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As a hardware reviewer, I unbox new tech pretty regularly. I don’t mean that to sound like a humble brag; I say it because I’ve learned that you can distinguish a brand that really wants to go the extra mile for customers and provide a luxury feel from the brands that are just boxing up a product for sale. I seldom find the former these days, especially not in the fairly unglamorous world of the best computer speakers.
But while I was unboxing the Ruark MR1 MK3 speakers, I was immediately reminded of why this brand stands out. Small velvety pouches encased both of the speakers, premium packaging, and small notes from the brand lay in the box. That luxury feel was there in spades before I had even plugged the speakers into my PC, and in many ways, that first experience encapsulates what Ruark is going for with its latest desktop speakers.
Unlike SteelSeries, Logitech, and Razer, Ruark probably isn’t thinking about their products being plugged into the best gaming PCs first and foremost. Its MR1 MK3 speakers are, however, built to be very versatile. Their design is a natural fit for anyone looking to build a classy, relaxed aesthetic, but the brand’s premium feel is infectious, and it gives your setup an extra bit of pzaz. Normally, I’d be averse to recommending you a product like this for £399 when cheaper alternatives exist, but these speakers have the kind of audio quality that feels like self-care – they inspire you to not just hear, but listen.
Design
From a quick look at the Ruark MR1 MK3 speakers, you might have trouble distinguishing them from their predecessors, the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers, which I reviewed a few years ago. The designs here are very similar, and in truth, besides a few subtle size and color changes, most of the design work has carried over.
As a 2.0 system (two satellite speakers, no subwoofer), it’s a simple setup that comes with a really nifty wee remote control. There are some integrated controls on the right-hand speaker, but I find the remote does everything I’d need, so I never find myself reaching for them.
The MK3 are available in two colorways, Satin Charcoal and Rich Walnut. The Satin Charcoal versions are more of a plain black design, which may be the choice for some setups, but I think the Walnut colorway is the one I’d recommend. It’s a darker color than the “Rich Walnut Veneer” found on the MK2 models. It has so much more character to it, but is low-profile enough that it could easily integrate into all sorts of setups.
The now darker Rich Walnut chassis is complemented by a more grizzled mesh covering the drivers. There’s a bit more black threading woven through compared to the lighter grey of the MK2 speakers. Overall, I’m a big fan of the aesthetics; it feels like a maturation of what the brand had going with the previous models.
What you may need to think a bit more about is size. As I’ll come onto, the features of the updated MK3 speakers mean the wooden chassis has had to expand slightly, so people who are trying to integrate these speakers neatly underneath a monitor might have a bit more trouble now. Personally, I don’t think this is a massive issue, as the size and shape are still really convenient compared to some more adventurous gaming speaker designs like the Edifier G2000 Pro.
Features
Ruark has pulled in some of its amplifier tech from its R410 hifi here, so you can really tell the brand wants to lean into making excellent-sounding systems that can blend in as classy bits of furniture. That means there are 2x 25W nominal Class D amplifiers, providing a pretty epic scale of sound for a speaker set this compact.
Ruark has carried over the same 20mm silk dome tweeters from the MK2 speakers here, but there’s definitely more oomph thanks to a Ruark NS+ 85mm long-throw woofer that’s been treated with a natural fibre cone.
This is the reason for the bigger size overall, but it does result in more power compared to the last iteration of the MR1, and I’ll talk more about what that means for the sound quality in a moment. On the software side of things, you’ll get an adaptive EQ as well as a soft clip overload protection, which has worked wonders for me when video editing or really testing the power limits of the MK3.
When I first tested the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers in 2023, I was really impressed by their versatility. This is a 2.0 setup that’s at home on a desktop, but could easily work as a set of Bluetooth speakers in a bedroom, or hooked up to a vinyl player in a sitting room. Personally, it feels as though Ruark has wanted to lean into the desktop side of things this time around, because the addition of USB-C audio means so much for gamers on all platforms.
That said, Bluetooth and 3.5mm aux options still exist, and there’s even an added phono stage too. Be warned, though, these MK3 speakers are a little more power hungry, coming with a beefier 18VDC 2.8A output power adapter. That’s no surprise when you’re setting up the speakers since they have a surprising amount of heft for their size. Each weighs 2.1Kg.
