Short answer: the M-Audio BX3, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #38 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5) at $99.99 and is still sold new; the PreSonus Eris E3.5 ranks #42 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The PreSonus Eris E3.5’s replacement, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen, is rated 2.5/5 at $99.99. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 47 powered bookshelf speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Creative Pebble Pro instead, ranked #31 at $59.99.
The case for the M-Audio BX3: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. The catch: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer.
The case for the PreSonus Eris E3.5: Compact powered monitors with a 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 25W class AB per side, front headphone jack and 1/8”, TRS and RCA inputs. The tradeoff: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a very uneven on-axis response (3.71dB average deviation) and a listening window spanning 6.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, for a preference score of 2.01.
Buy the M-Audio BX3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the PreSonus Eris E3.5 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX3 | PreSonus Eris E3.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #38 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer | 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz | 80Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS per pair | 50W total (25W per side), class AB |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux | - |
| Outputs | Headphone | - |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in | 8.3”H x 5.6”W x 6.4”D (210 x 141 x 162 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.04 | 2.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.18 | 4.94 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) each |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 60.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: M-Audio BX3 (measured by Audio Science Review) and PreSonus Eris E3.5 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for M-Audio BX3:
- ADAM Audio D3v vs M-Audio BX3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs M-Audio BX3
- Edifier M60 vs M-Audio BX3
- M-Audio BX3 vs Edifier MR3
- M-Audio BX3 vs Audioengine HD3
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
M-Audio BX3: $99.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the M-Audio BX3 BT (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 2.9/5).
Pros: Balanced TRS, RCA and auxiliary inputs, headphone output and high/low tone controls offer useful flexibility for an inexpensive desktop pair. The controls give some scope to adjust broad tonal balance for placement.
Cons: ASR’s data gives only 2.04 standalone and 5.18 with an ideal subwoofer. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.580 indicates persistent tonal irregularities, while bass reaches -3dB at about 88Hz. The limited bass and uneven response make it a weak choice for accurate monitoring even with a subwoofer. Broad tone controls cannot precisely fix crossover or dispersion problems.
Full M-Audio BX3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.2H x 5.5W x 5.7D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-22kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.18 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PreSonus Eris E3.5: $99.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen, ranked lower, rated 2.5/5, released Sep 2023. It drops the aux input. See every PreSonus Eris generation.
Same family: the PreSonus Eris E5 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Compact powered monitors with a 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 25W class AB per side, front headphone jack and 1/8”, TRS and RCA inputs. Measured bass extension of 76.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a very uneven on-axis response (3.71dB average deviation) and a listening window spanning 6.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, for a preference score of 2.01. Bass rolls off at 76.9Hz (-3dB). Replaced by the second-generation E3.5. Discontinued.
Full PreSonus Eris E3.5 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per side), class AB |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 60.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 5.6”W x 6.4”D (210 x 141 x 162 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.94 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Edifier R1280T Sound Demo w/ Bass Test More from DSAUDIOreview →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Mackie CR3-X vs PreSonus E3.5 Budget Monitor Showdown!
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons