Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 XT for the lower price. The JBL 305P MKII ranks #9 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers at $319. The Presonus Eris E5 XT ranks #16 at $119.99, $199.01 cheaper.
What the JBL 305P MKII offers: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Watch for: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels.
What the Presonus Eris E5 XT offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: More HiFi sounding than a studio monitor.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E5 XT if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | Presonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #9 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.3"W x 9.1"D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) | 10.2"H x 7"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Output Power | 81w Per Speaker | 80w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
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- JBL 305P MKII vs Presonus Eris E5
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 305P MKII: $319.00 Amazon
Pros: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable. Surprisingly deep and wide soundstage. Good horizontal dispersion (~70 degrees). Has a proper limiter that controls output cleanly rather than crudely cutting bass, and holds up well under sustained loud playback with minimal thermal compression.
Cons: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels. Rear ported, can be an issue close to walls. A port resonance around 1.6kHz is audible and distracting on some tracks. Midrange is somewhat scooped rather than flat for a studio monitor, and treble runs about 1.5dB hot - Erin’s Audio Corner recommends using the -2dB treble shelf switch. Vertical dispersion narrows around the crossover, so try to stay within about 10 degrees of the tweeter axis.
Full JBL 305P MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.3"W x 9.1"D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS |
| Output Power | 81w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- Erin’s Audio Corner: LIVE! JBL 305P MkII Powered Studio Monitor Review
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio IN-5 vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 308P MKII vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frquency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5 6-Track Comparison
- Reddit Search for JBL 305P MKII Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Presonus Eris E5 XT: $119.99 Amazon
Cons: More HiFi sounding than a studio monitor. Not as good as the E5. Very close to the Rokit 5, but these sound slightly colored.
Full Presonus Eris E5 XT review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E7 XT vs PreSonus E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E8 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris E5 XT Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Presonus Eris E5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs KRK Classic 5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier R1700BT
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Audioengine HD4
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Neumi BS5P
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Donner Dyna 3
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