Short answer: the Adam Audio A4V for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 for the lower price. The Adam Audio A4V ranks #50 of 76 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.6/5, at $1,199.98. The Presonus Eris E5 ranks #58, rated 3.3/5, at $219.98, $980 cheaper.
The Adam Audio A4V is the better-sounding option. Compact monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room-correction integration. 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.
What the Presonus Eris E5 does well: Balanced XLR/TRS and RCA inputs plus placement adjustment make the original Eris E5 easy to connect to studio or consumer sources. The catch: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral.
Buy the Adam Audio A4V when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Presonus Eris E5 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio A4V | Presonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.98 per pair | $219.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 76 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #58 of 76 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 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.33 | - |
| 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) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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: $1,199.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Larger model: the Adam Audio A7V (rated 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 →
| 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: $219.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced XLR/TRS and RCA inputs plus placement adjustment make the original Eris E5 easy to connect to studio or consumer sources. Existing listening notes describe a fuller low end than some small, bass-light monitors, which may suit casual nearfield listening.
Cons: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral. Placement adjustment is useful, but it does not replace a properly integrated subwoofer for deep-bass monitoring.
Full Presonus Eris E5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| 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 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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