Mackie MR5 mk2

$139.86 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (2)

3 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

Newer option

Mackie MR5 mk3 Pair

$315.00

4.5 (26)

Find out who is using Mackie MR5 mk2

1 wishlisted

9 saved

Page last updated Jun 11, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 11, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (1)

$139.86 2 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $140

Budget/Beginner

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Active & Passive Monitors category, Mackie MR5 mk2 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

When it comes to delivering impeccable audio clarity, the Mackie MR5 mk2 studio monitor stands out as a reliable choice for musicians and audio engineers alike. Whether you're mixing intricate tracks or simply enjoying your favorite tunes, these active monitors provide consistent, high-definition sound that brings every detail to life. The MR5 mk2 features a custom-designed waveguide and a precisely engineered baffle that ensures an accurate acoustic response, offering a broad sweet spot for listening.

These monitors are equipped with a 5.25-inch polypropylene woofer and a 1-inch silk-dome tweeter, powered by a bi-amplified Class A/B architecture, ensuring balanced sound across all frequencies. The rear panel features acoustic controls to tailor the sound to your specific room dynamics, making them versatile for various studio environments. With their robust build and precise audio output, the Mackie MR5 mk2 monitors are perfect for both professional studios and home setups.

Key Features:

5.25-inch polypropylene woofer with a 1-inch silk-dome tweeter
Bi-amplified Class A/B architecture
Custom-designed waveguide for enhanced stereo imaging
Rear panel acoustic controls for room-specific adjustments
Precise and consistent sound reproduction
Suitable for both professional and home studio environments

Product specs

Brand	Mackie
Model	MR5mk2 5" Active Studio Monitors (Pair)
Finish	Black
Year	2011 - 2014
Categories	Studio Monitors
Amplification	Active
Electronics	Analog, Solid State

FAQs

What is the frequency response of the Mackie MR5 mk2?: The Mackie MR5 mk2 studio monitors have a frequency response of 57 Hz to 20 kHz, providing a balanced and accurate sound suitable for mixing and monitoring.
Are the Mackie MR5 mk2 monitors suitable for a small home studio?: Yes, the Mackie MR5 mk2 monitors are ideal for small home studios due to their compact size and accurate sound reproduction, making them perfect for near-field monitoring.
What type of inputs are available on the Mackie MR5 mk2?: The Mackie MR5 mk2 studio monitors feature XLR, TRS, and RCA input options, allowing for versatile connectivity with various audio interfaces and equipment.
Do the Mackie MR5 mk2 monitors require an external amplifier?: No, the Mackie MR5 mk2 monitors are active studio monitors, meaning they have built-in amplification and do not require an external amplifier to operate.
How does the Mackie MR5 mk2 handle low-frequency sounds?: The Mackie MR5 mk2 is equipped with a 5-inch woofer that provides clear and defined low-frequency response, making it suitable for accurate bass monitoring in music production.

Videos

Add video

DIXI FREELY

Mackie MR5MK2 Studio Monitor Review

DIXI FREELY

Mackie MR5 MK2 Active Studio Monitor - www.whybuynew.co.uk

whybuynewonline

Mackie MR5 MK2 Active Studio Monitor Demo @ www.getinthemix.co.uk

GetintheMix

Mackie MR5 mk2's

TheGospelGuitarist

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Excellent low-end performance suitable for small studio spaces
Detailed sound quality that translates well across different systems
Durable and reliable over long periods, with some users reporting over a decade of use
Cost-effective option for budget-conscious musicians
Versatile in different room setups, performing well in certain untreated spaces

CONS

High-end frequencies can be fatiguing for some users at moderate volumes
Not recommended for detailed mixing, especially in untreated rooms
Older model; newer alternatives might offer better value in the same price range

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mackie MR5 mk2.

Comparisons

0 0

Mackie MR5MK2 monitors are preferred over KRK5s for clearer sound and better mid-frequency response, noted in A/B comparisons.
Source
0 0

MR5 mk2 owners reported that, unlike Yamaha monitors, the Mackies struggled with accurate sound translation across different playback systems.
Source

User experience

0 0

One owner experienced recurring power source issues with MR5MK2s, manifesting after 3-4 months of use in 3-5 hour segments.
Source
0 0

The Mackie MR5 mk2 was criticized for poorly defined bass and limited high end unless very close to the tweeter, making it unsuitable for detailed monitoring.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

For rock/alternative music, Mackie MR series may require a learning curve to compensate for boosted bass; electronic or bass-heavy genres might benefit more.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The Mackie MR5 mk2's performance in translating audio was considered inadequate compared to traditional options like the Yamaha NS10, which are preferred for accurate sound translation.
Source

