Short answer: the JBL 308P MKII. It ranks #22 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $249; the Presonus Eris Studio 8 ranks #58 and costs $462, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Presonus Eris Studio 8 offers: An 8-inch active monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and room-adjustment controls, providing flexible analog integration. Its cabinet and connection options suit a conventional studio setup. Watch for: The large cabinet requires substantial desk or stand space. Analog room-adjustment controls offer less flexibility than automatic calibration or parametric correction.
What the JBL 308P MKII offers: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.89 ideal-subwoofer score support unusually good tonal balance for an accessible studio monitor. Measured -3dB extension of 42.5Hz supplies useful musical bass, and the waveguide helps maintain consistent horizontal coverage. Watch for: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use. Bass distortion and output limits matter when playing loudly, despite the 8-inch woofer. Keep the tweeter near ear height; vertical crossover behavior is less forgiving than the best coaxial designs.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Presonus Eris Studio 8 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Presonus Eris Studio 8. It ranks near the bottom of the 67 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Presonus Eris Studio 8 | JBL 308P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $924 per pair | $498 per pair |
| Ranked | #58 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.8"W x 11.7"D (419.1 x 248.9 x 297.2 mm) | 16.5"H x 10"W x 12.1"D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | - |
| Weight | 22.3 lbs (10.1 kg) each | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 8" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 140w Per Speaker | 112W total |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.89 |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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 Studio 8: $924 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: An 8-inch active monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and room-adjustment controls, providing flexible analog integration. Its cabinet and connection options suit a conventional studio setup.
Cons: The large cabinet requires substantial desk or stand space. Analog room-adjustment controls offer less flexibility than automatic calibration or parametric correction.
Full Presonus Eris Studio 8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 140w Per Speaker |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.8"W x 11.7"D (419.1 x 248.9 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 22.3 lbs (10.1 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E8 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 8 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Focal Alpha 80 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- Presonus Eris Studio 8 vs Klipsch The Sevens
- Presonus Eris Studio 8 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
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- See all 23 comparisons
JBL 308P MKII: $498 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.89 ideal-subwoofer score support unusually good tonal balance for an accessible studio monitor. Measured -3dB extension of 42.5Hz supplies useful musical bass, and the waveguide helps maintain consistent horizontal coverage. Measured bass extension of 82Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use. Bass distortion and output limits matter when playing loudly, despite the 8-inch woofer. Keep the tweeter near ear height; vertical crossover behavior is less forgiving than the best coaxial designs.
Full JBL 308P MKII review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 12.1"D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.89 |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons