In this review, we will be comparing CR3-XBT and A2+ Wireless, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Mackie and Audioengine. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Mackie CR3-XBT and Audioengine A2+ Wireless first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mackie CR3-XBT | Audioengine A2+ Wireless |
|---|
| Brand | Mackie
United States · founded 1988 | Audioengine
United States · founded 2005 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 25-watt RMS (50-watt peak) | 30-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 0.75" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 3" Polypropylene | 2.75" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 80-20k Hz | 65-22k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 16-bit / 48 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 4.2 | Built-in 5.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 3.54kg / 7.8lbs | 1.40kg / 3.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.125" x 5.5" x 7.5"
206.4 x 139.7 x 190.5mm | 6.25" x 4.1875" x 6.625"
158.8 x 106.4 x 168.3mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both CR3-XBT and A2+ Wireless are 2-way speakers.
Mackie CR3-XBTAudioengine A2+ Wireless
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Mackie CR3-XBT |
Audioengine A2+ Wireless |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 3-inch
|
1 x 2.75-inch
|
CR3-XBT features a 0.75" Silk Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the A2+ Wireless features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 2.75" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
CR3-XBT has a frequency range of 80-20k Hz whereas A2+ Wireless has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the A2+ Wireless can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CR3-XBT's min frequency of 80Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
CR3-XBT has a rear firing port whereas A2+ Wireless has a front firing ports. Audioengine A2+ Wireless's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Mackie CR3-XBT with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Mackie CR3-XBT's and Audioengine A2+ Wireless's external dimensions. Mackie CR3-XBT has external dimensions of 206.4 x 139.7 x 190.5mm (8.125 x 5.5 x 7.5inch) whereas Audioengine A2+ Wireless has external dimensions of 158.8 x 106.4 x 168.3mm (6.25 x 4.1875 x 6.625inch).
Mackie CR3-XBT is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 33.3mm wider, 47.6mm taller and 22.2mm deeper than Audioengine A2+ Wireless.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Mackie CR3-XBT and Audioengine A2+ Wireless in scale.
Comparison image of Mackie CR3-XBT and Audioengine A2+ Wireless Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Mackie CR3-XBT is approximately 266.1cm2 / 41.2inch2 and base area of the Audioengine A2+ Wireless is approximately 179.1cm2 / 27.8inch2. The CR3-XBT requires 49% more surface area than the A2+ Wireless which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Mackie CR3-XBT and Audioengine A2+ Wireless on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Mackie CR3-XBT weighs 3.54kg / 7.8lbs and the Audioengine A2+ Wireless weighs 1.40kg / 3.1lbs. This makes the CR3-XBT 153% heavier than the A2+ Wireless.
Here is a comparison of how CR3-XBT and A2+ Wireless's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Mackie CR3-XBT?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CR3-XBT:
- Powered monitor w/ attached 5.5-feet power cord (C7 unpolarized)
- Passive monitor
- 6.5-feet Speaker wire
- 5-feet Stereo mini to RCA cable
- Quick Start Guide
What's in the Box of Audioengine A2+ Wireless?
Here are the items that come with the A2+ Wireless:
- Wireless powered left speaker
- Passive right speaker
- AC power supply (w/ attached 6-feet DC cord)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 6.5-feet Length of 16 gauge speaker wire
- 5-feet microUSB-to-USB cable
- 6-feet Stereo minijack cable
- 2 Cloth drawstring speaker pouches
- 2 Cloth drawstring accessory pouches
- Quick Start Guide
- Audioengine product brochure
 Woofer Size |
3 inches
vs
2.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
120USD
vs
269USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Headphone Output |
3.5mm
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
158mm
vs
206mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
179cm2
vs
266cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
|
Subwoofer Output |
Wired
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
| General |
Mackie CR3-XBT |
Audioengine A2+ Wireless |
| Brand |
Mackie |
Audioengine |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
80-20k Hz |
65-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
25-watt RMS |
30-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
50-watt RMS |
n/a |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
16-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
2.75" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Kevlar |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
206.4mm (8.1") |
158.8mm (6.3") |
| Width |
139.7mm (5.5") |
106.4mm (4.2") |
| Depth |
190.5mm (7.5") |
168.3mm (6.6") |
| Weight |
3.54kg (7.8lbs) |
1.40kg (3.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
No |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
No |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
3.5mm |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Audioengine A2+ Wireless costs roughly 2.2x what Mackie CR3-XBT does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Audioengine A2+ Wireless digs deeper - 65Hz against 80Hz. |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (25W vs 30W RMS). |
| Connections | evenly matched | The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size | depends | Audioengine A2+ Wireless is easier to place; Mackie CR3-XBT is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Audioengine A2+ Wireless: a sub output. Audioengine A2+ Wireless sits in a wider range (6 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Mackie CR3-XBT is cheaper - $120 against $269, about 55% less; arguably a different class. |
A Mackie CR3-XBT B Audioengine A2+ Wireless
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Audioengine A2+ Wireless measures better, Mackie CR3-XBT costs about about 124% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Mackie CR3-XBT much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Mackie CR3-XBT has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Audioengine A2+ Wireless is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.