Short answer: the Mackie CR3.5. It ranks #36 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $99.99; the M-Audio BX3 ranks #38, rated 2.9/5, at $99.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
Why pick the Mackie CR3.5: The third generation of Mackie’s best-selling CR3 desktop monitors, replacing the Mackie CR3-X. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Mackie CR3-X it replaces, which measured with an uneven response and limited bass.
The case for the M-Audio BX3: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. The tradeoff: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Mackie CR3.5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the M-Audio BX3 at the same price, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
About the ratings: the Mackie CR3.5’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.6 to 3.4, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie CR3.5 | M-Audio BX3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #38 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 3.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS total (Class A/B) | 50W RMS per pair |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (206 x 140 x 180 mm) | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair) | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz-22kHz |
| Inputs | - | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.18 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Mackie CR3.5:
- Mackie CR3.5 vs Mackie CR3-X
- Mackie CR3.5 vs PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- M-Audio BX3 vs Mackie CR3-X
- Fluid Audio C35BT vs M-Audio BX3
- M-Audio BX3 vs PreSonus Eris E3.5
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Mackie CR3.5: $99.99 per pair Estimated Amazon Sweetwater eBay
Older model: the Mackie CR3-X (ranked higher, rated 3/5). See every Mackie CR generation.
Same family: the Mackie CR4.5 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: The third generation of Mackie’s best-selling CR3 desktop monitors, replacing the Mackie CR3-X. A 3.5” woven woofer and silk dome tweeter are bi-amplified with 50W RMS, and new features include a tone control for more bass or treble and a location switch that tunes the response for desktop or bookshelf placement. TRS, RCA and 3.5mm inputs plus a front headphone jack make it easy to set up.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Mackie CR3-X it replaces, which measured with an uneven response and limited bass. A 3.5” woofer limits bass and output, so a subwoofer helps for music.
Full Mackie CR3.5 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS total (Class A/B) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (206 x 140 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
M-Audio BX3: $99.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the M-Audio BX3 BT (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 2.9/5).
Pros: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. The controls give some scope to adjust broad tonal balance for placement.
Cons: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.580 indicates persistent tonal irregularities, while bass reaches -3dB at about 88Hz. The limited bass and uneven response make it a weak choice for accurate monitoring even with a subwoofer. Broad tone controls cannot precisely fix crossover or dispersion problems.
Full M-Audio BX3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.18 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons