Short answer: the KRK Rokit 5 G4 for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 XT for the lower price. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 ranks #18 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $337. The Presonus Eris E5 XT ranks #19 at $119.99, $217.01 cheaper.
What the KRK Rokit 5 G4 gets right: Deeper bass than the HS5. Good horizontal directivity - the small woofer mates well with the waveguided tweeter. The tradeoff: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding.
The case for the Presonus Eris E5 XT: CEA2034 spinorama shows very smooth, consistent directivity through the crossover region and into the treble, with early reflections tracking the on-axis curve closely. Set against that: On-axis response is uneven, with peaks at both frequency extremes and a dip around the roughly 3kHz crossover, giving a bass-and-treble-heavy tonal balance with the midrange partially recessed.
Buy the KRK Rokit 5 G4 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
| KRK Rokit 5 G4 | Presonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $337 | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #18 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #19 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) | 10.2"H x 7"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS/XLR | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 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 | 55w Per Speaker | 80w Per Speaker |
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The Two Speakers In Full
KRK Rokit 5 G4: $337 Amazon
Pros: Deeper bass than the HS5. Good horizontal directivity - the small woofer mates well with the waveguided tweeter. Distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL and scales gradually with volume rather than breaking up suddenly, tweeter hiss is nearly inaudible, and the onboard DSP/app lets you dial in EQ, including for the 680Hz port resonance.
Cons: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding
Full KRK Rokit 5 G4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS/XLR |
| Output Power | 55w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
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- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D & KRK Rokit 5 G4 PR5G4 - Same, same, but different Sound & Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for KRK Rokit 5 G4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Edifier Airpulse A100
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
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- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs JBL 705P
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Yamaha HS5
- See all 22 comparisons
Presonus Eris E5 XT: $119.99 Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows very smooth, consistent directivity through the crossover region and into the treble, with early reflections tracking the on-axis curve closely.
Cons: On-axis response is uneven, with peaks at both frequency extremes and a dip around the roughly 3kHz crossover, giving a bass-and-treble-heavy tonal balance with the midrange partially recessed. Because directivity is otherwise good, room reflections closely mirror that same imbalance rather than smoothing it out. At 96dB SPL distortion spans a wide range of frequencies, and while dropping to 86dB helps, the woofer or its amplifier remains the weak link.
Full Presonus Eris E5 XT review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris E5 XT Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier Airpulse A100
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs JBL 705P
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Kali Audio IN-5
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- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- See all 19 comparisons