Mackie CR3.5 3.5" Powered Studio Monitors

The Mackie CR3.5 is a compact pair of powered 3.5-inch studio monitors designed for desktop production, content creation, gaming, and everyday music listening. One speaker contains the amplification and connections, while the included speaker wire links it to the companion passive speaker. This arrangement provides a straightforward nearfield listening setup without requiring a separate amplifier.

For creators, the CR3.5 offers a transparent tone setting intended for tracking and mixing at close range. Its 3.5-inch woven woofers and 1-inch silk-dome tweeters are paired with a 3.0 kHz crossover and a custom-tuned rear port. The system is rated for 50 watts RMS of bi-amplified Class A/B power and reaches a specified peak output of 100 dB.

A front-panel tone control lets listeners adjust the presentation for the task at hand. Turned fully counter-clockwise, it provides the monitor's transparent response; rotating it clockwise adds bass presence and brighter high frequencies. A separate front volume control manages the level from all connected sources and also switches the powered monitor on or off.

The CR3.5 accepts balanced or unbalanced 1/4-inch TRS connections, stereo RCA sources, and a 3.5 mm stereo line input. These inputs can remain connected at the same time and are summed rather than automatically switched. A front 3.5 mm headphone output provides private listening and mutes the speaker power amplifier when headphones are connected.

The rear-panel location switch supports desktop and bookshelf listening positions, helping adapt the monitors for close listening or placement farther away. A left/right powered-speaker position selector lets the amplified speaker sit on either side of a workspace. For users who want more low-frequency extension, the monitors can be used as part of a larger playback setup with a compatible line-level source and subwoofer arrangement.

Key Features

• 50-Watt RMS Amplification: Bi-amplified Class A/B power drives the monitor pair without an external amplifier.
• 3.5-Inch Woven Woofers: Compact drivers handle the low- and mid-frequency range.
• 1-Inch Silk-Dome Tweeters: Dedicated high-frequency drivers include protective grilles.
• Tone Control: Adjusts from transparent monitoring toward enhanced bass and highs.
• Location Switch: Select desktop or bookshelf mode for the listening position.
• Flexible Line Inputs: Connect through 1/4-inch TRS, RCA, or 3.5 mm inputs.

Design & Installation

The CR3.5 uses rectangular solid-MDF enclosures finished in black vinyl wrap. Each cabinet includes a custom-tuned rear port tube that extends low-frequency response using rear woofer radiation. The powered speaker has a white power-ring LED surrounding the Mackie Running Man logo, while the companion passive speaker does not illuminate.

Place the monitors on a desktop for close nearfield listening or farther away on a shelf with the appropriate location mode selected. Connect a line-level source only; do not connect a power-amplifier output to the monitor inputs. Use the included red-and-black speaker wire to connect the powered and passive cabinets through their spring clips, matching positive and negative terminals.