Short answer: the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen ranks #9 of 11 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the Mackie CR3-X ranks #10 at $99.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen offers: Includes rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf tone controls, letting you tailor the sound (helpful for near-wall placement, where the reviewer suggests reducing the bass knob). Watch for: Stock on-axis response has a pronounced “smiley face” V-curve, with the midrange scooped roughly 6-7dB below the bass and treble - problematic for any mixing or monitoring use.
What the Mackie CR3-X offers: More neutral overall on-axis response than its closest $100 rival, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 - less of a scooped, V-shaped curve. Watch for: Still a ported design in too small a cabinet, producing boosted, boomy bass rather than genuine low-end extension.
Buy the Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Mackie CR3-X at the same price, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 11 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen | Mackie CR3-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #9 of 11 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 11 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) | 8.1"H x 5.5"W x 7.1"D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4" Balanced | RCA, Aux |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Drivers | 3.5" woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Acoustic space) | No |
| Max SPL | 95dB @ 1m | 92dB @ 1m |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier MR3 vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Edifier MR3 vs Fiio SP3
- Audioengine A2+ vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Edifier MR3 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- Edifier MR3 vs Mackie CR3-X
The Two Speakers In Full
Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: Includes rear-panel high- and low-frequency shelf tone controls, letting you tailor the sound (helpful for near-wall placement, where the reviewer suggests reducing the bass knob). Distortion and neutrality can be meaningfully improved with simple mods - sealing the rear port and adjusting the tone controls (low +3dB, high -6dB in testing) noticeably flattened the default V-shaped response.
Cons: Stock on-axis response has a pronounced “smiley face” V-curve, with the midrange scooped roughly 6-7dB below the bass and treble - problematic for any mixing or monitoring use. The rear port is too small for the cabinet, producing peaky, boomy bass rather than genuine extension. A strong resonance around 1-2kHz persists even with the port sealed, suggesting an internal standing wave rather than a purely port-related issue. Directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer as the woofer narrows with frequency. Hard limiting kicks in above about 86dB, and distortion at 96dB is high - not intended for loud listening. Frequency response measurably drifts over time at moderate-to-high volume (about 1dB shift after 4 minutes at 86dB, worse within a couple minutes at 96dB). In direct comparison, measures 3-5dB hotter in the treble than the Mackie CR3-X, and even after sealing the port and adjusting the tone controls, still measured behind the Mackie overall. Best used aimed off-axis (about 30-40°) and with the port sealed; without EQ/DSP correction, significant tonal problems remain.
Full Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | RCA, 1/4" Balanced |
| Max SPL | 95dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- 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!
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Fiio SP3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Edifier M60
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Edifier MR3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Audioengine HD3
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Adam Audio D3v
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen vs Genelec 8010A
Mackie CR3-X: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: More neutral overall on-axis response than its closest $100 rival, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 - less of a scooped, V-shaped curve. Distortion at 96dB stays below 3% THD through most of the midrange - no real issues at typical near-field listening levels. Better long-term compression behavior than the PreSonus at both 86dB and 96dB. The reviewer’s pick between the two $100 monitors, even though the PreSonus has tone-adjustment knobs it lacks.
Cons: Still a ported design in too small a cabinet, producing boosted, boomy bass rather than genuine low-end extension. No tone-control knobs for adjusting the sound, unlike the PreSonus. Hard limiting and compression set in significantly above 86dB - not intended for loud listening. Off-axis measurements show the treble smooths out with moderate toe-out, but on-axis it reads as somewhat lifted. Vertical placement matters - going above or below tweeter-ear-level causes real deviation through the crossover region. Benefits substantially from sealing the port to tame the bass hump, a modification the reviewer recommends for both this and the PreSonus.
Full Mackie CR3-X review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1"H x 5.5"W x 7.1"D (205.7 x 139.7 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Max SPL | 92dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (25W per speaker) |
| Outputs | 1/8" headphone jack |
| Sensitivity | 96dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: Presonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR3 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Mackie CR3-X vs Edifier R1280T Sound, Distortion & Frequency Response Comparison
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Mackie CR3-X vs PreSonus E3.5 Budget Monitor Showdown!
- Reddit Search for Mackie CR3-X Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons