Short answer: the M-Audio BX4 D3. It ranks #75 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.4/5) at $149 and is still sold new; the PreSonus Eris E5 ranks #77 (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 at $299.98.
Why pick the M-Audio BX4 D3: An inexpensive desktop pair with balanced TRS, RCA and front aux inputs, a headphone jack and tone controls. It keeps a wired aux input, which the PreSonus Eris E5 lacks. Watch for: A rising response of about 0.62dB per octave and listening-window deviation of 0.546 indicate bright, locally uneven reproduction.
The case for the PreSonus Eris E5: A low cost 5 inch studio monitor with a fuller low end, balanced and RCA inputs, and placement adjustment. Watch for: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral.
Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3. It is rated higher for sound quality; the PreSonus Eris E5 is no longer sold new.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX4 D3 | PreSonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 per pair | $186.98 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #75 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #77 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1” dome tweeter, 4.5” Kevlar woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in | 10.2”H x 7”W x 7.7”D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)/pair | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 120W peak system | 80w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.29 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.03 | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
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