Short answer: the Edifier MR3 for sound quality, the Mackie CR3-X for price. These rank #11 and #34 of 48 small powered bookshelf speakers, for a price difference of $50.
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.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Edifier MR3 reaches 53 Hz (10 dB down) against 70 Hz for the Mackie CR3-X, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Edifier MR3 scores 6.5 against 5.4 for the Mackie CR3-X on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the Mackie CR3-X is rated at 96 dB sensitivity against 83.3 dB for the Edifier MR3, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 48 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 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Edifier MR3: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Jasper Tech.
- Mackie CR3-X: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner, Audio Science Review and DSAUDIO.review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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