MR1 Bluetooth Speaker System

Authentic Sound

We love music. We make it, listen to it, talk about it and can’t imagine life without it and our MR1 Bluetooth Speaker System embodies this passion with an authentic sound that will bring you closer to the music you love.

Class leading and with multiple awards, our MR1 active speakers will provide remarkable sound in multiple applications. Flawless as computer speakers, ideal to use with a turntable and a fantastic way to improve the sound of your TV, MR1 will fill any room with quality sound without dominating it, making them perfect for music lovers and the design conscious alike.

Sound Foundations

We design and engineer all our music systems in-house, and have done so since Ruark was formed in 1985. The MR1 Bluetooth Speaker System embodies over 35 years of experience and winning the prestigious What Hi-Fi? Award six years in a row for Best Desktop Speakers, shows that we know our craft well. With their super high quality aptX Bluetooth receiver, you can wirelessly stream music from your computer or phone to MR1 with CD quality sound making them the foundation of a complete music system. Connect a turntable and be part of the vinyl revival and for film enthusiasts connecting MR1 to your TV will dramatically improve its sound quality and your enjoyment of everything you watch.

Features at a Glance

• Award winning audio quality
• aptX Bluetooth receiver for hi-res streaming
• Dynamic Class A-B stereo amplifier
• Two way speaker system
• Digital and analogue inputs for aux devices
• RCA subwoofer output
• Adaptive EQ provides ideal sound at all volumes
• Hand-crafted bass reflex tuned and damped cabinets
• Exclusive Ruark 75mm polypropylene woofer with neo magnet system
• Exclusive Ruark 20mm silk dome tweeter with neo magnet system
• Optimised passive crossover
• Cirrus 24-bit stereo digital to analogue converter

• Braided speaker interconnect (2m)
• Auto mono operation (Allows use as a single unit)
• Optional battery pack (BackPack) for mains free operation
• Threaded inserts on rear panel for optional wall brackets
• Easy to use control system
• Full function remote control included
• Pin-point LEDs to display system status and source
• Digital input 24-bit 192 kHz TOSLINK with adjustable attenuation
• Analogue aux input with adjustable attenuation
• Automatic standby after 20 minutes of inactivity
• Dimensions: H185 × W130 × D145mm each
• Weight: 3.6kg per pair

A Powerful Performance

Built into MR1 is a high fidelity stereo Class A-B amplifier and specially for MR1 we’ve developed custom loudspeaker units to deliver sound that belies their compact dimensions. Both the tweeter and bass drivers feature rare earth neodymium magnets which provide a powerful motor system with excellent control. With lightweight, low distortion moving assemblies, the drivers are able to instantaneously react and accurately follow the input signal delivering wonderful clean sound. MR1 brings all music to life, effortlessly and naturally. There’s no compromise in sound quality with a compact system like the MR1, which perform impressively and beyond their stature.

Great Connectivity

The Bluetooth performance of MR1 is exemplary, but on the rear panel we've also included a switchable analogue and optical digital input along with a dedicated subwoofer output. We’ve already mentioned the connection of a TV or turntable, but the optical input with its 24-bit 192-kHz capability allows the latest hi-res audio streamers to be connected, so you can enjoy music services such as Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify at their very best. For those wanting to enhance the sound of MR1 further, adding an active subwoofer is highly recommended. We currently have our own matching subwoofer under development, but many good quality subs will work with MR1 to add an extra level of dynamic realism to their already impressive sound.

Sound at Your Fingertips

The included remote allows full control of the features and functions on MR1, so you can quickly turn on, select your source input, control volume and power-down.

Mains powered sound on the move with BackPack 3

Combine MR1 with our optional BackPack 3 and you will be able to enjoy MR1 wherever mains power is not available. Placing batteries inside takes valuable speaker capacity, but BackPack 3 allows MR1 to retain its rich mains powered performance with the benefit of portability when required.

A total evolution of the original, BackPack 3 attaches seamlessly to MR1 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.

BackPack 3 is also compatible with our R1 Bluetooth Radio and R1S Smart Radio.

Audio
Frequency response 55Hz – 22kHz
Drivers Custom 20mm silk dome tweeters, 75mm polypropylene cone neodymium woofers
Amplifier 20W Class AB
Cabinet type Tuned bass reflex
Digital to analogue Cirrus 24-bit stereo DAC
Connectivity
Bluetooth V4.0, A2DP, aptX, SBC, AAC
Aux input 3.5mm stereo jack (2.5Vrms max)
Digital input 24-bit 192-kHz optical TOSLINK
Subwoofer output RCA phono (700mVrms)
Features
Auto-mono Use as a single speaker
Snooze mode Auto-standby and wake-up
BackPack battery pack Optional
Adjustable input levels Aux, optical
Wall mounting 1 x 1/4-20 UNC threaded insert
General Specifications
Finishes Rich walnut veneer or soft grey lacquer with grey woven fabric grille
Box contains Left speaker, right speaker, AC power adapter, braided speaker interconnect cable, remote control, remote control battery (CR2025), user guide 
Power adapter 100-240VAC 50-60Hz input
14VDC 2A output, 1.8m cable, 2.1 × 5.5mm DC plug
Power consumption 0.5W standby, 9W typical
Product dimensions W130 × H175 × D140mm
Product weight Right 1.3kg, Left 1.1kg
Inner carton dimensions W385 × H285 × D235mm
Packaged weight 3.6kg (pair)

