Short answer: the Topping MA4. It ranks #12 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) and is still sold new; the Presonus Eris E5 ranks #76 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Presonus Eris E5’s replacement, the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, is rated 3.6/5.
Why pick the Presonus Eris E5: Balanced XLR/TRS and RCA inputs plus placement adjustment make the original Eris E5 easy to connect to studio or consumer sources. The tradeoff: A fuller bass balance is not necessarily neutral.
The Topping MA4 is the better-sounding pick. The selected manufacturer-supplied Klippel data shows a 1.6dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, bass reaching -3dB around 50Hz, and preference scores of 5.64 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: The native listening-window response is not as smooth as the leading Genelec and Neumann measurements.
Buy the Topping MA4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Presonus Eris E5 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Presonus Eris E5 | Topping MA4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.98 per pair Discontinued | €449 per pair |
| Ranked | #76 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 105 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) | 10”H x 5.5”W x 11.3”D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR (balanced analog) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each | 8.3 lbs (3.78 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1” soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4” paper cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 80w Per Speaker | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Sensitivity | - | 92dB |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.3kHz |
| Warranty | - | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Country | - | China |
| Maximum SPL | - | 105dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.83 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Topping MA4:
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Topping MA4
- Genelec 8030C vs Topping MA4
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Topping MA4
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Topping MA4
- Genelec 8320A vs Topping MA4
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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: $186.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5. See every PreSonus Eris generation.
Same family: the Presonus Eris E3.5 (smaller bookshelf, rated 2.6/5).
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. Discontinued.
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 Audioengine HD6
- Presonus Eris E5 vs M-Audio BX4 D3
- Presonus Eris E5 vs KRK Classic 5
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier R2000DB
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000W
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier MR4
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 50 comparisons
Topping MA4: €449 per pair Audiophonics eBay
Pros: The selected manufacturer-supplied Klippel data shows a 1.6dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, bass reaching -3dB around 50Hz, and preference scores of 5.64 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer. That is strong measured tonal performance for a compact monitor. Its analog crossover and balanced XLR connection suit an existing audio interface. Measured bass extension of 49.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The native listening-window response is not as smooth as the leading Genelec and Neumann measurements. No USB, Bluetooth or built-in room-correction DSP: source control and correction need external equipment. Bass extension alone does not establish clean output capability. On-axis narrow-band deviation measures 0.503dB and listening-window smoothness a moderate 0.44.
Full Topping MA4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.3kHz |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 5.5”W x 11.3”D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4” paper cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced analog) |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 92dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs (3.78 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons