What we liked
- The compact, user-friendly design
- The range of digital and analog connectors
- The build quality
We would have liked
- A wireless connection between the two speakers
- Bass/treble output level controls
Our expert’s opinion
With the MR1 MKIII, Ruark has come up with a particularly compelling solution for enjoying music at your desk, with an emphasis on close-up stereo listening. Their precise, dynamic, and surprisingly open sound delivers a true hi-fi experience, while their compact design makes them easy to integrate into your daily life, despite the lack of a wireless connection between the two speakers.
The extensive connectivity further enhances this versatility by supporting wireless sources via Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD, a turntable via the phono input, and digital sources with the USB-C or optical input. The Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 active speakers are therefore ideal for working from home, gaming sessions, or as part of a compact home theater system in a small room, with the option to add a subwoofer. It’s an appealing combination and a genuine alternative to headphones, which can become uncomfortable during long listening sessions.
Known for its well-crafted and reliable wireless speakers, such as the R410, Ruark Audio brings its expertise to a particularly compact stereo system. The Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII active speakers combine a hi-fi design with an extensive range of connectors, including a phono input and a USB-C audio port. Priced at €479, they aim to deliver a refined sound reproduction on a desk or in a room up to 20 m².
Introduction to the Ruark MR1 MKIII
Founded in 1985 by Brian O’Rourke and his son Alan O’Rourke, Ruark Audio first made a name for itself designing traditional hi-fi speakers. In 2013, the British brand applied its expertise to a compact, self-powered format with the launch of the first generation of MR1 speakers. The Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 therefore represents the third evolution of this range, designed to combine ease of use, precise stereo reproduction, and versatility.
Included accessories
The Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII active speakers come with a remote control and its battery, a three meter long cable to connect the two speakers, and a 1.8 meter long power cord for the main unit. It’s a shame that the stereo connection relies exclusively on the included cable, whereas some KEF models, for example, offer wireless communication between the two speakers, which provides more flexibility during setup.
An ultra-compact design
As soon as I took them out of the box, the exceptionally compact size of the Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 speakers caught my attention. They are only 13.5 cm wide, 20 cm high and 16.5 cm deep. Their cabinet has an internal volume of 2 liters, slightly larger than that of the previous generation, while still being compact enough for a desktop hi-fi system.
Ruark Audio is also taking advantage of this third generation to refine an already very appealing design. The handcrafted cabinet stands out for its beveled edges, which soften the silhouette and enhance the overall elegance. The fabric grilles complement this refined look while adding a contemporary touch. Thanks to their exceptionally well-crafted enclosures, the Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII active speakers blend just as naturally into a home office as they do into a living room.
Audio design
The compact size of the Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 active speakers naturally calls for the use of small drivers. Each speaker features a 2-way design combining a 8.5 cm NS+ midbass driver with a treated natural fiber cone and a 20 mm silk dome tweeter. The main driver is therefore 1 cm larger in diameter than that of the second generation, which measured 7.5 cm.
To support this evolution, the British manufacturer has readjusted the crossover and optimized the down-firing bass-reflex port. This design makes it easier to place the Ruark MR1 MKIII powered speakers on a desk—even right next to a wall—while ensuring even bass dispersion.
The class D digital amplifier delivers a total power output of 2 × 25 W. This power output is well-suited for dynamic, close-range listening sessions at a desk, as well as for providing sound in a room measuring 15 to 20 m².
Connectors for all sources
The Ruark MR1 Mk3 active speakers feature a Bluetooth 5.1 connection compatible with the aptX HD, AAC, and SBC codecs, as well as the A2DP and BLE protocols. The aptX HD codec enables high-quality transmission with minimal compression, making it ideal for listening to high-resolution audio files from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
The physical connectivity options are particularly versatile. The MM phono input via stereo RCA jacks, which accepts a maximum level of 7 mV, allows you to connect a turntable directly and set up a compact analog system. The combined 3.5 mm mini-jack and Toslink optical input accommodates both analog and digital sources, such as a CD player, a network player, or a TV. It supports PCM streams up to 24-bit/192 kHz, allowing the Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII speakers to serve as an excellent replacement for a TV’s built-in drivers.
