Bookshelf speakers are an affordable way to equip your home with great sound. No matter what audio you’re trying to amplify and improve, bookshelf speakers are a step in the right direction. With so many great options to choose from, though, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind.
The Micca PB42X, Micca MB42X, and the Edifier R1700BT are some of the best bookshelf speakers on the market. How do they compare? Read the guide below!
Micca MB42X
Let’s start by looking at the Micca MB42X bookshelf speaker. These bookshelf speakers do have some distortion. You’ll notice it at louder levels, and if you’re a major audiophile, but passive listeners may not have a problem with it. Even with some crossover adjustments, the sound can be a little cloudy.
The way these speakers drive sound is designed to make them “disappear”. While this is a fun feature, it can make some songs sound harsh or hollow due to the dip between the 5k and 6k. Nevertheless, the bass on these speakers is powerful and clean, something that is difficult to find in budget speakers like these.
It’s important to note that there will be a shift in tone as you adjust your listening height. What this means is that your music will sound different when you’re leaning back in your chair and when you’re leaning over your keyboard.
If the tonal change bothers you, these speakers probably wouldn’t be a good choice for a computer setup.
Micca PB42X
The Micca PB42X is an upgrade from the Micca MB42X with an amp and a lot of little updates. With enough power, it can put out 50 watts per channel, thanks to a new Texas Instruments Class D amp chip. To take advantage of this, though, you’ll need an upgraded power supply.
The Micca PB42X bookshelf speaker comes with an 18 volt 2 amp power supply unit. The company is honest and admits that this power supply will only be strong enough to give 15 watts per channel instead of the maximum 50 watts. Upgrade the power supply to a 24 volt 5 amp power supply if you want the maximum 50 watts per channel.
These bookshelf speakers can provide clean, undistorted sound up to 85 dB even without the extra power supply. While you can go as high as 100 dB, you’ll start to notice some distortion. The speakers have a forward sound and a tight bass. While there’s overall good quality sound, those who are particularly sensitive may notice a slight reverb added to everything.
For a budget speaker, the Micca PB42X bookshelf speaker is a really great buy. It provides great sound for listening to music and can get pretty loud without distorting the sound.
Edifier R1700BT
The Edifier R1700BT bookshelf speakers are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and some smart features. Instead of setting the speakers straight on, they’re built with a 10-degree tilt that aims the sound up towards the listener.
The controls for the bass, treble, and volume are located on the side of the speaker and easy to access. There’s also a plastic remote you can use to adjust the speakers from further away.
Although the speakers are created for Bluetooth connectivity, they come with two RCA cables so that you can connect an analog source to them. If you want to connect another music playing device, there are also cables included for that.
The speakers provide a warm sound that’s great for easy listening. The treble can sound a bit thin, but it isn’t harsh or sharp, and the midrange is powerful. Unfortunately, the bass could be improved. In strong songs, the bassline can stick out at uncomfortable levels and overpower the rest of the music. This is really the only let down when it comes to listening, though.
With a clean, smooth sound, these bookshelf speakers are a pretty decent buy. You can get them at a very affordable price, and they look stylish.
Which Bookshelf Speaker Set Should You Choose?
When it comes down to which one you should choose, it’s mostly a personal preference. Take into account what you want to listen to with these speakers and where you want to set them up as each one has a slightly different strong suit.
If you like to listen to songs with a lot of bass, the Edifier R1700BT bookshelf speaker might seem like a good choice at first. However, many users complain about the way these speakers sound and how much bass lines stand out. Even bass fans may find the speakers less enjoyable to listen to. Instead, consider the Micca MB42X bookshelf speaker that has a powerful and clean bass.
The Micca MB42X bookshelf speaker might not be the best for a computer set up. With major changes in tone depending on where you sit or stand, it could drive some people crazy. You’ll notice the changes every time that you shift in your seat. Adjusting the speakers every time you move isn’t an option, so instead you should find something with a more stable sound.
The Micca PB42X bookshelf speaker has a very clean balanced sound to it. The speakers are loud and have very minimal distortion even when you reach decibels of 100. If you keep the volume around 85 dB or 90 dB, you won’t have any distortion. Additionally, purchasing a stronger power supply can be a quick way to make these speakers stronger and eliminate the distortion you hear at higher volumes.
Which Speaker Has the Best Sound Quality?
Again, this comes down to what types of audio you’re listening to. If you like listening to music with a strong treble, your idea of “best audio output” is going to be much different from someone who likes listening to music with a powerful bass line.
The Edifier R1700BT has the best midrange audio output. The treble may be a bit thin, but you’ll never feel like it’s harsh. Any song with a strong bass line, however, will sound a bit awkward and you may notice the rest of the sound gets muddled.
If your idea of best audio output is a tight bass, the Micca PB42X bookshelf speaker is there for you. Again, it has very minimal distortion even at higher volume and decibel levels. The bass comes across as strong without being too overpowering or distorting the rest of the music.
Listeners that enjoy it when the speakers “disappear” will prefer the Micca MB42X bookshelf speaker. With dips at 1k and again between 5k and 6k, the music seems to come from around you instead of the two speakers in front of you.
Which Bookshelf Speaker Has the Least Distortion?
No one wants to listen to distorted audio. It ruins the experience and leaves you wishing you had invested in better sound quality.
The Micca MB42X bookshelf speaker has very little distortion. At certain volumes, you may notice the sound gets a little muddled, but it won’t be enough to ruin your favorite songs. Fortunately, you can take care of the biggest problems with just a few adjustments on the crossover board. Even those without much experience will be able to fix it and start listening to music with great audio clarity again.
If you use the regular 15 watt power supply with the Micca PB42X bookshelf speaker, you won’t notice any distortion until you reach around 100 dB. This problem can be solved quickly and easily by getting a larger power supply, but the speakers provide pretty high quality sound even at 85 dB. You shouldn’t need to play music any louder but if you do, you’ll only notice slight distortion.
To solve the problem of distortion in the Micca PB42X, just invest in a slightly stronger power supply. As mentioned earlier, a 24 volt 5 amp power supply will be plenty for these speakers. You’ll get 50 watts per channel and no distortion. Even at much louder volumes!
Thanks to the 10-degree angle of the Edifier R1700BT bookshelf speakers, you won’t notice any distortion. In fact, the only problem you’ll notice with the sound is with the bass line. These speakers are perfect for everyday use and don’t need any special adjustments to prevent distortion.
The problem with the bass, unfortunately, can’t be fixed, but aside from that there aren’t any complaints.
Final Verdict
The right speaker can make a real difference in how you experience your music. These bookshelf speakers provide impressive sound performance at an affordable price. To pick the right speaker, you have to know what you kind of music you listen to and what kind of sound you prefer.
