Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor for the higher ranking, the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor ranks #2 of 8 powered bookshelf speakers at $299.99. The Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen ranks #7 at $99.99, $200 cheaper.
On the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor side: Much deeper bass than any other speaker this size. Set against that: Slightly boosted bass.
The case for the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: Includes rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf tone controls, letting you tailor the sound (helpful for near-wall placement. The tradeoff: Stock on-axis response has a pronounced “smiley face” V-curve.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor | Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 8 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 8 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 7.1"H x 3.5"W x 5.3"D (180.3 x 88.9 x 134.6 mm) | 8.3"H x 6.0"W x 5.5"D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 0.9 kg | 8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 3.5" woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | 70Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz | 80Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes (A2DP) | No |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble switches, Desktop/Free field) | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 96dB @ 1m | 95dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (combined) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Outputs | - | 1/8" headphone jack |
The Two Speakers In Full
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor: $299.99 Amazon
Pros: Much deeper bass than any other speaker this size. Wide, consistent horizontal directivity out to about 15kHz gives an unusually good soundstage for such a small speaker, and vertical response stays flat well above the tweeter axis, forgiving desktop placement where the tweeters sit below ear height.
Cons: Slightly boosted bass. Some treble rolloff up high. More hifi sounding than neutral
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes (A2DP) |
| Dimensions | 7.1"H x 3.5"W x 5.3"D (180.3 x 88.9 x 134.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble switches, Desktop/Free field) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Max SPL | 96dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (combined) |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 0.9 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Adam Audio D3v
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Genelec 8010A
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Audioengine HD3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier MR3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier M60
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs JBL 305P MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs KRK Classic 5
- Links
Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: Includes rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf tone controls, letting you tailor the sound (helpful for near-wall placement, where the reviewer suggests reducing the bass knob). Distortion and neutrality can be meaningfully improved with simple mods - sealing the rear port and adjusting the tone controls (low +3dB, high -6dB in testing) noticeably flattened the default V-shaped response.
Cons: Stock on-axis response has a pronounced “smiley face” V-curve, with the midrange scooped roughly 6-7dB below the bass and treble - problematic for any mixing or monitoring use. The rear port is too small for the cabinet, producing peaky, boomy bass rather than genuine extension. A strong resonance around 1-2kHz persists even with the port sealed, suggesting an internal standing wave rather than a purely port-related issue. Directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer as the woofer narrows with frequency. Hard limiting kicks in above about 86dB, and distortion at 96dB is high - not intended for loud listening. Frequency response measurably drifts over time at moderate-to-high volume (about 1dB shift after 4 minutes at 86dB, worse within a couple minutes at 96dB). In direct comparison, measures 3-5dB hotter in the treble than the Mackie CR3-X, and even after sealing the port and adjusting the tone controls, still measured behind the Mackie overall. Best used aimed off-axis (about 30-40°) and with the port sealed; without EQ/DSP correction, significant tonal problems remain.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3"H x 6.0"W x 5.5"D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5" woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Max SPL | 95dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Edifier R1280T Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Mackie CR3-X vs PreSonus E3.5 Budget Monitor Showdown!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
- Head-to-Head 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.