Short answer: the Audioengine A2+. It ranks #12 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $279. The Midiplus MI3 II ranks #23, rated 2.4/5, at $139, $140 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Midiplus MI3 II: Compact cabinets, Bluetooth, analog inputs and high-frequency adjustment can suit a basic desktop system. Watch for: Preference scores of 0.99 standalone and 3.84 with an ideal subwoofer are poor.
The case for the Audioengine A2+: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 5.39 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: The 2.07 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer.
Buy the Audioengine A2+. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $140 with the Midiplus MI3 II does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Midiplus MI3 II | Audioengine A2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139 per pair | $279.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #23 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way | - |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch silk tweeter, 3-inch fiberglass woofer | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz-25kHz | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W RMS per pair | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB | - |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 4.7W x 6D in | 6" x 4" x 5.2" (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.99 | 1.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.84 | 4.81 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| EQ | - | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| App | - | No |
| Weight | - | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Midiplus MI3 II: $139 per pair eBay
Pros: Compact cabinets, Bluetooth, analog inputs and high-frequency adjustment can suit a basic desktop system. The measured -3dB point is about 67Hz, so missing bass is not its only differentiator from other tiny speakers.
Cons: Preference scores of 0.99 standalone and 3.84 with an ideal subwoofer are poor. High narrow-band deviations on-axis (0.938) and across the listening window (0.852) indicate pronounced response irregularities that can color voices and instruments. The fairly flat overall trend does not mean the response itself is smooth. A subwoofer or simple treble adjustment cannot resolve all of these problems.
Full Midiplus MI3 II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 4.7W x 6D in |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch silk tweeter, 3-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz-25kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.84 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Audioengine A2+: $279.00 per pair Amazon Audioengine eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 5.39 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tiny footprint, multiple inputs and variable RCA output are useful for desktop listening. The existing review found desk placement more forgiving than free-space placement, with no major port-chuffing problem in its tests. Measured bass extension of 105.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.07 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer. Midrange and crossover-region dips remain; desk gain is placement-dependent and cannot be assumed to correct them. Compression becomes substantial above roughly 87dB at 1m in the review, so this is a quiet nearfield option rather than a high-output monitor.
Full Audioengine A2+ review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6" x 4" x 5.2" (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.81 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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