In this review, we will be comparing CR3-XBT and R-41PM, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Mackie and Klipsch. 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 Klipsch R-41PM first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mackie CR3-XBT | Klipsch R-41PM |
|---|
| Brand | Mackie
United States · founded 1988 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 25-watt RMS (50-watt peak) | 70-watt RMS (140-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 1.0" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 3" Polypropylene | 4.0" Copper-spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 80-20k Hz | 76-21k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 4.2 | Built-in 3.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 3.54kg / 7.8lbs | 3.70kg / 8.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.125" x 5.5" x 7.5"
206.4 x 139.7 x 190.5mm | 11.0625" x 5.8125" x 9.5"
281.0 x 147.6 x 241.3mm |
|---|
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 R-41PM are 2-way speakers.
Mackie CR3-XBTKlipsch R-41PM
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 |
Klipsch R-41PM |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1.0-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 3-inch
|
1 x 4.0-inch
|
CR3-XBT features a 0.75" Silk Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the R-41PM features a 1.0" Aluminum LTS Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4.0" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1770Hz.
Frequency Response
CR3-XBT has a frequency range of 80-20k Hz whereas R-41PM has a frequency range of 76-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 76Hz, the R-41PM can go slightly deeper then 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
Both CR3-XBT and R-41PM 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 Klipsch R-41PM'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 Klipsch R-41PM has external dimensions of 281.0 x 147.6 x 241.3mm (11.0625 x 5.8125 x 9.5inch).
Klipsch R-41PM is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 7.9mm wider, 74.6mm taller and 50.8mm deeper than Mackie CR3-XBT.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch R-41PM needs about 34% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-41PM is 51mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-41PM is 75mm taller.
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 Klipsch R-41PM is approximately 356.2cm2 / 55.2inch2. The CR3-XBT requires 25% less surface area than the R-41PM which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Klipsch R-41PM weighs 3.70kg / 8.1lbs. This makes the R-41PM 5% heavier than the CR3-XBT.
Here is a comparison of how CR3-XBT and R-41PM'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 Klipsch R-41PM?
Here are the items that come with the R-41PM:
- Powered speaker (right)
- Passive speaker (left)
- 2 Grilles
- 68-inch AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2
 Height |
206mm
vs
281mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
266cm2
vs
356cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
120USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Headphone Output |
3.5mm
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
 Woofer Size |
4.0 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
76 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
21k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 USB Port |
USB-B
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 |
 Phono Input |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your turntable directly |
 Digital Input |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
|
Subwoofer Output |
Wired
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
| General |
Mackie CR3-XBT |
Klipsch Reference R-41PM |
| Brand |
Mackie |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
80-20k Hz |
76-21k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
25-watt RMS |
70-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
50-watt RMS |
140-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
4.0" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1.0" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1770Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
206.4mm (8.1") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Width |
139.7mm (5.5") |
147.6mm (5.8") |
| Depth |
190.5mm (7.5") |
241.3mm (9.5") |
| Weight |
3.54kg (7.8lbs) |
3.70kg (8.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
USB-B |
| Phone Input |
No |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
No |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
3.5mm |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch R-41PM costs roughly 4.2x 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 | Klipsch R-41PM digs deeper - 76Hz against 80Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | B | Klipsch R-41PM has the bigger amplifier (70W vs 25W RMS). |
| Connections | B | Klipsch R-41PM adds phono and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Mackie CR3-XBT is easier to place; Klipsch R-41PM is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Klipsch R-41PM: a sub output. Klipsch R-41PM sits in a wider range (5 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Mackie CR3-XBT is cheaper - $120 against $499, about 76% less; arguably a different class. |
A Mackie CR3-XBT B Klipsch R-41PM
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: Klipsch R-41PM measures better, Mackie CR3-XBT costs about about 4.2x the price% 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. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch R-41PM has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Mackie CR3-XBT is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $379 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.