Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII. It ranks #18 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $319 and is still sold new; the PreSonus Eris E5 XT ranks #70 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The PreSonus Eris E5 XT’s replacement, the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, is rated 3.6/5 at $299.98.
The JBL 305P MKII is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Budget studio monitors with balanced sound and wide coverage that keeps the stereo image stable across a desk. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.38 against 3.58 for the PreSonus Eris E5 XT. Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 3dB, against 56.4Hz for the PreSonus Eris E5 XT. The catch: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral.
The case for the PreSonus Eris E5 XT: An affordable 5 inch studio monitor with fairly deep bass and balanced XLR, TRS and RCA inputs. Watch for: The response has bass and treble emphasis with a recessed crossover region; smooth directivity carries that imbalance into room reflections rather than fixing it.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the PreSonus Eris E5 XT is discontinued.
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Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the JBL 305P MKII scores 7.5 against 6.0 for the PreSonus Eris E5 XT on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (50 Hz vs 56.4 Hz, 3 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | PreSonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 per pair | $239.98 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #70 of 108 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) | 56.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| 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) |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 80w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | 6.00 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | 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 | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL 305P MKII: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner, Audio Science Review and DSAUDIO.review.
- PreSonus Eris E5 XT: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review and DSAUDIO.review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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