Bookshelf speakers are a great alternative for audiophiles seeking a compact home audio system. Although they’re compact, they still deliver great treble and bass in a room. They are great for smaller rooms, especially where you would find it challenging to invest in a surround-sound home theater system. Also, they’re ideal for gamers and movie fans.
There are many bookshelf speaker models out there. Thus, it can be quite confusing to choose the best one for your needs. In this article, we’ll compare the Micca RB42 vs. MB42X. These two bookshelf speakers are the best options you can find today. Let’s discuss them in detail.
Micca RB42 Review
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Although it is quite challenging to manufacture inexpensive bookshelf speakers without compromising on their performance, the Micca RB42 is inexpensive yet reliable. Despite their compact size, they are capable of high performance, especially when powered with the right amp.
Top Features
- Impressive design- The Micca RB42 pair of speakers features a dimension of 8.7 by 4.9 by 7.9 inches. One of the most impressive design aspects of these speakers is that the cabinet features curved corners. There are no sharp edges for a sleek look. The cabinet is made of a 0.75-inch MDF cabinet. It is wrapped in a dark wood veneer. Overall, these speakers are solidly built.
- Massive power output- Each speaker in the pair has a power output of up to 100 watts. In total, you will get up to 200 watts of power. With a sensitivity of 83dB and an impedance rating of 4-8 ohms, they need a lot of power for the best performance.
- Powerful full-range sound- These speakers come as 2-way bookshelf speakers for full-range sound. They produce full-range sound within the frequency range of 50Hz to 20 kHz. The speakers come with a 4-inch woofer for enhanced bass output. They also feature a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter.
- Reduced distortion- Additionally, the Micca RB42 is designed in a way that reduces coloration and distortion. For instance, the thick enclosure panels and pure miter joints create a perfect enclosure design for improved sound quality. Also, the interior surface of the panels is stuffed with polyfill to minimize resonance.
- Superior crossover design- Another notable feature of these speakers is their superior crossover. The crossover features an 18dB octave slope that increases power handling. It works by ensuring the woofer driver only receives lower frequencies whereas the tweeter driver receives higher frequencies.
Pros
- Heavy steel speaker basket for enhanced protection
- Rear ported speaker enclosure for reduced port resonance
- The tweeters feature a high-performance neodymium magnet
- The curved corners and a dark wooded pattern give the speakers a combination of a contemporary and classic look
- The woofer driver and tweeter are covered with a mesh grille for added protection
Cons
- You’ll need to invest in an amplifier to feed them with sufficient power
Verdict
If you are searching for bookshelf speakers that can produce decent bass and powerful high frequencies for your home audio listening needs, be it for gaming or movies, these Micca RB42 speakers are your best bet.
Micca MB42X Review
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The MB42X is yet another great pair of bookshelf speakers from Micca. They are also compact like the Micca RB42X. Regardless, they output excellent sound and offer reliable performance. The MB42X is an upgrade to the Micca MB42. The upgrade now offers improved sound quality than the predecessor model.
Top Features
- Clear sound output- The speaker comes with a 4” carbon fiber woofer that allows for clear sound output. It produces amplified bass for an enhanced movie-watching experience. Also, it comes with a 0.75” silk dome tweeter that produces crystal clear treble.
- Boosted performance- Another notable feature of the speaker is the 18dB octave crossover in the speakers. The crossover boosts the performance of the speaker. The predecessor MB42 lacked a crossover. Adding a crossover in this newer model improves the sound quality significantly.
- Minimized distortion- Also, the speaker comes with a rear-ported enclosure. It extends the bass response while minimizing distortion. Consequently, you will enjoy listening to all music genres without missing any music details.
- Variable impedance- You can use the speaker as a 4-ohm speaker or an 8-ohm speaker. If you have a very powerful amplifier, you can use it as a 4-ohm speaker to feed it with enough power for more powerful sound output. Also, it works with weaker amplifiers when used as an 8-ohm speaker.
- Compact but powerful- Another reason why you would want to pick MB42X bookshelf speakers is their compact design. Each speaker in the pair measures 9.5 by 5.8 by 6.5 inches. Although they’re compact, they deliver powerful sound output within the frequency range of 60 Hz to 20 kHz. Each speaker handles up to 75 watts of power.
Pros
- Balanced bass and treble
- Accurate sound imaging and smooth sound output
- Stylish yet simple contours on the enclosure design
- Magnetic grill system for easier removal and installation
- Rubber speaker surround for enhanced performance and durability
Cons
- Lower midrange is a bit lacking
Verdict
The Micca MB42X bookshelf speakers are most suitable for use in a small living room, bedroom, or office. They are great for listening to music and movies.
Final Thoughts- Which is better between Micca RB42 vs MB42X?
Both Micca RB42 and MB42X outshine each other in various aspects. Thus, both are great choices depending on what you need and your preferences. For instance, both come with a 4-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch tweeter, only that they’re made using different materials. Also, both feature ported enclosures.
In terms of power handling, the Micca RB42 handles more power than the Micca MB42X. Also, RB42 has a wider frequency range than MB42X, but MB42X offers a better balance between bass and treble. In terms of compactness, RB42 is a bit smaller than MB42X. On the other hand, MB42X features a better front grille design than RB42. On the downside, RB42 needs a more powerful amplifier while MB42X doesn’t deliver the best lower midrange.
Michael Evanchuk is a San Francisco-based sound engineer with 20 years’ experience installing, troubleshooting, and repairing commercial, automotive, and household sound equipment. Evanchuk owns an auto stereo center, where he offers highly competitive car audio installation and repair services. He has written dozens of articles on different sound engineering topics, all of which have been published in leading journals, blogs, and websites.
