Short answer: the Audioengine HD3 for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen for the lower price. The Audioengine HD3 ranks #16 of 23 powered bookshelf speakers at $359. The Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen ranks #21 at $99.99, $259.01 cheaper.
On the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen side: Includes rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf tone controls, letting you tailor the sound (helpful for near-wall placement. The catch: Stock on-axis response has a pronounced “smiley face” V-curve.
Buy the Audioengine HD3 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen if the price is the priority over sound quality.
The Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 23 powered bookshelf speakers; there are better options higher up.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine HD3 | Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.00 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #21 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) | 8.3"H x 6"W x 5.5"D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3.5" woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 1.15 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 3.81 |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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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
Audioengine HD3: $359.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact desktop stereo option when cabinet size is a priority. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Limited bass makes a subwoofer useful for fuller music reproduction. Its compact format is better suited to close listening than filling a large room.
Full Audioengine HD3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (15W per speaker) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 2.75" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier MR3
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier M60
- Audioengine HD3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Audioengine HD3 vs Adam Audio D3v
- Audioengine HD3 vs Genelec 8010A
- Audioengine HD3 vs Audioengine HD4
- Audioengine HD3 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Audioengine HD3 vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 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 1.15 standalone and 3.81 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.15 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.81 |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
- 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 →
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Audioengine A2+
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Edifier MR3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Edifier M60
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- See all 10 comparisons