Short answer: the JBL 705P. It ranks #42 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $2,198 and is still sold new; the Presonus Eris E5 ranks #75 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Presonus Eris E5’s replacement, the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, is rated 3.6/5.
The JBL 705P is the better-sounding choice. ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Watch for: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span.
Why pick 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. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 705P lacks. Watch for: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral.
Buy the JBL 705P. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Presonus Eris E5 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 705P | Presonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,198 per pair | $186.98 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #42 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #75 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | - |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) | 10.2”H x 7”W x 7.7”D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 80w Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 | - |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
JBL 705P: $2,198 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the JBL 708P (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its waveguided compression driver and dedicated amplification are suited to studio use, and the broad response trend is close to level. It has useful low-frequency reach for a five-inch monitor. Measured bass extension of 47.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span. A crossover-region rise also prevents reference-flat reproduction. An average flat trend does not erase these features, and amplifier wattage is not a measured clean-SPL rating. The data does not support calling it uniformly flat simply because it shares technology with larger JBL models.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Presonus Eris E5: $186.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5.
Same family: the Presonus Eris E3.5 (smaller bookshelf, rated 2.6/5).
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. Discontinued.
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
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