Short answer: the Fiio SP3 if sound quality matters most, the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen if price matters most, though neither ranks well in its class. The Fiio SP3 ranks #20 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 2.9/5, at $299.99. The Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen ranks #22, rated 2.5/5, at $99.99, $200 cheaper. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 24 powered bookshelf speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Adam Audio D3v instead, ranked #3 at $339.99.
Why pick the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: Rear-panel bass and treble controls allow broad correction for desk and wall placement. The tradeoff: 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.
Why pick the Fiio SP3: Compact cabinets and angled bases fit a small desk. Watch for: The response rises strongly toward the treble, about 1.13dB per octave, with a recessed midrange and problematic crossover behavior.
Buy the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Fiio SP3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | Fiio SP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 per pair | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 24 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) | 6.4”H x 4.7”W x 5.2”D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4” Balanced | AUX, RCA |
| Outputs | 1/8” headphone jack | - |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) each |
| Drivers | 3.5” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 3.5” carbon fiber midwoofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Acoustic space) | - |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.51 | 3.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.17 | 6.17 |
| Headphone Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
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- Adam Audio D3v vs Fiio SP3
- Cambridge Audio L/R S vs Fiio SP3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Fiio SP3
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: $99.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Rear-panel bass and treble controls allow broad correction for desk and wall placement. Erin’s second-generation Klippel measurements give a -3dB point around 69Hz, so the speaker has useful upper-bass reach for its size. Its adjustable balance is more flexible than a fixed-response budget desktop pair. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.4dB.
Cons: 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. Preference scores of 1.51 standalone and 4.17 with an ideal subwoofer indicate major tonal problems beyond bass extension. EQ may help, but a subwoofer alone will not make it neutral. Output and port-modification results from reviews of the original E3.5 should not be assumed to apply to this second-generation model.
Full Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 6”W x 5.5”D (210.8 x 152.4 x 139.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Acoustic space) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4” Balanced |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 1/8” headphone jack |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.17 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Edifier R1280T Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Mackie CR3-X vs PreSonus E3.5 Budget Monitor Showdown!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio? More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Midiplus MI3 II
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs M-Audio BX3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Monoprice DT-3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Mackie CR3-X
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Audioengine HD3
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- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Audioengine A2+
- See all 15 comparisons
Fiio SP3: $299.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact cabinets and angled bases fit a small desk. The existing review found useful dynamic capability at higher frequencies, so lack of output is not the only issue. Erin’s Klippel data shows a measured -3dB bass point around 60Hz, deeper than several similarly sized alternatives. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response rises strongly toward the treble, about 1.13dB per octave, with a recessed midrange and problematic crossover behavior. Its 3.56 standalone and 6.17 ideal-subwoofer scores do not capture the full practical impact of the review’s boomy bass and off-axis tonal problems. Changing angle trades one coloration for another. Those audible limitations weigh against it more heavily than its numerical score or build quality.
Full Fiio SP3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.4”H x 4.7”W x 5.2”D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5” carbon fiber midwoofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | AUX, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.17 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons