Short answer: the Neumann KH120 MKII for the higher ranking, the Presonus Eris E5 for the lower price. The Neumann KH120 MKII ranks #1 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers at $2000. The Presonus Eris E5 ranks #10 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 the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E5 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Neumann KH120 MKII | Presonus Eris E5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 | $109.99 |
| Ranked | #1 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) | 10.2"H x 7.0"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) |
| Max SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) | 80w Per Speaker |
The Two Speakers In Full
Neumann KH120 MKII: $2000 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is about as flat as the reviewer has measured, with excellent directivity aside from a small blip around 2kHz, and bass response that stays flat almost down to 50Hz. Predicted in-room response is superb despite not being strictly valid for a near-field monitor at this distance. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is nice and well controlled. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is exceptionally low. Even at 96dB SPL/1m - just 1dB before the clipping indicator engages - it stays very clean outside of deep bass.
Cons: A minor directivity blip appears around 2kHz. Vertical directivity narrows quickly above the reference axis, so the reviewer recommends staying right at it. Distortion rises substantially in the deep bass under 50Hz at higher output (96dB SPL/1m). Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a resonance in the upper midrange. High price.
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8020D
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Kali LP-UNF
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs JBL 305P MKII
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Adam Audio T5V
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- See all 11 comparisons
- Links
Presonus Eris E5: $109.99 Amazon
Cons: More HiFi sounding than the HS5 and not quite as detailed, although with deeper bass and a more fun listen.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2"H x 7.0"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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: Fluid Audio F5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: M-Audio BX5 D3 vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Mackie CR5 BT vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 RP5G3 vs Presonus E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL LSR305 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Yamaha HS5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Presonus Eris E5 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000W
- See all 14 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.