Presonus Eris 3.5 2nd Gen

Hi all. I picked up the Presonus Eris 3.5 2nd gen as a pair of inexpensive monitor speakers for amateur music production, which includes listening to mixes, monitoring guitar plugins and generally as a playback device for every part of music production that requires it. I also use them as a general purpose computer speaker, which covers the majority of my usage time but I believe that both of the use cases share most of the important quality requirements.

As for the title of this review: I am simply not sure if this category, extremely budget monitor speakers, is a thing that should exist. When I plugged these speakers into my audio interface, I got the muddiest bass I have ever heard. And that was mostly because my room is not sound treated and terribly echo-y, which is obviously not the fault of the speaker, but here is where my point comes in. To sound-treat a room to a level where monitor speakers reach their full potential, is kind of expensive. Definitely multiple times what this speaker is worth. To me, it simply doesn't make sense to have the room treatment be more expensive than the actual hardware being used in it. And this is why I think that if anyone is looking at this product with the desire to get good audio, they should stop doing so. Because that means that they are on a *very* tight budget, and frankly, there are seriously seriously better sounding options in the world of semi-pro audio in this price category. Get a pair of headphones or IEMs. My 50EUR iems sound better out of the box. They are better than these in every metric except for not having to have things on your head. If wearing headphones is something you can live with, then go look at those, they're a lot more worth it.

Cheers

I recently picked up the Presonus Eris 3.5 2nd Gen, and it’s exceeded my expectations in every way. Here's why I think it stands out:

Sound Quality
The sound is crisp, clear, and impressively balanced for its size. The updated components make the audio even more precise, delivering professional-level sound in a compact form. The bass response is tight, and the highs are detailed without being harsh—a real treat for mixing and casual listening alike.

Build and Design
The sturdy build quality gives it a premium feel, and the compact size fits perfectly in my small home studio. The addition of front-panel volume control and a headphone output is incredibly convenient.

Connectivity
It offers a variety of input options—TRS, RCA, and AUX—which makes it flexible for different setups. Whether you’re connecting it to an audio interface, a laptop, or even a smartphone, it’s a seamless experience.

Value for Money
For the price, it’s hard to beat. It delivers performance that punches above its weight and is perfect for home studios, video editing, or even gaming.

What I Love:

Crystal-clear sound with no distortion, even at high volumes.
Compact design with great connectivity options.
Excellent for mixing or casual use.
What Could Improve:

Bass might feel slightly lacking for bass-heavy genres, but it’s perfect for balanced monitoring.
Overall, the Presonus Eris 3.5 2nd Gen is a fantastic option for anyone seeking high-quality sound in a small, affordable package. Whether you're an amateur or a pro, these monitors deliver exceptional performance. Highly recommended!