Short answer: the Dayton Audio M4 for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 for the lower price. The Dayton Audio M4 ranks #28 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $249.98. The Presonus Eris E5 ranks #39 at $109.99, $139.99 cheaper.
What the Presonus Eris E5 offers: Rated 3.8 in the SpeakerRanking database. Watch for: More HiFi sounding than the HS5 and not quite as detailed, although with deeper bass and a more fun listen.
What the Dayton Audio M4 offers: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region. Watch for: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Buy the Presonus Eris E5 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Dayton Audio M4 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Presonus Eris E5 | Dayton Audio M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 | $249.98 |
| Ranked | #39 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 10.2"H x 7"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | - |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 121Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Digital Aux Input | - | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes (RCA) |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Discontinued | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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 E5: $109.99 Amazon eBay
Cons: More HiFi sounding than the HS5 and not quite as detailed, although with deeper bass and a more fun listen.
Full Presonus Eris E5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
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- 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
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- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris E5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R2000DB
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Audioengine HD6
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R1280T
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Klipsch The Fives
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
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Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 Parts Express eBay
Pros: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region.
Cons: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Full Dayton Audio M4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Dayton Audio M4 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Dayton Audio M4 vs KRK Classic 5
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Edifier MR4
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Dayton Audio M4 vs JBL 705P
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Edifier R1280DB
- See all 40 comparisons