Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.3/5 (#25 and #24 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers) at nearly the same price ($129.99 vs $129.99), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the Mackie CR4.5: The third generation of the Mackie CR4 monitors, replacing the Mackie CR4-X. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the Mackie CR4-X it replaces and the measured Mackie CR3-X.
What the Mackie CR4-X does well: The updated Mackie CR4 with a 4” polypropylene woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter and 50W total, all-wood cabinets, a front headphone jack and RCA, 1/4” and 1/8” inputs. 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 its measured predecessor.
Buy the Mackie CR4.5 or the Mackie CR4-X on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Mackie CR4.5 2.9 to 3.6; Mackie CR4-X 2.9 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie CR4.5 | Mackie CR4-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 per pair | $129.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #24 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| 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 | 4.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter | 4” polypropylene-coated woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total | 50W total |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 60Hz-20kHz -10dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (manufacturer specified) | 100dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 8.3”D (226 x 155 x 211 mm) | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 8.3”D (226 x 155 x 211 mm) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) (pair) | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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- Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X
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- Kanto YU2 vs Onkyo Creator Series GX-10DB
- Onkyo Creator Series GX-10DB vs Bose Companion 2 Series III
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 CR4.5: $129.99 per pair Estimated Amazon Sweetwater eBay
Older models: the Mackie CR4-X (ranked higher, estimated 3.3/5) and the Mackie CR4 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every Mackie CR generation.
Same family: the Mackie CR3.5 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3/5).
Pros: The third generation of the Mackie CR4 monitors, replacing the Mackie CR4-X. A 4.5” woofer and silk dome tweeter are powered by 50W, rated 55Hz to 20kHz and 100dB, with the new tone control and desktop/bookshelf location switch, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm inputs and a front headphone jack.
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 Mackie CR4-X it replaces and the measured Mackie CR3-X. Bass is rated only to 55Hz.
Full Mackie CR4.5 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 8.3”D (226 x 155 x 211 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 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
Mackie CR4-X: $129.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Mackie CR4.5, ranked lower, estimated 3.3/5, released Oct 2024.
Older model: the Mackie CR4 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every Mackie CR generation.
Same family: the Mackie CR3-X (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: The updated Mackie CR4 with a 4” polypropylene woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter and 50W total, all-wood cabinets, a front headphone jack and RCA, 1/4” and 1/8” inputs. It costs $130 a pair.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor. Its predecessor measured with an uneven on-axis response, and Mackie rates bass only to 60Hz at -10dB.
Full Mackie CR4-X review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 6.1”W x 8.3”D (226 x 155 x 211 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” polypropylene-coated woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-20kHz -10dB (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons