Budget Battle: The Sequel: Pioneer BS22, Infinity Primus p153, Micca MB42X-C, Teac LS-H265, HTD Level 2, Def Tech SM 45: The 1 Meter Measurements

Budget Battle: The Sequel: Pioneer BS22, Infinity p153, Micca MB42X-C, Teac LS-H265, HTD Level 2, Def Tech SM 45:    The 1 Meter Measurements

The Pioneer BS22 is probably the most well known and "the standard" for budget audiophile products; and will acts as such for the following comparisons.

In all the following comparisons, the measurements are new with no change in amp/computer settings or volume. Mic was adjusted to tweeter height for each speaker. This should give a good approximation of relative efficiency. Graphs is in 2db increments.

Pioneer BS22 @1m no grill 1/12 smoothing

The Pioneer BS22 plays very flat throughout the entire audible range. But after 3khz, output is about 3db lower than everything else. Giving very smooth but subdued output on from the tweeter. I don't find the Pioneers to be an exciting speaker.

Pioneer BS22 vs Infinity Primus p153 @1m 1/12 smoothing

The Infinity Primus line is my personal favorite budget offering. Built like a ton of bricks. More efficient, brighter, very flat out to 6khz, where it hits a steep but pretty narrow dip. They make a huge sound stage. The upper most registers might be a tad bright for some though.

Pionner BS22 vs Micca MB42X-C @1m 1/12 smoothing

I don't have the standard Micca's. I got on the Micca MB42X-C hype-train when they were released and I haven't done much with them. I did use one as a replacement center channel speaker (as it's marketed as), I had no complaints and it worked well in that respect. However in vertical orientation as a main channel speaker. I don't find the MB42X-C to be all the hot.

The huge hump 900hz to 3khz is very audible and distracting. Without the grills there is also a large hump between 4.5khz and 8khz. I don't know if the eq file by /u/strategicdeceiver, but from his measurements of the standard Micca, these look like they would be similar.

Regardless of your version of the Micca, if you are not using any EQ.  Keep those grills on.

Pionner BS22 vs TEAC LS-H265 @1m 1/12 smoothing

I like the TEAC LS-H265 a lot at $90. I don't like them as much at $150 which is closer to their going price now. Build quality on the TEAC's is Dayton B652 level, so not very impressive for the current price. But they seem to do things well enough to be enjoyable and exciting. But not so accurate. 

Pionner BS22 vs HTD Level 2 @1m 1/12 smoothing

The HDT Level 2's are going to be my next full review. Great looking speakers, dense and heavy, anything speaker build like a ton of bricks. 

I haven't seen any published measurements on them so there isn't much to go by. In my A/B testing with the Pioneers, they sounded remarkably similar. With just a touch more brightness or "sparkle" for lack of a better term. I enjoyed them, but it is hard to call them better than the Pioneers.

Measurements were not as flat as I was expecting or hoping for. In the upcoming weeks I will investigate these further. 

Pionner BS22 vs Def Tech SM45 @1m 1/12 smoothing

With a new house and room, I brought back out the Def Tech SM45. I could not get these things to measure or sound good in my previous location. I'm chalking it up to just an incomparable room.

I didn't do any listening AB test this time around, but I was able to get measurements pretty close to Stereophile http://cdn.stereophile.com/images/912DSM45fig3.jpg

All the speakers overlayed and level matched @100hz 1/6 smoothing

All the speakers overlayed and level matched @1000hz 1/6 smoothing

All the speakers overlayed 1/12 smoothing

It is very apparent that these all measure almost identical until about 400hz. Most likely due to room issues than anything else.

All the speakers, as they measured with no adjustments. The Infinity's are the most efficient of the bunch but a good amount. You can really see the exaggerated humps in the Miccas. The big ramp up out of the Def Tech tweeter.

All the speakers overlayed 1/3 smoothing

It is very apparent that these all measure almost identical unto about 400hz. Most likely due to room issues than anything else.

Showing in 1/3 smoothing to make things a little easier to see. This should still show some of the major performance differences and flaws within the group.


All the speakers, as they measured with no adjustments. The Infinity's are the most efficient of the bunch but a good amount. You can really see the exaggerated humps in the Miccas. The big ramp up out of the Def Tech tweeter.