Short answer: the Adam Audio T5V for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 XT for the lower price. The Adam Audio T5V ranks #12 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $148.79. The Presonus Eris E5 XT ranks #19 at $119.99, $28.80 cheaper.
What the Adam Audio T5V offers: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end. Set against that: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts the response rather than flattening it.
What the Presonus Eris E5 XT gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows very smooth, consistent directivity through the crossover region and into the treble, with early reflections tracking the on-axis curve closely. The tradeoff: On-axis response is uneven, with peaks at both frequency extremes and a dip around the roughly 3kHz crossover, giving a bass-and-treble-heavy tonal balance with the midrange partially recessed.
Buy the Adam Audio T5V if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E5 XT if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | Presonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $148.79 | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #19 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 10.2"H x 7"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker | 80w Per Speaker |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL 305P MKII vs Presonus Eris E5
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Presonus Eris E5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Yamaha HS5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Neumi BS5P
- Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5
The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio T5V: $148.79 Amazon
Pros: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end.
Cons: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts the response rather than flattening it. Distortion, while better controlled than most speakers in this price range, isn’t reference quality.
Full Adam Audio T5V review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali LP-6 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Adam Audio T7V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Adam Audio T5V Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Adam Audio T5V vs JBL 305P MKII
- Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5
- Adam Audio T5V vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Adam Audio T5V vs Genelec 8320A
- Adam Audio T5V vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Adam Audio T5V vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Adam Audio T5V vs Kali LP-UNF
- Adam Audio T5V vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- See all 28 comparisons
Presonus Eris E5 XT: $119.99 Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows very smooth, consistent directivity through the crossover region and into the treble, with early reflections tracking the on-axis curve closely.
Cons: On-axis response is uneven, with peaks at both frequency extremes and a dip around the roughly 3kHz crossover, giving a bass-and-treble-heavy tonal balance with the midrange partially recessed. Because directivity is otherwise good, room reflections closely mirror that same imbalance rather than smoothing it out. At 96dB SPL distortion spans a wide range of frequencies, and while dropping to 86dB helps, the woofer or its amplifier remains the weak link.
Full Presonus Eris E5 XT review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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
- 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
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris E5 XT Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier Airpulse A100
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs JBL 705P
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Presonus Eris E5
- See all 19 comparisons