MiccaMB42 Bookshelf Speakers for Home Theater Surround Sound, Stereo, and Passive Near Field Monitor, 2-Way (Black, Pair)

After much dithering, I decided to get these instead of Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2-Inch 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair, because (1) Amazon's price on the Daytons is still over $50 (although one person reported that another web vendor still has them for $40), (2) they're a bit smaller (that was useful to me), and (3) various comments and reviews just gave me the impression that build quality might be a bit better (binding post connectors rather than the Dayton's spring-loaded wire terminals, for example).First, the "bad": one has no right to expect powerful or deep bass at this size or price, and, indeed, they don't go down very low. But the bass is fairly solid and clean right down to where they started to lose steam (around 80-100Hz in my estimation - they really don't go down to the 60Hz specified, in my opinion). I won't concentrate heavily on specs in this discussion, because most people don't have measurement equipment, and, interestingly, most people perceive 80-100Hz as "deep bass" (they also perceive 12KHz as "very high treble"). But where you can tell is with music containing quality bass content (electric bass guitar, string quartets with bass fiddle, organ music, etc.). These speakers didn't do a bad job, but they sure don't give you the physical pounding that you get from speakers with top-class bass response (Klipschorns, or 18" sound reinforcement systems used in concerts, etc.). Room placement is key, here (this is mentioned prominently in the manufacturer's literature, in fact). I placed them along the short wall of a 15'x24' rectangular room, about 6" from the wall and 4' from the corners, and they produced shockingly pleasing sound. Again, not powerful bass, but entirely pleasant and adequate.The only other area where I felt that my high-end speakers were audibly superior was what I would call a slight "softness" in the midrange and upper midrange. This most noticeably affects female vocals, and was, for example, noticeable on Sara K's "Hobo" album, and, to a similar extent, on stuff by Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris.To their credit, these speakers behaved very well at amazingly loud (for their price and size) levels, even though their published sensitivity is 85dBm. This relatively low number means that they need, say, 10 times as much power as a 95dBm speaker to produce the same level, and that translates to a boatload of power going into them in order to sound loud. They're rated at 75W, but I'm certain that if you actually ran them at 75W continuous, they'd be quite well cooked in a minute or so (as would your ears). So I was probably driving about 4W average into them and they sounded quite impressive.The clean sound and overall balance is really wonderful (that almost insignificant midrange softness mentioned above doesn't really detract). They're just so pleasant to listen to, you really could mistake them for speakers costing 20 times more. So far, I've AB'ed them with Sonus Faber Concertinos. Admittedly not every uber-audiophile will rate those at the absolute top of the small-speaker spectrum, but they're quite respectable (and around $1000/pr). The differences with the MB42s were audible, but not severe. As I said, you would never guess that you were listening to $50 speakers, and to be able to compare them with the Concertinos in the same paragraph is nothing short of astounding.Build quality was as hoped for: decent binding posts, excellent fit and finish (of relatively light 3/8" vinyl-covered particle board). They probably weigh 1/4 as much as the Concertinos, and while one might want something sturdier, at $50 you are simply not going to find that.A thought about that modest bass response: a lot of folks will be tempted to add a subwoofer to make up for missing bass. I've found, sadly, that most affordable subwoofers do a really poor job of augmenting bass response. They insert a huge bump somewhere between 60Hz and 100Hz, but the result isn't natural-sounding bass, just an impressive thump-and-boom. I understand that's what a lot of people want, but that's just not going to make these speakers sound fabulous. You'd have to consider spending $500 to $1000 or more on a serious powered subwoofer system to get a combined system worth listening to, and let's face it, there's just no way it could be worth adding a $1000 subwoofer to a $50 pair of main speakers. I mean, you *could* do it and it would sound very good, but if you've got the money, you should first look at spending more on the main speakers and probably forget the subwoofer altogether.I next hope to compare these to Bose Acoustimass 5 Speaker System - Black, a system that I've never really enjoyed listening to, but which, at $399, should, in principle, outperform the Micca MB42.One last point: considering that you could combine these with an excellent quality inexpensive amp like LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply or FiiO A1 Mini 2x14W Class-D Digital Audio Amplifier or Topping TP20-MK2 MKII TA2020 Class T-AMP Digital Stereo Amplifier, you'd have a killer system for around $100 that could hold its own (respectably!) against systems costing way over $1000.So am I satisfied with my purchase? Definitely! Are they worth the money? Absolutely!UPDATE (2 days later)I've had a chance to listen to a lot more music, and have discovered a moderately unpleasant narrow resonance peak in the midrange (haven't measured - seems like it might be around 600Hz). This was surprisingly and annoyingly audible on a performance of The Nutcracker, "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". To be sure I wasn't imagining it, I played the same segment on the Sonus Faber Concertinos and they performed admirably - no resonant peak, just beautiful, clean sound. Having heard that CD through many other speakers, I was pretty sure it was the Miccas, but there's no doubt about it. Pretty annoying.Interestingly, the peak is narrow enough to not be audible on most material, but wow, when you hear it, it really sings (and not in a good way). OK, we're still talking about $50/pr speakers, here, so it's something I can overlook, but I sure won't be playing The Nutcracker on these speakers again.UPDATE 5/27/2013:If you happen to read recent reviews of the Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2-Inch 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair, it seems that they've "updated" that speaker with an inferior product that buyers are quite unhappy with. So it looks like, in this price/size range, the Micca speakers are the one to buy - if you can get them.

