Short answer: the Mackie MR524 has been measured and ranked among powered bookshelf speakers; the KRK Rokit 5 G5 has not been independently measured yet, so until it is, this comes down to features and price.
What the KRK Rokit 5 G5 offers: A 5” woven Kevlar woofer and 1” silk dome tweeter.
What the Mackie MR524 brings: The available third-party data suggests a useful combination of bass reach and midrange balance: -3dB around 46Hz, a 2.0dB midrange span, and preference estimates of 5.11 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer.
Price: the KRK Rokit 5 G5 lists at $398 and the Mackie MR524 at $379.98.
Buy the Mackie MR524 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked. It also has RCA inputs.
Buy the KRK Rokit 5 G5 if you prefer its design or features, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Rokit 5 G5 | Mackie MR524 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398 per pair | $379.98 per pair |
| Ranked | - | #23 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| DSP | Yes (3 voicing modes) | - |
| EQ | Yes (25 boundary and tuning settings) | - |
| App | Yes (KRK app) | - |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| XLR 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 | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz-20kHz |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.06 |
| Dimensions | - | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Weight | - | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
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
KRK Rokit 5 G5: $398 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the KRK Rokit 5 G4 (rated 3.7/5).
Pros: A 5” woven Kevlar woofer and 1” silk dome tweeter. Onboard DSP adds three voicing modes (Mix for a flat response, Create, and Focus for the midrange) and 25 boundary and tuning EQ settings, set up with the free KRK app. Bi-amplified Class D amplification and a silk dome tweeter rated to 40kHz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. A 5” woofer limits bass extension and output, so a subwoofer helps for full-range listening. Sold individually, so a stereo pair costs twice the listed price.
Full KRK Rokit 5 G5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (KRK app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (3 voicing modes) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (25 boundary and tuning settings) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Mackie MR524: $379.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The available third-party data suggests a useful combination of bass reach and midrange balance: -3dB around 46Hz, a 2.0dB midrange span, and preference estimates of 5.11 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced inputs, boundary compensation and treble trim are practical studio features. Measured bass extension of 46.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance. Boundary compensation and treble trim help with setup but are less flexible than parametric correction.
Full Mackie MR524 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-20kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons