put on the site with the documentation. It helped but did not fix all my issues. @Ed Good info on room correction thanks. Happy listening!
Thank you! I’d be interested to learn of your comparison between the WAY more expensive Kii Three speakers you have in your home! Almost three times the price of the A500, I believe. Or if you are game, the Kef Wireless II speakers that are newly released! Thanks again!
Edmund, Thanks for the note. The Kii Threes with BXT are a different game. There will be something more on Buchardt in the future. You might want to see what John Darko says about the LS50 Wireless II.
@@brucelavender there are some recent videos that talk about it. Try to search for one that looks into the quality of MQAs and even Hifi (FLAC) on Tidal. I still use Tidal for Hifi but will switch whenever Spotify decides to offer something similar. I don't appreciate Tidal scamming people with their MQA nonsense.
Can you please tell me exactly what is under the speaker stands sitting on the wood platform? What is it, why is it there and brand? Thank you very much!
Dan, The speaker stands are on isoacoustics Gaia 1 isolators. The decouple the speaker and stand from the floor. The wood platforms let me move the speakers to change the user/room/speaker relationships. The wood platforms are IKEA cutting boards!
Theese speakers, are really interesting. There would be absolutly no harm in cutting them at 40 hz, and letting a good sub do the roomshaking though...would probably be much better😊
@@andreemilsen369 True, but isn't using a normal pre-amp a bit of a shame when using these speakers? On the other hand, I just saw a video of some asian guy who used a tube pre-amp with the A700's and that sounded SO much better in a 1 on 1 comparison! I am seriously in doubt between the A500, the A700 (but I would have to sell some things to be able to afford is), or just go for a separate dac, amp and speakers with subs. I already know exactly what I would want to buy then, but all togther it would be FAR more expensive than the A700's, and perhaps the A500's already are more than enough for me.
@@MarcelNL Don't see why that would be a shame🤷🏼♂️ A good signalcable from a good source. One would still have access to the mastertunings, and if one needs roomcorrection, there are plenty of other options either in source or between source and speaker😊 I like having the option to tune the sound to my room and my preference😊
@@andreemilsen369 I do understand. :) But yeah, separate room correction is rather expensive. And buying a separate dac and pre-amp while everything gets digitized back again inside the speakers sounds a bit foolish at first, but I do agree that having influence over the sound (on top of the mastertunings) does sound interesting. Perhaps you would be interested in that video that I mentined. "Old school Tube Preamp with Buchardt A700" by : No Stereo, No Life". I already searched for his tube amp, but it's not available here so I'd have to import it.
You are not correct about the time alignment. The passive S400 used the sloped cabinet to time align the tweeter and woofer (and the tweeter sits below). On the A500 it’s done by DSP and the slope is only a aesthetic choice.
So say you are not entirety correct, I’ve read somewhere that the tweeter has a downward firing PoB but this makes no sense to me, but I believe Mads has said it creates a taller sound stage. I do tend to agree with you though.
I have done many tests at many different levels and power matters to my ear a lot. One test I did was with a Bluesound Powernode to a pair of iota Alpha speakers. We changed between the stock power cord and a Transparent Cable HP cord ($150). The difference in bass and staging was amazing. A couple of my friends did not believe that the AC cord change made that much of a difference.
@@TheThreeTechs thank you. I have the A500s. I have this cord. Not sure how to tell a good cord from a better one and if this makes any difference Audiophile AC Power Cable - WAudio 10AWG HiFi Power Cord 5FT www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6JM229/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_fabc_Oya7FbF46JQKH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I thought the smile on my face was good enough for the preliminary report. There is a lot more to talk about. They sound great. That does not really tell you anything as it is not comparing to other systems.
Oh my. So I was wondering about getting Devialet Phantoms or Cabasse Pearls and now you guys throw me these.... they are not to the likes of my personal 'government' (the lovely wife) but I am researching these from now on. Do you guys even heard the Cabasse Pearl or Devialet Phantoms?
@@TheThreeTechs If you want some constructive advice, then I'd say try to keep the picture-in-picture with two guys to the right as much as possible. That, and you don't have to always show the speaking person. It is more natural for someone to take up the whole view if they are speaking for a long time. Like you do with the gentlemen with these speakers. I do think this is a novel approach to this type of content and I wish you well.
So the 'CEO of Buchardt' tells you, you need 300 hours to break them in - how convenient that that is almost the 45 days of trial period. You'd think a company that wants to sell high-end gear would not just 'break-in/burn-in' equipment prior to sending them to customers, you know, to have an out of the box experience at the get-go - if that was a real thing of course. Breaking-in or burn in is a MYTH. You know why he tells you 300 hours? So that by that time you have for sure gotten accustomed to the sound and will most likely keep them. I can't believe people don't call others out for this bullshit when they try to sell it to people. I am not arguing that the Buchardt don't make spectacular sounding speakers - I am thinking of getting the A700s myself in the near future (because of their great low-end) - but whenever a company starts talking bullcrap about burn-in it really does not make me think positive of them.
I know that COVID imposed additional shipping costs on the global supply chain. They will still be taking a loss on a returns from outside the EU. A return from Australia where I live would probably cost them at least 200 euro
I’m looking at purchasing these Buchardts.
My listening room being 13 x 26. Thanks for the input.
As soon as a reviewer mentions the slanted front creates time alignment on these A500 speakers, I put me head in my hands. The S400 this is true, where the woofer is at the top and tweeter at the bottom. The A500 is time aligned using the DSP, the slant is only there as it’s a signature look of the Buchardts after the S400. If it wasn’t for the DSP the time alignment would be even worse because of the slant with the tweeter being up top and woofer below on the A500.
BTW these are amazing speakers, I own a pair.
I was thinking the same; it makes no sense anymore but it does look cool. 🙂
I am seriously thinking about buying a set. The A700 would of course be even nicer, but then I'd have to save money longer.
Nice. Clearly and comprehensively explained. First video I have seen of you guys. I like the style of asking questions. I received my A500's on Sept-24 and still breaking them in. I drive them from my PC with a dedicated USB card cabled to the USB hub input. I've been chasing authentic sounding speakers (e.g. instruments/vocals which sound like, or close to the real thing) for many years. I'm not an audiophile so not used to top high end audio, but these Buchardt A500's sound pretty like the real thing to me. I did not do the room correction yet (no iPhone) and the Android version Mads says is coming later, possibly using a separate microphone. Roon ready is also planned for later this year (by year end Mads was hoping). I currently stream Roon via the USB port in my PC, with a Roon Server PC elsewhere in the home. Great to have this extra nice sound/music during these lockdown times. UK (Wales) is in a new lockdown for 2 weeks now. Great work guys, new subscriber!
What master tuning are you using and whereabouts in Wales are you? For someone who doesn’t call himself an audiophile, that is some financial outlay!
Hi Pete got my A500 at about the same time as you. They just keep sounding better every day. I'm Android only here so haven't done the room correction. Madds said they should be coming out with a microphone and sw for PCs and Android around end of February or March. I'm using the Standard Tune with the adjustment for use near a wall.
Thanks for the review Tech Guys looking forward to more.
@@justlookingaround9834 I'm near Bridgend, South Wales. I'm using the new Stock.v2 tuning to bring midrange vocals slightly more forward, but not really checked out the tunings yet (except I could not stand the nearfield as the sound was on top of me). I guess I regard my PC setup (with all its inherent interference) and USB connection to a set of actives to be somewhat non-audiophile. My background and strong interest is in music rather than reproduction. I never really found anything to sound like real instruments and I spend (too much of) my time in front of the PC. These Buchardt's are way over the top for a PC setup, but suit my ambition for authentic sound. I do have some issues with the sound cutting out at low volumes (mainly during speech), but in the main I am happy. I downloaded the hub USB driver Mads put on the site with the documentation. It helped but did not fix all my issues.
@Ed Good info on room correction thanks. Happy listening!
99
It's my understanding that these Danish speakers are amongst the best sounding speakers that you can buy.
They are in a very very elite class.
What makes you say that?
@@Dan-iy8ig
I watched and read several reviews so far.
The A500 are well up there in my mind for sound quality and price-performance ratio.
The only thing Danish about these is the warehouse they sell them from.
Thank you! I’d be interested to learn of your comparison between the WAY more expensive Kii Three speakers you have in your home! Almost three times the price of the A500, I believe. Or if you are game, the Kef Wireless II speakers that are newly released! Thanks again!
Edmund, Thanks for the note. The Kii Threes with BXT are a different game. There will be something more on Buchardt in the future.
You might want to see what John Darko says about the LS50 Wireless II.
@4:06 fantastic editing when he says "CD player". Another assume one @6:57. Thank you sir
Man that is some serious audio research.
Nice preview of this piece of kit which I'm considering for purchase, I'm subscribing to hear your thoughts after you have had a chance to bed it in!
There will be more, Thanks Chris
@ The Three Techs Great video; loved it! When streaming music via Tidal, does the Buchardt A500 support MQA?
Not that I know of.
@@TheThreeTechs Thank you.
MQA is snake-oil, if you think that you are hearing a difference, that's your brain feeding you a big dose of placebos.
@@MY-us1ip Thank you.
@@brucelavender there are some recent videos that talk about it. Try to search for one that looks into the quality of MQAs and even Hifi (FLAC) on Tidal.
I still use Tidal for Hifi but will switch whenever Spotify decides to offer something similar. I don't appreciate Tidal scamming people with their MQA nonsense.
Can you please tell me exactly what is under the speaker stands sitting on the wood platform? What is it, why is it there and brand? Thank you very much!
Dan, The speaker stands are on isoacoustics Gaia 1 isolators. The decouple the speaker and stand from the floor. The wood platforms let me move the speakers to change the user/room/speaker relationships. The wood platforms are IKEA cutting boards!
Can they be hooked to vintage amp?
Theese speakers, are really interesting. There would be absolutly no harm in cutting them at 40 hz, and letting a good sub do the roomshaking though...would probably be much better😊
Then you'd need the Primare SC15 instead of the hub. Unfortunately it's sold out at the moment and it doesn't have room correction.
@@MarcelNL
Or just use a rca line from a preamp/ reciever with an internal crossover😊
@@andreemilsen369 True, but isn't using a normal pre-amp a bit of a shame when using these speakers?
On the other hand, I just saw a video of some asian guy who used a tube pre-amp with the A700's and that sounded SO much better in a 1 on 1 comparison!
I am seriously in doubt between the A500, the A700 (but I would have to sell some things to be able to afford is), or just go for a separate dac, amp and speakers with subs. I already know exactly what I would want to buy then, but all togther it would be FAR more expensive than the A700's, and perhaps the A500's already are more than enough for me.
@@MarcelNL
Don't see why that would be a shame🤷🏼♂️
A good signalcable from a good source. One would still have access to the mastertunings, and if one needs roomcorrection, there are plenty of other options either in source or between source and speaker😊
I like having the option to tune the sound to my room and my preference😊
@@andreemilsen369 I do understand. :)
But yeah, separate room correction is rather expensive. And buying a separate dac and pre-amp while everything gets digitized back again inside the speakers sounds a bit foolish at first, but I do agree that having influence over the sound (on top of the mastertunings) does sound interesting.
Perhaps you would be interested in that video that I mentined. "Old school Tube Preamp with Buchardt A700" by : No Stereo, No Life".
I already searched for his tube amp, but it's not available here so I'd have to import it.
This cat at 1:52 is the scariest thing I‘ve ever seen on UA-cam.
:))
You are not correct about the time alignment. The passive S400 used the sloped cabinet to time align the tweeter and woofer (and the tweeter sits below). On the A500 it’s done by DSP and the slope is only a aesthetic choice.
So say you are not entirety correct, I’ve read somewhere that the tweeter has a downward firing PoB but this makes no sense to me, but I believe Mads has said it creates a taller sound stage. I do tend to agree with you though.
Do you think the power cord makes a sonic difference?
