Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 Active Speakers

Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 Active SpeakersRuark Audio MR1 Mk2 Active Speakers The Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 is still compact, portable and powerful with class leading sound quality and was voted BEST DESK TOP SPEAKER two years running 2017 and 2018. And yes, some of us still have a desk top computer like we do when administering this web site or listening to decent music from all the popular sources while we work! And via Bluetooth if you want. However, with vinyl records back in style, buying a

Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 Active Speakers

The Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 is still compact, portable and powerful with class leading sound quality and was voted BEST DESK TOP SPEAKER two years running - 2017 and 2018. And yes, some of us still have a desk top computer like we do when administering this web site or listening to decent music from all the popular sources while we work! And via Bluetooth if you want. However, with vinyl records back in style, buying a pair of MR1's makes it super easy to get a complete system together at a bargain price. 

Ruark Audio have been making high quality hi-fi speaker systems for decades. In 2004 they made the seemingly radical decision to get into manufacturing high quality electronics but not into what one would expect, but into compact music systems that would integrate the new format of DAB+ radio. This was a very good business decision and Ruark are considered to be the best - period! They moved into the booming Bluetooth Speaker market with the MR-1 in 2015 and now we have the MR1 Mk2 with a few minor refinements.

Like the Ruark Audio Radios and Music Systems, the MR-1 Mk2 features a control system which is simple and easy to use. A short press of the volume control turns it on and off and a long press changes the audio input from line-in to Bluetooth or vice-versa. A multi coloured LED indicates the selected input and also indicates status, blinking rapidly when maximum volume has been reached and blinking intermittently when MR-1 is in standby mode.

Sound Foundations: On their own MR1 provides the foundation of a complete music system and with a turntable you can be part of the vinyl revival. Also with their super high quality aptX Bluetooth receiver, you can wirelessly stream your music to MR1 with CD quality sound. Many computers and handheld devices now come as standard with aptX® , but with or without, sound quality over Bluetooth with MR1 is impressive.

New Driver Design: The MR1 speakers utilise two new drive units, developed specifically to give high performance sound from compact dimensions. Great care has been taken on the woofer and tweeter construction to ensure distortion causing reflections are kept to a minimum. Both units also feature rare earth neodymium magnet systems. This type of magnet material is expensive compared to conventional ferrite systems, but allows greater magnetic concentration, for better driver control, in a lightweight and fully shielded system.

Great Connectivity: On the rear panel of the control unit are outputs for the left hand Speaker and a Subwoofer, so an active Subwoofer can be connected if required. A switchable line-in input with attenuation switch allows numerous audio devices (including a turntable with phono equaliser or TV) to be connected.

Voice controlled devices from the likes of Amazon and Google are interesting technologies, but deciding which may be right for you and which will stand the test of time can be daunting. This is a key reason why all later Ruark Audio products incorporate Bluetooth and auxiliary inputs, so devices such as these can easily be connected and enjoyed with their products class leading sound. Also when technology changes (which it is bound to) then it is easy for you to upgrade as required.

A simple remote control enables all MR1 functions to be set and operated from the comfort of a chair or bed. MR1 also has as auto-standby built in and will automatically enter sleep mode after a period if no signal is detected. This feature is particularly useful when using MR1 with TVs, as they will automatically reactivate or sleep as and when the TV is turned on or off.

Optional BackPack: Combine MR1 with the optional BackPack II and you will be able to enjoy MR1 Mk2 wherever mains power is not available. Placing batteries inside takes valuable speaker capacity, but BackPack II allows MR1 to retain its rich mains powered performance with the benefit of complete portability. A total evolution of the original, BackPack II attaches seamlessly to MR1 Mk2 and once fitted can be left permanently in place as it charges automatically whenever connected to a mains power supply. A full charge will provide up to twelve hours of mains free listening depending on volume.

Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 Review

"In 1985, Brian O'Rourke and his son Alan pooled their savings to rent a small workshop in Rayleigh, Essex, to develop and manufacture their first loudspeaker systems. Success followed, not least when the company spied a gap in the market for high-quality radio systems in the early 2000s. From that change of focus, ultimately came these excellent wireless desktop speakers.

We loved the first Ruark Audio MR1 wireless desktop speakers when they emerged in 2013. The retro looks, the intuitive design, the superb Bluetooth sound – it was a winning combination that earned two successive What Hi-Fi? Awards.

But it was only a matter of time before Ruark Audio unveiled the MR1 Mk2. And sure enough, Ruark Audio is back with a vengeance, having regained its crown for the last couple of years.

These compact bookshelf speakers are packed with features and hugely versatile. Bluetooth apt-X active  allows you to stream music to the speakers in CD-like sound quality, an optical inpt means they're easily connected to a TV. Prefer analogue?  You can always use the AUX input to partner them with a turntable or plug in some headphones.

The step up in performance in impressive, and the Ruark MR1 Mk2s manage to be even more appealing than their predecessors. Quite simply, these are superb speakers if you're short of space." What Hi-Fi? - Best British Speakers 2023

Our Review

The compact Ruark Audio MR-1 Mk2 is amazing. They don't require extra amplification; simply connect them to the mains power and provide a source input - your smartphone for example which can be done via Bluetooth. The MR-1 Mk2 has both A2DP and apt-X compatibility, the latter being able to better stream higher quality music. The sound is far far better than you would expect from a product of this size and price. We would recommend these to anyone looking for small footprint speakers. Set up is really easy and the product finish is again superb. The optional battery pack is also reasonably priced and as has been our experience with the R1, seems to perform forever! Well of course it doesn't, but it will keep going long enough for most picnics or barbeques.