Short answer: the M-Audio BX3, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #39 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5) at $99.99 and is still sold new; the Midiplus MI3 II ranks #47 (rated 2.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Midiplus MI3 II’s replacement, the Midiplus MI3 II V2, is rated 2.5/5 at $139. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 48 powered bookshelf speakers, and the Edifier MR3, ranked #11 at $149.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The M-Audio BX3 is the more accurate option. A budget desktop pair with balanced, RCA and aux inputs, a headphone output and tone controls to adjust for placement. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.04 against 0.99 for the Midiplus MI3 II. The tradeoff: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer.
What the Midiplus MI3 II does well: Compact desktop speakers with Bluetooth, analog inputs and a treble adjustment for a basic computer setup. The tradeoff: Preference scores of 0.99 standalone and 3.84 with an ideal subwoofer are poor.
Buy the M-Audio BX3. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Midiplus MI3 II is no longer sold new.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX3 | Midiplus MI3 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $139 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #39 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #47 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported | Powered 2-way |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer | 0.75-inch silk tweeter, 3-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz | 70Hz-25kHz |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS per pair | 60W RMS per pair |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux | RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in | 6.5H x 4.7W x 6D in |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.04 | 0.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.18 | 3.84 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each | 3.9 lbs (1.77 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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