Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #11 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $149.99 and is still sold new; the PreSonus Eris E3.5 ranks #42 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The PreSonus Eris E3.5’s replacement, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen, is rated 2.5/5 at $99.99.
The Edifier MR3 is the more accurate option. Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.91 against 2.01 for the PreSonus Eris E3.5. The tradeoff: Local response ripples remain: the measured 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.5dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.538.
The case for the PreSonus Eris E3.5: Compact powered monitors with a 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 25W class AB per side, front headphone jack and 1/8”, TRS and RCA inputs. The tradeoff: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a very uneven on-axis response (3.71dB average deviation) and a listening window spanning 6.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, for a preference score of 2.01.
Buy the Edifier MR3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the PreSonus Eris E3.5 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | PreSonus Eris E3.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | - |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 4.9”W x 7.3”D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) | 8.3”H x 5.6”W x 6.4”D (210 x 141 x 162 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) | - |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth | - |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) each |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter | 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 60.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 76.9Hz (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 side), class AB |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 | 2.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 4.94 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Edifier MR3 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and PreSonus Eris E3.5 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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: $149.99 per pair Amazon $149.99 eBay
Same family: the Edifier MR4 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Edifier MR4.5 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.6/5) and the Edifier MR5 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements show little overall tilt across the listening window, helping voices retain a broadly natural balance at a desk. Scores of 3.91 standalone and 6.53 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 70Hz (-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 →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 4.9”W x 7.3”D (220 x 125.5 x 185 mm) (active); 220H x 125.5W x 176D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 3.5” mid-low driver, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (rear knobs and app room compensation) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced TRS, RCA, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PreSonus Eris E3.5: $99.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen, ranked lower, rated 2.5/5, released Sep 2023. It drops the aux input. See every PreSonus Eris generation.
Same family: the PreSonus Eris E5 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Compact powered monitors with a 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 25W class AB per side, front headphone jack and 1/8”, TRS and RCA inputs. Measured bass extension of 76.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a very uneven on-axis response (3.71dB average deviation) and a listening window spanning 6.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, for a preference score of 2.01. Bass rolls off at 76.9Hz (-3dB). Replaced by the second-generation E3.5. Discontinued.
Full PreSonus Eris E3.5 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per side), class AB |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 60.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 5.6”W x 6.4”D (210 x 141 x 162 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.94 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Edifier R1280T Sound Demo w/ Bass Test More from DSAUDIOreview →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Mackie CR3-X vs PreSonus E3.5 Budget Monitor Showdown!
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons