PreSonus Eris 3.5 Review: Compact and Clear Great for Desktops, Not the Ideal Mix Reference

PreSonus Eris 3.5 Review: Compact and Clear—Great for Desktops, Not the Ideal Mix Reference

Note: this article contains amazon affiliate links.

At a Glance

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 are compact, budget-friendly powered monitors ideal for gaming, content creation, and desktop audio setups. With versatile connections, acoustic tuning, and a neutral-ish sound, they offer good value especially when space and budget are limited.
PreSonusPreSonusB&H Photo Video

Key Features

  • Driver Config & Power: 3.5″ woven-composite woofer and 1″ silk-dome tweeter delivering 25W/channel (50W total) via a Class AB amp.
    PreSonusB&H Photo Video
  • Connectivity: Rear-panel balanced ¼” TRS, RCA, front ⅛” aux input—and front headphone output that mutes speakers automatically.
    PreSonusB&H Photo Video
  • Acoustic EQ Controls: Rear low- and high-frequency knobs (±6 dB) to tailor tone to your space.
    PreSonusPreSonus
  • Compact Build: Measuring just ~5.6″ × 6.4″ × 8.3″ per unit, making them desk-friendly.
    PreSonusSono Vente

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
Excellent value—offers detailed, lively sound for its size and price. MusicRadarStereocheckFrequency response isn’t flat—some pronounced boomy lows and uneven mids. Higher HzReddit+1
Flexible input options and front headphone jack add convenience. PreSonusB&H Photo VideoLimited bass extension—struggles with low-end for genres like hip-hop or EDM. Higher HzReddit
Acoustic tuning knobs help adapt sound to room configurations. PreSonusSono VenteBuild quality feels lightweight—may not hold up to long-term use. SweetwaterAudioslay
Loud and punchy for their size—surprisingly full for compact displays. StereocheckSweetwaterNot truly “studio-grade”—reviews suggest they act more like high-end computer speakers. Higher HzAudioslay

What Real Users & Reviewers Are Saying

  • MusicRadar praises the Eris 3.5 for its detailed sound and exceptional value—calling it a great desktop speaker.
    MusicRadar
  • Higher Hz is more critical, saying: “Not exactly studio monitors… best used as computer speakers—not ideal for mixing or mastering.”
    Higher Hz
  • On Reddit, one user noted the frequency tuning didn’t counter the boom around 130 Hz: “Extremely boomy around 130 Hz… EQ knobs don’t affect that frequency.”
    Reddit
  • Another shared: “Good enough for casual listening… absolutely not for mixing. Way too colored response.”
    Reddit
  • From Sweetwater: “Surprisingly full sounding for such a tiny speaker. Great for office or desktop—but not a top choice for serious mixing.”
    Sweetwater

Final Thoughts

If you’re setting up a small home project setup, need sharp-sounding desktop speakers, or want an affordable pick for casual audio use, the PreSonus Eris 3.5 is a solid choice—especially when space and budget are tight.

However, if you’re serious about audio production especially mixing or mastering you’ll want to invest in something with a more accurate, neutral frequency response.

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