Short answer: the Edifier MR3. It ranks #5 of 8 powered bookshelf speakers at $99.98; the Presonus Eris E5 ranks #10 and costs $109.99, 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. Set against that: Limited maximum output - measured around 86dB at 1 meter for a single speaker (about 92dB for a pair).
Buy the Edifier MR3 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E5 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR3 | Presonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.98 | $109.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 8 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 24 in Medium 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) | 10.2"H x 7.0"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Max SPL | 93dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 36W total (18W per speaker) | 80w Per Speaker |
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 E5: $109.99 Amazon
Cons: More HiFi sounding than the HS5 and not quite as detailed, although with deeper bass and a more fun listen.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2"H x 7.0"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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: Fluid Audio F5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: M-Audio BX5 D3 vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Mackie CR5 BT vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 RP5G3 vs Presonus E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL LSR305 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Yamaha HS5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Presonus Eris E5 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000W
- See all 14 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.