Short answer: the Mackie CR3.5. It ranks #36 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.0/5) 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.
The Mackie CR3.5 is the better-sounding pick. The third generation of Mackie’s best-selling CR3 desktop monitors, replacing the Mackie CR3-X. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Mackie CR3-X it replaces, which measured with an uneven response and limited bass.
Why pick 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. Watch for: 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 Mackie CR3.5. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the PreSonus Eris E3.5 is discontinued.
Worth knowing: the Mackie CR3.5 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.6 to 3.4, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie CR3.5 | PreSonus Eris E3.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $99.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #42 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| 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 |
| Drivers | 3.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter | 3.5” Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS total (Class A/B) | 50W total (25W per side), class AB |
| Headphone Output | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (206 x 140 x 180 mm) | 8.3”H x 5.6”W x 6.4”D (210 x 141 x 162 mm) |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair) | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 60.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 4.94 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Mackie CR3.5 compares with other leading options:
- Mackie CR3.5 vs Mackie CR3-X
- Mackie CR3.5 vs M-Audio BX3
- Mackie CR3.5 vs PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- M-Audio BX3 vs PreSonus Eris E3.5
- PreSonus Eris E3.5 vs PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Mackie CR3.5: $99.99 per pair Estimated Amazon $99.99 Sweetwater $99.99 eBay
Older model: the Mackie CR3-X (ranked higher, rated 3/5). See every Mackie CR generation.
Same family: the Mackie CR4.5 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: The third generation of Mackie’s best-selling CR3 desktop monitors, replacing the Mackie CR3-X. A 3.5” woven woofer and silk dome tweeter are bi-amplified with 50W RMS, and new features include a tone control for more bass or treble and a location switch that tunes the response for desktop or bookshelf placement. TRS, RCA and 3.5mm inputs plus a front headphone jack make it easy to set up.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Mackie CR3-X it replaces, which measured with an uneven response and limited bass. A 3.5” woofer limits bass and output, so a subwoofer helps for music.
Full Mackie CR3.5 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS total (Class A/B) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 5.5”W x 7.1”D (206 x 140 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” woven woofer, silk dome tweeter |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (pair) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- 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