In this review, we will be comparing CR4-XBT and R-15PM, 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 CR4-XBT and Klipsch R-15PM first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mackie CR4-XBT | Klipsch R-15PM |
|---|
| 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) | 100-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 1.0" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Polypropylene | 5.25" Copper-spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-20k Hz | 62-24k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 4.2 | Built-in 3.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 4.58kg / 10.1lbs | 4.67kg / 10.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.75" x 6.125" x 8.5"
222.3 x 155.6 x 215.9mm | 12.5" x 7" x 9.875"
317.5 x 177.8 x 250.8mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both CR4-XBT and R-15PM are 2-way speakers.
Mackie CR4-XBTKlipsch R-15PM
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 CR4-XBT |
Klipsch R-15PM |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1.0-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
CR4-XBT features a 0.75" Silk Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the R-15PM features a 1.0" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
CR4-XBT has a frequency range of 65-20k Hz whereas R-15PM has a frequency range of 62-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 62Hz, the R-15PM can go slightly deeper then the CR4-XBT's min frequency of 65Hz.
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 CR4-XBT and R-15PM 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 CR4-XBT's and Klipsch R-15PM's external dimensions. Mackie CR4-XBT has external dimensions of 222.3 x 155.6 x 215.9mm (8.75 x 6.125 x 8.5inch) whereas Klipsch R-15PM has external dimensions of 317.5 x 177.8 x 250.8mm (12.5 x 7 x 9.875inch).
Klipsch R-15PM is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 22.2mm wider, 95.2mm taller and 34.9mm deeper than Mackie CR4-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-15PM needs about 33% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-15PM is 35mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-15PM is 95mm 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 CR4-XBT is approximately 335.9cm2 / 52.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-15PM is approximately 445.9cm2 / 69.1inch2. The CR4-XBT requires 25% less surface area than the R-15PM 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 CR4-XBT weighs 4.58kg / 10.1lbs and the Klipsch R-15PM weighs 4.67kg / 10.3lbs. This makes the R-15PM 2% heavier than the CR4-XBT.
Here is a comparison of how CR4-XBT and R-15PM'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 CR4-XBT?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CR4-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-15PM?
Here are the items that come with the R-15PM:
- Powered speaker (right)
- Passive speaker (left)
- 68-inch AC power cord
- Remote control
- CR2025 3V battery (installed in remote)
- 16-feet Length of 18AWG speaker wire (bare tinned wire on each end)
- 6.5-feet USB-A to USB-B cable
- 6-feet Stereo RCA cable
- 5-feet Optical digital cable
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Instruction Booklet
- Warranty Information
- Important Safety Instructions
 Height |
222mm
vs
317mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
335cm2
vs
445cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
170USD
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 |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
62 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 USB Port |
Type-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 CR4-XBT |
Klipsch Reference R-15PM |
| Brand |
Mackie |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
65-20k Hz |
62-24k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
25-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
50-watt RMS |
n/a |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1.0" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
222.3mm (8.8") |
317.5mm (12.5") |
| Width |
155.6mm (6.1") |
177.8mm (7") |
| Depth |
215.9mm (8.5") |
250.8mm (9.9") |
| Weight |
4.58kg (10.1lbs) |
4.67kg (10.3lbs) |
| 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 |
Type-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-15PM costs roughly 2.9x what Mackie CR4-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-15PM digs deeper - 62Hz against 65Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | B | Klipsch R-15PM has the bigger amplifier (100W vs 25W RMS). |
| Connections | B | Klipsch R-15PM adds phono and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Mackie CR4-XBT is easier to place; Klipsch R-15PM is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Klipsch R-15PM: a sub output. Klipsch R-15PM sits in a wider range (5 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Mackie CR4-XBT is cheaper - $170 against $499, about 66% less; arguably a different class. |
A Mackie CR4-XBT B Klipsch R-15PM
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-15PM measures better, Mackie CR4-XBT costs about about 2.9x 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-15PM has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Mackie CR4-XBT is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $329 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.