Mackie CR8BT – 3rd-generation CR Series active studio monitors with an 8" woven-cone woofer, silk-dome tweeter, 140 W RMS Class-D amplification (total), Bluetooth 5.0, Tone Control knob and Location Switch. Price is per pair (active + passive).
The CR8BT is the largest model in the Creative Reference Gen 3 lineup – designed for workstations that double as studios, offices and listening rooms. The Class-D amplifier (140 W RMS total, 70 W per speaker) lives in the active enclosure, which drives the passive satellite via the included speaker cable. The crossover at 2.0 kHz divides the signal between the 8" woven-cone woofer and the silk-dome tweeter, which sits behind a waveguide shaped for wide dispersion across the listening area.
Tone Control and Location Switch – one pair, multiple contexts
The front-panel Tone Control knob shifts the speaker's character in real time: fully counterclockwise gives a flat reference response for tracking and mixing; turning right gradually adds bass weight and top-end sparkle for gaming, casual listening or party use. The rear-panel Location Switch applies an EQ curve optimized for either desktop mode (nearfield, close-up listening) or bookshelf mode (listening from a distance). The front-panel headphone output automatically mutes the speakers when headphones are connected – clean for late-night sessions without any additional steps.
Connectivity
The active monitor's rear panel includes a balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS input, RCA stereo inputs and a 1/8" stereo jack, covering studio interfaces and mixers alongside consumer gear like turntables and computers. Bluetooth 5.0 adds wireless streaming from phones, tablets and laptops. The rear-firing bass-reflex port extends the low end to 44 Hz; allow clearance from the wall for optimal bass performance.
KEY FEATURES
- 8" woven-cone low-frequency driver
- 1" silk-dome tweeter with waveguide for wide dispersion
- 140 W RMS total (70 W per speaker), Class-D amplifier
- Frequency response: 44 Hz – 20 kHz
- Maximum SPL: 108 dB peak
- Crossover point: 2.0 kHz
- Tone Control – real-time voicing from flat reference to boosted casual listening
- Location Switch – EQ optimization for desktop or bookshelf placement
- Bluetooth 5.0 – wireless audio streaming
- Inputs: 1/4" TRS (balanced/unbalanced), RCA, 1/8" stereo jack
- Front-panel headphone output with automatic speaker mute
- MDF enclosure with rear-firing bass-reflex port
- Includes: speaker cable for passive satellite, RCA cables
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- LF driver: 8" woven cone
- HF driver: 1" silk-dome with waveguide
- Amplifier power: 140 W RMS total (70 W per speaker), Class D
- Frequency response: 44 Hz – 20 kHz
- Maximum SPL: 108 dB peak
- Crossover: 2.0 kHz
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Inputs: 1/4" TRS (balanced/unbalanced), RCA, 1/8" stereo jack
- Output: headphone jack (front panel)
- Power requirements: 120 VAC 60 Hz / 220–240 VAC 50/60 Hz / 100 VAC 50/60 Hz
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 376 × 251 × 346 mm (14.8" × 9.9" × 13.6")
- Pair weight: 16.0 kg (35.2 lb)