The Parts Express Samba MT ranks #85 out of 134 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.
Brand: Parts Express
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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#85 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.
How it compares: Just above it: JBL 4349 - $7335 more, 4Hz higher bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: GR-Research X-LS Encore - $1135 more, 2.6Hz lower bass extension (-3dB).
| 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 |
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