Conclusion:
The Mackie MR8s are a wonderful step above your typical "entry level" studio monitor. If you're just building your setup and want to start out with a pair of decent middle of the line monitors, the MR series would be my first recommendation. Or, if you're someone who is ready to upgrade those cheap monitors you bought when you just started out, and you don't want to break the bank to go pro just yet, the MRs would be a great half-way point for you. Coming into this review, and having used a set of HR824s before, I wasn't sure what to expect from Mackie. Would they keep up their legendary name for high quality and high performance, or would their first pair of "cheaper" monitors be a complete let down? Well, as you can see they have left me impressed. The MRs performed flawlessly, sounded amazing and still have a price tag that I just can't believe! If the 8" size and price tag isn't for you, then you can also check out the MR5s, the 5" version of the MR monitor with a smaller price tag (I didn't get a chance to compare them head to head - maybe I'll have a set of MR5s in the future!)

Remember that to truly decide if you like a monitor or not, you should always listen to it yourself. If you're in the market or not, I highly recommend checking out the MR8s in your local music store next time you're there!

Pros:
Great, accurate sound quality
Excellent price to performance ratio
Also available as the MR5s, a cheaper priced 5" model
Filter switches on the back can help adjust for poor room conditions
Very wide sweet spot
Powerful (Mackie has mentioned you could use these for a small DJ setup, for parties, presentations, etc)

Cons:
The rear port can make placement options difficult, something not often thought about by home studio owners