Short answer: the Edifier MR4. It ranks #72 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $169.99. The PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen ranks #45, rated 2.5/5, at $99.99, $70 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Edifier MR4 is the more accurate choice. A budget desktop monitor pair with balanced TRS inputs, tone controls and a front headphone jack. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.25 against 1.51 for the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen. It keeps a wired aux input, which the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen lacks. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
What the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen does well: Small desktop monitors with bass and treble controls on the back to adjust for desk or wall placement. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Edifier MR4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $70 saving on the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A budget desktop monitor pair with balanced TRS inputs, tone controls and a front headphone jack.
Small desktop monitors with bass and treble controls on the back to adjust for desk or wall placement.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #72 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) | 8.3”H x 6”W x 5.5”D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | RCA, 1/4” Balanced |
| Outputs | Headphone | 1/8” headphone jack |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 3.5” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 | 1.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 | 4.17 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | 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 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
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