Dropping Bombs Under $100! This Speaker Crushes Most!

Micca MB42X G2 amzn.to/3IO68XO (affiliate)
Fosi Audio TB10D amzn.to/43lzZR7 (affiliate)
SMSL SU1 amzn.to/3IFd2yO (affiliate)

[@cheapaudioman]

Micca RB42X G2 amzn.to/3IO68XO (affiliate) Fosi Audio TB10D amzn.to/43lzZR7 (affiliate) SMSL SU1 amzn.to/3IFd2yO (affiliate)

[@rickbrookes9491]

This whole video brought back all the things I started watching The Cheap Audio Man for. Really enjoyed it. Thank you Randy.

[@cheapaudioman]

Glad you enjoyed it. trying to get back to my roots and how this thing all started. trying to have more fun

[@annebokma4637]

​@@cheapaudiomanit shows, glad you are on your way back. We watch you for you, so better be yourself from now on 😂

[@WireHedd]

Big Trouble In Little China with Kurt Russell is an absolute classic. Kurt was also in The Thing as another memorable Carpenter classic. As far as the Micca MB42X is a great little speaker even the original models were pretty good for surrounds. I like them but I'd put them a step below the S801s as the Jamos are clearer to my ears but YMMV on them as I got a set of the Miccas on sale and refurbed for around $80 from Amazon last year. Another cool video thanks Randy.

[@andy72]

I got these refurbished a few months ago for $80. I use them in my living room in lieu of a soundbar. They needed to be under 8" deep for my location too. These are AWESOME! I am very impressed with the bass they produce. It's not huge, but it exists.

[@cnhhnc]

I have the previous generation MB42X versions which I've been using as a desktop solution with that old Tri-path 2020A+ generation Lepai cheapo amp. More than does the job. They were $80 at the time, but I got them used from a friend for $20. Talk about a budget system: Lepai $20 + Micca $20 = $40. Who can complain. Fantastic for that price!

[@weme06]

Running exact setup at work.

[@tonymolina7744]

Back to your roots Randy. Fab!!!

[@mxjoaoo]

i have a micca pb42x (powered version) since 2014 and they are amazing desktop speakers, very neutral, natural sound

[@kencooper2059]

I bought a pair of these and like them. I was a fan of the originals in their day, but they were a bit bright and other budget speakers have passed them by. This revision puts the MBs back in the game. I'm listening to mine on an Ayima 320 watt and and a nice sub, and they sound very good, larger than what they actually are. Possibly the best $100 speakers out there and very competent at higher prices.

[@timhanna4700]

Have a pair of these as my Dolby Atmos surround. They do their job. And you cannot beat the price. Great content too.

[@danlahl]

Big trouble in little China, an all time classic. My first blu ray purchase. "If I'm not back in 30 minutes, call the President!" Thx again for a fun review CAM!

[@DocBrewskie]

Big trouble in little China is one of my kid’s favorite movies. My oldest daughter throws out Jack Burton quotes & it’s awesome.

[@cheapaudioman]

That is the coolest thing I’ve heard all day!

[@kaivrock]

Telling people “it would be a great garage speaker” is the kiss of death, It’s like saying “but she has a nice personality “

[@AndrewB23]

You must not do much work in the garage then bud 😂

[@terrywilliams7827]

Still use pioneer Andrew jones speakers, have 5.1(have one axtra). Love them. Got them for $117 a pair with role of 14 guage speaker wire and banana plugs

[@Audiodreamer192-24]

Those are great speakers. I still have the whole series. I don’t really use them anymore but I’ll always keep them because they were the OG unicorns that made all manufacturers up their game on affordable hifi. The 52’s are real gems!

[@petedetraglia4776]

I still use them in my bedroom with a Harmon Kardon 5.1 AVR. Smooth and buttery they still sound...Andrew Jones killed it with these speakers price to performance wise...

[@Audiodreamer192-24]

@@petedetraglia4776 yes he made them TOO good for the money. Outstanding performance!

[@Audiodreamer192-24]

@@petedetraglia4776 they are excellent!

[@NotoriousOzTheMan]

I cannot find the MB42x G2s but own the MB42x. I'm listening to Aja, Home At Last, on vinyl through a Sansui 771 recapped amp. I will tell you that the sound on the original Mb42x is such that I feel like I'm right in the studio listening to the performance. The guitar on sounds like I'm in front of the amp, clear and defined. Bass is clear and the bass line on this song is powerful and melodic. I do have a SW on it as I feel a SW on a 2.1 system just adds spreads the bass and adds more clarity. I can't wait for the MB42x to be in stock somewhere so I can put those on my system. However, I'm more than excited using the originals :)

[@CinemaDemocratica]

There has never been a better time to be an audiophile.

[@NeilBlanchard]

My guess is that some drinking straws (cut to the same length as the port) in a bundle inserted into the port - would both reduce the bump in the bass AND extend the bass a bit lower.

[@jazznw]

I just got mine. I knew something was different when I saw the speaker plugs and mag screen...I am most happy CAM! Great off my WiiM

[@sambarone981]

This is the sweet spot. Cheap quality gear review with next level production values. And cow stories. CAM is slayin' it. !

[@cheapaudioman]

Much appreciated! trying to get out of my comfort zone

[@phen277]

Good review. I loved the neighbor's cows herding story, too. Brought back very similar memories, except Dad and I were usually driving the neighbor's pigs back down the road. With our basset hound. Get 'em, Pansy!

[@cheapaudioman]

done that too... chased sheep with the 3 wheeler... ah memories

[@jarekweckwerth1390]

Hardened resentful audiofile. Made my day. Thank you!

[@cheapaudioman]

Glad it helped! Made me laugh watching it back

[@jeffsloane8628]

Yup. If this is is your first speaker, and you can wait for the Sonys to go on sale, I'd go that way. If it was me all over again, I would enter at the Emotiva B1+.

[@cheapaudioman]

love the B1's... also they are no more unless you can find them used

[@stevenneese2823]

Yes, you did it! Now I don't have to do a review video of the rb42's like you had suggested just a short time ago. Knew you wouldn't leave it out, no one wants to see me doing speaker reviews...

[@superunknown2812]

I just picked up a pair of Edifier R98s and I'm surprised at how good they sound for the size and price really great set of small speakers for 100 bucks can't go wrong

[@peterlarkin762]

Same size and similar drivers to the good ol' Wharfedale Diamond 9.0's. I find those woven drivers combined with large silk dome tweets make for a musical enjoyable sound with little to no fatigue.

[@leetaylor13]

I just picked up a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9's yesterday. I didn't need a 11th pair of speakers but they were only £20. They came without grilles and a minor dink on one of the bottom rear corners but otherwise in good nick. I can't resist bargains. I was shocked at how good they are. They're pretty good at pacing and quite airy and unfaiguing at the top. They try to image. It feels like the upper bass is boosted to make up for what is lacking in deep bass. They like world music, electronic music and acoustic stuff where they can pick out details and dynamic shifts.They were a bit just OK at classic rock. They have a very similar character to my Mission 780's which are a similarly sized ported 2 way (Mission made 2 very different speakers, both called 780). The Missions are better in every regard, but were several times the new price back in the day. At the moment the Diamonds are working with an SMSL 36A amp (£30 new) running high level into an old bottom of the range 8" Mordaunt Short subwoofer (£25 2nd hand).

[@peterlarkin762]

@@leetaylor13 Yep, they're not perfect and have that bass thing going on but very hard to beat for the money and I like having some slightly characterful speakers that play most stuff ok. Not Rock speakers though thats for sure. I feel like only big paper cone drivers can do rock music justice.

[@MrJorrma]

Put soma fillings in port, coton wool or sock to fix the bass bump 😅

[@bearded_wolverine3503]

You had me at the mandalorian helmet. I suspect my boba fett black series helmet may pair well with these speakers. This is the way

[@cheapaudioman]

I have one on the shelf in the back. I'll use that in the next video. this is the way

[@donpettit7107]

@@cheapaudioman Really should be a disclaimer that the helmet is not at the same focal distance as the speaker, leading to a distinct loss of visual parametric fidelity.

[@OldGuyHifi]

That's funny. I met Kim when she was married to Mark Levinson. Yes, that Mark Levinson. Thx.

[@cheapaudioman]

You've got some solid stories, my friend

[@robertkensler2156]

I am still using my Altec Voice of the theatre speakers.....

[@pfslik]

Hoping you will review Cerwin Vegas new LA series soon. I have a pair of LA165's and think they are remarkable for the price.

[@alacpe]

Hey man, first of all cool channel and keep on rocking . So long story short, I’ve bought this same speakers of a guy at his garage sale that came with a turntable and the cool kenwood 3500 amp( 40watts) I had my eyes on the amp, just because I recently got a vintage kenwood stack that came with the CD,cassete and EQ.. and with the KM992 amp (150watts) but I love the towers speakers that came with the stack the LS-P9300 (500watts). So the idea was to only use the kenwood 3500 with the tower speakers, but man when I played music using my iPad through those small speakers I was like, wow .. it’s so small but man wow.. maybe I’m out of date with this new or bookshelf speakers but I really liked the sound of the micca. Obviously, I’m not comparing to my tower speakers but still, I’m satisfied with the audio from those micca. Eventually I will change the micca, been looking at klipschs…. Bookshelf. But yeah overall I enjoy the sound of those micca and I’m listening to them as I write this.

[@PlainAccount]

Realism is a must. My ears ain't so great, so I gots to go with what I can hear. In the late 90s I bought a pile of Sherwood receivers from a closeout table at REX (a long-defunct regional electronics chain). They still power my shiz today. On my desk are a pair of 80s Klipsch road-case Heresys, purchased by the spouse when she was the singer in many local rock & roll bands. Since she was the female (and thus most reliably employed) she bought them and retained them. Cut to the present day: My RD-7103 Sherwood receiver powers these Klipsches with no trouble, so that's my desktop system. I edit video and compose MIDI music with this setup - since about 2005 - and to my ears it still sounds like Heaven, so that's what it is. Meanwhile in the living room, a 2010-era TV Series 9 UA55C9000 provides video. The speakers eventually rotted out, so a few years back I took advantage of a 50% off sale and threw a then-$200 Samsung soundbar & subwoofer on it. To my ears it sounds like Heaven, so that's what it is. Having pedestrian ears can really pay off

[@shaunyweaver1144]

I had a problem with Randy doing high end gear 😮 I take it back now 😅 .. You can pick up yamaha ns bp 301 here in UK for £150 new that's about $155 insane price it's a good speaker with great bass .

[@gratiach]

Yep, Big Trouble In Little China. We watched it this past Sunday to celebrate Kurt Russell's birthday. Yes, we are movie nerds.

[@OlympicBruce]

You’ve got your Mojo back!

[@forceusr]

Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express via Big Trouble in Little China. 😂

[@shawnm1856]

The movie you teased/asked for is "Big Trouble in Little China".

[@cheapaudioman]

you got it!

[@almc-wi5vo]

I bought a set last week. Thanks man

[@bmosst]

Nice to see G2 of the RB42. I own the G1 of RB42 which are powered by Aiyima T9 amp, and this is my one and only speaker system, in -near-field listening position at my home office. I have a question that may apply to these G2. Since both G1 and G2 seem to have limited performance at LF, but i'm curious if there is a way to enhance listening experience with a sub. Seems like Micca has discontinued their 8 and 10 inch subs - Do you have a recommended sub to pair with these?

[@robertkensler2156]

Cheapaudio man you saved me musically!! You turned me towards the Sonys and I have not looked back!! You describe them as lively --- I have hearing issues and need "lively" speakers! Any suggestions for a "liveluy" speaker that is more expensive>>

[@cheapaudioman]

Klipsch rp600, Elac xb2's, Sonus Faber lumina II. thanks for watching, my friend!

[@lamecasuelas2]

Thank you! I've been searching fir months and this is the very first review i've seen

[@cheapaudioman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ian-wh8ut]

So glad to hear from the Rocktopus !

[@vmmotors1580]

i bought 1 2 weeks ago and its amazing

[@markconway2677]

"Hey, How'd you get up there?" "It wasn't easy."

[@Brian_Romska]

Good stuff as always Randy, bringing back the memories, and the size comparisons, love it!

[@cheapaudioman]

More to come!

[@roadeyerob]

$99 US ... or $245 Canadian ... FFS!

[@yves-thomasriant5833]

I know man. I'm sick of this. Came to Canada for adventures thinking I'll access all those amazing products, it's always the same .. prices are insane. Mass drop isn't accessible. Amazon doesn't offer anything or if it does it's 3 times the price....

[@jabuki2]

Comparing them to the jamo s 801 is exactly what I was looking for

[@amanieux]

Vs $99 powered speaker edifier mr4 ?

[@MaZEEZaM]

Great review, i'm pretty sure i watched your previous review of the prior model at the time.

[@couchpotatoaudio]

At least I know I'm not the only 50 year old with so many toys i dont know what to do with them!

[@cheapaudioman]

I'm truly a child

[@couchpotatoaudio]

@cheapaudioman join the club! One day my wife is going to kill me and sell everything and be very well off!

[@jbutler813]

Big Trouble in Little China!!! Indeed!

[@stephenfollett5993]

I don't know what they sound like but Polk T15 are on sale now only $149.00 pair in Canada on Amazon. Maybe even cheaper in the US.

[@puddleglumsmusiccollection9151]

I have a pair. Pretty great for the price

[@cheapaudioman]

Good to hear

[@SnowFootprints96]

I've been putting a little away for the psb alpha a3. Should i wait for those or just get these?

[@kaminobatto]

I couldn't help but notice the OM System, Sigma, and Sony Alpha boxes just behind the speaker. Do you guys think that Randy is a photography enthusiast? Or s it more of the kind of gear he uses for his videos?

[@cheapaudioman]

I am an enthusiast. long before I ever started the channel. I figured out how to use it poorly to start making videos.

[@kaminobatto]

@@cheapaudioman that was an instant level up from 100 to 255👌 if you share your photography on any platform, I'd love to have a look.

[@AndrewB23]

Are these already discontinued because they only have the non g2 available

[@kewlbug]

I moved from the old RB42x to Polk XT15 (used) .. worth it If you can get out of this $100 range IMO. (I'm not saying we don't want these reviews)

[@jonathanbrandon]

Could you make a comparison to the NEUMI BS5 in a 2.1 channel channel setup since there is only a $10 difference currently on Amazon? I know it has been a while since you reviewed or compared the BS5, but I would think your recommendation would be the to spend the extra $10 if I like a neutral presentation from my speakers, which I do.

[@kamilborzych6615]

Edifier mr4 are OP

[@Outamyhead]

Only one I can think of with a frequent actor working with Carpenter, and Kim starring in the movie would be Big Trouble in Little China.

[@iggypopisgod9]

Randy: add Soundstaging to your criteria

[@donjaun540]

Big trouble in little China ‼️😁

[@cheapaudioman]

Boom!

[@bengleason508]

Does size really matter?

[@Reign_In_Blood_963]

Thoughts on the DIY speakers components you can get from Parts Express... have you dabbled in those before? I'm a woodworker/maker and would like your opinion on those.

[@hifiman4562]

I would guess the enclosure is just too small for that woofer. So you get a boost in those lower frequencies.

[@AndrewB23]

That's not how that works bud

[@titolucena]

I would love to see a review of the Celestion SL600. I have a pair and would be nice to see your opinion on it. Congrats and tks for the great job!

[@mzondi1970]

I still have the first gen on a little basement stereo

[@argelmangune6529]

Nope, This micca cost over $300 here in the Philippines.

[@danleedev]

Reasonable people can argue the point, but I'm pretty sure he just wanted to show me the Mandalorian mask.

[@johngaspar4425]

Octopus can't hear his own voice! 13:08

[@MakeYourHeartBeat]

Are they really so mich better than Edifier MR4

[@ScarletEyeMoon]

great review, how would this speaker compare to the Polk ES10?

[@davidtomsett]

Looks very similar to the Wharfedale Diamond 9.0, which is half the price.

[@ChasingTone666]

big trouble in little china. great movie

[@discostu668]

Big Trouble in Little China!

[@cheapaudioman]

boom!

[@ruley73]

@1:28 I heard somewhere that the Polk Audio T15 makes a good speaker stand. You might need two pairs of them for those speakers. 😂😂

[@cheapaudioman]

ha! OG viewer here!!!!

[@randybarrish1132]

Another great review... How would you compare these to old-school Minimas 7? Would these up the game and why?

[@cheapaudioman]

I don't have those. I do have a vintage pair but I'm not sure what model they're from. upstairs running atmos duty

[@TheWoodythedog]

So Randy would this be an upgrade to the Jamo S803’s I’m currently using for our HT / Music setup paired with a Micca center channel? I’m thinking about these to match up with the center.

