Short answer: the Edifier MR3 for sound quality, the Mackie CR3-X for price. These rank #8 and #18 of 24 small powered bookshelf speakers, for a price difference of $10.
Measured bass extension favors the MR3 clearly. Erin’s Audio Corner measured the MR3 reaching 52Hz at -10dB and 60Hz at -3dB, versus 70Hz and 80Hz for the CR3-X, a meaningful low-end advantage. The MR3 also has bass and treble EQ controls built in and built-in Bluetooth with its own driver, a 3.5 inch mid-range paired with a 1 inch waveguided dome tweeter, versus the CR3-X’s 3 inch woofer and 0.75 inch tweeter with no Bluetooth at all.
The CR3-X counters on output and tonal neutrality. Our notes describe the CR3-X as having a more neutral overall on-axis response than similarly priced rivals, with less of a scooped, V-shaped curve, though it’s still a ported design in too small a cabinet that produces boosted, boomy bass rather than genuine extension. Output power also favors the CR3-X at 50W total versus the MR3’s 36W, and measured max SPL is close at 92 to 93dB for both. The MR3’s own ceiling is real: our notes measure it around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker, about 92dB for the pair, a clear limit if you want to play loud.
Everything else worth noting: the MR3 is more compact, and both share RCA and aux inputs, though the MR3 adds Bluetooth streaming on top.
Buy the Edifier MR3 for deeper measured bass extension, Bluetooth streaming, and onboard tone controls.
Buy the Mackie CR3-X if you want a more neutral tonal balance and slightly more output power at a lower price, and don’t need wireless streaming.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 4.9”W x 7.3”D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) | No |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth | RCA, Aux |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter | 3” woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier 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) |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 92dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 | 2.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 5.42 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | 1/8” headphone jack |
| Headphone Output | Yes | 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
Edifier MR3: $109.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Scores of 3.91 standalone and 6.53 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a useful budget nearfield option rather than a reference monitor. Tone controls and app-based EQ provide unusually flexible adjustment, and its bass extends farther than the Fostex PM03’s. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
Cons: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538. Bass reaches -3dB at about 70Hz. The limiter protects the drivers but prevents much extra loudness when pushed; existing compression testing puts effective single-speaker output around 86-87dB at 1m. Vertical crossover interference makes tweeter height and tilt important.
Full Edifier MR3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 4.9”W x 7.3”D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head 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