Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf Speakers Review
Listening to music or watching movies on your PC can be pretty boring, especially when all you can rely on is the low-quality built-in speakers on the computer.
You miss out on all crucial conversations in the movie and there is nothing to keep you glued to the screen.
Whether you live in a tiny college dorm or in a confined apartment, you deserve the best entertainment the moment you take a break from the books or come back home after a hard day’s work.
A nice set of bookshelf speakers might just be what you need!
86/100
our score
Last Updated: October 2023
Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf Speakers At A Glance: Specs & Features
Micca RB42 Review
Affordable speakers are getting really good and I must say that the Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf Speakers is one of the models that left a great impression on me.
Despite their relatively low price, these speakers have what it takes to breathe life into your underwhelming TV sound.
But I know talk is cheap and you’ll need to be convinced.
That is why I am putting the Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf speakers in the spotlight and conducted an unbiased review.
I will dissect the individual specs and examine the overall performance to see whether it’s worth your dime.
Stay tuned!
Micca RB42: Design & Construction
The first aspect that impressed me about the RB42s is their stylish design.
I like how the rounded edges pair with the dark wood grain finish to deliver a sleek and professional appearance.
This means the speakers will sit well on your computer desk and their flashy look is enough to add to the décor of your space.
These speakers are quite compact. Measuring 8.7” (H) x 4.9” (W) x 7.9” (D), you can set them up anywhere on your desk without taking up too much space.
The 4” woofer is made out of carbon dioxide fiber and protected by a solid and pleasant texture grill.
It features a long-throw design that incorporates a paper cone, as well as a concave dust cap.
Additionally, its large rubber surround and vented pole piece complete a striking appearance. Directly above the subwoofer is the speaker’s tweeter, based on Micca’s 0.75” silk dome design.
This comes with a translucent mesh fabric and a thin frame to make for a nice-looking grill cover.
Aesthetically speaking, the MB42 speaker system is simple, smooth, and easy to blend with a wide array of furnishings inside your home.
This is thanks to its complementary dark color, as well as a compact and unassuming build that won’t upstage other features in your space.
When it comes to build quality, the speakers feel as solid as they look. I actually believe the quality is outstanding considering the price range. The 0.75” MDF side walls make for stable construction.
They are thicker than what you’d ordinarily find on more expensive models and go a long way to reduce distortion and coloration of the sound being produced.
Meanwhile, the 100% miter joints make for stable bonding. The enclosure features a specific density stuffing of polyfill to eliminate resonance while enhancing enclosure tuning.
All this delivers an exceptionally dense set of speakers meant to last you for the long haul. The woofers come with beefy magnets, as well as vented pole pieces.
Their truncated strong steel frames are stamped as opposed to being cast. Although “cast” is better than “stamped”, I will give this a pass considering it’s only a 4” driver.
Micca RB42: Performance & Sound Quality
Usually, it’s almost impossible to manufacture an affordable loudspeaker without making a few compromises.
Similarly, it’s unrealistic to expect top-class performance from a pair of speakers retailing for under $150.
That being said, I must confess that the Micca RB42 Bookshelf Speaker system raises the bar to a new high when it comes to cheap speakers.
If you are looking to boost your TV sound quality or upgrade your PC audio, I am of the opinion that these should be high up on your list. Not to mention that they won’t eat up much of your space.
The first thing to grab my attention on these speakers was the strength of the bass, which I didn’t expect given their size and price range.
You don’t expect a 4” driver to move so much air, but the RB42s succeed in delivering sufficient low-end response.
Now, the bass won’t shake the walls of your room; I won’t call it super deep. However, it goes hard enough to be considered mid-bass, which is just where you want it to be if you listen to a lot of rock and hip-hop.
It feels a little boosted but not full-blown like in a Cyber Acoustics or Logitech.
The mids and vocals are delivered relatively smoothly, although the treble may sound a little too much for some. This is unlike in the Pioneers where the treble range is mostly neutral.
These speakers comprise a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz, which is typical for an in-room speaker. When you play bass-heavy music on the RB42s, the woofer doesn’t bottom out at sounds below 80Hz.
While the Pioneer speakers seem to fade below 60Hz, the RB42 woofers provide an audible output down to 50Hz.
This is simply insane, especially when you consider that the Pioneers are at least twice the size of the Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf speakers.
The bass delivered is punchy, tight, and articulated, making the speakers sound larger than they really are. You can credit this to the up to 100W of power that the drivers can handle
Meanwhile, the tweeters sound relatively smooth and allow you to play them louder while still maintaining clear detail. When playing acoustic music, the music is just as impressive. But the percussion isn’t that amazing. .
The speaker setup does not include a subwoofer but hearing the RB42s play, I didn’t feel like they needed pairing with a subwoofer.
While the bass detail is not close to anything you get from a high-end subwoofer; you will still enjoy what it has to offer.
On the downside, this audio system does not come with a consolidated amplifier, which may not exactly bring out its true potential. This may also explain its low-price tag.
So, if you decide to get one for your home, I recommend you invest in an external amp for the best performance.
Overall, the Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf speakers will be a suitable choice for people with confined listening spaces, college students, or those with home offices.
Micca RB42 Review: Weighing The Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
The Micca RB42 Reference Bookshelf speakers may not be perfect, however, they deliver a performance that is above their size and weight class, especially for an audio system below $150.
The manufacturer manages to create a tiny and sleek-looking speaker that produces a punchy bass while remaining musically accurate through the whole audio spectrum.
If you live in a small apartment or spend much of your time in the home office, this modest size pair of speakers will do the job !
About the author:
Barry Allen
I grew up to be a self-proclaimed stuck-up audiophile, and I – partially – blame Pinnacle Speakers for it.
The whole point of me starting this website was to keep the tradition going. Although the means have changed, the mission remains the same: Bringing „sterling sound“ as they once put it into home theaters and sound systems worldwide!