[@TomasGarza-b5d]

What would be a good cd player or turntable to go with the tb10d and the Micca speakers?

[@AidenOMG702]

I like ur technique

[@skeletorfive5585]

Would these be worth it to replace 2 definitive technology pro cinema 6D satelite speakers?

[@edcolston2769]

Hey Randy, I watched your video on the smsl a300 your focus was on using it as a monoblock instead of stereo, would the a300 be an improvement over the Aiyima t9 pro?

[@PaperBoat.]

Is it pure analog circuitry monitor?

[@MaZEEZaM]

Btw, am i the only one who couldn't help but frequently stare at the lint or cat hair on his left shoulder every time he moved?? lol

[@tedkleinholz1122]

I can not thank you enough for taking the time to transfer that thought into text. Some people curate their thoughts based on certain value judgements. I say who are they to deny us the opportunity to judge it for ourselves! Many people might have felt like this call to arms about the unidentified material on the presenter's shoulder as superfluous, violently shallow, or even a waste of time. So the courage to let us make up our minds, despite being incredibly common, or likely not the reason this comment was made, is a word I will add to this sentence anyway. And that ain't nothing, folks. Other words that exist are: selfless, heroic, disruptive, edgy, ball-heavy, altruistic, and girth. I have used them in the spirit of the same self awareness that inspired this comment, and without a millisecond of self-doubt. I have no doubt that it will be appreciated as much or more than I appreciate myself for having shared it (substantial) because that is not a question I have dared ask myself ever, in the same way that will never question the link between the refusal of the entire female gender to look upon me with favor and the tattoo on my face of interspecial coitus between a hippopotamus and a unicorn (hippopotamus on top, duh). I will end this comment now, not because I feel as though I've exhausted the possible content inherent to the subject, bit because I feel vaguely distracted by a pop-up add that will soon manifest itself in some manual gratification. You are welcome, universe!

[@tedjones112]

12:58 mark - did you say 60+80 is $130 ? LOL

[@joshuawang5859]

Boosting the bass by tuning the port means these speakers have no "body" and sound "tiny"

[@KarmaElectronics.]

those drivers really carbon fiber? kind of looks like plastic mad to look like it.

[@puckwithahalo14]

If you could get the S801's for $74.99, would you still pick these? Woot currently has them at that price.

[@cheapaudioman]

If you want more bass these. If not the 801’s. Also check the Amazon deals on the Sony sscs5

[@budzlightyear2212]

How can a speaker be 4 to 8 ohms? How does that work??

[@monkeymanstones1]

EQ statement cannot work for me. My equalizers are constant Q...

[@enlightenCA]

Would you buy these or pay the extra 23 dollars for the Sony SSCS5?

[@cheapaudioman]

Sonys

[@AidenOMG702]

Are they loud

[@AidenOMG702]

Every thing is 248 dollars

[@Chudhole]

Dayton Airs. You’re welcome.

[@cheapaudioman]

thanks so much for watching and dropping a comment.

[@starker1971]

FYI Your info in the Description is Micca RB42X G2 Instead of MB....

[@cheapaudioman]

whoops. nice catch. I always get those two confused.

[@douglepong]

He’s not wrong about cynical audiophiles. They’re all bass phobic.

[@ChaosHusky]

My KEF Coda IIIs are both better and cheaper! Try them :)

[@TE5LA-GAMING]

Why do your videos have different titles on Nvidia Shield than on Android phones? On Android, it is named "Dropping Bombs Under $100. This Speaker Crushes Most," while on the Shield, it is named "Micca MB42X G2 passive bookshelf speaker review." It makes it very difficult to post comments. My bookshelf speakers go down to 20Hz at -48dB.

[@JohnDoe-pc9qf]

Or you could buy some older used Boston Acoustics CR7s or CR8s for the same $100 and have something vastly superior to these.

[@grandfinish2364]

Big trouble in little China! 😂

[@cheapaudioman]

nailed it

[@AlexMitchell-sj4sb]

Big Trouble In Little China

[@cheapaudioman]

nailed it

[@AlexMitchell-sj4sb]

@cheapaudioman great film, lots 80s over the top fun.