Short answer: the Fostex PM0.3. It ranks #11 of 13 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $90; the Mackie CR3-X ranks #12 and costs $99.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Fostex PM0.3: CEA2034 spinorama shows a smooth response up to its 2.6kHz crossover point despite the tiny size, and the reviewer was surprised it held up as well as it did against “junk plastic computer speakers.” The amplifier simply runs out of power under heavy stress rather than producing sudden harsh distortion. Watch for: Distortion measurements at 96dB SPL were unusable given the driver’s tiny size; even 6dB lower, the reviewer found the mid-woofer “unhappy.” Horizontal and especially vertical dispersion are uneven.
What the Mackie CR3-X gets right: More neutral overall on-axis response than its closest $100 rival, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 - less of a scooped, V-shaped curve. Set against that: Still a ported design in too small a cabinet, producing boosted, boomy bass rather than genuine low-end extension.
Buy the Fostex PM0.3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Mackie CR3-X and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 13 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fostex PM0.3 | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 Discontinued | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 13 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 13 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 3" cone woofer, 0.75" soft dome tweeter (master/slave powered pair) | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 7.3"H x 3.9"W x 5.1"D (185 x 100 x 130 mm) (per manufacturer) | 8.1"H x 5.5"W x 7.1"D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg pair | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 15W + 15W RMS | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | - |
| Inputs | - | RCA, Aux |
| Outputs | - | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| Max SPL | - | 92dB @ 1m |
| Sensitivity | - | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier MR3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Edifier M60 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Audioengine A2+ vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Mackie CR3-X
- Edifier MR3 vs Mackie CR3-X
The Two Speakers In Full
Fostex PM0.3: $90 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a smooth response up to its 2.6kHz crossover point despite the tiny size, and the reviewer was surprised it held up as well as it did against “junk plastic computer speakers.” The amplifier simply runs out of power under heavy stress rather than producing sudden harsh distortion. A small EQ boost around 2.2kHz plus a touch of bass boost made the sound “quite transformed” for everyday desktop use.
Cons: Distortion measurements at 96dB SPL were unusable given the driver’s tiny size; even 6dB lower, the reviewer found the mid-woofer “unhappy.” Horizontal and especially vertical dispersion are uneven. Discontinued, and there’s essentially no bass extension given the compact 3” woofer. Discontinued.
Full Fostex PM0.3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 7.3"H x 3.9"W x 5.1"D (185 x 100 x 130 mm) (per manufacturer) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 3" cone woofer, 0.75" soft dome tweeter (master/slave powered pair) |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 15W + 15W RMS |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg pair |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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!
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Mackie CR3-X Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons