Short answer: the Adam Audio A4V for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 XT for the lower price. The Adam Audio A4V ranks #42 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $599.99. The Presonus Eris E5 XT ranks #44 at $119.99, $480 cheaper.
What the Adam Audio A4V offers: 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 3.02 standalone and 5.43 with an ideal subwoofer. Its adjustment facilities are useful when placement or tonal correction is needed. Watch for: 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.
What the Presonus Eris E5 XT offers: 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 2.88 rises to 5.30 with an ideal subwoofer, indicating useful bass reach but only moderate native tonal performance. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Adam Audio A4V if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E5 XT if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio A4V | Presonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.98 per pair | $239.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #44 of 65 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 | 3.02 | 2.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.43 | 5.30 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
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- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Adam Audio A4V
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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: $1,199.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
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 3.02 standalone and 5.43 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS each |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Inputs | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.43 |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Presonus Eris E5 XT: $239.98 per pair Amazon eBay
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 2.88 rises to 5.30 with an ideal subwoofer, indicating useful bass reach but only moderate native tonal performance. Measured bass extension of 85Hz (-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.
Full Presonus Eris E5 XT review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80w Per Speaker |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.30 |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON More from DSAUDIOreview →
- 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 E7 XT vs PreSonus E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E8 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier S2000MKIII
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- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Yamaha HS5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Presonus Eris E5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Kanto YU
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