Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #5 of 8 powered bookshelf speakers at $99.98; the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen ranks #7 and costs $99.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.98 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 8 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 8 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 6.0"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 | 70Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz | 80Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Max SPL | 93dB @ 1m | 95dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Outputs | - | 1/8" headphone jack |
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR3: $99.98 Amazon
Pros: 3.5” mid-range driver and 1” waveguided dome tweeter, with all amplification built into the primary cabinet and speaker-level output feeding the secondary unit. Extensive back-panel tone controls (treble and bass boost/cut) plus a Bluetooth app with low-frequency cutoff, acoustic-space compensation, and a 6-band custom EQ - unusually flexible tuning for the price. On-axis linearity holds within about ±2dB, notably flatter than most rivals in this price bracket. The reviewer considers it the best desktop speaker he’s tested in its size and price class, edging out its own predecessor, the Edifier MR4. Tonal consistency holds within about ±60° horizontally, giving some flexibility to move around at a desk without a major shift in sound. A built-in limiter protects the speaker from overdrive rather than letting distortion climb uncontrolled at higher volumes.
Cons: Limited maximum output - measured around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker (about 92dB for a pair), a clear ceiling for anyone wanting to play loud. Compression is significant when pushed toward its output limit: targeting 96dB nets about 9dB of compression, meaning effective output tops out closer to 87dB. Bass extends only to about 60Hz without added room or desk gain. Vertical placement is fairly critical - sitting more than about 20° above the tweeter axis (for example, speakers placed low on a desk with the listener seated well above them) causes a significant midrange suckout, hurting dialogue clarity and attack. Strictly a near-field/small-room solution - fine for desktop or modest TV/Bluetooth duty, but not intended as a serious hi-fi speaker.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA |
| Max SPL | 93dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: Includes rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf tone controls, letting you tailor the sound (helpful for near-wall placement, where the reviewer suggests reducing the bass knob). Distortion and neutrality can be meaningfully improved with simple mods - sealing the rear port and adjusting the tone controls (low +3dB, high -6dB in testing) noticeably flattened the default V-shaped response.
Cons: Stock on-axis response has a pronounced “smiley face” V-curve, with the midrange scooped roughly 6-7dB below the bass and treble - problematic for any mixing or monitoring use. The rear port is too small for the cabinet, producing peaky, boomy bass rather than genuine extension. A strong resonance around 1-2kHz persists even with the port sealed, suggesting an internal standing wave rather than a purely port-related issue. Directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer as the woofer narrows with frequency. Hard limiting kicks in above about 86dB, and distortion at 96dB is high - not intended for loud listening. Frequency response measurably drifts over time at moderate-to-high volume (about 1dB shift after 4 minutes at 86dB, worse within a couple minutes at 96dB). In direct comparison, measures 3-5dB hotter in the treble than the Mackie CR3-X, and even after sealing the port and adjusting the tone controls, still measured behind the Mackie overall. Best used aimed off-axis (about 30-40°) and with the port sealed; without EQ/DSP correction, significant tonal problems remain.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3"H x 6.0"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) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Max SPL | 95dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- 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!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.