Critic Reviews

Mackie MR5 & MR8 Mk2

soundonsound.com

Mackie's MR5 Mk2 monitors deliver punchy, well-balanced sound at an affordable price, making them a solid choice for budget-conscious musicians. With excellent stereo imaging and detailed highs, they excel in small to medium-sized rooms. While the low end on the MR8 Mk2 may sound a bit 'plummy,' the MR5 Mk2's tighter bass is preferable for clearer mids. These monitors do have some tonal quirks, but they provide an impressive performance for their price range, positioning them as a worthy alternative to Mackie's pricier HR series.

positive

Full Review

Mackie MR5 MKII active studio monitor - Gearjunkies review - Gearjunkies - Music tech news, Reviews, Videos, Synthesizers, Studio, Recording

gearjunkies.com

The Mackie MR5 MKII studio monitors deliver impressive sound quality for their price range, offering clean frequencies across various music genres at average volumes. However, they struggle a bit at higher volumes, particularly with mid and low-end heavy tracks. While they're not ideal for DJ booths due to energy handling issues, they shine in studio settings where placement can be optimized. With a solid design and decent price-to-quality ratio, they stand out among alternatives like KRK's RP6, despite a slightly sharp sound profile. Overall, a great budget-friendly choice for home studios.

positive

Full Review

Mackie MR5mk2 Active Studio Monitor Review

mixonline.com

The Mackie MR5mk2 studio monitors deliver a surprisingly big sound for their small size and price point. With design improvements like a new tweeter, woofer, and waveguide, they offer excellent imaging and depth. Priced affordably at $199.99 each, they stand out in their range. However, the upper-bass can be slightly exaggerated, and the input-attenuator lacks precision in dim lighting. Despite these minor downsides, their detailed high-frequency range and connectivity options make them a top choice for budget-conscious musicians seeking quality sound in a compact package.

positive

Full Review

Add review

4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

pkennethk

26711

over 5 years ago

Just get the HS5s...

TLDR: Impressive low end, but I personally found the high-end fatiguing and had to switch to something different. However, I then passed these on to a friend, who didn't find them fatiguing in his studio space and has been happy with them for years. All that said, it's not the mid-2010s anymore, and (in this price range) you should just buy Yamaha HS5s or something from Kali Audio.

Ok... now the long version:

For the price, and the era, these were impressive... I picked up a pair of MR5s in 2014(?) because I was setting up a tiny studio space/desk in my then-new apartment and wanted to downsize to something fitting the size of the room, that still had reasonable low-end, that also wasn't Genelec-priced.

I tried getting along with these new monitors for a few weeks, but my ears would get fatigued and start to tighten up after only a few minutes at moderate volumes, regardless of settings... this didn't happen with my old (very old) Event PS6s or even with the giant, peculiar M-Audio EX66s I ended up using for a hot minute.

So I boxed up the Mackies and moved up to the larger, tonally-darker Focal Alpha 65s. The Alphas were such a huge relief: they had the honesty/detail I was after, and I could track with them for most of the night without physical discomfort.

HOWEVER, I then loaned these Mackies to a good friend of mine, who set them up in his tiny back-house studio, and in that odd, cozy one-room house, these things sound great... I mean, they sound nothing like I remember them sounding in my (now) old apartment, the harsh highs have died away... and the lows are even more impressive than I recall.

Some of this change in performance could be due to the speakers physically breaking-in over time, but also, the room just makes a huge difference, obviously. This isn't a treated space, mind you, and my friend isn't doing much detailed mixing on them; he just keeps the MRs cranked when he's banging out tunes on the laptop/Maschine setup in that space... and in this context, they're way beyond adequate.

So these monitors ultimately found a happy home with a happy user who has been enjoying them for years... but now, in 2020/21, if you asked me to spend close to the same $$ on 5" project studio speakers, I'm going to direct you to Yamaha HS5 all day. I haven't heard what the newer Mackie MR5 mk3 (4?) sound like, but... just get the HS5s... unless you're ready to go all-in and get something approaching $1-2k/pair.

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic

io240

almost 2 years ago

Perfectly

Good price. Detailed sound, there are low frequencies. I have been working with them for more than 10 years and there is no need to change them.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Experimental

Artist usage

Add artist

Four Tet

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via Photo

Per this photo from an October 27, 2017 feature for Noisegate one of Kieran's studio spaces features Mackie MR5 MK2s. Full credit to EB member @pablot for finding this article.