Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus for better sound quality, the Presonus Eris E5 XT for the lower price. The Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus ranks #13 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers at $499.99. The Presonus Eris E5 XT ranks #16 at $119.99, $380 cheaper.
What the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus offers: Genuinely neutral tonal balance in a small desktop-class powered speaker - a rarity in this size and price range, where the reviewer says most competitors have a scooped mid-range, one-note bass, and piercing V-shaped highs. Watch for: An 8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz sharply limits bass below that point - F3 measures 92Hz and F10 53Hz, so kick drum fundamentals and true low end need a subwoofer.
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.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Presonus Eris E5 XT if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus | Presonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #13 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum cone woofer, 4" long-throw passive radiator, 1" soft dome tweeter | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| Output Power | 120W total (Class D) | 80w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Dimensions | 8.5"H x 5.5"W x 6"D | 10.2"H x 7"W x 7.7"D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Weight | 7 lbs each | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs KRK Classic 5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Dayton Audio M4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus vs Neumi BS5P
- Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
The Two Speakers In Full
Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: Genuinely neutral tonal balance in a small desktop-class powered speaker - a rarity in this size and price range, where the reviewer says most competitors have a scooped mid-range, one-note bass, and piercing V-shaped highs. Flexible mounting: flip the cabinet orientation to angle the tweeter up for flat-desktop placement or level for stand-mount ear height. Subwoofer output with auto-sense, so it engages automatically when a sub is connected. Wide input selection - Bluetooth aptX HD, USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink, and 3.5mm analog. Distortion stays reasonable (below 3%) up to about 88dB, and multitone distortion at max output (96dB) is the only real weak point.
Cons: An 8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz sharply limits bass below that point - F3 measures 92Hz and F10 53Hz, so kick drum fundamentals and true low end need a subwoofer. Very sensitive to ear height relative to the tweeter: sitting even slightly above the tweeter axis scoops out the 2-4kHz upper mid-range. Multitone distortion at maximum output (96dB) is high enough to add noticeable vocal graininess - stick closer to 88dB for clean output. The reviewer’s only real gripe is wishing it extended lower, which he acknowledges is an unreasonable ask for a speaker this size.
Full Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) |
| Dimensions | 8.5"H x 5.5"W x 6"D |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum cone woofer, 4" long-throw passive radiator, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog |
| Output Power | 120W total (Class D) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 7 lbs each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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 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
- Presonus Eris E5 XT vs Donner Dyna 3
- See all 9 comparisons