Short answer: the Audioengine A2+ for better sound quality, the Mackie CR3-X for the lower price. The Audioengine A2+ ranks #12 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.4/5, at $299. The Mackie CR3-X ranks #18, rated 3.0/5, at $99.99, $199.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Audioengine A2+: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 6.10 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: The 2.78 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer.
What the Mackie CR3-X does well: Erin’s Klippel data predicts 2.50 standalone and 5.42 with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The response spans 4.4dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with substantial narrow-band irregularities and bass rolloff reaching -3dB around 75Hz.
Buy the Audioengine A2+ when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Mackie CR3-X when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A2+ | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #12 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 | RCA, Aux |
| Drivers | 0.75” silk dome tweeter, 2.75” fiber woofer | 3” woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) | No |
| App | No | No |
| Dimensions | 6” x 4” x 5.2” (152 x 102 x 133 mm) | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.78 | 2.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 | 5.42 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | 1/8” headphone jack |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Sensitivity | - | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A2+: $299.00 per pair Amazon Audioengine eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 6.10 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tiny footprint, multiple inputs and variable RCA output are useful for desktop listening. The existing review found desk placement more forgiving than free-space placement, with no major port-chuffing problem in its tests. Measured bass extension of 105.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.78 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer. Midrange and crossover-region dips remain; desk gain is placement-dependent and cannot be assumed to correct them. Compression becomes substantial above roughly 87dB at 1m in the review, so this is a quiet nearfield option rather than a high-output monitor.
Full Audioengine A2+ review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6” x 4” x 5.2” (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” silk dome tweeter, 2.75” fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Audioengine A2+ vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Audioengine A2+ vs Sovox MiniMax3
- Audioengine A2+ vs Edifier MR3
- Audioengine A2+ vs Monoprice Monolith MM-3
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- See all 16 comparisons
Mackie CR3-X: $99.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data predicts 2.50 standalone and 5.42 with an ideal subwoofer. The existing comparative review found less exaggerated tonal shaping and better sustained-output behavior than the original PreSonus E3.5 tested alongside it. Midrange distortion was reasonably controlled for inexpensive desktop speakers at moderate listening levels. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 96dB.
Cons: The response spans 4.4dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with substantial narrow-band irregularities and bass rolloff reaching -3dB around 75Hz. Bass peaking and crossover-region changes with listening height prevent neutral monitoring. Limiting becomes intrusive above modest desktop levels, and there are no tone controls. Comparisons with the original E3.5 should not be treated as measurements of its second generation.
Full Mackie CR3-X review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 1/8” headphone jack |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.42 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Mackie CR3-X vs Edifier R1280T Sound, Distortion & Frequency Response Comparison
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Mackie CR3-X vs PreSonus E3.5 Budget Monitor Showdown!
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons