The Eris range has an excellent reputation as an affordable choice for studio applications, and the refreshed Eris Studio range retains this mentality while offering a sleek new look.
The smallest member in the line-up is the PreSonus Eris Studio 4. A capable monitor that strikes a solid balance between performance, price, and aesthetics.
After over 15 years in the industry, we’ve reviewed countless studio monitors, including every PreSonus offering. We are very familiar with PreSonus monitors and already understand how they stack up in a crowded market.
Despite this knowledge, we put every new release through the same rigorous testing process. There is no bias, no fluff, just honest assessments that you can rely on. But it is not just our word; we also engage with our network of industry specialists to ensure no stone is unturned. With that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at this affordable 4.5-inch studio monitor.
Features
The updated PreSonus Eris Studio line is primarily cosmetic, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The original Studio series was a capable series of studio monitors with a lot going for it. For those unfamiliar with this series, I’ll cover the nitty-gritty details and results of our testing below.
Sound Quality
The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 faces stiff competition in this size. Many producers opt for smaller monitors, which are a great choice for smaller studio spaces. However, smaller monitors also present some challenges.
The Eris Studio 4 tackles these challenges admirably. Still, it also has some drawbacks that you’ll need to factor in before handing over your hard-earned money.
We’ll start by looking at the various frequency ranges. On the low end, the Eris Studio 4 does a good job of delivering a smooth and relatively restrained bass response. The forward-facing port helps give this smaller monitor some punch, but you can’t expect massive rumble from a monitor with a woofer this size.
The PreSonus Eris Studio series remains as one of the best in its price range.
The top end is excellent, with ample definition and clarity without sounding brittle or sharp. The custom-designed EBM (Elliptical Boundary Modeled) waveguide ensures precise delivery with a generous sweet spot.
The mids are also very good for a monitor in this price bracket, and I found them less recessed and more balanced than when we tested the larger Eris Studio 5. Across the full range, the resulting sound profile is engaging and flat enough for studio applications.
While these are a decent choice for studio work, I foresee some wanting a flatter response. That’s not to say the Eris Studio 4 features a colored profile. Still, there are some irregularities that you’ll need to adjust to for granular and highly detailed studio work.
However, the PreSonus Eris Studio 4 is a solid performer for most day-to-day studio work applications. With such an approachable price, it is difficult to be overly critical. A solid monitor that is worthy of your attention if you are exploring monitors in this price bracket.
Build Quality
Throughout the years of assessing and reviewing studio monitors, PreSonus has always stood out as a dependable choice. This is even more so when you consider the approachable price point.
The Eris Studio series features woven composite woofers and silk-dome tweeters with clean and precise engineering. Likewise, the internals are of equal quality and reliable.
High quality at a low price point.
The cabinet is a robust vinyl-laminated MDF offering. It is resistant to scratching, and the coating is secure. While you should always avoid direct exposure to high heat sources and sunlight, the Studio 4 held up well in our testing of more extreme environments.
Connection points and dials all work as expected, and the unit includes protections against RF interference, extreme output current, excessive heat, and more. I have no complaints for a studio monitor in this price bracket—excellent quality from a well-respected brand.
Specifications
The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 offers some solid specifications, but as with many manufacturers, it can be challenging to parse the information on offer. The most notable is the Frequency Response. PreSonus states a response of 55 Hz to 20 kHz, but there is no mention of whether this is at -3dB or -10dB.
In our testing, the PreSonus Eris Studio 4 held up within this range with respectable lows and clear highs without a major degradation in output capacity. If you need your monitors to dig deeper into the low end, you’ll need to explore larger sizes or add a subwoofer to your setup.
Good reach for a small studio monitor.
As for output level the Max SPL of 99dB is respectable but also not that loud. Continuous SPL will be lower, and depending on how loud you like your monitors, the Studio 4 might not be enough for your needs.
Woven composite woofers and silk-dome tweeters are standard offerings at this price bracket, so there is nothing new to discuss here. But where the Studio 4 differs from some competitors is the power configuration.
PreSonus opts for a Class AB configuration with 25 Watts for the low-frequency driver and 25 Watts for the high-frequency driver, as opposed to a single Class D amplifier that is common for monitors in this price range. This allows for more granular tuning and control for each driver, with impressive results.
Tuning Options
The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 also offers a capable selection of tuning controls to help you adapt the studio monitor to your space and preferred sound profile.
At the rear, you’ll have access to a Mid and High dial, each offering a range of -6dB to +6dB—enough flexibility to sculpt the sound with noticeable results. I bumped the mids ever so slightly for my liking, but depending on your space, the default settings will likely be sufficient.
Enough options to help sculpt the output.
Further control is offered, including a low cutoff switch for integration with a subwoofer and the all-important acoustic space switch. This allows you to trim the lows by -2dB or -4dB, an essential tool if you are experiencing bass buildup.
I firmly believe in granting people control to fine-tune output. What is available here is enough to tackle the most common sound reproduction issues you’ll likely face. However, some other choices on the market do offer more granular controls if you want to take that control to a deeper level.
Design
The updated aesthetic design is one of the more prominent changes in the PreSonus Eris Studio 4. PreSonus studio monitors always look great, but this latest generation has refined their appearance further.
The Eris Studio 4 is an attractive monitor with a polished look that will not look out of place in a professional studio setting. The iconic blue hue is still a staple, and the curvature and centralized LED power indicator elevate this updated model over previous offerings.
The updated design is attractive and professional.
The design decisions are also excellent from a technical standpoint. Everything from the choice of materials to the custom-designed EBM (Elliptical Boundary Modeled) waveguide and the forward-facing port hit the mark.
The waveguide, in particular, provides a wide 120-degree horizontal dispersion, allowing for a generous sweet spot. I also appreciate that PreSonus offers a switch to turn the Standby mode on and off. I dislike the implementation of Standby mode in most studio monitors, so I regard it as an essential feature to be able to turn it off.
Dimensions
The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 falls roughly in line with many other 4.5-inch studio monitors. However, it is worth mentioning that the monitor is quite deep, which is not instantly apparent from the promo shots. It is worthwhile ensuring you have appropriate depth available to accommodate.
The Eris Studio 4 is deep for a 4.5-inch studio monitor.
As for weight, the PreSonus Eris Studio 4 strikes a good balance between heft and not feeling bulky. At 8.8 lbs (4 kg), it is stable and secure while also being easy to move about.
Inputs
The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 provides a solid selection of connection options. At the unit’s rear, you’ll have access to a balanced TRS and XLR connection point. However, unlike other studio monitors, the Eris Studio 4 offers an unbalanced RCA point. This combination of choices ensures that you should be able to integrate the Eris Studio 4 into your space easily.
Access to balanced and unbalanced connection options.
As a studio monitor for professional applications, the Eris Studio 4 offers no consumer-focused connection points. If you need Bluetooth, a headphone jack, or an AUX-in, you’ll need to explore alternatives.
Value
Value is an essential part of all PreSonus offerings. They do an outstanding job of balancing performance and price, and the updated Eris Studio 4 is no exception. This capable monitor sounds great and offers dependability while maintaining a very reasonable price point.
There is no denying that better monitors exist, but at this price point, the Eris Studio 4 is one of the leading choices. I have no complaints about the value proposition of the Eris Studio series.
Beginner Friendly
One of the aspects of PreSonus that I’ve always appreciated is the effort they put into giving people new to studio monitors all the information to get the most out of their new speakers.
The manual has ample information on correct placement and a good summary of the features and how best to implement them in your space. Their site also offers detailed guides to cement this beginner-friendly mentality further.
PreSonus offers setup guides to help you on your production journey.
While grizzled veterans might find these top-level tips of little use, they are invaluable for new artists who might feel overwhelmed by all the terminology and jargon surrounding the discussion of studio monitors. It’s a small thing but one I’m sure many beginners appreciate.
Alternatives
The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 is an impressive monitor in its price bracket. Still, depending on your needs, there may be better choices. Below, I take a quick look at some alternatives worth considering.
KRK GOAUX 3
For people looking for a more portable alternative to traditional studio monitors, the compact KRK GOAUX 3 is worth considering. It offers great sound in a tiny, travel-friendly package.
- A well-balanced sound profile.
- Includes monitor stands and a carry case.
- There are no balanced connection options.
KRK GOAUX 3
Pioneer DJ VM-50
The next monitor I want to highlight is the punchy Pioneer DJ VM-50. This monitor offers excellent bass response and is a good choice for DJs who also produce music.
- Relatively balanced sound profile with good tuning controls.
- Attractive design and high build quality.
- The rear-facing port can make placement more challenging.
Pioneer DJ VM-50
Yamaha HS4
If you want more precision and clarity, the Yamaha HS4 should be on your list of options. Crisp sound, attractive design, and legendary Yamaha quality make it an excellent choice.
- Neutral sound that is ideal for studio work.
- Desktop friendly features.
- Some will prefer a more traditional solitary monitor configuration.
Yamaha HS4
Our Verdict
I’ll be the first to admit that the changes in this latest generation of PreSonus Eris Studio monitors are minimal, with the bulk of the changes reflected in its appearance rather than performance. But as the old saying goes, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
The PreSonus Eris Studio 4 is still among the best-value studio monitors in this price range based on our testing. It offers excellent sound, high build quality, and enough flexibility to adapt to different applications.
If you want an affordable and capable studio monitor for smaller spaces, the PreSonus Eris Studio 4 is an excellent choice.
