Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL LSR305 is the better pick: it ranks #28 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5), against #76 (rated 3.3/5) for the PreSonus Eris E5. If you want one new, the JBL 305P MKII replaces the JBL LSR305 and is rated 4.3/5 at $289.
The JBL LSR305 is the better-sounding pick. A budget bi-amplified studio monitor with a 5” woofer, a 1” soft dome tweeter in JBL’s Image Control Waveguide and 41W per driver. Watch for: That data is low quality, digitized from a third-party chart, so the details are less certain than a full measurement.
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. The tradeoff: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral.
Buy the JBL LSR305 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL 305P MKII, which replaces the JBL LSR305.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL LSR305 | PreSonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 per pair Discontinued | $186.98 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #76 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter with Image Control Waveguide | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 82W total (41W LF + 41W HF), class D | 80w Per Speaker |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-24kHz (manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.9”D (298 x 185 x 251 mm) | 10.2”H x 7”W x 7.7”D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.4Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.98 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.12 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Inputs | - | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL LSR305 compares with other leading options:
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R2000DB
- M-Audio BX5 D3 vs PreSonus Eris E5
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs PreSonus Eris E5
- JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5
- KRK Classic 5 vs PreSonus Eris E5
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 LSR305: $299.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL 305P MKII, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5, released Jan 2018. See every JBL 3 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL LSR308 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.2/5).
Pros: A budget bi-amplified studio monitor with a 5” woofer, a 1” soft dome tweeter in JBL’s Image Control Waveguide and 41W per driver. The only Spinorama data shows low on-axis deviation (0.26), a smooth predicted in-room response (0.88) and bass to 48.3Hz (-3dB), for a preference score of 5.98 that reaches 8.12 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 48.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: That data is low quality, digitized from a third-party chart, so the details are less certain than a full measurement. JBL replaced it with the JBL 305P MKII. Discontinued.
Full JBL LSR305 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 82W total (41W LF + 41W HF), class D |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.4Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.9”D (298 x 185 x 251 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter with Image Control Waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.98 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.12 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- 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, released Sep 2023. See every PreSonus Eris generation.
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 →
| Released | Jan 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: Fluid Audio F5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: M-Audio BX5 D3 vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Mackie CR5 BT vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 RP5G3 vs Presonus E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL LSR305 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs Edifier MR5
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs Audioengine HD6
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs M-Audio BX4 D3
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs KRK Classic 5
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R2000DB
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000W
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs Edifier MR4
- PreSonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 52 comparisons