Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor for bass, the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen for placement flexibility. The iLoud Micro Monitor has much deeper bass than any other speaker this size, with slightly boosted bass as the tradeoff. The Eris E3.5 2nd Gen adds rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf tone controls for near-wall placement, but its stock on-axis response has a pronounced smiley face V-curve.
On the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor side: Much deeper bass than any other speaker this size. Set against that: Slightly boosted bass.
What the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen does well: Rear-panel bass and treble controls allow broad correction for desk and 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 IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $200 saving on the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor | Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #5 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 24 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"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 (measured, Audio Science Review) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (combined) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | 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 |
| Outputs | - | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Sensitivity | - | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 1.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 4.17 |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Adam Audio D3v vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Edifier M60 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs HiVi Swan X3
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor: $299.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Unusually substantial bass for such a small desktop pair. The linked quasi-anechoic measurement review reports broad, reasonably consistent horizontal radiation and useful tolerance above the tweeter axis, helpful when the speakers sit below ear height. Its compact size and bass balance make it a practical close-listening alternative to small monitors that need a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The existing review evidence indicates some bass emphasis and upper-treble rolloff rather than strict neutrality. Deep bass from tiny drivers does not establish loud-playback headroom; use these for close desktop listening, not as a substitute for larger room speakers.
Full IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (combined) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (A2DP) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs (0.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIOreview: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs iLoud Micro Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the D3V The Best Studio Monitors For The Money?
- Jasper Tech: Best Premium Computer Speakers: Kanto ORA4 Review & Comparison
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier M60
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Adam Audio D3v
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs HiVi Swan X3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Genelec 8010A
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier MR3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Audioengine A2+
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- See all 14 comparisons
Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: $99.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Rear-panel bass and treble controls allow broad correction for desk and wall placement. Erin’s second-generation Klippel measurements give a -3dB point around 69Hz, so the speaker has useful upper-bass reach for its size. Its adjustable balance is more flexible than a fixed-response budget desktop pair. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.4dB.
Cons: 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. Preference scores of 1.51 standalone and 4.17 with an ideal subwoofer indicate major tonal problems beyond bass extension. EQ may help, but a subwoofer alone will not make it neutral. Output and port-modification results from reviews of the original E3.5 should not be assumed to apply to this second-generation model.
Full Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3"H x 6"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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.17 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 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 Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- 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!
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio? More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Midiplus MI3 II
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs M-Audio BX3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fiio SP3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Monoprice DT-3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Mackie CR3-X
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Audioengine HD3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- See all 15 comparisons