Mackie MR5

4.5 (14)

2 Critic Reviews

4 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Mackie MR5 mk2

$138.83

4.0 (2)

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Page last updated Apr 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

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Price

Average Price: $90

Budget/Beginner

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Active & Passive Monitors category, Mackie MR5 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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Designed for the discerning audio professional, the Mackie MR5 studio monitors deliver precise acoustic reproduction with remarkable clarity and accuracy. Perfect for both budding and seasoned producers, these monitors are equipped with a 5.25-inch polypropylene woofer and a 1-inch silk-dome tweeter that together offer an impressive frequency response. This makes them ideal for mixing, mastering, and critical listening in a variety of studio environments.

The MR5 monitors feature an internally braced MDF cabinet, which minimizes unwanted resonance and enhances sound integrity. With the addition of a bi-amplified design, the MR5 ensures that each driver is driven by its own dedicated amplifier, resulting in optimized performance and reduced distortion.

Connectivity is made versatile with the inclusion of XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs, allowing for seamless integration with a wide range of studio setups. The rear panel also hosts acoustic tuning controls that allow you to tailor the output to suit your specific room acoustics, ensuring an accurate and balanced sound experience.

Engineered for versatility and precision, the Mackie MR5 monitors are a steadfast choice for those who demand excellent sound quality without compromise.

Key Features:

5.25-inch polypropylene woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter
Bi-amplified design for optimized performance
Internally braced MDF cabinet for reduced resonance
XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs for versatile connectivity
Acoustic tuning controls for room-specific adjustments
Wide frequency response for critical listening applications

Product specs

Brand	Mackie
Model	MR5 5" Active Studio Monitors (Pair)
Finish	Black
Year	2008 - 2011
Categories	Studio Monitors
Amplification	Active
Electronics	Analog, Solid State

FAQs

What is the frequency response of the Mackie MR5 studio monitors?: The Mackie MR5 studio monitors have a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz, providing a balanced sound suitable for accurate audio monitoring.
Are the Mackie MR5 monitors suitable for mixing and mastering in a home studio?: Yes, the Mackie MR5 monitors are designed for home studio use, offering precise sound reproduction that is ideal for mixing and mastering tasks.
What type of amplification do the Mackie MR5 monitors use?: The Mackie MR5 monitors are active studio monitors, meaning they have built-in amplification and do not require an external amplifier.
How does the Mackie MR5 handle low frequencies?: The Mackie MR5 monitors provide a solid low-frequency response down to 50Hz, allowing for clear bass reproduction suitable for most music production needs.
What size is the woofer in the Mackie MR5 studio monitors?: The Mackie MR5 studio monitors feature a 5-inch woofer, which helps deliver detailed and accurate sound across the frequency spectrum.

Videos

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Frank Contreras

Mackie MR5 Tutorial By Dj Tricks

Frank Contreras

Studio Monitor Mackie MR5 speakers great bass sound

Tim Kora

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mackie MR5.

Comparisons

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In side-by-side tests, Mackie MR5s are noted to have clearer sound and less muddiness compared to KRK5 monitors.
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MR5s are praised for better mid-frequency response compared to KRK5s, highlighting their suitability for accurate audio production.
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The MR524’s Class A/B amplification is quieter than the JBL LSR305’s Class D, reducing hiss, especially noticeable at low volumes.
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User experience

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One owner experienced recurring power source issues after 3-4 months of use, suggesting potential reliability concerns with certain units.
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Owners report the MR524s become warm but not hot when used for extended periods, a characteristic of their Class A/B design.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners recommend MR5s for extended listening sessions, using them 5-8 hours daily without fatigue.
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MR524s are praised for maintaining sound quality at low volumes, ideal for late-night music production in noise-sensitive environments.
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Features and functionality

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The Mackie MR524 features a switch to adjust bass based on speaker placement, such as in a corner, near a wall, or in open space.
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Build quality

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Some units of the MR524 have quality control issues, such as peeling back plastic and cone rub, necessitating exchanges.
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Software and compatibility

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Users recommend using optical connections over USB to eliminate buzz when connecting to certain PC setups.
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Critic Reviews

Mackie MR5 & MR8 Mk2

soundonsound.com

Mackie's MR5 Mk2 monitors deliver impressive stereo imaging and a well-balanced sound at an affordable price, making them a strong contender for small to medium-sized studios. While the MR8 Mk2 offers deeper bass, the MR5's tighter low-end is preferred for clarity in compact spaces. Both models provide excellent value, though the MR8's bass can sound slightly overblown in smaller rooms. Overall, the MR5 Mk2 stands out for its adaptability and sound quality, offering a cost-effective alternative to higher-end Mackie monitors without significant compromises.

positive

Full Review

Mackie: MR5 active monitors | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Mackie MR5 active monitors deliver surprisingly big sound for their compact size, with a strong bass presence and rich midrange detail. While the tweeter can become harsh at high volumes, the overall sound remains neutral and unhyped, making it excellent for mix translation. With an affordable price and clever design features, these monitors are a great value, though the high-frequency harshness should be noted.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 14 Ratings

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lntmike

172

over 11 years ago

Great value for the money...

Of course, there is way better monitoring speakers on the market. But they are perfect for a home studio. They provide a very good sound.

sequadion

about 11 years ago

Good speakers for the money

These speakers are great for a small room and a small budget. Don't expect lots of bass though. either get a separate subwoofer or go for bigger 8" speakers.

milesmaldonado

124

almost 12 years ago

Awesome for what it is

Its no Focal but then again neither is the price... awesome way to spend 150 bucks

shondeisel

over 11 years ago

Love the sound

Works like a studio monitor should! Cannot ask for more.

Artist usage

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Zomboy

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via Insidedubstep

What does your studio equipment consist of? When I'm actually at my bedroom studio I'm using a 27" iMac, logic, a billion 3rd party soft synths/ processors, axiom pro midi controller, M-audio profire 26/26 sound card and machine MR5 monitors. But realistically I'm usually just on my MacBook and a pair of headphones where ever and whenever possible!

Posij

Music Producer

Verified via Reddit

Posij lists Mackie MR5 studio monitors as essential hardware for him (from his reddit AMA).

nanobii

Music Producer

Verified via Archive

Artist nanobii, formerly known as "Crazy1" until late 2013, used the Mackie MR5 studio monitors in his music production setup. This information is detailed on the Crazy 1 webpage archived by Archive.

Veela

Singer, Music Producer

Verified via Photo

A pair of MKIs can be seen in Instagram posts dated June 1, 2014, Septmeber 21, 2014, September 23, 2014, and December 2, 2014. They are also mentioned in this April 2, 2013 FL Studio interview.

I produce in my room, in a corner. I have my microphone (Neumann TLM 103), my Presonus Audiobox, my Mackie MR5s, my AKAI APC40 MPK61 and last but not least my TC Helicon VoiceLive 2.