Mackie CR3-X Multimedia Bluetooth 2.1 Soundsystem

For a while I was looking for a 2.1 set for my PC. Requirements were clear:

1. listen to music (Hi-Res / Uncompressed) what is most important to me! For me, music is emotion, the speakers should also evoke! I have a very good system in the living room that can call this without any problems, I expect this from my 2.1 set for my PC.
2. would like to have also a tidy sound if I times game.
3. the speakers must not be too big, I want to have space on my table.


It is difficult when you have these wishes and you are on a budget. After many attempts (wrong purchases) and search over different search machines came all at once a Mackie set highly with Kirstein.
Mackie... never heard of, 1 -2 days further researched, studio quality, well tested (both the CR3-X and the CR4-X), and the subwoofer was also well in review.
The set fit the budget, didn't doubt for long, and ordered.
1 day later it was there, I had already seen on Mackie's website how to connect everything, and as expected, connecting the 2 speakers and the subwoofer was totally easy.
Although the CR3-X are the smallest, which are quite large and deep, cleanly finished and high quality, the same goes for the CR8S-X BT subwoofer which with 11 kg, is not a lightweight.

Important: In this "constellation" there are 2 controls that you have to set up before it fits sonically.
1. the crossover on the subwoofer
2. the volume control on the CR3-X
Then you can adjust the volume of the subwoofer at the CRDV monitor controller at the middle disc, at the top the volume of the whole system! When the CRDV is connected, the 2 upper controls (Volume, Input Level) in the subwoofer are not active!

And then the first try, music:
Djabe with Steve Hacket, album The Sardinia Tapes, life is a journey. Song: I will always remember. On my HiFI system I get goosebumps every time I hear it. Even the Mackie gets it right. The trumpet of Ferenc Kovács, Steve Hacket on guitar, a wide stage is presented, carried by the beautiful unobtrusive lows of the subwoofers... Yes... Goosebumps!

Band Of Brothers: London Metropolitan Orchestra and Michael Kamen. Song: The main title song of the series, here I always get emotional.... Does the Mackie do it too? Oh, yeah..... Here I Go Quietly....

On to the next one: Sevdaliza and their new album Shabrang. Song: Human Nature. Sevdaliza's voice seems enchanting, the subwoofer has to work here, it goes really but really deep here. Then the cello... here you really get seduced.

Nightwish is on, album Human Nature. Song Shoemaker. Floor's voice comes out clean, you can already feel the massive sound of Nightwish, Mackie scores here too.

And so I listen to many songs from my collection, from David Sanborn, Dream Theater, Stanley Clarke, George Benson, etc. and every time I enjoy it, and so it should be!

Gaming: I play GW2, Wow... and wait a minute.... Here I hear things that were unknown to me until now, a lot of detail!

Conclusion:

Positive:
I am impressed, the CR3-X actually know how to form a nice stage off, the subwoofer has power but is not too present, and the advantage is that you can adjust the volume separately from the speakers and the subwoofer what is not possible with many 2.1 sets. The CRDV Puck is easy and intuitive to use. If it has to be "loud", the CR3X get now and then times to your limits but nevertheless make the "small" damn much fun.
What is also very positive is the included cables from Kirstein: Pronomic Stage INSTS-3 The are cleanly processed.

Negative:
What has struck me very negatively are the according to Mackie "High-quality cables" that are supplied standard with the set. There is nothing high quality on it, I have left everything in the box, and have my own cable connected.

On the whole: Clear buy recommendation!