Short answer: the Edifier MR4 on measured sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 on price. The MR4 ranks #52 of 68 medium powered bookshelf speakers against #49 for the Eris E5, and it costs $80.99 more. Both sit in the lower half of their class, so neither is a strong performer overall.
Erin’s Audio Corner measurements favor the MR4’s tonal balance. It shows a tight 3.0dB midrange span with little overall on-axis tilt, translating to preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer, and Erin’s notes call it more balanced than Edifier’s own R1280DB. Its real weakness is bass: it reaches its -3dB point around 79Hz, so its otherwise flat trend shouldn’t be read as deep extension, and the existing review reports rapidly increasing distortion when pushed well above moderate desktop levels.
The Eris E5 leans into a fuller, warmer low end instead of flat accuracy. Existing listening notes describe it as more fuller-sounding than bass-light monitors in its size, useful for casual nearfield listening, but that fullness is explicitly not the same as neutrality, and its room-response knob doesn’t substitute for a properly integrated subwoofer if deep bass monitoring is the goal.
Connectivity differs in a way that matters for some buyers: the Eris E5 has balanced XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs, while the MR4 offers TRS balanced, RCA, and an aux input plus a headphone output, but no Bluetooth on either speaker.
Buy the Edifier MR4 for the flatter, more neutral measured response if accurate desktop monitoring matters more than a fuller low end.
Buy the Presonus Eris E5 if you want a warmer, fuller sound for casual listening at a lower price and don’t need XLR-grade measured accuracy.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Presonus Eris E5 | Edifier MR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.98 per pair | $138.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #52 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 68 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) | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) |
| Amplifier Power | 80w Per Speaker | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.00 |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Edifier MR4:
- Edifier MR4 vs Genelec 8331A
- Edifier MR4 vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Edifier MR4 vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Edifier MR4
- Reflector Audio Square Two vs Edifier MR4
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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.
The Two Speakers In Full
Presonus Eris E5: $219.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Balanced XLR/TRS and RCA inputs plus placement adjustment make the original Eris E5 easy to connect to studio or consumer sources. Existing listening notes describe a fuller low end than some small, bass-light monitors, which may suit casual nearfield listening.
Cons: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral. Placement adjustment is useful, but it does not replace a properly integrated subwoofer for deep-bass monitoring.
Full Presonus Eris E5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- 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 Edifier MR5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs M-Audio BX4 D3
- Presonus Eris E5 vs KRK Classic 5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Audioengine HD6
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R2000DB
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000W
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- See all 49 comparisons
Edifier MR4: $138.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s data supports a useful budget desktop monitor: a 3.0dB midrange span, little overall on-axis tilt, and preference scores of 3.25 standalone and 6.00 with an ideal subwoofer. Balanced TRS inputs and tone controls are practical at its price, and its response is more balanced than the measured R1280T. Measured bass extension of 79Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 78dB.
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 79Hz, so deep extension should not be inferred from the overall flat trend. Listening-window response still has local irregularities, including lower-treble unevenness. The existing review reports rapidly increasing distortion and audible distress when pushed well above moderate desktop levels. No Bluetooth, and adding a subwoofer does not cure every output or tonal limitation.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS total (21W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Monitor and Music modes) |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 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 Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons