In this review, we will be comparing 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.
| Key Specs | Mackie CR3-XBT | Kanto YU2 |
|---|
| Brand | Mackie
United States · founded 1988 | Kanto
Canada · founded 2007 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 25-watt RMS (50-watt peak) | 50-watt RMS (100-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 0.75" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 3" Polypropylene | 3" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 80-20k Hz | 80-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 4.2 | No |
|---|
| Weight | 3.54kg / 7.8lbs | 1.30kg / 2.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.125" x 5.5" x 7.5"
206.4 x 139.7 x 190.5mm | 5.90" x 3.9" x 5.3"
150.0 x 100.0 x 135.0mm |
|---|
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 YU2 are 2-way speakers.
Mackie CR3-XBTKanto YU2
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 |
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
|
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
CR3-XBT and YU2 has exactly the same frequency range of 80-20k Hz.
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
Both 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
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 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.
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 CR3-XBT requires 97% more surface area than the YU2 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 Kanto YU2 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 Kanto YU2 weighs 1.30kg / 2.9lbs. This makes the CR3-XBT 172% heavier than the YU2.
Here is a comparison of how CR3-XBT and YU2'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 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
 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 |
 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 |
| 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 |
3.54kg (7.8lbs) |
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 |
These sit in different price classes - Kanto YU2 costs roughly 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (80Hz vs 80Hz). |
| Built-in power | B | Kanto YU2 has the bigger amplifier (50W vs 25W RMS). |
| Connections | A | Mackie CR3-XBT adds Bluetooth. |
| Size | depends | Kanto YU2 is easier to place; Mackie CR3-XBT is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Mackie CR3-XBT is cheaper - $120 against $240, about 50% less; arguably a different class. |
A Mackie CR3-XBT B Kanto YU2
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. 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, Kanto YU2 is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $120 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.