Short answer: the Presonus Eris E5 XT. It ranks #16 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $119.99; the Pioneer DJ VM-50 ranks #32 and costs $169, 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 Pioneer DJ VM-50 offers: Compact active monitor with 96kHz DSP, 4mm aluminum front baffle, 5.25-inch aramid woofer and constant-directivity horn. Watch for: The default axial response is not reference-flat and the upper-mid/treble directivity behavior varies with angle; correct EQ-switch selection and listening geometry matter.
Buy the Presonus Eris E5 XT. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Pioneer DJ VM-50 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Pioneer DJ VM-50. 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 | Pioneer DJ VM-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.99 | $169 each |
| Ranked | #16 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #32 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 | XLR/TRS combo and RCA |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 1" tweeter in horn; 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 80w Per Speaker | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active DSP monitor) |
| Amplification | - | Class D, 30W LF + 30W HF |
| DSP | - | Four LF and four HF EQ settings |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Presonus Eris E5
- Adam Audio T5V vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Edifier MR4
- Edifier M60 vs Presonus Eris E5 XT
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Edifier R1700BT
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 Audioengine HD4
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Neumi BS5P
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Donner Dyna 3
- See all 9 comparisons
Pioneer DJ VM-50: $169 each Amazon
Pros: Compact active monitor with 96kHz DSP, 4mm aluminum front baffle, 5.25-inch aramid woofer and constant-directivity horn. Erin measured F3 at 61Hz, low distortion at 86 and 96dB, almost no long-term compression above 50Hz and only roughly quarter-decibel dynamic nonlinearity. Four-position low- and high-EQ controls yield 16 useful voicings, while balanced TRS/XLR and RCA inputs suit studio and consumer sources.
Cons: The default axial response is not reference-flat and the upper-mid/treble directivity behavior varies with angle; correct EQ-switch selection and listening geometry matter. Bass does not reach 50Hz at reference level despite its pleasing punch, making a subwoofer useful. Output is appropriate for nearfield use rather than home-theater distance. As an internally amplified monitor, passive impedance and sensitivity measurements are not applicable.
Full Pioneer DJ VM-50 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Class D, 30W LF + 30W HF |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Four LF and four HF EQ settings |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter in horn; 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo and RCA |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP monitor) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons