Short answer: the Edifier MR3 for better sound quality, the Mackie CR3-X for the lower price. The Edifier MR3 ranks #5 of 11 powered bookshelf speakers at $149.99. The Mackie CR3-X ranks #10 at $99.99, $50 cheaper.
What the Edifier MR3 offers: 3.5” mid-range driver and 1” waveguided dome tweeter, with all amplification built into the primary cabinet and speaker-level output feeding the secondary unit. Watch for: Limited maximum output - measured around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker (about 92dB for a pair), a clear ceiling for anyone wanting to play loud.
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 Edifier MR3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Mackie CR3-X if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Mackie CR3-X. It ranks near the bottom of the 11 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 11 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 11 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Dimensions | 5.9"H x 3.7"W x 5.9"D (149.9 x 94 x 149.9 mm) | 8.1"H x 5.5"W x 7.1"D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA | RCA, Aux |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Max SPL | 93dB @ 1m | 92dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Outputs | - | 1/8" headphone jack |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier M60 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Edifier M60 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Edifier MR3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Edifier MR3 vs Presonus Eris E5
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR3: $149.99 Amazon
Pros: 3.5” mid-range driver and 1” waveguided dome tweeter, with all amplification built into the primary cabinet and speaker-level output feeding the secondary unit. Extensive back-panel tone controls (treble and bass boost/cut) plus a Bluetooth app with low-frequency cutoff, acoustic-space compensation, and a 6-band custom EQ - unusually flexible tuning for the price. On-axis linearity holds within about ±2dB, notably flatter than most rivals in this price bracket. The reviewer considers it the best desktop speaker he’s tested in its size and price class, edging out its own predecessor, the Edifier MR4. Tonal consistency holds within about ±60° horizontally, giving some flexibility to move around at a desk without a major shift in sound. A built-in limiter protects the speaker from overdrive rather than letting distortion climb uncontrolled at higher volumes.
Cons: Limited maximum output - measured around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker (about 92dB for a pair), a clear ceiling for anyone wanting to play loud. Compression is significant when pushed toward its output limit: targeting 96dB nets about 9dB of compression, meaning effective output tops out closer to 87dB. Bass extends only to about 60Hz without added room or desk gain. Vertical placement is fairly critical - sitting more than about 20° above the tweeter axis (for example, speakers placed low on a desk with the listener seated well above them) causes a significant midrange suckout, hurting dialogue clarity and attack. Strictly a near-field/small-room solution - fine for desktop or modest TV/Bluetooth duty, but not intended as a serious hi-fi speaker.
Full Edifier MR3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 5.9"H x 3.7"W x 5.9"D (149.9 x 94 x 149.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA |
| Max SPL | 93dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier MR3 vs Audioengine HD3
- Edifier MR3 vs Edifier M60
- Edifier MR3 vs Adam Audio D3v
- Edifier MR3 vs Audioengine A2+
- Edifier MR3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Edifier MR3 vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Edifier MR3 vs Genelec 8010A
- Edifier MR3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- See all 10 comparisons
Mackie CR3-X: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: More neutral overall on-axis response than its closest $100 rival, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 - less of a scooped, V-shaped curve. Distortion at 96dB stays below 3% THD through most of the midrange - no real issues at typical near-field listening levels. Better long-term compression behavior than the PreSonus at both 86dB and 96dB. The reviewer’s pick between the two $100 monitors, even though the PreSonus has tone-adjustment knobs it lacks.
Cons: Still a ported design in too small a cabinet, producing boosted, boomy bass rather than genuine low-end extension. No tone-control knobs for adjusting the sound, unlike the PreSonus. Hard limiting and compression set in significantly above 86dB - not intended for loud listening. Off-axis measurements show the treble smooths out with moderate toe-out, but on-axis it reads as somewhat lifted. Vertical placement matters - going above or below tweeter-ear-level causes real deviation through the crossover region. Benefits substantially from sealing the port to tame the bass hump, a modification the reviewer recommends for both this and the PreSonus.
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- 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!
- Reddit Search for Mackie CR3-X Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons