PreSonus
PreSonus Eris E3.5
$114.99Cheaper
Released 2017
Best Studio Monitors · head-to-head
PreSonus Eris E3.5 vs Mackie CR5-X
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. PreSonus Eris E3.5 is cheaper at $114.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Mackie
Mackie CR5-X
$199.99
Released 2020
Which is better: the PreSonus Eris E3.5 or Mackie CR5-X?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is the cheaper at $114.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | PreSonus Eris E3.5 | Mackie CR5-X |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $114.99 pair, PreSonus (2nd Gen) | $199.99 pair, MSRP per Mackie |
| Brand | PreSonus | Mackie |
| Released | 2017 | 2020 |
| Woofer size (in) | 3.5 in | 5 in |
| Tweeter type | 1 in silk dome | 0.75 in silk dome |
| Power (W) | 50 | 80 |
| Frequency response | 80 Hz – 20 kHz | 50 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Inputs | TRS balanced, RCA unbalanced, 1/8 in aux (front) | TRS balanced/unbalanced, RCA unbalanced, 1/8 in aux |
| Sold as | pair | pair |
| Type | active | active |
| Release | 2017 | 2020 |
Sources — PreSonus Eris E3.5: presonus.com (verified 2026-06-20). Mackie CR5-X: mackie.com (verified 2026-06-20).
What's the difference between the PreSonus Eris E3.5 and Mackie CR5-X?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Woofer size (in): PreSonus Eris E3.5 3.5 in vs Mackie CR5-X 5 in
- Tweeter type: PreSonus Eris E3.5 1 in silk dome vs Mackie CR5-X 0.75 in silk dome
- Power (W): PreSonus Eris E3.5 50 vs Mackie CR5-X 80
- Frequency response: PreSonus Eris E3.5 80 Hz – 20 kHz vs Mackie CR5-X 50 Hz – 20 kHz
- Inputs: PreSonus Eris E3.5 TRS balanced, RCA unbalanced, 1/8 in aux (front) vs Mackie CR5-X TRS balanced/unbalanced, RCA unbalanced, 1/8 in aux