Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor for better sound quality, the Mackie CR3-X for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor ranks #2 of 11 powered bookshelf speakers at $299.99. The Mackie CR3-X ranks #10 at $99.99, $200 cheaper.
What the Mackie CR3-X offers: More neutral overall on-axis response than its closest $100 rival, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 - less of a scooped, V-shaped curve. Watch for: Still a ported design in too small a cabinet, producing boosted, boomy bass rather than genuine low-end extension.
What the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor offers: Much deeper bass than any other speaker this size. Watch for: Slightly boosted bass.
Buy the Mackie CR3-X if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Mackie CR3-X. It ranks near the bottom of the 11 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie CR3-X | IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 11 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 11 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) | 7.1"H x 3.5"W x 5.3"D (180.3 x 88.9 x 134.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | RCA, Aux |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack | - |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg | 2 lbs / 0.9 kg |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes (A2DP) |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass/Treble switches, Desktop/Free field) |
| Max SPL | 92dB @ 1m | 96dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) | 50W total (combined) |
| Sensitivity | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fiio SP3
- Adam Audio D3v vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Edifier MR3 vs Fiio SP3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Klipsch ProMedia Lumina vs Mackie CR3-X
The Two Speakers In Full
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!
- Reddit Search for Mackie CR3-X Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor: $299.99 Amazon
Pros: Much deeper bass than any other speaker this size. Wide, consistent horizontal directivity out to about 15kHz gives an unusually good soundstage for such a small speaker, and vertical response stays flat well above the tweeter axis, forgiving desktop placement where the tweeters sit below ear height.
Cons: Slightly boosted bass. Some treble rolloff up high. More hifi sounding than neutral
Full IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (A2DP) |
| Dimensions | 7.1"H x 3.5"W x 5.3"D (180.3 x 88.9 x 134.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble switches, Desktop/Free field) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Max SPL | 96dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (combined) |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 0.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Adam Audio D3v
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Genelec 8010A
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Audioengine HD3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier MR3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier M60
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs JBL 305P MKII
- See all 9 comparisons