Short answer: the Audioengine A2+. It ranks #19 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.4/5) at $299 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.
Why pick the Midiplus MI3 II: Compact desktop speakers with Bluetooth, analog inputs and a treble adjustment for a basic computer setup. Watch for: Preference scores of 0.99 standalone and 3.84 with an ideal subwoofer are poor.
The Audioengine A2+ is the more accurate option. Tiny desktop speakers with Bluetooth, USB and analog inputs and a variable RCA output. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.78 against 0.99 for the Midiplus MI3 II. The tradeoff: The 2.78 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 the Midiplus MI3 II is discontinued, so it is only available used.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Midiplus MI3 II | Audioengine A2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139 per pair Discontinued | $299.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #47 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #19 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.77 kg) | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| 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 | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.84 | 6.10 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| EQ | - | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| App | - | No |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
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