I have done many tests at many different levels and power matters to my ear a lot. One test I did was with a Bluesound Powernode to a pair of iota Alpha speakers. We changed between the stock power cord and a Transparent Cable HP cord ($150). The difference in bass and staging was amazing. A couple of my friends did not believe that the AC cord change made that much of a difference.
@@TheThreeTechs thank you. I have the A500s. I have this cord. Not sure how to tell a good cord from a better one and if this makes any difference
Audiophile AC Power Cable - WAudio 10AWG HiFi Power Cord 5FT www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6JM229/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_fabc_Oya7FbF46JQKH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
@@TheThreeTechs did your power cord make a noticeable sonic difference for teh A500s compared to stock?
How do you pair a subwoofer with the 10:05 A500? I contacted Mads from Buchardt and he said you can't.
Mads is coming out with a sub this year.
What stands are you using with the A500’s? Thanks.
Those came from Amazon.com. Monolith 28 Inch Speaker Stand.
@@TheThreeTechs Thanks, they are the ones Mads recommendeds, unfortunately I don’t believe they are available in the U.K.
@@justlookingaround9834 Mads recommended to me 24 inch. Why did you get 28? Thanks
Maybe they sit in a higher chair? You just need the tweeter at approximately ear height.
May I ask what the silver disc is sitting atop of the hub?
IT is a door stop from Amazon the keeps lightweight devices from being pulled around by their heavy cables.
@@TheThreeTechs Thank you!
It’s a shame you didn’t give preliminary report of how you felt they sounded.
I thought the smile on my face was good enough for the preliminary report. There is a lot more to talk about. They sound great. That does not really tell you anything as it is not comparing to other systems.
@@TheThreeTechs Thanks for the reply, I look forward to the later analysis.
Nice idea but still we need power cord so wireless is only a name. 🤔
Yes, if you’re looking for truly wireless, then it would have to be battery powered, but then you would have to recharge it occasionally.
Oh my. So I was wondering about getting Devialet Phantoms or Cabasse Pearls and now you guys throw me these.... they are not to the likes of my personal 'government' (the lovely wife) but I am researching these from now on. Do you guys even heard the Cabasse Pearl or Devialet Phantoms?
Hi - nice first look, thank you. What was the name of that power cable company? I thought you said Pearson but can't find anything.
The power cable system I am using is Puritan Audio Laboritories
www.puritanaudiolabs.com
The random snapping to those two guys is jarring af.
Thanks for the feedback. Trying to avoid jump cuts as much as possible while trying to cut things down to a reasonable pace and length.
@@TheThreeTechs If you want some constructive advice, then I'd say try to keep the picture-in-picture with two guys to the right as much as possible. That, and you don't have to always show the speaking person. It is more natural for someone to take up the whole view if they are speaking for a long time. Like you do with the gentlemen with these speakers.
I do think this is a novel approach to this type of content and I wish you well.
They are not bookshelf speakers, they are stand mounters!
Fair point that we had them mounted on stands. We think they could also fit on a bookshelf or even desktop and are in that same size class of speakers
No subwoofer out... shame.
2021 sub will be coming out from Buchardt
So the 'CEO of Buchardt' tells you, you need 300 hours to break them in - how convenient that that is almost the 45 days of trial period.
You'd think a company that wants to sell high-end gear would not just 'break-in/burn-in' equipment prior to sending them to customers, you know, to have an out of the box experience at the get-go - if that was a real thing of course.
Breaking-in or burn in is a MYTH. You know why he tells you 300 hours? So that by that time you have for sure gotten accustomed to the sound and will most likely keep them.
I can't believe people don't call others out for this bullshit when they try to sell it to people.
I am not arguing that the Buchardt don't make spectacular sounding speakers - I am thinking of getting the A700s myself in the near future (because of their great low-end) - but whenever a company starts talking bullcrap about burn-in it really does not make me think positive of them.
Return seems to have gone up to 50euro from 25euro that makes me think many are returning.
I may have had it wrong...
@@TheThreeTechs No you were correct at the time, but the value has increased in the last few weeks.
I know that COVID imposed additional shipping costs on the global supply chain. They will still be taking a loss on a returns from outside the EU. A return from Australia where I live would probably cost them at least 200 euro