Short answer: the Edifier MR4. It ranks #71 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $169.99 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 MR4 is the more accurate option. Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.25 against 2.01 for the PreSonus Eris E3.5. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend.
What the PreSonus Eris E3.5 does well: 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 catch: 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 MR4. It is rated higher for sound quality; the PreSonus Eris E3.5 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR4 | PreSonus Eris E3.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #71 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 47 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 5.6”W x 6.4”D (210 x 141 x 162 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux | - |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) | 50W total (25W per side), class AB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 60.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 | 2.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 | 4.94 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| 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 MR4 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and PreSonus Eris E3.5 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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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 MR4: $169.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Edifier MR3 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Edifier MR4.5 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5) and the Edifier MR5 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced TRS inputs and tone controls are practical at its price, and its response is more balanced than the measured Edifier R1280T. Measured bass extension of 79Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 78dB.
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend. Listening-window response still has local irregularities, including lower-treble unevenness. The existing review reports rapidly increasing distortion and audible distress when pushed well above moderate desktop levels. No Bluetooth, and adding a subwoofer does not cure every output or tonal limitation.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Edifier MR4 Powered Studio Monitors Review
- 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