In this review, we will be comparing MSX10 and Minx Min 12, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Cambridge Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Cambridge Audio MSX10 and Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Cambridge Audio MSX10 | Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12 |
|---|
| Brand | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 |
|---|
| Design | 1-way | 1-way |
|---|
| Frequency response | 150-20k Hz | 150-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Weight | 0.43kg / 0.9lbs | 0.43kg / 0.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 3-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 3-13/16"
79.4 x 79.4 x 96.8mm | 3-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 3-11/16"
79.4 x 79.4 x 93.7mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both MSX10 and Minx Min 12 are 1-way speakers.
Cambridge Audio MSX10Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12
Midrange
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Cambridge Audio MSX10 |
Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12 |
|
Driver Setup
|
1-way
|
1-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x -inch
|
1 x -inch
|
MSX10 features a " Tweeter and 1 x " Woofer. On the other hand, the Minx Min 12 features a " Tweeter and 1 x " Woofer.
Frequency Response
MSX10 and Minx Min 12 has exactly the same frequency range of 150-20k Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
MSX10 and Minx Min 12 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 86 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
MSX10 features Binding post type posts and Minx Min 12 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Cambridge Audio MSX10's and Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio MSX10 has external dimensions of 79.4 x 79.4 x 96.8mm () whereas Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12 has external dimensions of 79.4 x 79.4 x 93.7mm ().
Cambridge Audio MSX10 has the same height and width with Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12. On the other hand, with a thickness of 96.8mm, it is 3.1mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Cambridge Audio MSX10 is approximately 76.9cm2 / 11.9inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12 is approximately 74.4cm2 / 11.5inch2. The MSX10 requires 3% more surface area than the Minx Min 12 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Cambridge Audio MSX10 weighs 0.43kg / 0.9lbs and the Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12 weighs 0.43kg / 0.9lbs.
Here is a comparison of how MSX10 and Minx Min 12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12
 Base Surface Area |
74cm2
vs
76cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Cambridge Audio MSX10 |
Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Cambridge Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
150-20k Hz |
150-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
2.25" |
2.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
79.4mm (3.1") |
79.4mm (3.1") |
| Width |
79.4mm (3.1") |
79.4mm (3.1") |
| Depth |
96.8mm (3.8") |
93.7mm (3.7") |
| Weight |
0.43kg (0.9lbs) |
0.43kg (0.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Finish |
Die-Cast Aluminum |
Polymer |
| Available Colors |
White |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
A generation apart: Cambridge Audio MSX10 is the newer design, against a 2013 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (150Hz vs 150Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
A Cambridge Audio MSX10 B Cambridge Audio Minx Min 12
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.