Full sound from a small package: Ruark MR1 MK2 Speaker review

Truly great sound rarely comes in small packages, and yet the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers are remarkably some of the best speakers I've had the pleasure of reviewing all year. Perfectly ideal as desktop speakers, thanks to their compact size, yet especially dazzling when paired with a full-fledged smart TV, the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers bolster plenty of power for their small stature, all without losing its phenomenal balance and rich detail which culminates in a true hi-fi sound.

Certainly not cheap, without being outrageously expensive, the Ruark MR1 MK2 dual speakers set their crosshair keenly at audiophile shoppers in need of a compact sound setup, forgoing the reams of tangled wires and bulky receivers that are so commonplace in hi-fi systems for a much simpler, yet cleaner design ethos. The MR1 MK2 speakers are made slicker still with their seamless Bluetooth integration, made convenient thanks to the MK2's miniature remote, lending itself to the MK2's clean aesthetics remarkably well.

To truly get to grips with the promising Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers, audiophile and tech enthusiast Ryan Houghton has pulled no punches in testing this dual speaker setup thoroughly - audiophiles, home cinema enthusiasts, and even gamers, you've all been duly considered in this hands-on review, read on to discover our take on these intriguing speakers.

Out of the box

My first impressions of the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers immediately were, without question: encouraging for a speaker admirer such as myself. What strikes you instantaneously about the MK2 speakers is the quality; each speaker is enclosed in a hand-finished walnut wood veneer, with the front grille being made of a pleasing grey woven fabric.

In hand, Ruark's MK2 speakers feel robust, without the usual bulk of a dual speaker setup. What was even more surprising upon my first hands-on contact with the speakers themselves was the absolute lack of cabling they came with. As someone quite familiar with the chaos of a seven-speaker surround sound setup, complete with snaking, fraying copper cables which culminate in a dusty nest that lies behind a TV cabinet, where us audiophiles dare not venture, the Ruark's stripped-back setup was a refreshing sight to behold.

The box itself contained the two speakers themselves in their glory, alongside a trusty power adaptor, a braided interconnect cable, and a remote control - it might not seem much for such a price, but it's everything you'll need to begin your venture into hi-fi sound.

Yes, there's no denying it, the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers exude a minimalistic appeal, which only lends credence to the speaker's modern appeal.

Setting up

The Ruark MR1 MK2 is not only simple aesthetically, it's also more than simple to set up; it's a matter of plugging in the power, using the interconnect cable to connect the speakers, and plugging in an AUX cable. For even less cabling to manage, listeners have the option to use the Ruark MK2's Bluetooth 5.0, made comfortable with the easy-to-use mini remote.

Certainly seamless on paper, the Ruark MK2's Bluetooth, once paired, worked beautifully, but when connecting to a laptop, I often encountered some pairing delay. The MK2's pairing process, I found, was painfully slow on occasion, yet on better days, snapped into use in a flash, just don't assume the worst when cracking open the box for the first time, be patient, it'll catch up with you shortly.

The Ruark MK2's dual speaker setup is deceivingly stripped back upon first impression, but its array of ports and screw holes hold a world of opportunity for sound enthusiasts; options for wall-mounting, optical, aux ports and even battery packs for each speaker are at your disposal, which is a wonderful touch that grants us users even more set up versatility.

Of course, there's also a subwoofer port, which is also sold by Ruark, to give you some bass if you're craving an even deeper sound.

Performance and sound

Once properly positioned, plugged in and turned up - the Ruark MR1 MK2 dual speakers are something of a marvel. Housed within these modestly-sized speakers are two 20mm silk dome tweeters, as well as two 75mm neodymium drivers with a reflex bass enclosure to amplify bass frequency - needless to say the MK2 speakers sound exceptional.

Deep, full and rich, I honestly cannot say where exactly the Ruark MK2 crams all of its power, but it's certainly there. I was quickly thwacked by the brunt of the MK2's harmonious, detailed sound whilst watching a litany of films, and I've rarely looked back since. I've found myself utterly lost between pulsing atmospheric film scores, guttural action and hair-raising symphonic sounds thanks to the MK2's brilliant 55Hz-22KHz frequency response, which gives sound the utmost detail.

Precision is what Ruark has strived for with the MK2 speakers, and it's just what they've achieved; and with those 75mm woofers, there's a mesmerisingly deep sound for a dual speaker setup without a dedicated subwoofer.

For music lovers, I found myself particularly enraptured whilst listening to Nina Simone's Stars (Live at Casino Montreux, 3rd July 1976). Not a perfect recording, to be sure, but therein lies both the song's charm and the Ruark MK2's excellence.

Softly in the background is the mild chatter of an audience, quickly jutting into Simone's heartfelt lyrics and soft, gliding piano playing. What follows are soft microphone pops and an awe-inspiring echo that bleeds into even her soft vocals. The occasional accompaniment of the hi-hat, sharp and sweet, leads into rising vocals and the gliding harmonics of the piano, rising into an almost cacophonic sound, where there's never a moment missed by the MK2 speakers.

The Ruark MK2's sound is truly special, and its uses aren't reserved purely for music hobbyists, they're perfect for pairing with a television too.

Testing the MK2's sound to its limits, with a range of bassy electronica, to jazz, as well as plenty of Netflix binge-watching, I found the MK2s to deftly outperform its competition in terms of true audio precision.

Comparing the MK2's aux cable and Bluetooth cable, I've without question found a new appreciation for just how excellent the quality of the MK2's Bluetooth is. Equipped with an aptX Bluetooth system, a premium Bluetooth technology which claims to go toe-to-toe with CD quality, there's a negligible difference between the AUX cable and the Bluetooth which only true audiophiles might actually notice.

In terms of functionality, there are two options for control - the wonderfully tactile volume knob with button functionality to allow for input switching (so if you'd like to switch between listening to your TV or your Bluetooth, you can do it in an instant), or the solid remote.

It's simple, intuitive and isn't bogged down by feeling cheap or plasticky, never faltering in my experience for a moment.

Any downsides?

It wouldn't be a proper review without some nitpicking, and there are certainly some issues with the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers, potentially the largest, however, is its price. These are expensive speakers, there's no denying it. That's not to say that the MK2 speakers aren't worthy of their value, they ooze quality - the walnut veneer, beautiful, tactile control knob and remote, this is a quality speaker, but for many it's a price that's just too dear.

The Ruark MR1 MK2 are made for the true audiophile, and for that - there's certainly a price to be paid. That being said, the MK2 speakers, unlike many modern speakers, lack any sort of app integration of EQ customisation options, which for those who prefer some control over their sound might prove disappointing.

On the other hand, why meddle with perfection? The sound needs no real tweaking, and whilst during first impressions I felt some disappointment, I've not felt the need to adjust the sound settings since.

Verdict

The Ruark MR1 MK2, all in all, is a dual speaker setup worth investing in; designed and hand-finished beautifully, engineered to practically sonic perfection, and with plenty of versatility for hobbyists of any kind, TV, gamers and music lovers alike.

Equipped with brilliant quality Bluetooth that may struggle to connect from time to time (but will pair given time), as well as options for battery packs for completely wireless usage, the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers have been a pleasure to review, and I am more than eager to explore just what else they have in store for audio nerds such as myself.

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Ryan Houghton is a commercial content writer for What’s The Best, known best for his expertise in gaming, with a particular soft spot for PC gaming, audio tech, televisions and smartphones.

Diligently writing for What’s The Best for almost two years, there are very few tech products Ryan hasn’t had his hands on to review; televisions, headphones, folding phones and even LEGO, if it’s nerdy, he’ll be there.

His well-versed history as one of the resident techies at What’s The Best has kept him keen to uncover the very best deals, savings and offers for those in need of a cracking deal to upgrade their setup.

In his downtime, Ryan most likely has his nose buried in a fantasy book, or his eyes glued to a screen whilst playing a tough-as-nails Soulslike or leisurely RPG, indulging in most forms of escapism where possible.

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