Short answer: the Presonus Eris E5 XT. It ranks #16 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $119.99; the Audioengine HD4 ranks #33 and costs $429, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Presonus Eris E5 XT offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: More HiFi sounding than a studio monitor.
What the Audioengine HD4 offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Buy the Presonus Eris E5 XT. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Audioengine HD4. 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 XT | Audioengine HD4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.99 | $429.00 |
| Ranked | #16 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #33 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 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | - | RCA Output |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Edifier MR4
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs KRK Classic 5
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Dayton Audio M4 vs Audioengine HD4
The Two Speakers In Full
Presonus Eris E5 XT: $119.99 Amazon
Cons: More HiFi sounding than a studio monitor. Not as good as the E5. Very close to the Rokit 5, but these sound slightly colored.
Full Presonus Eris E5 XT 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: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E7 XT vs PreSonus E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E8 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris E5 XT Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Presonus Eris E5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs JBL 305P MKII
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs KRK Classic 5
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier R1700BT
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Neumi BS5P
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Donner Dyna 3
- See all 9 comparisons
Audioengine HD4: $429.00 Amazon
Cons: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Full Audioengine HD4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons