Short answer: the Presonus Eris E5 XT for better sound quality, the Donner Dyna 3 for the lower price. The Presonus Eris E5 XT ranks #16 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers at $119.99. The Donner Dyna 3 ranks #36 at $89, $30.99 cheaper.
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 Donner Dyna 3 offers: Very inexpensive self-powered desktop pair with Bluetooth, balanced TRS, RCA and 3.5mm connectivity plus included isolation pads. Watch for: Erin’s Klippel data contradicts the advertised studio-monitor accuracy: response is severely non-neutral, directivity is poorly integrated and the tonal errors are too large for a reference role.
Buy the Presonus Eris E5 XT if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Donner Dyna 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Donner Dyna 3. 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 | Donner Dyna 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.99 | $89/pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #36 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) | - |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 1" dome tweeter; 3" woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker | - |
| Bass Extension | - | Limited by 3" woofer (Erin’s Audio Corner measurement) |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active loudspeaker) |
| Amplification | - | Built in |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Pioneer DJ VM-50 vs Neumi BS5P
- Edifier R1700BT vs Neumi BS5P
- KRK Classic 5 vs Neumi BS5P
- Presonus Eris E5 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Neumi BS5P vs Donner Dyna 3
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 Audioengine HD4
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Neumi BS5P
- See all 9 comparisons
Donner Dyna 3: $89/pair Amazon
Pros: Very inexpensive self-powered desktop pair with Bluetooth, balanced TRS, RCA and 3.5mm connectivity plus included isolation pads. The tiny 3-inch woofer/1-inch tweeter format occupies little desk space and produces usable output for close-range background listening.
Cons: Erin’s Klippel data contradicts the advertised studio-monitor accuracy: response is severely non-neutral, directivity is poorly integrated and the tonal errors are too large for a reference role. The small woofer has limited bass extension and high-level headroom, while distortion and compression rise quickly. It is an active system, so passive sensitivity and impedance do not apply; Erin did not publish comparable passive measurements. Better-measuring budget monitors are worth the additional cost.
Full Donner Dyna 3 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Built in |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension | Limited by 3" woofer (Erin's Audio Corner measurement) |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter; 3" woofer |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active loudspeaker) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons