Short answer: the Audioengine A2+ for better sound quality, the Mackie CR3-X for the lower price. The Audioengine A2+ ranks #10 of 22 powered bookshelf speakers at $279. The Mackie CR3-X ranks #16 at $99.99, $179.01 cheaper.
What the Audioengine A2+ offers: Genuinely small footprint for real desktop use, with a wide input selection (RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth) plus a rear volume knob and variable RCA output. Watch for: Raw anechoic response has an on-axis midrange dip the reviewer called “too much” at about 6dB peak-to-peak, and a persistent 2dB dip from 3-5kHz that desk placement doesn’t fix - possibly a crossover integration issue.
What the Mackie CR3-X offers: More neutral overall on-axis response than its closest $100 rival, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 - less of a scooped, V-shaped curve. Watch for: Still a ported design in too small a cabinet, producing boosted, boomy bass rather than genuine low-end extension.
Buy the Audioengine A2+ when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Mackie CR3-X when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A2+ | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 22 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 |
| Output 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"H x 4"W x 5.25"D (152 x 102 x 133mm) | 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 (3.55 lb) left / 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg (3.15 lb) right | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Outputs | - | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| Max SPL | - | 92dB @ 1m |
| Sensitivity | - | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audioengine A2+:
- Genelec 8010A vs Audioengine A2+
- Adam Audio D3v vs Audioengine A2+
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Audioengine A2+
- Edifier M60 vs Audioengine A2+
- Edifier MR3 vs Audioengine A2+
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A2+: $279.00 Amazon Audioengine eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 5.39 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.
Cons: The 2.07 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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6"H x 4"W x 5.25"D (152 x 102 x 133mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Output Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs / 1.6 kg (3.55 lb) left / 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg (3.15 lb) right |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A2+ vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Audioengine A2+ vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Audioengine A2+ vs Edifier MR3
- Audioengine A2+ vs Edifier M60
- Audioengine A2+ vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Audioengine A2+ vs Adam Audio D3v
- Audioengine A2+ vs Fiio SP3
- Audioengine A2+ vs Genelec 8010A
- See all 9 comparisons
Mackie CR3-X: $99.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data predicts 1.95 standalone and 4.87 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.
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Max SPL | 92dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Sensitivity | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
- 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