Short answer: the Mackie CR3-X. It ranks #16 of 22 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the Fluid Audio C35BT ranks #17 and costs $139, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Fluid Audio C35BT offers: Balanced TRS inputs, Bluetooth, front volume control and a headphone output make this inexpensive pair practical for a basic desktop setup. ASR’s measured -3dB point is about 78Hz, so it covers more upper bass than the shallowest-reaching mini speakers. Watch for: Preference scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.79 with an ideal subwoofer indicate that the limitations are not just missing bass. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.555 and sound-power deviation of 0.657 show that response irregularities affect both direct and room-reflected sound. A subwoofer cannot correct those tonal problems, and the small drivers are not a basis for expecting high clean output.
What the Mackie CR3-X offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Mackie CR3-X. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Fluid Audio C35BT and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Skip the Fluid Audio C35BT if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 22 powered bookshelf speakers.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fluid Audio C35BT | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139/pair | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #17 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 22 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, front-ported | - |
| Drivers | 0.8" silk-dome tweeter, 3.5" composite woofer | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| Power Output | 64W total | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, balanced TRS | RCA, Aux |
| Outputs | Headphone | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Dimensions | 7.3H x 4.9W x 5.9D in | 8.1"H x 5.5"W x 7.1"D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| App | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| Max SPL | - | 92dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | - | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | - | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- M-Audio BX3 vs Fiio SP3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fiio SP3
- Edifier MR3 vs Fiio SP3
- Edifier MR3 vs Mackie CR3-X
- Mackie CR3-X vs Edifier M60
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Fluid Audio C35BT: $139/pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced TRS inputs, Bluetooth, front volume control and a headphone output make this inexpensive pair practical for a basic desktop setup. ASR’s measured -3dB point is about 78Hz, so it covers more upper bass than the shallowest-reaching mini speakers.
Cons: Preference scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.79 with an ideal subwoofer indicate that the limitations are not just missing bass. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.555 and sound-power deviation of 0.657 show that response irregularities affect both direct and room-reflected sound. A subwoofer cannot correct those tonal problems, and the small drivers are not a basis for expecting high clean output.
Full Fluid Audio C35BT review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 7.3H x 4.9W x 5.9D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 0.8" silk-dome tweeter, 3.5" composite woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, front-ported |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, balanced TRS |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Power Output | 64W total |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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