Quick Take
Small desk, big expectations? PreSonus Eris 3.5 keeps things simple and sounds clean. Vocals are clear, treble is smooth, and bass is tidy for the size. They’re happiest up close on a desk, where the tuning knobs and front-panel jacks make everyday use easy. Want room-shaking lows or to fill a giant living room? Add a sub or step up a size. For work, play, and creating at your desk, they’re an easy win.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| • Clear, balanced sound with smooth highs and natural vocals | • Bass is limited by size, not a subwoofer replacement |
| • Compact cabinets fit almost any desk | • Max volume is modest for larger rooms |
| • Front headphone out and aux-in make daily use convenient | • A faint idle hiss may be audible at very close range |
| • Easy placement, helpful bass/treble tuning to match your room | • Best results require a little space from walls |
| • Multiple inputs (TRS, RCA, 3.5 mm) for studio and consumer gear | • No HDMI/USB-audio, and Bluetooth is on the 3.5BT model, not this one |
| • Excellent value for entry-level mixing and everyday listening | • Rear port can sound boomy if shoved against a wall |
The PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors are designed for near-field music production, desktop computers, and hi-fi audio needs. These monitors pack a punch in a small, elegant package. But are they the right fit for your audio setup? Let’s dive deep into what these speakers bring to the table.
Key Features
| Drivers | 3.5″ woven-composite woofer, 1″ silk-dome tweeter |
| Amplification | Class AB, 25 W per side (50 W total) |
| Frequency response | ~80 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Max SPL | ~98 dB peak @ 1 m |
| Inputs | 2 × ¼” TRS (balanced), RCA (stereo), 3.5 mm front aux |
| Output | 3.5 mm front headphone |
| Form factor | Rear-ported, desktop nearfield (pair) |
Nearfield design
Voiced for arm’s-length listening, so you hear more speaker and less room. The compact cabinets leave space for your keyboard, controller, and a second display.
Class AB power
Built-in amplification is 50 W total (25 W per speaker). Clean output for nearfield use and small rooms without needing an external amp.
Front-panel convenience for everyday use
Front volume/power knob, front 3.5 mm aux-in for quick sources, and a front 3.5 mm headphone jack. Plugging in headphones mutes the speakers automatically.
Studio and consumer connections
Rear balanced ¼-inch TRS inputs for interfaces and mixers, plus RCA for consumer gear. Leave multiple sources connected and switch at the desk.
Drivers chosen for clarity at close range
1-inch silk-dome tweeter for smooth treble, 3.5-inch woven-composite woofer for quick, tuneful bass and focused mids. Clear vocals and crisp detail at typical desk distance.
Rear-ported cabinet, easy to place and tune
Bass-reflex design adds useful low-end for the size. Give the rear a little space from the wall and use the LF control to land on a tight, non-boomy balance.
Headphone amp built in
Late-night sessions are simple: plug into the front jack for a clean feed. The speakers mute automatically, no rewiring required.
Sound Quality: The Heart of the Experience
When it comes down to the essence of any speaker, sound quality reigns supreme. Broadly speaking, customers consistently praise the PreSonus Eris 3.5 for delivering clear highs and crisp treble. The clarity in the upper range means vocals and instruments come through with detail, making these monitors excellent for near-field mixing and critical listening.
Bass performance is decent given their size, but they’re not deep-throated subwoofers. Lower frequency tuning helps add weight where needed. For small to medium rooms, these monitors can fill the space without sounding tinny or overcompressed.
That said, sound quality reception isn’t universally glowing. Some users report that the volume isn’t quite as powerful as they hoped, especially in larger spaces or noisier environments. This makes sense given the size and wattage, which are designed primarily for desktop use rather than large-scale audio playback. A few owners mentioned intermittent static or minor buzzing when connecting via auxiliary cables, although this doesn’t seem to be a widespread issue.
In the balance, for typical desktop uses—be it music production, gaming, or everyday listening—the PreSonus Eris 3.5 provides sound that’s notably clean and well-defined, especially in the mids and highs.
Who Is It For?
The PreSonus Eris 3.5 monitors are ideally suited for:
- Home Studio Musicians and Producers: Those who need reliable near-field monitors with accurate mid-high frequency response.
- Content Creators and Streamers: Clear audio output combined with headphone amp makes these perfect for live streams, podcasts, and video editing.
- Gamers and Casual Listeners: Compact size and quality sound make these great for immersive gameplay and day-to-day music enjoyment.
- Users with Limited Space: Small desks or constrained setups will appreciate the compact footprint without sacrificing sound quality.
If you need booming bass for party-sized gatherings, these likely aren’t your go-to monitors, but for desktop-focused audio where clarity and precision matter, they hit an impressive balance.
Final Thoughts
The PreSonus Eris 3.5 carve out a unique niche in the crowded market of entry-level studio speakers. Small but sturdy, affordable yet surprisingly capable, they offer an excellent way to get great sound on your desktop without cluttering your space or draining your wallet.
Sound quality is mostly clear and balanced, especially in the highs and mids, making these ideal for both production purposes and everyday listening. The ability to fine-tune frequencies and the inclusion of an integrated headphone amp add to their versatility. However, potential buyers should keep in mind that their maximum volume and bass response are naturally limited by their size, and occasional connectivity or noise issues might crop up depending on your setup.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a pair of powered studio monitors to elevate your desktop audio. Whether for music production, gaming, or streaming, the PreSonus Eris 3.5 is certainly worth a listen. They blend style, functionality, and quality in a neat little package that continues to win the hearts of thousands of users.
Buy the PreSonus Eris 3.5 Speakers
FAQ
Q: Do I need a separate amplifier?
A: No. Eris 3.5 are powered monitors with built-in Class AB amps.
Q: Do these have Bluetooth?
A: Not this model. Bluetooth is available on the Eris 3.5BT (the “BT” version).
Q: Can they fill a living room?
A: They’re designed for nearfield listening at a desk. They can handle small rooms, but large spaces or party volumes call for bigger speakers or a sub.
Q: How do I get more bass?
A: Give them a little space from walls, use the LF knob to taste, and consider adding a compact subwoofer for content below ~80 Hz.
Q: What’s the best way to connect an audio interface?
A: Use the balanced ¼-inch TRS inputs from your interface’s left/right outputs to reduce noise.
Q: Are they noisy at idle?
A: A slight hiss at very close range is common with powered monitors; at normal desk distance it’s typically inaudible.
Q: Can I plug in headphones directly?
A: Yes. The front 3.5 mm jack is an integrated headphone output. Plugging in mutes the speakers.
Q: Do the grills come off?
A: They’re fixed; the tweeter and woofer are exposed designs without removable grills.
Q: Any placement tips?
A: Start with tweeters at ear height, speakers 6–12 inches from the back wall, slight toe-in, and use the HF/LF knobs to smooth the response.
Q: What’s included?
A: Power cable, speaker wire to connect the pair, and basic documentation. Signal cables vary by retailer, so plan the interconnects you need.
Buy the PreSonus Eris 3.5 Speakers
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