Mackie CR5-X

Here’s the updated review with the note about the hiss during quiet hours:

I got the CR5-X speakers to replace my JBL104-BT monitors, mainly for a matching subwoofer setup and better stability on my desk. The JBLs felt a bit unstable, and I never used their Bluetooth, so these were a better fit.

Out of the box, the CR5-X speakers look great, feel solid, and deliver clear, balanced sound with plenty of low-end. My headphone mix translated almost perfectly to them, which gave me confidence in their accuracy. Compared to the JBL104s, they’re slightly more bass-forward but still balanced.

There is some slight hissing, constant regardless of volume, and it’s more noticeable during quiet hours. That said, it seems common in this price range. Moving them further from my power strip helped reduce its prominence.

Overall, I’m happy with their performance, design, and how well they fit into my setup—especially paired with a subwoofer.