Micca MB42X G2 Budget Speaker Review

[staticV3]

Please let us know, which speaker is shown in the reference graph!
Audio First Fidelia? Genelec? KEF Blade 2?

The graphs are labeled

 

[Alegretti]

But we don't want to absorb at 2kHz, do we. Floor bounce is already very low there, because the speaker doesn't send much energy down that way around 2kHz.

To compensate, we would ideally reflect the 2kHz region more. This is not really practical, so reducing floor bounce across a broad range (including the 2kHz region) is a good way of smoothing out the estimated in-room response, by lowering the entire floor bounce curve and diminishing its impact on the overall in-room response. A thick carpet can do that.

Personally I would cut down all early reflections to emphasise direct sound.

Precisely for this reason, the floor bounce must be absorbed, as it contributes to all frequencies except 2kHz. The reflection with the largest error must be absorbed.

 

[totti1965]

The graphs are labeled

 

[wwenze]

The main issue with speakers that have extremely precise directivity control is that they tend to have a rather narrow dispersion. Personally, I’d prefer a speaker that’s slightly less linear but offers reasonably controlled, very wide dispersion over a perfectly flat speaker with limited coverage.

I recently switched to KEF Reference speakers, and I’ve been missing the spacious sound of Nubert’s NuVero series so much that I’m now searching for a used pair of NuVero 70s—especially since they’re being phased out. Their 100°+ dispersion creates a uniquely “live” feeling that I never realized I’d miss this much.

Reference review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nubert-nuvero-60-speaker-review.54390/
Note that "70" was not a typo, the 60 were tested but the 70s have even wider dispersion do due thinner baffle and lower crossovers compared to the 60.

Same here... I even start to wonder if the classic "wide narrow wide" behavior is actually a preference target

 

[ernperkins]

I wonder how that port resonance affects the measurements. Would be interesting to see measurements with port plugged.

 

[trevor_bartram]

I noticed the waterfall plot only has 15dB range. I believe 25dB is standard practice. The speaker may need extra stuffing if 25dB reveals resonances?

Replace the tweeter circuit electrolytic capacitors with good quality film capacitors & you have an exceptional mini monitor for approx $120. Enjoy!

 

[andrewskaterrr]

Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers | Micca Electronics

www.miccatron.com

"The PB42X is how we take an already great product and make it even better. It is the natural extension of the MB42X’s success – everything we love about the MB42X is there, and now powered. The frontier of affordable high quality sound is pushed ahead even further with the addition of high quality amplification."

$139.99/pr at Amazon.

Those appear to be Gen1 though, not this new Gen 2. You can see the tweeter and woofer are spaced closer together on Gen 2. I’d rather take a MB42X G2 and add a cheap external amp.

 

[amirm]

I noticed the waterfall plot only has 15dB range. I believe 25dB is standard practice. The speaker may need extra stuffing if 25dB reveals resonances?

Waterfalls don't have any standards that I am aware of. I adjust the parameters as to keep the floor above noise. Best to ignore the plot and just look at the frequency response as any audible resonances will have to show up there.

 

[SMc]

Those appear to be Gen1 though, not this new Gen 2. You can see the tweeter and woofer are spaced closer together on Gen 2. I’d rather take a MB42X G2 and add a cheap external amp.

OTOH, these corrections apply:

Micca MB42x DSP Corrections

noaudiophile.com

 

[Power Pop 23]

The Amazon (USA) listing for the Micca MB42X G2 loudspeaker now states '200+ bought in past month'.

At the time of Amir's review, the listing stated '100+ bought in past month'.

Perhaps sales went from 199 to 201 but I like to believe the measurements provided by Amir moved the needle a little more.....

 

[geoemm]

maybe the perfect speakers for the height channel

 

[Power Pop 23]

As of now, Micca is charging $109.99 for a pair of Micca MB42X G2 loudspeakers at Amazon (USA).

Amazon.com

 

[andrewskaterrr]

Dang, ya it looks like it went up March 4th. I wonder if it has to do with tariffs or demand.

 

[Biagiod]

.. and as of now it is UNAVAILABLE in IT,FR,DE in Europe. Only ES lists it at a whopping 281 euros/pair (300 usd approx) !!! 3 times the price??
Enjoy them in the US while you can

 

[El Cheapo]

I measured my pairs of Micca MB42X G2 and JBL A130, in-room, using REW and UMIK-1 on the speaker acoustic axis, 15 inch in front of the speakers and here's are the frequency response plots with psychoacoustic smoothing (Ignore below 100 Hz, No level matching done between Micca and JBL):

One of the Miccas (light blue and magenta lines) has an almost flat response from 100-20,000 Hz.

One can also see the JBL (red/green lines) metal dome tweeters "sizzling" around 10 kHz.

 

[andrewskaterrr]

Measuring close to the port, we see a cabinet/port resonance that is responsible for some of the fine frequency response errors:

Is there a way to mod/fix that 1.5khz resonance?

 

[Vear]

Was pondering replacing my rear surrounds and needed something small (but preferably white). For $100, is not worth my time to build but kept wondering why the woofer looked familiar.

Then I realized why as I built these for Amir to test...

View attachment 427850

These are (NLA) Carmody S2000s. I stained them, and they have been deployed in my woodshop. If they used the same Denovo woofer, the Micca's would be a steal. Here is pic from my build...

View attachment 427914

The Micca's are flatter on the top end than the S2000s, but that could just be the tweeter and/or its padding.

@amirm any chance we get a closer peek at the Micca woofer?

P.S. also would be interested to know if any internal damping was used at this price point.

 

[Hiten]

Is there a way to mod/fix that 1.5khz resonance?

There were some experiments by increasing port tube length and drilling appropriate holes in center of tube and also another mod was lining the tube with felt. But all these requires proper measurments. Searching "Reducing port resonance" in google gives lots of information., There is also a thread on this on diyAudio website.

 

[Hiten]

I am generalizing and very broadly speaking. I have seen couple of small speakers with treated conve and rubber surround. Would I be right in saying the frequency response linearity is easily achieved by doing so. Ultimately this results in lower sensitivity. In this case ~83dB. Where as paper cone and foam/paper surround we get much more sensitivity. Again not saying particularly about any specific driver or model. Just broad generalization of driver design.

 

[RickS]

May have missed something here, but is this your Micca?