The built-in DAC handles high-resolution files up to 24-bit/192 kHz. The USB-C audio port makes it easy to connect the speakers to a computer and supports audio streams up to 24-bit/96 kHz thanks to its UAC 1.0 compatibility. A mono subwoofer output via RCA, delivering up to 2 V RMS, rounds out the package, allowing you to connect a subwoofer and extend the bass response.
To connect a network player, the Toslink optical output provides the most direct connection and leaves the conversion to the speakers’ DAC. An RCA analog output can also be connected to the 3.5 mm mini-jack input using an RCA-to-mini-jack cable. The RCA phono input is intended exclusively for turntables equipped with an MM cartridge.
Key specifications
- 2 x 25 W active speakers
- 8.5 cm midbass driver + 20 mm tweeter
- Bluetooth aptX HD receiver
- Phono, USB-C, mini-jack/optical inputs
- Subwoofer output
- Wired connection between the two speakers
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 135 x 202 x 165 mm
- Price: €479 per pair
Listening impressions
Setting up the Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII active speakers is remarkably simple. Their compact size makes them easy to place on a desk, while their small footprint allows you to easily move them or position them around a TV in a bedroom, for example.
From the very first notes, the Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 powered speakers delivered a sound that is more powerful, more robust, and fuller than their size would suggest. The bass lines had a pronounced impact and a beautiful presence, while the sound reproduction maintained impressive dynamics.
Their sense of rhythm is also one of their key strengths. On urban tracks by Eminem or Kendrick Lamar, the Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII active speakers delivered plenty of momentum and packed a powerful punch. Billie Eilish’s pop tracks also enjoyed a lively and catchy sound that effectively conveyed their intensity.
The power handling was impressive for such compact speakers. At very high volume, however, some particularly energetic tracks caused some vibration. They are primarily designed for close-up listening at a desk or for filling a moderately sized room with sound, rather than for party-level playback. Furthermore, the controls are limited to volume; Ruark Audio hasn’t added separate bass and treble adjustments.
The midrange was exceptionally well-defined. The vocals sounded full, grounded, and well-defined, as demonstrated by the soul tracks of Alicia Keys and Barry White. This richness gave the performers a compelling presence and enhanced the expressive quality of the sound.
Beyond their energetic character, the Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 speakers maintained a beautiful sense of ease when the tempo slowed down. More contemplative tracks benefited from a precise and expressive reproduction, while tonal variations remained clearly discernible in more complex works, particularly soundtracks by Hans Zimmer or John Williams.
Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII vs. Kanto YU4
Priced at €479 and €490, respectively, the Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII and Kanto YU4 active speakers have very similar designs and are both aimed at compact desktop hi-fi systems. However, the Ruark Audio speakers draw on a stronger hi-fi heritage and feature more modern wireless connectivity. Their Bluetooth 5.1 chip, which supports aptX HD, enables higher-quality transmission, while the Kanto YU4 speakers rely on Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX.
The Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 also offers greater flexibility thanks to its down-firing bass-reflex port, which makes it easier to place them close to a wall. Their USB-C audio port is another advantage, allowing them to be connected directly to a computer to create a desktop system.
The Kanto YU4 speakers, on the other hand, feature more powerful amplification, with 2 × 35 W compared to the Ruark Audio’s 2 × 25 W. Their 10-cm midbass driver also has a larger diameter than the 8.5-cm driver in the MR1 MKIII. Finally, their two optical inputs make it easy to connect multiple digital sources simultaneously.
Who are these speakers for?
The Ruark Audio MR1 MKIII active speakers are designed for music lovers looking for a compact desktop hi-fi system for everyday close-range listening sessions. They are also ideal for those who work from home and prefer comfortable stereo sound at moderate volumes as an alternative to wearing headphones for long periods of time.
Thanks to their optical input and compact size, the Ruark Audio MR1 Mk3 speakers can also be used to create a discreet home theater system in a bedroom. When paired with a computer, they enhance the immersive audio experience for movies, TV shows, and gaming sessions.