Now, for those of you who worry that a 2.0 system just isn’t enough, I’d encourage you to think again, because there’s a surprisingly massive soundscape in these speakers that means you don’t necessarily feel like you’re missing out (unless you really prefer having a subwoofer. For desk-based gaming, though, subwoofers can be impractical. Where do you put one if your PC sits to the side of your desk? Do you really need one when you’re that close and likely use a headset most of the time? There are a lot of conditionals.
I would have really loved an included subwoofer here to really take these speakers to the next level, not because I feel the bass oomph is missing, but because you are paying a lot for them to not get a 2.1 platform. You can connect to a subwoofer though, so the option is there. While Ruark’s own RS1 looks like a beautiful aesthetic match to add in, it’s an extra £349 purchase – almost the same price as the speakers themselves. In fact, it’s the same price as the MK2 versions of this speaker.
Performance
Thankfully, I challenge anyone to test these speakers in their setup and still feel the need for a subwoofer. Maybe if you’re looking for a living room audio solution or you want to throw big house parties, you might be itching for that extra bass boom, but for a desk, the understated power of the MK3 is quite possibly unmatched by any other 2.0 product.
The soundscape isn’t quite as finely detailed as the Logitech Z407 to my ears, but it’s just as full when you’re sitting at a desk. Orchestral swells and big band jazz tracks letting loose on these speakers never fail to bring a smile to my face, and probably an eye-roll to my upstairs neighbours.
These days, I’ve realised I seldom have time to sit and just really listen to music, which I find a shame compared to years gone by. But I find that with Ruark’s classy MR1 design and sublime audio quality, I’m more inclined to actually sit back and let soundtracks, albums, and video game sound design wash over me and not just hear it, but feel it.
The MR1 MK3 are definitely not all about massive volume all the time. I think where the Logi Z407 is great at conveying crunchy detail, the Ruark MR1 MK3’s speciality is making a soundscape still feel full, even when you’re listening at lower volumes. Ruark’s adaptive EQ is clearly working hard under the surface like an award-winning conductor, ensuring that the best possible quality of the entire ensemble can still be appreciated despite being told to play pianissimo.
Of course, in games, you’re not going to catch me recommending these to competitive Esports players who rely on subtle directional audio. For that, a gaming headset is a natural companion, but for open-world games, for ones that rely on soundtracks to immerse you, or anything with a world you want to explore at length, you’re going to struggle to find a better 2.0 system for your desk than this.
I played a fair chunk of Towerfall Ascension while testing some controllers in the last few weeks, and that game’s legendary soundtrack was absolutely popping off through the speakers. It’s a pretty loud game anyway, but a lesser piece of audio hardware can make it feel a little intense and have you reaching for the volume controls. I didn’t feel that with the Ruark MR1 MK3 at all, because again, that EQ does a great job of shielding your ears from offensive blasts.
Should you buy the Ruark MR1 MK3 speakers?
I’m usually on the hunt for the best quality hardware for as little money as possible. It takes a special brand and a very top-quality product for me to recommend something to you if it’s more expensive than the competition while not offering much in the way of extra features.
But the Ruark MR1 MK3 is one of those products that has me cornered. Yes, it’s more expensive than some of the other 2.1, let alone 5.1 gaming speaker systems out there, but it’s for good reason. This is a luxury 2.0 setup that gives you sublime audio quality without a subwoofer, and doesn’t make me feel like I’m missing one.
If you listen to a lot of music, even just while you work, consider this speaker set as an investment in a beautiful pastime. It won’t just play you your favorite music, it’ll have you listening intently and remembering how good it felt to hear it all for the first time. If you’re mainly looking for good positional audio from a set of speakers, maybe look to something that leans into that, but for a 2.0 setup used for music and more ambient gaming, the quality here is worth the money.
How I tested the Ruark MR1 MK3 Speakers
After years of using the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers as my daily audio driver for work, video editing, and gaming at my desk, I upgraded to the MK3 for over a month before writing this review. In that time, I’ve used them daily for all the same activities.
When it came time to come to a verdict, I compared them closely to the Logitech Z407, which I use in my living room/couch setup. I used the GamesRadar+ hardware team’s own testing playlist to really listen in for details and points of criticism. Some of my highlight songs to test with include Yoda & The Force, I Was Just a Kid by Nothing But Thieves, Psychosocial by Slipknot, KK Moody by the 8BitBigBand, Dolphinus Delphis by Austin Wintory, The End by My Chemical Romance, and Prologue from the Official Broadway Cast recording of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.
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