Reddit reviews Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker with Dual 4-Inch Carbon Fiber Woofer and Silk Dome Tweeter (Black, Each)

nobody has explained their recommendations.

you don't get good volume on dialog because of crappy channel mixing from your TV.

that's not a dig on your specific TV... all TV's suck at this. in fact, most receivers suck at mixing down from 5.1/7.1 to stereo.

for any content generated in surround, something like 95% of the dialog volume is mixed to the center channel.

if you're listening on a pair of stereo speakers, you get to hear what the TV thinks is best, in terms of balancing the volumes between the channels.

folks here are recommending receivers that would give you 5.1 channel audio, and then also suggesting three speakers.

the three speakers are your Front L+R, and the all important center speaker.

receivers do a moderately good job of mixing all the surround channels to just the Front L+Rs, and if you have the center speaker, it will still get all of that delicious dialog.

your budget is a little tight, but doable.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxv379bl/yamaha-rx-v379-5.1-ch-x-70-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html $150

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009IUIV4A/ $60 for your front L+R pair

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HH2GINM/ $50 for your center channel

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check out your sound settings for anything called "normalization" or "equalization".

this will cap the maximum volume difference between the audio channels. so in effect it will reduce the loud parts, and bring up the volume on the quiet parts. this may be sufficient for you to like what you hear, or be sufficient for you to just get some nicer speakers and be quite satisfied.

if the "equalization" setting fixes the quiet/loud problem, but you just want more oomph, i would recommend

eris 4.5's https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP56OYA/ $180

or

fluance ai40's https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Bookshelf-Amplifier-Turntable-Bluetooth/dp/B07CLDGXX1/ $200

both are self-powered, and need nothing other than a cable to connect them to your Tv.

i have eris e3.5's and they are simply great.

i have fluance floor speakers, and they're also great, so i would expect good performance on the ai40's.

ai40's come with more features - a bluetooth input option, and a remote to control the volume, source.

Here is how I got started:

Micca MB42 Bookshelf Speakers $40 refurbished
Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker $27 new
Denon AVR-1912 7.1 Receiver $75 used on Craigslist

The great thing about these speakers is you can order a $30 crossover upgrade from Micca and feel like you got brand new speakers.

You could also skip the center channel and get a subwoofer on Craigslist, instead.

Ok, how about this....
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/pionvsx530k/pioneer-vsx-530-k-5.1-ch-x-80-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html

Cheapest new AVR youll find= 120$

2 sets of these. Used, very good condition = 70$
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1496712733&sr=8-1&keywords=mb42

1 of these. Used very good condition = 35$
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00HH2GINM/ref=sr_1_3_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1496712733&sr=8-3&keywords=mb42

And 1 of these = 110$ or the sub-1000 for 10$ more
https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-SUB-800-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B0063NU30K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496712905&sr=8-1&keywords=dayton+sub+800

Thats about as good as youll get for 350 for 5.1 that wont sound like total garbage. You can also look at used, but thats a non guaranteed crapshoot.

I would just get a reasonably priced used surround sound receiver from Craigslist and then add a center channel speaker and left and right front speakers. Most of the voices will come from the center channel and you will be able to hear them really well.

The Micca speakers would do quite well and be cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM/

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Amplifier-Turntable/dp/B009IUIV4A/

I'm the thrifty kinda guy.

Refurbished Denon receiver, 2 Micca bookshelves, a Micca center channel, and a Bic America subwoofer. About 700 bucks total. Sounds good enough for me. I know much better is out there but it's hard to justify the costs.

My Sennheiser HD598SE's are great ($150), and I have a FiiO E10K ($75) that they plug into at work, and at home I just plug them in directly since the onboard soundcard isn't too bad surprisingly on my motherboard. I have a Sony SRS-X5 bluetooth speaker plugged into the back of it as well. I have those cheap-ass sony ANC headphones (20 bucks at the time I bought them) and they get the job done at a cheap price for planes and for the AC unit blasting in my office (I know... killing me, 80db of white noise all day long).

I have a friend from work that spent 50,000 bucks on his setup. It sounds great, and it's worth it, but I couldn't spend that much on it.

I'm more of a headphone kinda guy. My next upgrade would probably be going all out on headphones. A pair of Sennheiser HD800's probably. That's in the far future, I got stuff I want to do around the house first.

These are my workout earbuds

They are a great value.

Got it. For TV and movies, I would recommend adding this center channel as there is a great sale on it (this'll put you near $250 with the receiver and bookshelf speakers). There is a better version with a crossover in it here if you want something a little higher quality, although it costs more. This center channel will give your shows/movies clearer dialogue, as a 2.0 setup can sometimes lose that detail.

With your living room open to other rooms, you will have to play with the placement of your speakers to make sure you are getting the best soundstage possible. There are lots of online resources, just google it or use the subreddits search function.

Small room will not be difficult to fill with bass. There are several ways to go with that budget.

Setup 1:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1100w/denon-avr-x1100w-7.2-4k-receiver-with-wi-fi-bluetooth-airplay/1.html

http://fluance.com/product/AVHTB_Surround_Sound_Home_Theater_5_Speaker_System.eng-97.html

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629

Setup 2:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1100w/denon-avr-x1100w-7.2-4k-receiver-with-wi-fi-bluetooth-airplay/1.html

2 pair of these: http://smile.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420688499&sr=8-2&keywords=micca

http://smile.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1420688612&sr=8-9&keywords=micca

http://smile.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420688552&sr=8-1&keywords=f12

The second system will have more punch with the bass but is about $40 over your target. Both should sound very good for general movies and music.

Amazon. If you look at the Q&A, the top one asks if it's a pair, and the listing says "each"

Yeah you have a C/Sub output so you can get a 3.5mm to RCA cable and plug that into a T-amp like the Lepai and wire it to a single speaker. Unfortunately cheap speakers only come in pairs. Cheapest speakers are the CovoS and use one. I won't match the quality of the A2 but is small. If you want a dedicated center channel the cheapest one is the Mb42c the unit with the crossover is more than double the price.

Oh my mistake, I see why... On amazon.ca, a pair of MB42X is $133. And the centers are $63 each, but they're actually the non-X version (MB42-C) so that's why it's cheaper: https://www.amazon.ca/Micca-MB42-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM/

Thanks for your reply and advice. The all in one system was inherited when I bought my house. The previous owner installed two ceiling built-in speakers for the back left/right of the 5.1 setup. If I can confirm that those speakers are 4+ ohms, I am considering doing a full replace on the rest, so getting:

[Dayton Audio SUB-1200] (https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629)

[Micca MB42 Bookshelf Speakers] (https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A?th=1)

[Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker] (https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM?th=1)

[DENON
AVR-S530BT 5.2-Ch x 70 Watts Bluetooth A/V Receiver] (https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs530bt/denon-avr-s530bt-5.2-ch-x-70-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html)


Assuming I can check the two built-in ceiling speakers (which are a lot newer than the philips setup) and confirm they will work does that list make sense?

Atmos is a configuration that uses a traditional surround sound setup (5.1 or 7.1) in addition to speakers in the ceiling. There are significant technical details that are different, but all you need to know is that it uses in-ceiling speakers.

Take a look at this site https://www.dolby.com/us/en/speaker-setup-guides/index.html. It will give you some info on what the speaker setup differences between traditional surround setups (5.1, 7.1) and atmos setups (5.1.X or 7.1.X) are. The speakers you have right now would ONLY be used for the in-ceiling speakers (the .X part of the setup).

If you want a 5.1.4 setup (5.1.4 overhead speaker setup in the guide I linked), which takes advantage of 4 of your in-ceiling speakers, it's possible on your budget, but obviously won't be the best around.

Receiver

Front L/R speakers

Center speaker

Surround Speakers

Subwoofer.

This fits into you budget of $500 receiver, $200 on speakers, and $200 on subwoofer. It is pretty much the lowest quality speakers/subwoofer you can get that are still respectable. But you will probably be just fine with it.

You'll also need speaker wire, subwoofer cable, etc., which will run you another $75ish maybe.

I was looking at that one, but considering it's so much newer than the BAs I have, would it make much difference to even get the same manufacturer for this? I was also eyeing this speaker which got great reviews: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HH2GINM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_8mctzbY8MBZYH

those are pretty crap speakers. you probably want to upgrade the front 3.

try these for a total of $100.

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM/

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/

Ok, there is a matching center speaker for those, for best audio integration i suggest you buy that.
Its called Sony SS-CN550H. You likely have to buy it second hand, but its going to be worth it.


But if you cant find any this should also do the trick.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-c452-dual-4-1-2-2-way-center-channel-speaker--300-453

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM/

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSCS8-3-Driver-Channel-Speaker/dp/B00O8YLNRS/

It all depends on what your commitment to this "hobby" is going to be $$$ wise. If you want real quality in the long run or you just want to blast some movies right now. I am at 3.1 personally, and I'm into it for about $1400. And that's only because I bought a refurbished receiver, discontinued(half price) bookshelf speakers, a pre-owned center channel speaker, and a budget subwoofer.
Another person I just replied to was looking for an alternative to a htib, and I parted this for him to show him some options. I'm not sure how it would compare to the set you listed, as it is nicer than most htib:

"This comes in at $415 and would probably sound considerably better than most htib:

Reciever: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/onktxsr343/onkyo-tx-sr343-5.1-ch-x-65-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html

Center channel: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1472958351&sr=8-2&keywords=micca+center

Speakers, 2 pair: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1472958258&sr=8-3&keywords=mica

Subwoofer: https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B0002KVQBA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1472958408&sr=1-1&keywords=subwoofer"

Here is the desk:

https://imgur.com/gallery/6HhvL/new

You can see the receiver on by the TV in this album:

https://imgur.com/a/MSqrT

in a few days the desk will have those Micca speakers by the tv and my ultrawide/portrait as seen here:

http://imgur.com/gallery/wVBdT/new'

OH, I'm also gonna get the Micca center channel..

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-C-Channel-Speaker-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1462156184&sr=1-8&keywords=micca

Let's say you could find someone to buy the speaker for $70 (~half the price new).

You could purchase 2 pairs of these and connect them in parallel or series.

What I'm currently hoping for is another lightning deal on this that drops the price to at least half, then I'll order another MKIII crossover from Micca and use them for a decent 2.0 setup.

When your budget is small, whether out of necessity or self-imposed, you get creative. Sometimes it works out.

Ultimately, I'd like to build the Amiga tower speakers.

There are some smaller speakers out there that would be a large sonic improvement without taking up a ton more space and/or being aesthetically displeasing. A couple of examples at different sizes:

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00HH2GINM?th=1

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-HYDr9GSyppK/p_701S803BL/Jamo-S-803-Black.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_701S81CBL/Jamo-S-81-CEN-Black.html

Plenty of companies offer space saving solutions. What about in wall speaker systems? Virtually no footprint. Ease of use? Again, plenty of capable satallite/ sub HTIB.

Since Bose refuses to offer Specs for their lines of audio, I am unable to provide hard data to back up these folling claims. However, I do have a calibrated measurment microphone with audio analysis software and would be willing to test any of these and compare.

> Soundlink Mini2 199$<enter>
JBL Flip 3 Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker = 85$ simillar size/sound quality with water resistance

> Acoustimass 3 Series V 199$

• Mica Compacts 40$
  
• Subwoofer 110$
  total price= 140 which is still under the bose. the benefit of this system is the subwoofer cone is larger and powered, unlike the acousitmass sub which is a 6 inch paper passive subwoofer.
  
  >Acoustimass 10 series V 999$
  10 inch powered subwoofer 129$
  2 of these 76.87 x2
  center
  total= 360 i promise it would perform on par with the acoustimass system. if you wanted more power you could easily get a better subwoofer. keep in mind they are better build quality the acoustimas are paper cones.
  
  2000 range would be the invisible in wall system. probably all the way to atmos.
  
  These are just examples. Keep in mind these builds are to equal to the performance of the products by bose.