 

Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. An appealing pair of desktop speakers

By What Hi-Fi?  last updated November 16, 2022

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

But the MR1 were toppled from their perch by the KEF Egg, which won the two subsequent Best Desktop Speaker Awards.

So it was only a matter of time before Ruark Audio unveiled MR1 Mk2. And sure enough, Ruark Audio is back with a vengeance.

Gorgeous looks, streamlined design and features, sound quality that’s been improved in every way – the Ruark MR1 Mk2 shoot straight to the top of our favourites list.

Sound

We said the original Ruark MR1 were the closest any desktop wireless speaker had come to sounding like proper hi-fi, and that’s equally true of the new Mk2 version.

In fact, it’s even more so now, thanks to a clearer, more insightful and open sound than their predecessors. The new MR1 are wonderfully musical. The amount of subtlety conveyed is even greater than before, delivering rich detail and fluid dynamics on a whole new level.

There’s plenty of space between instruments in the airy soundstage, giving songs an expansive feel that makes the KEF Egg sound rather congested in comparison. The Ruarks breathe new life into whatever music you play through them.

The dominant bassline in SBTRKT’s Wildfire is taut, packs a punch and you can hear its deep, squelchy textures. The MR1 are agile and authoritative. They time well, too; the magnificent pomp of David Bowie’s Magic Dance blares through the speakers with plenty of energy and sparkle.

Voices in particular sound lovely. Bella Hardy’s The Driving of the Deer is delivered with the kind of effortless drive and insight we’d expect from decent hi-fi speakers. There’s a solidity underpinning the rich, warm midrange, and the elegance with which her lilting, nimble vocals are delivered is simply gorgeous.

The Mk2 sound lush and smooth while also being articulate. They convey the mood of songs faithfully, too – an impressive feat for wireless speakers.

Elliott Smith’s soft, whispered singing on Angeles will pull at your heartstrings, every nuance of his voice and the tactility of his guitar strumming laid bare through.

Build

The Ruark MR1 Mk2 are lovely to listen to, but their stylish retro looks are a huge part of the charm too.

The handcrafted wooden cabinets are beautifully made, the speakers are good to use, and they’re just the size to fit onto a bookshelf, TV stand or desk.

Ruark has been wise to keep its characteristic look, but it doesn’t rest on its laurels. Where possible, the design has been streamlined.

The most obvious update is the grey fabric covering the grilles – both for aesthetic and acoustic reasons. The cable connecting the left and right speakers is now slimmer and covered in braided fabric.

Features

Less obvious, but far more useful, is the addition of an optical input that can support hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz – a big update, and one that surpasses the KEF Egg's 24-bit/96kHz limit. It also means you can use the new MR1 as TV speakers. The optical input joins a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a subwoofer output at the back of the main unit (ie. the right speaker, which houses all amplification and connections).

Ruark continues to apply hi-fi speaker principles with the MkII. From tuned crossovers to the use of A/B amplification – everything is aimed at delivering the best possible sound quality.

The cabinets (in rich walnut or a new soft grey finish) each house a 20mm tweeter and 75mm mid/bass, with small bass ports underneath each unit.

The rotary dial that sits on top of the main unit has been further refined. It’s nicer to use, turns smoothly and allows you to switch between inputs.

You no longer have to press down and hold to activate the Bluetooth pairing mode, either. The MR1 automatically start searching for a Bluetooth connection when switched to that source, so they're quicker to play your music.

These little things make all the difference. Even the LEDs for each source (blue for Bluetooth, orange for aux, green for optical) have been subdued so they’re not too piercing in darkened rooms.

While you’re most probably going to be controlling playback and volume through your smartphone or laptop (or TV remote), you do get a tiny, slim remote in the box with basic functions like switching inputs. We wish this were classier in feel.

Other features include a smarter auto standby mode, an optional battery pack to make the MR1 portable, and the ability to use the main right speaker as a single mono speaker.

It's a well-catered features list, although we wouldn't mind seeing a USB input in a future version.

Verdict

But any minor issues are overshadowed by the design and performance of these excellent speakers. The step up in performance in impressive, and the Ruark MR1 Mk2 manage to be even more appealing than before and regain their pole position on the Awards podium.

Quite simply, these are superb speakers of their type.