Short answer: the Midiplus MI3 II. It ranks #21 of 22 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $139; the Monoprice DT-3 ranks #22 and costs $139.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Monoprice DT-3 offers: An inexpensive, compact powered pair with front volume control, auxiliary input and headphone output. Erin’s Klippel measurements put the -3dB bass point around 74Hz, sufficient for some upper-bass content at a desk. Watch for: The measured response spans 7.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with large irregularities both on-axis and across the listening window. Preference scores are -0.17 standalone and only 2.76 with an ideal subwoofer, the weakest comparable result in this group. That means adding bass support does not remove its major tonal problems. It offers little reason to choose it for accurate listening over better-measuring budget alternatives.
What the Midiplus MI3 II offers: 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. Watch for: Preference scores of 0.60 standalone and 3.45 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.
Buy the Midiplus MI3 II. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Monoprice DT-3 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 22 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice DT-3 | Midiplus MI3 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99/pair | $139/pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #21 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way stereo pair, rear-ported | Powered 2-way |
| Drivers | 0.75-inch tweeter, 3.5-inch woofer | 0.75-inch silk tweeter, 3-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Power Output | 50W system | 60W RMS per pair |
| Measured Bass Extension | 69Hz | - |
| Inputs | Rear stereo RCA and front 3.5mm auxiliary | RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | Front headphone | - |
| Dimensions | 8H x 5.5W x 5.9D in each | 6.5H x 4.7W x 6D in |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz-25kHz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Edifier M60 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Edifier MR3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Midiplus MI3 II vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Audioengine A2+ vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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
Monoprice DT-3: $139.99/pair Monoprice eBay
Pros: An inexpensive, compact powered pair with front volume control, auxiliary input and headphone output. Erin’s Klippel measurements put the -3dB bass point around 74Hz, sufficient for some upper-bass content at a desk.
Cons: The measured response spans 7.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with large irregularities both on-axis and across the listening window. Preference scores are -0.17 standalone and only 2.76 with an ideal subwoofer, the weakest comparable result in this group. That means adding bass support does not remove its major tonal problems. It offers little reason to choose it for accurate listening over better-measuring budget alternatives.
Full Monoprice DT-3 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 8H x 5.5W x 5.9D in each |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 0.75-inch tweeter, 3.5-inch woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way stereo pair, rear-ported |
| Inputs | Rear stereo RCA and front 3.5mm auxiliary |
| Measured Bass Extension | 69Hz |
| Outputs | Front headphone |
| Power Output | 50W system |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Midiplus MI3 II: $139/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 0.60 standalone and 3.45 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 →
| 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 |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB |
| Power Output | 60W RMS per pair |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons