PreSonus Eris Pro 8 Review

PreSonus has recently refreshed its lineup of studio monitors, and we have finally got our hands on them. In this review, we take a closer look at the new PreSonus Eris Pro 8. How does this latest iteration hold up? Based on our testing, it held up exceptionally well.

The PreSonus Eris Pro 8 is an excellent studio monitor with a neutral response, excellent spatial delivery, and an attractive coaxial design.

We have over 15 years of experience in the industry. In that time, we’ve tested over 100 studio monitors, including nearly every PreSonus offering.

Detailed research and thorough testing are at the core of what we do. Every studio monitor that graces our studio needs to pass our extensive list of criteria. With that covered, let’s dive into details.

Features

The new PreSonus Eris Pro 8 is an enticing option for professional and home studio applications. Below, I look deeper at this new generation of monitors from PreSonus.

Sound Quality

Accurate and dependable sound is at the heart of any studio monitor, and the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 lives up to its name with a professional sound that meets the high demands of today’s modern producers and engineers.

The 35Hz-20kHz frequency response is broad, with enough room in the low end to provide a satisfying bass response and ample clarity in the top end.

High-quality sound and a generous sweet spot.

The low-end offers full and well-defined bass thanks to the 8-inch woven composite woofer. Sometimes, larger monitors can be a little muddy in the lows, but the Eris Pro 8 doesn’t suffer from any glaring issues. It’s not overhyped and retains enough gravitas to make it a reasonable choice for bass-heavy genres.

The mid-range was equally impressive, with excellent definition and positioning. A smooth transition from the lows into the mids made assessing performance an engaging experience. I especially liked the representation of vocals in our testing.

Not to be outdone, the top-end also matched the impressive performance of the lows and mids. The 1.25-inch ultra-low mass silk dome tweeter offers ample clarity and precision without a hint of sharpness. This is a well-balanced monitor that punches well above its price point.

A new look and refined sound from an industry veteran.

I tested a range of genres, and at every turn, the Eris Pro 8 could accurately represent the nuances that each genre offers. Bass-heavy EDM delivered punch and distinct tonality across various electronic elements. But equally satisfying was the delicate twangs and plucks from an acoustic guitar recording.

The single point-source coaxial design offered excellent breadth and scope with a generous sweet spot. Alignment was also on point with a wonderfully engaging stereo image. Immersive Audio is becoming increasingly prevalent, and the three-dimensional soundstage that the Eris Pro 8 offers is ideally suited to larger multi-monitor setups.

Slapping the name Pro on a monitor can be a risky affair. Expectations are high, but the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 lives up to its lofty ambitions and is a worthy successor to PreSonus’s previous coaxial lineup.

Build Quality

Once again, the name Pro does present a certain level of inherent bias towards what I would expect from a monitor. I have little to complain about regarding the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 in this area.

The cabinet features a solid medium-density fibreboard construction that is durable and dependable. The vinyl-laminated finish gives it a smooth matte finish that is scuff-resistant and pleasing to the eye.

High build quality at a reasonable price.

Component quality is equally high with a robust woven-composite low-frequency driver and a silk dome tweeter that offers accurate transient reproduction.

At the rear, the connection points are secure and offer ample space between options for maximum convenience. The switches for the standby mode and tuning options provide a satisfying click between options, and the gain and acoustic tuning pots are equally reliable.

I’ve tested a wide range of PreSonus monitors over the years, and they always represent a perfect combination of quality and value for money. The PreSonus Eris Pro 8 retains this legacy and easily passes our build quality tests.

Specifications

The PreSonus Eris Pro 8 features a generous frequency response of 35Hz-20kHz, but more importantly, the tightness of that response is excellent. Minimal dips and peaks ensure that the delivery is accurate and reliable.

I’ll admit I’ve come across more neutral monitors. Still, I think PreSonus has perfectly balanced accuracy and engagement.

Plenty of power and headroom.

As with any monitor, you’ll need to become familiar with its sound and how it behaves within your studio, but the Eris Pro 8 offers an exceptionally clean starting point for you to work with.

Internally, the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 features a powerful 140W Class AB amp with 75W for the 8-inch woven-composite woofer and 65W for the 1.25″ tweeter. This combination delivers ample headroom with a Max SPL of 108dB.

Tuning Options

Access to a practical set of tuning controls is one of the top testing criteria we use when assessing studio monitors. Every studio space is different, so it’s an essential feature to get the most out of your shiny new monitors.

The PreSonus Eris Pro 8 offers some controls to help sculpt the sound and adapt to your space, but other options on the market provide a little more.

Flexible controls to tailor the output.

At the rear, you’ll have access to two pots for control over the Mid and High frequencies. Each pot features a range from -6dB to +6dB.

An Acoustic Space switch also gives you the option to shave output on the low end if you find bass build-up an issue in your space or if you have the monitor near a wall or corner. There is also an option for a Low Cutoff if you use the monitor with a separate subwoofer. 

Between these options, you should be able to accommodate and tune the Eris Pro 8 to most situations, but if you require more granular control, you might be better off with a studio monitor that offers more comprehensive DSP control.

Design

I’ve always liked the look of PreSonus gear, and this latest generation of studio monitors retains the character and design sensibilities of the previous era with some refinements to keep it up to date.

The all-black cabinet is easy on the eyes, and the blue tinge to the woofer gives the unit some character. The PreSonus logo is unobtrusive, and the line dividing the bass port from the woofer features a slimline LED light. Overall, it’s a classy combination, and the boxy design is ideal for a coaxial monitor.

Beyond appearance, the primary design element is, of course, the coaxial design. This symmetric design delivers a consistent acoustic center and frees up real estate, so the monitor isn’t overly large.

The coaxial design delivers excellent single-point sound.

The forward-facing bass port also allows for easier placement closer to walls. The Eris Pro 8 also features a range of protections, including RF interference, output-current limiting, and over-temperature, to name a few.

The implementation of the standby is also solid. The monitor switches off after 40 minutes of no signal and will fire back up when detecting an input source. It’s a great power-saving feature, but in practice, I’ve never been a massive fan of standby modes, so I was happy to see that you can easily switch this off.

Sitting back and looking at this monitor on our desk, there is no denying that it’s an attractive and functional studio monitor. It is an excellent addition to any studio space.

Dimensions

The boxy design of the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 is notably shorter than many other 8-inch monitors. Thanks in no small part to the coaxial design. But it is still quite deep, so be mindful of how much space you have to work with.

The PreSonus Eris Pro 8 is shorter than other 8-inch monitors.

At 20.94 lbs. (9.5 kg), it isn’t overly heavy but equally has enough heft to give the monitor a premium feel. The PreSonus Eris Pro 8 is also wall and ceiling mountable.

Inputs

The PreSonus Eris Pro 8 offers an excellent range of connection options. At the rear, you’ll have access to two balanced connection points. XLR is the default in our studio, but we also tested the 1/4-inch TRS connection, and both were equally reliable.

The Eris Pro 8 features both balanced and unbalanced connection options.

The final connection option is often lacking in many monitors. While I rarely use an unbalanced RCA connection in the studio, I’m still happy to see it as an option for people who might want it.

Beyond that, no other generic consumer-style connection options like Bluetooth or a headphone port exist. And for a professional studio monitor, it is not something I expect, so no complaints here. But if you are a casual user, PreSonus’s entry-level Eris pairs offer these extra connection options.

Value

Assessing the value offering of the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 needs context. From a pure price perspective, these are not cheap monitors. Even more so if you are establishing a full surround sound setup, if you are a budget buyer, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

However, when assessing it within its target market, the PreSonus offers excellent value for money compared to most of the competition. Is it the very best you can buy? No, but at this price point, it leaves many competitors in the dust when it comes to pure value.

Boost The Immersion

Music is an immersive experience in its own right. Carefully crafted pieces of art that engage your mind and emotions. Music is a fundamental part of my daily life, and I could not imagine life without it.

But as with any art form, there are always new ways to stretch the boundaries of what is possible. Immersive audio is one-way artists are challenging these established boundaries.

Immersive audio is a growing trend in modern music.

Immersive audio opens up the listening experience beyond a basic left and right channel combination. All of a sudden, you can add additional depth and dimensionality to music in a 3D field.

If you want to explore this innovative new angle, it becomes imperative that you invest in quality monitors for your surround sound setup so you can accurately hear all elements in the stereo field.

I’ll admit that mastering immersive audio is a challenging experience but ultimately extremely rewarding when done right. 

Alternatives

I’ll admit I like the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 a lot. Still, there are several interesting alternatives you might want to consider before diving in. Below, I take a quick peek at these other options.

Focal Alpha 80 Evo Review

The Focal Alpha 80 Evo is another quality reference monitor. Its striking modern design combines well with impressive sound quality.

• High neutrality and well-defined bass response.
• Solid build quality with premium components.
• Much like the Eris Pro 8, it is not budget-friendly.

Kali Audio IN-8 V2 Review

If you are looking for something a little cheaper, the 3-way Kali Audio IN-8 V2 is worthy of your attention.

• Neutral response and a high SPL ceiling of 117dB.
• Detailed tuning options to accommodate various studio spaces.
• The larger size might make it more difficult to position.

KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 Review

The final option I want to highlight is this big 10-inch monitor from the legendary monitor manufacturer, KRK.

• Bold and engaging, with ample low-end thump.
• Comprehensive DSP for maximum tuning flexibility.
• It’s not as balanced and neutral as the PreSonus Eris Pro 8.

Our Verdict

We’ve tested nearly every PreSonus studio monitor released over the last decade, and each time, we circle back to one of the defining features of their monitors – fantastic sound at a very approachable price point.

Every new generation always comes with some risks and trepidation, but after putting the PreSonus Eris Pro 8 through our rigorous testing process, we are glad to see that PreSonus is still a leading choice in an increasingly competitive market.

While it might not be the most budget-friendly choice, it is a top-shelf option worth the higher cost of entry. For those who want a coaxial monitor with a wide soundstage and excellent sound, the Eris Pro 8 is a great choice.