Great satellite and surround speakers for the price!OK. The MB42. Overall this is a great speaker for the price and is better than anything I found for a pair of speakers priced at 60 bucks. There are certain things about it that make it stand out for the quality of sound that you will be getting. First, it has a Kevlar woofer and that is why you can get 100 watt max power out of them. Kevlar makes the woofer extremely durable to take the wattage and the neoprene surround is better quality than foam. Second, the tweeter is a silk dome element, which is better than fabric, polypropylene or Mylar, so it gives a better smoother high range. So, the sound is better and more realistic. These type of drivers are more prevalent in higher priced speakers. And it is tune ported for better bass response. It also excepts banana plugs for a more solid connection with speaker wires and have gold plated connectors for even better connectivity. 16 gauge is recommended in the manual. The cabinets are 3/8 inch MDF board for rigidity and high density to keep the internal resonance of the cabinet down so the sound doesn’t get colored by the vibration of the cabinet and helps to keep the standing waves inside the cabinet from leaking out which can cancel out bass response. The baffle (front wall is ½”) so, they knew what the where doing. Again resonance dampening Now the cons for this speaker. (The frequency range really means “range.” Even though it’s specified to get down to 60 cycles per second, it doesn’t mean that the low point will be just as loud as let’s say 90. (I tested them.) The speaker comes into full volume at around 125. So, do not expect them to go as low as you might think. I mean flat response. If you turn the bass up by bass control or equalizer, they will definitely come alive in those areas, I mean real good!. Most acoustic music is alright as is, but I would recommend subwoofer. Also, the tweeter is ¾” and not 1 1/8 inch like most silk dome tweeters, so they are not as smooth as the larger, but to me they are smooth enough for me.) Also, the crossover which governs where the woofer begins to die off in the high range and where the tweeter takes over is only governed by a single capacitor. The transition isn’t as good as a crossover network, but is adequate if you are not stingy as far as how consistent the volume is over the entire frequency range. As far as quality, I just got them, so I don’t know. (IF you want them to last, don’t drive them beyond their endurance! Who knows what will happen. But if you have a reasonable volume… they do fine and easy… Yet, the way they are designed, it is easier to replace the drivers since the woofers and tweeters are all surface hung. This gives wider options of replacement drivers for them. (I like to upgrade speakers.) FYI IMPORTANT: At the Miccastore site, you can change them from MB42’s to MB42x’s for they sell the better crossover networks separately for that very purpose so you can upgrade them. (IF you need help on changing the crossover, just contact me…) or, solid red is + for the woofer, and solid green is + for the tweeter… the others…well there is no other connection. The crossover comes with an hex wrench, so no tools are needed. Just undo everything and put it back the way it goes. The crossover is 2nd order. It basically means that as the woofer dies out in the upper ranges of the middle frequencies and it falls rapidly. Then the tweeter rapidly takes over. So, in the middle frequencies, you get a better tighter transition which improves frequencies that are in the vocal ranges so the midrange sound more real and the volume over the entire range is consistent. ($29 and free shipping.) Again something found in more expensive speakers. I replaced the crossovers and they now sound so sweet. Also, I used acoustic insulation. The walls are only 3/8, so they do have mid gain in that area. Just add some fiberglass insulation, or acoustic insulation, or even batting material for quilts or something… and fill it lightly so the air pressure can easily escape the port. So, over all, for the price, they make great surround and satellite speakers if you use a subwoofer (Or turn up the bass on your stereo…) And compared to other speakers at the same price range which are usually, paper or poly con woofers, Mylar tweeters, particle board cabinets and cheap wire connectors, these speakers definitely stand out for the money…