Short answer: the Edifier MR3 on measurements, the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen on tuning flexibility. The E3.5’s rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf controls let you tailor the sound for near-wall placement, but its stock on-axis response has a pronounced smiley-face V-curve. The MR3 at $109.99 pairs a 3.5” mid-range driver with a 1” waveguided dome tweeter, with maximum output limited to around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker.
The case for the Edifier MR3: 3.5” mid-range driver and 1” waveguided dome tweeter, with all amplification built into the primary cabinet and speaker-level output. The catch: Limited maximum output - measured around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker (about 92dB for a pair).
What the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen gets right: 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 Edifier MR3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $10 with the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #21 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Dimensions | 5.9"H x 3.7"W x 5.9"D (149.9 x 94 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 (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3.5" woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.01 | 1.15 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.63 | 3.81 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | 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
Edifier MR3: $109.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Scores of 3.01 standalone and 5.63 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a useful budget nearfield option rather than a reference monitor. Tone controls and app-based EQ provide unusually flexible adjustment, and its bass extends farther than the Fostex PM03’s. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
Cons: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538. Bass reaches -3dB at about 70Hz. The limiter protects the drivers but prevents much extra loudness when pushed; existing compression testing puts effective single-speaker output around 86-87dB at 1m. Vertical crossover interference makes tweeter height and tilt important.
Full Edifier MR3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.9"H x 3.7"W x 5.9"D (149.9 x 94 x 149.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.63 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head 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 →
| 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 | 1.15 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.81 |
| 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 →
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- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
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- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
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