Short answer: the Neumann KH120 MKII if sound quality matters most, the Presonus Eris E5 if price matters most. The Neumann KH120 MKII ranks #2 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $2000. The Presonus Eris E5 ranks #49, rated 3.3/5, at $109.99, $1890.01 cheaper.
What the Neumann KH120 MKII gets right: CEA2034 spinorama is about as flat as the reviewer has measured, with excellent directivity aside from a small blip around 2kHz. The catch: A minor directivity blip appears around 2kHz.
Buy the Neumann KH120 MKII if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Presonus Eris E5 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumann KH120 MKII | Presonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 per pair | $219.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) | 10.2"H x 7"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 1" titanium fabric dome tweeter | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) each | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) | 80w Per Speaker |
| Maximum SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.75 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.70 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Neumann KH120 MKII compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8330A
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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
Neumann KH120 MKII: $2000 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data shows exceptional neutrality: only a 1.5dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz and low listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.208. Scores of 5.75 standalone and 7.70 with an ideal subwoofer place it among the strongest measured options here. Bass reaches -3dB around 45Hz. The review reports very low distortion at 86dB/1m and clean performance outside deep bass at 96dB. Measured bass extension of 46Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Vertical crossover interference makes listening height important even though horizontal dispersion is well controlled. A small directivity irregularity remains around 2kHz. Distortion increases below about 50Hz at high output; a subwoofer can extend the system and reduce low-frequency demands. High price, and a flat anechoic response still needs suitable placement in the room.
Full Neumann KH120 MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 1" titanium fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.75 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.70 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8330A
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Presonus Eris E5: $219.98 per pair Amazon eBay
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.
Full Presonus Eris E5 review and specifications →
| 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
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