Short answer: the Presonus Eris E5. Both are rated 3.3/5 for sound quality (#51 and #52 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Presonus Eris E5 costs $109.99 against $329 for the Edifier MR5, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Edifier MR5: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. Watch for: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz.
The case for the Presonus Eris E5: Balanced XLR/TRS and RCA inputs plus placement adjustment make the original Eris E5 easy to connect to studio or consumer sources. The catch: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral.
Buy the Presonus Eris E5. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $219.01 less than the Edifier MR5.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier MR5 | Presonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 per pair | $219.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #52 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 6.3"W x 10.4"H x 11"D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) | 10.2"H x 7"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone | - |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | - |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) | 80w Per Speaker |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner | - |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Presonus Eris E5:
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Presonus Eris E5
- Genelec 8030C vs Presonus Eris E5
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Presonus Eris E5
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Presonus Eris E5
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Edifier MR5: $329.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. The three-way active design adds a dedicated 3.75-inch midrange, and the 110W RMS system, app EQ, room-compensation controls, LDAC, balanced XLR/TRS inputs, and front headphone output make it unusually well equipped at $329 per pair. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz. Bass output is level-limited below about 70Hz and distortion/compression rise at higher levels, so it suits moderate nearfield use better than loud mid-field playback.
Full Edifier MR5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3"W x 10.4"H x 11"D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Presonus Eris E5: $219.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced XLR/TRS and RCA inputs plus placement adjustment make the original Eris E5 easy to connect to studio or consumer sources. Existing listening notes describe a fuller low end than some small, bass-light monitors, which may suit casual nearfield listening.
Cons: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral. Placement adjustment is useful, but it does not replace a properly integrated subwoofer for deep-bass monitoring.
Full Presonus Eris E5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2"H x 7"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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- 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 M-Audio BX4 D3
- Presonus Eris E5 vs KRK Classic 5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Audioengine HD6
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier MR4
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R2000DB
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000W
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- See all 49 comparisons