Short answer: the Monolith Encore B6. It ranks #65 of 134 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $360. The Parts Express Samba MT ranks #85, rated 3.6/5, at $329.96, $30.04 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Monolith Encore B6 does well: For its budget price, the B6 delivers useful midbass punch and a long reflex tail: Erin measured F3 at 68Hz and F10 near 37Hz. The tradeoff: Erin measured 85.3dB sensitivity and a 3.4-ohm minimum, so this is not an easy load despite its modest output ceiling.
The case for the Parts Express Samba MT: A Dayton Audio designed two-way kit built around the RS180P-4 7-inch Reference paper woofer and the RST28F-4 fabric-dome tweeter, with CNC-cut MDF knock-down panels, the crossover parts and damping included. The tradeoff: The listening window spans 6.0dB between 300Hz and 5kHz in Erin’s Audio Corner’s measurements, less even than the best speakers here, and the preference score only reaches 6.27 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Monolith Encore B6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $30.04 with the Parts Express Samba MT does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monolith Encore B6 | Parts Express Samba MT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $360 per pair | $329.96 per pair |
| Ranked | #65 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #85 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 45.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB 1W/1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; 3.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch pulp woofer; 25mm waveguided silk dome | Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7” paper woofer, RST28F-4 1-1/8” fabric dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.9W x 9.9D inches | 15”H x 8.5”W x 11.7”D (381 x 216 x 298 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 | 4.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 | 6.27 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each | - |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 70W RMS, 140W max (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Monolith Encore B6: $360 per pair Amazon Monoprice eBay
Pros: For its budget price, the B6 delivers useful midbass punch and a long reflex tail: Erin measured F3 at 68Hz and F10 near 37Hz. The revised tweeter assembly yields broadly smooth horizontal directivity and an early-reflections trend that accepts EQ well. At sane levels, its 6.5-inch pulp woofer provides satisfying attack, and gloss top/bottom panels plus a braced MDF cabinet are unusually substantial for the class. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.3dB.
Cons: Erin measured 85.3dB sensitivity and a 3.4-ohm minimum, so this is not an easy load despite its modest output ceiling. Low-frequency compression reaches about 2dB and distortion rises rapidly when driven full-range; use an 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Response variation is roughly +2.7/-3.7dB, with residual crossover/treble irregularities that keep it from true neutrality without EQ. The listening window tightens vertically, so ear height matters.
Full Monolith Encore B6 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.9W x 9.9D inches |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch pulp woofer; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; 3.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Parts Express Samba MT: $329.96 per pair Parts Express eBay
Pros: A Dayton Audio designed two-way kit built around the RS180P-4 7-inch Reference paper woofer and the RST28F-4 fabric-dome tweeter, with CNC-cut MDF knock-down panels, the crossover parts and damping included. Erin’s Audio Corner measured deep bass for a bookshelf, about 45Hz at -3dB and 34Hz at -10dB, a smooth predicted in-room response (0.69 smoothness) and wide horizontal dispersion averaging 60 degrees, for a preference score of 4.46. Measured bass extension of 45.4Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening window spans 6.0dB between 300Hz and 5kHz in Erin’s Audio Corner’s measurements, less even than the best speakers here, and the preference score only reaches 6.27 with an ideal subwoofer. It is a kit: you assemble the cabinet, solder the crossover and finish the raw MDF yourself, and each kit builds a single speaker.
Full Parts Express Samba MT review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 15”H x 8.5”W x 11.7”D (381 x 216 x 298 mm) |
| Drivers | Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7” paper woofer, RST28F-4 1-1/8” fabric dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 70W RMS, 140W max (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB 1W/1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.27 |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons