Enhanced Desktop Speakers: Ruark Unveils Long-Awaited MR1 MK3 Upgrade After Eight Years
Get down to the nitty-gritty on the Ruark Audio MR1 MK3 – these babies are a rolling revamp of our fave desktop speakers over at our website HQ. From the original MR1 in 2013 to the award-winning MR1 MK2 in 2017, these pint-sized speakers with their lush textures and sterling sound have been go-to recommendations thanks to their perfect balance of size, features, and price.
Now, the third generation is here, and we're all pumped. We've had an exclusive sneak peek and hands-on session with the MR1 MK3 ahead of time, and we're thrilled to see they've kept their fan-favorite charm while adding a handful of upgrades without jacking up the price.
The new MR1 MK3 speakers remain powered speakers, packing their punch thanks to built-in amps hiding inside those stylish wooden bodies. Now they're bigger, though, to house a fresh 8.5cm mid/bass driver promising deeper, more controlled bass. The crossover and bass reflex system have been extensively tweaked to deliver a "significant leap in acoustic performance," according to Ruark.
The 20mm silk dome tweeter is still in the mix, but these speakers are now powered by Class D amplification, borrowed from the five-star R410 all-in-one wireless system. Class D is replacing the Class A/B amp used in the older MR1 MK2, with Ruark claiming Class D offers a "substantial increase in power output and control."
Don't worry – the feature set hasn't been gutted. These Bluetooth-only speakers (no Wi-Fi or Spotify Connect) still hold their own. They've simply received an upgrade to support higher-quality aptX HD codecs and low-latency streaming. There's also a combined optical and auxiliary input, with USB-C and phono inputs added to the mix.
The MR1 MK3 remains a flexible listen, but the new connections offer even more varieties to groove to your tunes. Stream from your phone, hook them up to your laptop, or use them as TV speakers. We're big fans of the moving-magnet phono stage, allowing you to connect a turntable directly for a killer, compact vinyl setup.
You can also plug in a subwoofer (like Ruark's own RS1 Subwoofer) into the sub output to beef up the bass and fill out the sound.
The MR1 MK3 comes in two finishes – a luxurious walnut or charcoal lacquer – with slate grey fabric grilles rounding out the look. The top-mounted rotary control knob sticks around, too.
The MR1 MK3 is available now for $579 / €479 / AU$899, only a £40 increase from the MR1 MK2's launch price. Ruark has been careful to keep the price reasonable, considering the updates.
We're stoked to get our hands on a review unit, so keep an eye out for our full review to see if the MR1 MK3 lives up to the hype.
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Sources: [1] Ruark, 2021. MR1 MK3 datasheet. [2] Ruark, 2021. MR1 MK3 product page. [3] What Hi-Fi, 2021.
Upgrades galore for Ruark's popular MR1 MK3 speakers, which keep their budget-friendly price point while improving on bass, power, and connection options. Featuring a more capable 8.5cm NS+ mid/bass driver, Class D amplification, andaptX HD Bluetooth support, the MR1 MK3 is shaping up to be a strong upgrade over its predecessor. Additional features include a moving-magnet phono input for connecting a turntable and a USB-C input for hi-res audio playback. Available now for £399 / $579 / €479 / AU$899.
- The Ruark Audio MR1 MK3 speakers, a popular choice known for their balance of size, features, and price, are receiving upgrades without a significant increase in price.
- One of the enhancements in the MR1 MK3 is a larger 8.5cm mid/bass driver, promising deeper, more controlled bass.
- Class D amplification, borrowed from the Ruark R410 all-in-one wireless system, is now powering the 20mm silk dome tweeter.
- The MR1 MK3 speakers support higher-quality aptX HD codecs and offer low-latency streaming, an upgrade from their previous Bluetooth-only setup.
- The speakers now offer USB-C and phono inputs, in addition to the combined optical and auxiliary input.
- Users can also connect a turntable directly to the MR1 MK3 via the moving-magnet phono stage, creating a compact vinyl setup.
- The MR1 MK3 remains affordable, priced at £399 / $579 / €479 / AU$899, despite the various upgrades.
