Ruark MR1 Mk3 review: 5-star power from these sublime small speakers

Just the eight-and-a-half years after it launched (to considerable acclaim) its MR1 Mk2 powered stereo speaker desktop system, Ruark is back with the Mk3.

But before we get into the meat of this Ruark review, I've previously written about the 3 best bookshelf speakers money can buy. Where the MR1 Mk3 differs to those, however, is that it's powered – so no need for a separate amp or any such shenanigans.

That makes the MR1 Mk3 a very interesting little desktop system, which is also keenly priced. So, just what on Earth has Ruark been up to all this time since the last MR1 launch – and has it been worth the wait?

Price & Availability

The Ruark MR1 Mk3 is on sale now, and in the United Kingdom it’s currently on sale at £399. In the United States it sells for $579. While in Australia the going rate is AU$899.

Compare this to the £349 / $499 / AU$749 the MR1 Mk2 cost when it launched back at the start of 2017 and it’s obvious Ruark has done its utmost to keep this system as affordable as possible.

Features & What's New?

Glance at the MR1 Mk3 and you’ll be hard-pushed to discern any differences between it and the long-serving model it replaces. Do more than glance at the spec-sheet, though, and the changes and updates over the Mk2 become apparent.

And for the most part, the changes are fundamental. Amplification, for instance, has changed from the Class A/B of the Mk2 to Class D. On the face of it, this might seem like a step backwards – but the amplification here is derived from Ruark’s extremely well-regarded R410 integrated music system, and power output has increased from the Mk2’s 20 watts per channel to 25.

This new setup drives a speaker array that consists of a 20mm silk dome tweeter and an 85mm ‘NS+’ mid/bass driver made of treated natural fibre per speaker. With support from a downward-firing bass reflex port, the system frequency response is quoted at 50Hz - 22kHz.

Input options have stepped on, too. The MR1 Mk3 features Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity, and is compatible with the aptX HD codec. It now has a hybrid digital optical/analogue 3.5mm input, and when in optical mode it can handle file resolutions of up to 24bit/192kHz PCM.

There’s also a USB-C slot that’s able to deal with content of up to 24bit/96kHz PCM. A pair of stereo RCA inputs lead to a moving magnet phono stage, so a turntable can be hooked up. And, as with the Mk2, there’s a pre-out for a subwoofer in case you’re keen to get some genuine ‘wallop’ out of your system.

Performance

Ruark has certainly rung the changes with the MR1 Mk3, but it hasn’t torn up the rulebook – this system has all the sonic hallmarks of a Ruark product, which can only be a good thing.

Tonally, it’s just slightly to the ‘warm’ side of neutral. Frequency response, from the remarkably deep and textured low-end, to the crunchily assertive top-end, is smooth and even. Detail levels are high at every point, and there’s sufficient dynamic headroom to allow the Mk3 to fully report on shifts in volume or intensity within a recording.

Thanks to the fact the reflex port is always the ideal distance from a boundary, the Ruark is relatively straightforward to position – and once it’s in place, it can create a large and well-defined soundstage. Stereo focus is good, too, and the overall presentation escapes the confines of the little cabinets quite easily.

The MR1 Mk3 digs deep into the frequency, and it controls its bass presence well – so in addition to a respectable amount of ‘thump’ and plenty of tonal and textural variation, rhythmic expression is confident too.

The mid-range is open and revealing, which allows voices to project well and to reveal plenty about their character and attitude. At the top-end, the Ruark summons a fair amount of bite and shine – treble sounds are substantial, though, so there’s no suggestion of hardness or edginess even if you’re playing at considerable volume.

The MR1 Mk3 will go loud, true enough – but it’s equally adept at playing quietly (which is important, especially if it’s functioning as a desktop system). Some powered stereo speakers can lose their footing at very low volumes, but the Ruark maintains full-range frequency response and impressive detail retrieval at every point.

It’s also nicely consistent across each of its inputs. The phono stage is very capable, and although there’s the inevitable drop-off when listening to a recording via Bluetooth as opposed to the same music delivered via USB-C or vinyl, the overall character of the system doesn’t waver. It’s never less than entertaining and musical, no matter what you want to listen to or how.

Design & Usability

Just as with the feature-set, the design of this new model has changed over the Mk2 it replaces. It just isn’t all that obvious.

The cabinets are still handcrafted, and available in either a charcoal lacquer or real walnut veneer finish – and each is fitted with slate-grey cloth grilles that cannot be removed.

They’re still arranged in primary/seconday set-up, with the primary speaker containing amplification and all connectivity – and they’re still joined together by a length of braided cable, though this is now a more useful three metres long rather than the 2m supplied with the Mk2.

The cabinets, though, are bigger in every direction. Not all that much, in all fairness, but the 185 x 135 x 155mm (HxWxD) of the MR1 Mk3 is an increase on the 175 x 130 x 140mm of the old model – and it means that the internal volume of each speaker is now two litres. They’re still an eminently desktop-friendly proposition, though.

Control comes via a slim little remote control that deals with power on/off, volume up/down and input selection – it needs to be pointed at the primary speaker.

The primary speaker also features Ruark’s trademark ‘RotoDial’ control on its top surface – this offers control of the same function, just in a more pleasant fashion than the remote control. And it means the primary speaker ends up being 202mm tall.

There’s a little button on the rear of the primary speaker marked ‘reset/input level’. A 5-second press-and-hold performs a factory reset, while a short press adjusts the input level of the phono, optical or line-level input depending on which one you’ve selected. This makes particular sense for the phono input, because different cartridges will require different levels of gain – and the input level you specify is stored individually for each source.

Ruark MR1 Mk3 review: Verdict

It’s been a long time coming, but the Ruark MR1 Mk3 has been worth the wait.

Some of the upgrades over the MR1 Mk2 are major, some come under the heading of ‘marginal gains’ – but they combine to produce an endlessly listenable little system that punches well above its asking price.

The MR1 Mk3 is a true 5-star product and a great route to obtaining endlessly listenable bookshelf-style speakers, without the need for a separate amplifier.

Also Consider

The Q Acoustics M20 wireless speaker system is a fine-sounding device with plenty to recommend it where functionality is concerned too – but its dimensions means it’s not suitable for a desktop (unless your desk is absolutely massive).

You could consider buying a couple of JBL Flip 7 – it’s easy to form a stereo pair and then you’ll have two portable speakers as well as a very capable desktop system. They’re strictly battery-powered, though, and there’s only USB-C as a physical input.