Short answer: the ADAM Audio A4V. It ranks #67 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5) at $1,079.98 and is still sold new; the PreSonus Eris E5 XT ranks #70 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The PreSonus Eris E5 XT’s replacement, the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, is rated 3.6/5 at $299.98.
Why pick the ADAM Audio A4V: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. The tradeoff: A small average-deviation figure hides a major localized response irregularity: the selected measurement spans 10.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.547.
What the PreSonus Eris E5 XT does well: ASR’s measurements show reasonably consistent directivity through the crossover, so EQ changes are more likely to benefit both direct and reflected sound. The tradeoff: The response has bass and treble emphasis with a recessed crossover region; smooth directivity carries that imbalance into room reflections rather than fixing it.
Buy the ADAM Audio A4V. It is rated higher for sound quality; the PreSonus Eris E5 XT is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ADAM Audio A4V | PreSonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,079.98 per pair | $239.98 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #67 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #70 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports | - |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4” MLM woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in | 10.2”H x 7”W x 7.7”D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each | 80w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | 3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 | 6.00 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 56.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 46.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: ADAM Audio A4V (measured by Audio Science Review) and PreSonus Eris E5 XT (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How ADAM Audio A4V compares with other leading options:
- ADAM Audio A4V vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs ADAM Audio A4V
- Genelec 8030C vs ADAM Audio A4V
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs ADAM Audio A4V
- ADAM Audio A4V vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
ADAM Audio A4V: $1,079.98 per pair Amazon $539.99 B&H Photo Video $539.99 eBay
Older model: the ADAM Audio A5X (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5). See every ADAM Audio A Series generation.
Same family: the ADAM Audio A44H (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5), the ADAM Audio A7V (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5), the ADAM Audio A8H (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5) and the ADAM Audio A77H (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. ASR’s Klippel data gives a -3dB point around 59Hz and preference scores of 3.92 standalone and 6.33 with an ideal subwoofer. Its adjustment facilities are useful when placement or tonal correction is needed.
Cons: A small average-deviation figure hides a major localized response irregularity: the selected measurement spans 10.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.547. The native response should therefore not be called smoothly neutral. Correction potential is not the same as stock performance, and analog audio inputs mean a separate interface is needed for USB sources.
Full ADAM Audio A4V review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
| Drivers | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4” MLM woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, dual front ports |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PreSonus Eris E5 XT: $239.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5, released Sep 2023.
Older model: the PreSonus Eris E5 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every PreSonus Eris generation.
Same family: the PreSonus Eris E8 XT (larger bookshelf, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: ASR’s measurements show reasonably consistent directivity through the crossover, so EQ changes are more likely to benefit both direct and reflected sound. Bass reaches -3dB around 56Hz. A standalone preference score of 3.58 rises to 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer, indicating useful bass reach but only moderate native tonal performance. Measured bass extension of 56.4Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response has bass and treble emphasis with a recessed crossover region; smooth directivity carries that imbalance into room reflections rather than fixing it. Existing distortion testing shows problems across a broad range when pushed to 96dB. Tone correction and moderate levels help, but it is not a reference-flat monitor out of the box. Discontinued.
Full PreSonus Eris E5 XT review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 80w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2”H x 7”W x 7.7”D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E7 XT vs PreSonus E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E8 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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