Short answer: the Cambridge Audio L/R S for better sound quality, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen for the lower price. The Cambridge Audio L/R S ranks #4 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $549. The PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen ranks #45, rated 2.5/5, at $99.99, $449.01 cheaper.
Why pick the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: Small desktop monitors with bass and treble controls on the back to adjust for desk or wall placement. Watch for: The stock response spans 7.2dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and has a strong rising trend of about 1.27dB per octave, emphasizing treble over the midrange.
The Cambridge Audio L/R S is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.08 against 1.51 for the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 80Hz for the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen. Watch for: Maximum clean output is limited: Erin’s Audio Corner measured about 86dB before the onboard limiter engages around 96dB to protect the drivers, so this is a near-field or small-room speaker rather than one built to fill a living room.
Buy the PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Cambridge Audio L/R S when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Small desktop monitors with bass and treble controls on the back to adjust for desk or wall placement.
Compact desk speakers with very accurate sound, Bluetooth and optical and USB inputs, best for close listening.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| PreSonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | Cambridge Audio L/R S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $549.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #45 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 6”W x 5.5”D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) | 5.3” (134 mm) W x 226mm H x 180mm D (each) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 24kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4” Balanced | RCA, optical digital, USB-C |
| Outputs | 1/8” headphone jack | Subwoofer, wired speaker-to-speaker link |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3.0kg) primary speaker, 5.7 lbs (2.6kg) secondary speaker |
| Drivers | 3.5” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 21mm aluminum dome tweeter, 3” long-throw woofer |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Acoustic space) | - |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) | 100W total (50W to woofer, 50W to tweeter, per speaker) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.51 | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.17 | 7.72 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| DSP | - | Yes, room size, wall distance, and reflective surface correction; desktop-placement and near-wall/free-space switches |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Cambridge Audio L/R S: