I’ll give my thoughts for anyone dropping in from a search or wherever. I have a pair of MB42s (non-x) powered by a cheapish Amazon 20w DAC+amp and love the sound. Great for movies, music and gaming all around if paired with a small (8 or 10") sub. They’re quick and detailed, but not too analytical. Great separation. You can close your eyes and really get yourself in the setting or pick out the instruments and reason about their construction or the method they’re being played. Yet unlike a pair of monitors, these speakers are actually fun. They’re not completely flat and lifeless, nor ever siblant to my ears. As I alluded to, though, they fall off around 120-140hz so you need a sub if you’re watching movies (explosion kicks are completely missed by the MB42s) or listening to anything needing prominent bass like electronic or metal.
My only gripe is their field of listening is quite small. On my desk I need a couple of speakers stands to point them at my ears to get the most out of them. They’re certainly good outside the sweet spot but if you’re really trying to enjoy the media you need to position yourself right. If I even relax too much I find I’ll miss the super high-end details. For this reason they’re not at all suitable for the R/L channel of a home theater system.
I’ll give my thoughts for anyone dropping in from a search or wherever. I have a pair of MB42s (non-x) powered by a cheapish Amazon 20w DAC+amp and love the sound. Great for movies, music and gaming all around if paired with a small (8 or 10") sub. They’re quick and detailed, but not too analytical. Great separation. You can close your eyes and really get yourself in the setting or pick out the instruments and reason about their construction or the method they’re being played. Yet unlike a pair of monitors, these speakers are actually fun. They’re not completely flat and lifeless, nor ever siblant to my ears. As I alluded to, though, they fall off around 120-140hz so you need a sub if you’re watching movies (explosion kicks are completely missed by the MB42s) or listening to anything needing prominent bass like electronic or metal.
My only gripe is their field of listening is quite small. On my desk I need a couple of speakers stands to point them at my ears to get the most out of them. They’re certainly good outside the sweet spot but if you’re really trying to enjoy the media you need to position yourself right. If I even relax too much I find I’ll miss the super high-end details. For this reason they’re not at all suitable for the R/L channel of a home theater system.