PreSonus Eris 3.5 & BT Review

PreSonus has an excellent reputation in the studio monitor market. The Eris range is an entry-level offering that has a lot going for it. In this review, we check out the smallest in the range. The Eris 3.5, along with its companion Bluetooth model, the 3.5 BT.

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 is one of the best affordable studio monitors that is perfect for smaller studio spaces. It is an attractive choice that delivers excellent sound quality while maintaining an aggressively low price point, which makes it an excellent stepping stone into the world of professional studio monitors.

Features

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 is an impressive studio monitor, especially when you factor in the cheap price. Let’s dive into the details of what this compact set of speakers has to offer.

Sound Quality

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 has a lot going for it in the sound department. This small studio monitor manages to deliver an excellent balance across all frequencies.

The response is clean and clear. The highs are impressive without any tinniness to the top end. The mids also sparkle without any muddy tones. The low end is smooth but doesn’t offer a lot of depth. Considering this is a 3.5-inch speaker that isn’t surprising. If you need a more substantial low-end response you’ll need to look at larger monitors or invest in a subwoofer.

The exceptional balance makes these an excellent set of speakers for music production. A flat response is crucial to highlight the flaws in your mix. But equally, it is a great way to enjoy your favorite music.

One thing to note is that these do have a very narrow sweet spot. The sound stage is small, so you’ll want to only use these as near-field monitors. For most producers, this isn’t a problem since they’ll be sitting in front of their PCs while mixing and mastering. But, if you want these to fill your room with even sound, prepare for disappointment.

As for power, these can reach up to 98 dB SPL within one meter, so there is plenty of headroom to play with if you enjoy loud music. Performance at higher levels does begin to suffer slightly, but for monitors this small and cheap, they perform well beyond expectations.

Build Quality

The low price may lead you to think that the quality isn’t great. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is sturdy and well constructed and, once again, a lot better than you might imagine, considering the affordable price point.

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 strikes a good balance between price and quality.

While the parts used are not super top-end, you can’t expect that at this price. What you do get though is an excellent balance between good quality components without a huge price tag. PreSonus seems to have mastered balancing performance with price, and it is a big part of the reason why the Eris line has proven to be so popular.

Plenty of thought has gone into these speakers, with a range of features included. Most notable is RF interference, which is a common problem with many speakers. The 3.5 includes added shielding to minimize interference from other electronics. 

Specifications

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 is a compact monitor that offers a 3.5-inch woven composite woofer to handle the low end. The high-frequency driver is a 1-inch silk dome tweeter.

The Eris 3.5 is lightweight and delivers excellent sound quality.

The Class AB amplification system is also well-suited to handle intricate productions with a generous 50W of total power split across the two speakers. This combination results in a solid maximum SPL of 98dB.

The frequency response is also decent for an entry-level monitor at 80Hz-20 kHz. Enough range to accurately reflect what you are listening to, but if you need extra bass response you’ll need to explore bigger models or add a subwoofer to your setup.

Tuning Options

Budget monitors tend not to offer much in the way of tuning options. This can be a challenge if you have an awkward studio space. Having access to make adjustments can make all the difference, and it can turn an average-sounding monitor into one that sounds great. Despite the low price, the E3.5 does give you some flexibility.

Some basic controls on the back allow you to sculpt the output to your liking.

You can adjust both the high and low frequencies with dedicated controls on the back of the primary monitor. Each can swing from -6 dB to +6 dB. This is ideal for balancing the sound output and dealing with problematic rooms. For example, if you are finding too much low-end refraction based on your monitor placement, you can dial down the low-end for a cleaner sound.

Connection Options

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 gives you plenty of flexibility on the connection front, with an impressive amount of connection options that can handle a wide range of potential configurations.

The Eris 3.5 gives you good options for inputs including AUX.

You’ll have access to two input options. A balanced TRS connection is perfect for eliminating any potential RF interference. There is an unbalanced RCA option available as well.

Switching to the front of the speakers you’ll find both a headphone jack and AUX jack. A convenient way to directly plug your headphones in or connect a media device.

Design

The original Eris E3.5 was already an attractive set of studio monitors, but this latest refresh helps bring it into the modern era with an even more refined design. The clean matte black vinyl coating is subtle and won’t attract scratches or fingerprints like other glossy coatings and allows these monitors to blend seamlessly into any home studio environment.

The PreSonus Eris E3.5 are a minimal yet attractive set of monitors.

Splashes of color are minimal, with just a subtle blue accent on the woofers. Just enough to ensure these do not look dull. If you like minimalist monitors, these tick all the boxes. These would look great as replacements for generic computer speakers while also looking good for studio use.

I also appreciate the more consumer focus of the Eris line, which helps broaden its appeal. Most professional monitors don’t offer an AUX-In or a headphone jack. An excellent inclusion to sway people away from hyped computer speakers and towards cleaner and more accurate sound.

Dimensions

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 offers a small footprint. This makes it an excellent choice for small studios or smaller work surfaces where space is often at a premium.

The Eris 3.5 is perfect for small desks, freeing up more space for other gear.

At just 6.4 lbs (2.9kg), they are also very lightweight. A good option for those who may want to place these on shelves that can’t handle a lot of weight.

Bluetooth

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 already offers a comprehensive set of connection options, but you can take it further with the Bluetooth model. The Eris 3.5BT is an excellent choice if you like to stream music to your speakers or want to minimize the number of cables.

With Bluetooth 5.0, the audio quality is excellent, the range is also great, and the pairing is hassle-free. The added functionality comes with an increased price point, but even at this higher price, the PreSonus Eris 3.5BT is still fantastic value for money.

Value

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 monitors offer exceptional value for money. The component quality is fantastic for monitors in this price range. The extra features included also add to the value proposition. It’s hard to find both tuning options and balanced inputs at this price point.

This is an area that PreSonus excels in. They have a great reputation for well-priced products that are still high quality, and I’m glad to see this tradition continue with this latest refresh to the popular Eris line-up.

What tips things over the edge is the sound quality. For such a low price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better alternatives. An outstanding budget-focused set of small monitors at a superb price.

Customer Reviews

The original PreSonus Eris E3.5 was ultra-popular, so I’m not surprised that PreSonus has only made minimal changes to the new offering. The latest edition is already accumulating multiple positive reviews, so I can foresee that, once again, the new Eris 3.5 will become a firm favorite for years to come.

Studio Monitors Vs Computer Speakers

If you are a producer, it is really important to understand how your music sounds. This is where studio monitors become vital. A good set of studio monitors will represent your latest creation in its purest form. It will also uncover details in some of your favorite music that you might not have heard before due to the aggressive EQ curves that many computer speakers offer.

Normal computer speakers color sound and are not good for mixing.

Unfortunately, most commercial computer speakers are not balanced and flat. They will often have a greater emphasis on certain frequencies. While this makes music sound good, it doesn’t represent what your music will sound like in its purest form. As a result, your mix may not be accurate and not sound great on different sound systems.

Having access to a good set of studio monitors allows you to properly balance your mix. This helps ensure your music sounds its best on everything from headphones to large sound systems. If you are serious about creating the best music possible, I recommend you pay extra attention to getting a good set of monitors. 

Alternatives

Compact monitors have become very popular as more and more producers work from home. Here are some other speakers worth considering that keep a small profile.

Mackie CR3-X Review

The Mackie CR3-X monitors are a super affordable option that is great for those on a tight budget. While not the best-built monitor, it packs a powerful punch and looks great.

• The 3-inch woofer delivers a surprising amount of volume.
• Handy speaker placement switch to determine which side you want the volume knob.
• Not the hardiest monitors out there.

Bose Companion 2 Series III Review

The Bose Companion 2 Series III is another popular choice for small monitors. They are not as neutral as the Eris E3.5 but do give you a wide sweet spot and satisfying sound. An excellent replacement for standard computer speakers.

• Loud output with minimal distortion at higher levels.
• The slim profile makes these perfect for smaller desks.
• Features a consumer-oriented sound that is not ideal for studio work.

IK Multimedia ILoud Micro

If you have a bit more to spend, the IK Multimedia ILoud Micro is an excellent alternative. The response is flat and balanced with a range of extra features like Bluetooth included.

• The slim profile is also an attractive alternative to the standard speaker design.
• Excellent sound quality makes these a great choice for producers.
• A big jump in price compared to the Eris E3.5.

Should You Buy?

Compact monitors often fall short in one area or another. It’s hard to come across one that delivers on all fronts. The PreSonus Eris 3.5 is as close to perfect as you can get.

It gives you excellent sound quality that delivers a flat response suitable for producers. Tuning options and extra flexibility in connection options are further benefits.

Once you factor in the budget price, it becomes very easy to recommend the Eris 3.5. It is an excellent choice for both new and established artists who want a compact monitor for their studio.

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