Short answer: the Cambridge Audio L/R S on measured sound quality, the Mackie CR3-X on price. The Cambridge Audio L/R S ranks #4 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $549. The Mackie CR3-X ranks #34, rated 3.0/5, at $99.99, $449.01 cheaper.
What the Mackie CR3-X does well: Inexpensive small desktop speakers with RCA and aux inputs for casual listening at moderate volume. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Cambridge Audio L/R S lacks. The catch: The response spans 4.4dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with substantial narrow-band irregularities and bass rolloff reaching -3dB around 75Hz.
The Cambridge Audio L/R S is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.08 against 2.50 for the Mackie CR3-X. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 80Hz for the Mackie CR3-X. The catch: Maximum clean output is limited: Erin’s Audio Corner measured about 86dB before the onboard limiter engages around 96dB to protect the drivers, so this is a near-field or small-room speaker rather than one built to fill a living room.
Buy the Mackie CR3-X when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Cambridge Audio L/R S when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Inexpensive small desktop speakers with RCA and aux inputs for casual listening at moderate volume.
Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie CR3-X | Cambridge Audio L/R S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $549.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #34 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) | 5.3” (134 mm) W x 226mm H x 180mm D (each) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | RCA, optical digital, USB-C |
| Outputs | 1/8” headphone jack | Subwoofer, wired speaker-to-speaker link |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3.0kg) primary speaker, 5.7 lbs (2.6kg) secondary speaker |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 21mm aluminum dome tweeter, 3” long-throw woofer |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) | 100W total (50W to woofer, 50W to tweeter, per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.50 | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.42 | 7.72 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| DSP | - | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction; desktop-placement and near-wall/free-space switches |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
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