Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #11 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $149.99. The Mackie CR3.5 ranks #36, rated 3.0/5, at $99.99, $50 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Edifier MR3 is the better-sounding pick. Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. The catch: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538.
The case for the Mackie CR3.5: The third generation of Mackie’s best-selling CR3 desktop monitors, replacing the Mackie CR3-X. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Mackie CR3-X it replaces, which measured with an uneven response and limited bass.
Buy the Edifier MR3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $50 you would save on the Mackie CR3.5 does not close the gap.
Worth knowing: the Mackie CR3.5 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.6 to 3.4, so treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Mackie CR3.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #36 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | - |
| 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 (206 x 140 x 180 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) | - |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth | - |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair) |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter | 3.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | 50W RMS total (Class A/B) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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: $149.99 per pair Amazon $149.99 eBay
Same family: the Edifier MR4 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Edifier MR4.5 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.6/5) and the Edifier MR5 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.3/5).
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 →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 CR3.5: $99.99 per pair Amazon $99.99 Sweetwater $99.99 eBay
Older model: the Mackie CR3-X (ranked higher, rated 3/5). See every Mackie CR generation.
Same family: the Mackie CR4.5 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: The third generation of Mackie’s best-selling CR3 desktop monitors, replacing the Mackie CR3-X. A 3.5” woven woofer and silk dome tweeter are bi-amplified with 50W RMS, and new features include a tone control for more bass or treble and a location switch that tunes the response for desktop or bookshelf placement. TRS, RCA and 3.5mm inputs plus a front headphone jack make it easy to set up.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Mackie CR3-X it replaces, which measured with an uneven response and limited bass. A 3.5” woofer limits bass and output, so a subwoofer helps for music.
Full Mackie CR3.5 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS total (Class A/B) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (206 x 140 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons