Short answer: Adam D3v is the more accurate desktop monitor for close use; Eris E3.5 2nd Gen offers simple room-tailoring controls. They sit at 3 of 24 and 22 of 24.
D3v combines a compact powered-monitor design with side passive radiators for extra bass. Its limiter trims low-frequency and midrange content at higher output, so it works best close to the listener.
Eris E3.5 2nd Gen includes rear high- and low-frequency shelf controls that help with near-wall placement. Its stock on-axis response has a pronounced V-shaped balance rather than a neutral monitor presentation.
Buy the Adam Audio D3v if close-range tonal accuracy is your main goal.
Buy the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen if shelf controls and simple placement adjustment matter more than neutral stock tuning.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio D3v | Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $344.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #3 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7"H x 4.3"W x 5.9"D (170.2 x 109.2 x 149.9 mm) | 8.3"H x 6"W x 5.5"D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment filters) | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB-C, balanced 1/4-inch TRS | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 3.5" woofer, U-ART accelerated ribbon tweeter | 3.5" woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W (30W woofer + 20W tweeter) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.37 | 1.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.59 | 4.17 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Outputs | - | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 D3v: $344.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Excellent midrange linearity for a tiny desktop speaker: Erin’s Klippel data spans just 1.7dB from 300Hz to 5kHz. Side passive radiators help bass reach -3dB at about 51Hz, substantially deeper than the Genelec 8010A or Audio Smile LBM. Predicted preference scores of 5.37 standalone and 7.59 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a particularly useful compact system without a sub. USB-C, analog inputs and placement filters simplify desk setup. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: A rising upper-frequency balance and vertical crossover interference keep it from being uniformly neutral at every angle; aim the tweeters toward ear height. The limiter reduces bass and midrange output as volume rises, with the existing review’s compression tests putting usable maximum output around 89-90dB at 1m. Deep bass at moderate volume should not be confused with high output capability.
Full Adam Audio D3v review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W (30W woofer + 20W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7"H x 4.3"W x 5.9"D (170.2 x 109.2 x 149.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5" woofer, U-ART accelerated ribbon tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment filters) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB-C, balanced 1/4-inch TRS |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.37 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.59 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: ADAM Audio D3V: Mighty Small But Mighty Awesome Desktop Speaker More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Review Adam Audio D3v
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the D3V The Best Studio Monitors For The Money?
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Best Budget Desktop Speakers, Tested & Rated
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Adam Audio D3v vs Genelec 8010A
- Adam Audio D3v vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Adam Audio D3v vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Adam Audio D3v vs Audio Smile Little British Monitor
- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier M60
- Adam Audio D3v vs HiVi Swan X3
- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier MR3
- Adam Audio D3v vs Audioengine A2+
- See all 14 comparisons
Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: $99.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Rear-panel bass and treble controls allow broad correction for desk and wall placement. Erin’s second-generation Klippel measurements give a -3dB point around 69Hz, so the speaker has useful upper-bass reach for its size. Its adjustable balance is more flexible than a fixed-response budget desktop pair. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.4dB.
Cons: The stock response spans 7.2dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and has a strong rising trend of about 1.27dB per octave, emphasizing treble over the midrange. Preference scores of 1.51 standalone and 4.17 with an ideal subwoofer indicate major tonal problems beyond bass extension. EQ may help, but a subwoofer alone will not make it neutral. Output and port-modification results from reviews of the original E3.5 should not be assumed to apply to this second-generation model.
Full Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3"H x 6"W x 5.5"D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5" woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.17 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Edifier R1280T Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Mackie CR3-X vs PreSonus E3.5 Budget Monitor Showdown!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio? More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fluid Audio C35BT
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- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- See all 15 comparisons