Mackie CR3 Review: The Best Gaming Speaker in 2020?

If you are looking for the best set of gaming speakers you can afford but happen to be on a nit of a tight budget, you’re in luck! Whether you’re using professional recording equipment, or just want a new set of speakers for your living room, the Mackie CR3 Studio Monitor is eye-grabbing for several reasons. Most compact sized products don’t offer clear and crisp sound, and most studio monitors with high-quality sound are prohibitively expensive. This little warrior has got many boxes ticked, at a very affordable price.

Aside from its sharp and edgy look, compact size and a wide variety of control options, the Mackie CR3 is definitely a great option for studio monitors and sets. It offers the basic expectations of quality gaming headsets and surpasses them a bit more in some aspects.

In this Mackie CR3 review, we’ll find out why it’s the perfect set for beginners, gamers, and your Saturday night party in your living room.

Mackie CR3 Performance

The Mackie CR3 fulfills its promise of high-quality sound at an affordable price, with the majority of competitive brands of the same quality offering options that vary between $100 to $200. Starting at just $89, the Mackie CR3 is remarkably affordable and delivers even higher than your expectations.

With a frequency response of 60Hz to 20 kHz, you get a clear, crisp and optimized sound. It delivers at 97 dB, which means more room for you to choose between a good range of frequencies. Given that the product is 3 inches and weighs only around 4 kilos, its performance and delivery in terms of sound and frequency are really impressive. Most of the time, smaller sizes mean a compromise in the sound quality, but that is not at all the case with the CR3.

If you are more of a basshead when it comes to audio equipment, the Mackie CR3 might not be the one for you, which is totally understandable given its size.

However, this is somewhat fixable as unlike many similar products, the Mackie CR3 is 100% compatible with a subwoofer. That, however, is not something I’d necessarily recommend (if you don’t already own a subwoofer) due to the fact that an average subwoofer costs around $100 – so that defeats the purpose of its affordable pricing.

If you don’t necessarily care about overpowering bass, its normal woofer will do the job just fine for you.

You also need to make sure you figure out what cables and extra hardware you need before purchasing this set, as it does not come with any computer-to-speaker cables. As such, you might spend a few more dollars on cables, which still isn’t too much above its original price, so no worries there.

The CR3 is also pretty easy to set up. If you have little experience with setting up speakers, you will probably be able to have it up and running in less than 10 minutes. The manual included in the original package also takes you step-by-step on a short, easy and hassle-free set up for the piece.

Now, I’m not saying the Mackie CR3 delivers the same sound quality and performance as a $200 set, but it does tick many boxes, as well as the fact that it is pretty much the perfect beginners set, with a roster of options at a very affordable price.

Mackie CR3 Design

The Mackie CR3 has got an edgy and cool style. The product’s look and feel are modern with sharp, square edges and green brushed aluminium rings as the perfect finishing cherry on top. If you like your speaker less on the retro side and more on the modern slick side, this one’s for you.

If you are not into a neon pop of color in your device, this might be a bit of a downside for you, as the CR3 is not offered in any other colors, which gives us no room to pick, unlike alternative products that have different colored linings.

Rest assured though, you can always fix that with a little spray paint (or even acrylic nail polish) if it happens to be THAT annoying for you. If not, just enjoy the ride!

However, the real issue with the CR3 is the build itself. It’s simply not “built” to last, and it happens to wear down after two or three years of usage. That includes volume/power/frequency buttons, inner cords, and cables. The switches on the back start toggling and getting kind of loose.

Compared to other alternatives yet significantly more expensive models by more superior brands, this one has a remarkably short lifespan. All in all, if you don’t have a problem with replacing your speakers in a few years, go ahead for it.

Mackie CR3 Pricing & Alternatives

The Mackie CR3 is available at just $89. It happens to be on the higher end in terms of sound quality but definitely the most affordable in its category.

If you are willing to invest in a longer-living and sturdier set of speakers, I recommend Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speaker. It is only around $10 dollars more than the Mackie CR3, and it happens to be sturdier with a much stronger build and a much wider soundstage.

Alternatively, check out our in-depth Logitech Z623 review. It’s a bit pricier than Mackie but well-worth the investment.

Mackie CR3 FAQs

Does the Mackie CR3 Work With a Subwoofer?

Yes. If you are having trouble with the bass of the Mackie and want a more overpowering sound, the CR3 is adaptable with a subwoofer.

What Is in the Box of the Mackie CR3?

The basic box of the CR3 has the two speakers, AC cable, ARC cable and an interconnect zipline. This means no computer-to-speaker cable or documentation.

When ordering online, make sure to double-check the components of the box with your provider.

Is Mackie CR3 Powered or Uses Batteries?

The CR3 is powered by 110V (US version), so you have to connect it to an outlet in order for it to work.

Can You Hook a Microphone to the CR3?

So far no. There is a 3.5mm outlet that can be used for your gaming headphones, but no outlet on the back or front can work with a microphone.

Can the CR3 Work on a Macbook or a TV?

The CR3 is a hook and go – so they basically work on any device. It purely depends on the hooks and outlets in your TV and MacBook. If you are buying your CR3 for a specific design, we recommend you double-check that it is compatible with it before purchasing.

Mackie CR3: Final Verdict

The Mackie CR3 is the perfect set for home videos, editors, gamers, YouTubers, etc, but not necessarily audiophiles that have been in the field for a long while, as they might catch on the little issues here and there. It also might be difficult for music producers due to its weak bass core. Otherwise, it is a perfectly affordable set that delivers beyond its price.

In this Mackie CR3 review, we covered everything ranging from performance to price, including design. Let’s summarize how it fared in those individual categories.

Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The CR3 is up to expectations. It delivers a clear crisp sound, it’s user-friendly and it happens to be budget-friendly as well. My only concern is the low bass, as it might be a problem for people who really care about it. It is fixable – but it’s still not exactly ideal.

Design: ⭐⭐⭐

The design is slick, modern and cool. But in case of adding color to a product, any provider should ensure there are a variety of color options. The neon green lining may seem cool and edgy to some, but it may seem tacky to others. The build being loose and wearing down faster than it should is also a put off in my opinion.

Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is definitely the CR3’s edge. If you have done some research in the speaker section, you have probably already come to the conclusion that an average set costs $100+. Fact is, at just $89, the CR3 delivers a huge roster of options that products on the higher end provide at double (or triple) the price. The knockdown is due to the problem with the lacking bass. If that had not been the case, the CR3 would have probably gotten a 5/5 on that.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s a pretty impressive product. It delivers the basics, it’s easy to use, and it’s also affordable. I can’t say there isn’t a bunch of stuff that needs improving. But at its price, it’s simply the perfect to-go set piece if you’re not producing Rihanna’s next unsurfaced album.