Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Denton for better sound quality, the Micca RB42 for the lower price. The Wharfedale Super Denton ranks #28 of 160 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $1,499. The Micca RB42 ranks #137, rated 2.3/5, at $159.99, $1,339.01 cheaper.
The Wharfedale Super Denton is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A 3-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, a 2” soft dome midrange offset to the side of a centered 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer: a more compact alternative to Wharfedale’s own Linton 85 with a similar overall character. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.90 against 4.59 for the Micca RB42. Its bass reaches about 61Hz before falling 3dB, against 85Hz for the Micca RB42. The catch: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character.
The case for the Micca RB42: Curved cabinet fit and finish look closer to a speaker costing three times as much. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows significant peaks and valleys in the on-axis and listening-window response starting a few kHz up, with excess high-frequency energy the reviewer found fatiguing over time despite an initial impression of “detail.”
Buy the Wharfedale Super Denton when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Micca RB42 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Super Denton | Micca RB42 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1499 per pair | $159.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #28 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #137 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter, 2” soft dome midrange, 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer | 4” coated paper woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 86.6dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, front |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 9.7”W x 10.8”D (360 x 246 x 275 mm) | 8.7H x 4.9W x 7.9D in |
| Weight | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) each | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) each (per retailer listing) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4-8 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified, typical in-room) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - the reviewer noted an artificial boost around 100-300Hz, so true extension may be worse than this on-axis reading suggests |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - the reviewer noted an artificial boost around 100-300Hz, so true extension may be worse than this on-axis reading suggests |
| Crossover Frequency | 940Hz, 4.6kHz | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.9 (Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4.59 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 15-100W each |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.87 |
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How Wharfedale Super Denton compares with other leading options:
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- KEF LS50 Meta vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- XMechanik Mechano23 DIY vs Wharfedale Super Denton
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
Wharfedale Super Denton: $1499 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.2/5), the Wharfedale Linton 85 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the Wharfedale Super Linton (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: A 3-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, a 2” soft dome midrange offset to the side of a centered 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer: a more compact alternative to Wharfedale’s own Linton 85 with a similar overall character. Measured sensitivity around 86.6-87dB with on-axis linearity within about ±3dB. No cabinet or box resonances turned up in impedance testing, and there are no spike feet to install. Harmonic distortion looks good at both 86dB and 96dB, with about 20dB of usable dynamic range up to 96dB before compression starts to affect the midrange more noticeably near 102dB. Because bass rolls off starting around 60Hz, placing it closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet) than usual boosts low-end punch without the midbass bloat a deeper-extending speaker would get from the same placement. In the reviewer’s own comparison, its estimated in-room response actually measured more linear than the pricier Linton 85’s, despite being a bit less linear on-axis. Measured bass extension of 61Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.6dB.
Cons: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character. A resonance around 660-700Hz shows up in measurement, though the reviewer couldn’t reliably hear it with real music in his own blind-ish A/B testing. The offset tweeter-and-midrange layout makes horizontal off-axis response noticeably asymmetric (response drops as much as 8dB more to one side than the other at wider angles) so the reviewer recommends aiming the speakers directly at the listener (not toed out, which loses upper treble) and suggests sidewall absorption to control uneven reflections. Must be listened to with the grille on: measurements are noticeably worse with it off (wider 2-4kHz dip, extra treble bump). Horizontal soundstage width felt a bit narrower than the reviewer personally prefers, likely related to the same offset driver layout. Multitone distortion gets high in the midrange at 96dB/1m, a concern mainly in larger rooms where you’d need to play louder.
Full Wharfedale Super Denton review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 940Hz, 4.6kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 9.7”W x 10.8”D (360 x 246 x 275 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter, 2” soft dome midrange, 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.6dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.9 (Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- See all 42 comparisons
Micca RB42: $159.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Micca RB42-C (center, estimated 2.1/5).
Pros: Curved cabinet fit and finish look closer to a speaker costing three times as much. Rated for a wide 15-100W amplifier range with 4-8 ohm compatibility, giving flexibility with modest amplification. Measured bass extension of 85Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 80dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows significant peaks and valleys in the on-axis and listening-window response starting a few kHz up, with excess high-frequency energy the reviewer found fatiguing over time despite an initial impression of “detail.” Off-axis response diverges heavily from on-axis, meaning tonality shifts with room and listening position in ways EQ can’t correct. Distorts and the woofer visibly flaps under moderate volume; low 83dB sensitivity makes it a harder amplifier load than its size suggests.
Full Micca RB42 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - the reviewer noted an artificial boost around 100-300Hz, so true extension may be worse than this on-axis reading suggests |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - the reviewer noted an artificial boost around 100-300Hz, so true extension may be worse than this on-axis reading suggests |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 4.9W x 7.9D in |
| Drivers | 4” coated paper woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified, typical in-room) |
| Impedance | 4-8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 15-100W each |
| Sensitivity | 80dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.87 |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) each (per retailer listing) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons