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Mackie CR3-XBT vs Kanto YU2 Comparison

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Mackie CR3-XBT

Powered Bookshelf | 80-20k Hz

Mackie CR3-XBT
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Kanto YU2

Powered Bookshelf | 80-20k Hz

Kanto YU2
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Mackie CR3-XBT Mackie CR3-XBT
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Kanto YU2 Kanto YU2
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Mackie CR3-XBT
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Kanto YU2
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Mackie CR3-XBT vs Kanto YU2 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Mackie CR3-XBT and YU2, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Mackie and Kanto. 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 Kanto YU2 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Mackie CR3-XBT Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 25-watt RMS( 50-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 0.75" Dome Tweeter
  • 3" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 80-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • N/A Max Depth / N/A Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in 4.2 Bluetooth
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 206.4" x 5.5" x 7.5"( 206.4 x 139.7 x 190.5mm )

Kanto YU2 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 50-watt RMS( 100-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 0.75" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 3" Kevlar Woofer
  • 80-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 96 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • No Bluetooth
  • Weight:1.30kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 150.0" x 3.9" x 5.3"( 150.0 x 100.0 x 135.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Mackie CR3-XBT and Kanto YU2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Mackie CR3-XBT and YU2 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Mackie CR3-XBT Kanto YU2
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 0.75-inch 0.75-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 3-inch 1 x 3-inch

Mackie CR3-XBT features a 0.75" Silk Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, the YU2 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Kevlar Woofer .

Frequency Response

Mackie CR3-XBT and YU2 has exactly the same frequency range of 80-20k Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Mackie CR3-XBT
YU2
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Mackie CR3-XBT
Kanto YU2
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Mackie CR3-XBT and YU2 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Kanto YU2'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 Kanto YU2 has external dimensions of 150.0 x 100.0 x 135.0mm ( 5.90 x 3.9 x 5.3inch) .

Mackie CR3-XBT is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 39.7mm wider, 56.4mm taller and 55.5mm deeper than Kanto YU2.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Mackie CR3-XBT and Kanto YU2 in scale.

Mackie CR3-XBT vs Kanto YU2 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Mackie CR3-XBT and Kanto YU2 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 Kanto YU2 is approximately 135.0cm2 / 20.9inch2. The Mackie CR3-XBT requires 97% more surface area than the YU2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

Mackie CR3-XBT vs Kanto YU2 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Mackie CR3-XBT and Kanto YU2 on a Media Console

What's in the Box of Mackie CR3-XBT?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Mackie 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 Kanto YU2?

    Here are the items that come with the YU2:
  • Power Cord
  • Speaker Wire (10-feet)
  • USB DAC Cable
  • 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable (6.5-feet)
  • 8 x Rubber Feet
  • Manual

  • Reasons to choose Mackie CR3-XBT over Kanto YU2
    Price per pair* 120USD vs 240USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    RCA Connection Yes vs No Connection via RCA input
    Headphone Output 3.5mm vs No Connect your headphone

    Reasons to choose Kanto YU2 over Mackie CR3-XBT

    Height 150mm vs 206mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 135cm2 vs 266cm2 Takes less floor space
    RCA Connection Yes vs No Connection via RCA input
    Mackie CR3-XBT vs Kanto YU2 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Mackie CR3-XBT Kanto YU2
    Brand Mackie Kanto
    Speaker Type Powered Stereo Speakers Powered Stereo Speakers
    Frequency Response 80-20k Hz 80-20k Hz
    Amplifier
    Watts RMS (Continuous) 25-watt RMS 50-watt RMS
    Watts Peak (Max) 50-watt RMS 100-watt RMS
    Max Bit Depth N/A 24-bit
    Max Sample Rate N/A 96 kHz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 3" 3"
    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 rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 206.4mm (8.1") 150.0mm (5.9")
    Width 139.7mm (5.5") 100.0mm (3.9")
    Depth 190.5mm (7.5") 135.0mm (5.3")
    Weight n/a 1.30kg (2.9lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex bass reflex
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Aux Inputs RCA RCA
    USB Port No No
    Phone Input No No
    Subwoofer Output No No
    Digital Input No No
    HDMI Input No No
    Headphone Jack 3.5mm No
    Ethernet Port No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 1 Year 2 Years
    Labor Warranty 1 Year 2 Years

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