Short answer: the Presonus Eris E5. It ranks #12 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $109.99; the Edifier MR4 ranks #27 and costs $154.31, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Presonus Eris E5 offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: More HiFi sounding than the HS5 and not quite as detailed, although with deeper bass and a more fun listen.
What the Edifier MR4 offers: More balanced than the R1280DB. Watch for: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models.
Buy the Presonus Eris E5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Edifier MR4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Edifier MR4. It ranks near the bottom of the 36 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Presonus Eris E5 | Edifier MR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 | $154.31 |
| Ranked | #12 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 36 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 |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | - | Headphone |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 109Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier R1700BT vs Donner Dyna 3
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier D12 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Edifier MR3 vs Presonus Eris E5
- Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5
The Two Speakers In Full
Presonus Eris E5: $109.99 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- 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
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris E5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Yamaha HS5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Presonus Eris E5 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Presonus Eris E5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Kali LP-UNF
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- See all 15 comparisons
Edifier MR4: $154.31 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king. Impressively deep, flat bass down to 70Hz for such a small speaker, and its waveguide gives it unusually wide, consistent horizontal directivity for the price. Balanced XLR/TRS inputs are rare this cheap.
Cons: No Bluetooth unlike other Edifier models. Distortion climbs sharply above 86dB SPL, breaking into audible squealing near 96dB, and there’s a dip in the lower treble that needs a bit of EQ or the rear HF control to smooth out. Playback volume is limited with bass-heavy material - pushing it loud brings audible clicking/static.
Full Edifier MR4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 109Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 7.6"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 193 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS Balanced, RCA, Aux |
| Output Power | 42w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | Headphone |
| Sensitivity | 78dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs / 4.5 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: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- 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
- Reddit Search for Edifier MR4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons