The Presonus Eris 5BT 2nd Gen is an active two-way stereo studio monitor set. Featuring a 5.25" woofer and a 1" tweeter, this model is the largest configuration in the manufacturer's compact class. The series combines an attractive price with an accurate and balanced sound reproduction that has been configured for greater precision in the second-generation monitor set, particularly in the bass range. In addition, even the compact Eris models feature an impressive array of connection options, which in this case includes a Bluetooth interface. This product line is complemented by the more powerful models from the Eris Studio range. As comparable configurations are available in both product series, caution should be exercised when choosing a Presonus device to avoid purchasing the wrong model.
The Presonus Eris 5BT 2nd Gen comes in a compact and robust bass reflex housing made from vinyl-laminated MDF. The 5.25" woven-composite woofer produces a clear bass, starting at 55Hz, and ensures a uniform dispersion across the entire frequency spectrum, while the 1" silk-dome tweeter ensures natural articulation of highs and a wide sweet spot for an agreeable sound. Each speaker is powered by a 50W class AB amplifier. The two amplifiers are housed in the left-hand speaker, which also features a handy headphone output at the front. The right-hand speaker is connected as a satellite and does not require a dedicated power supply.
The Presonus Eris 5BT 2nd Gen is ideal for all users who are looking for reliable monitoring at a low price and, thanks to the speaker's comparatively compact housing, is not only perfect for YouTubers and podcasters working at minimalistic workstations, but also for home music and video production in general. The 5.25" woofer packs just the right amount of punch in the bass range and is ideally suited to near-field use in small to medium-sized rooms. Furthermore, the Presonus Eris 5BT 2nd Gen boasts a simple filter section with two shelving filters for bass and treble (+/- 6dB each), allowing the sound to be adapted to a room's acoustics. For an optimised low end, combining the monitors with a subwoofer such as the Eris Sub 8BT may help produce the desired result.
Presonus is a US company founded in 1995 by Jim Odom and Brian Smith in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The firm designs hardware and software at both professional and more affordable levels for musicians and producers. Presonus first made a splash in the mid-1990s with the DCP8, an eight-channel analogue compressor/limiter/gate with fader and mute automation that could be digitally controlled by MIDI. In the early 2000s followed a series of microphone amplifiers and the first audio interfaces for the then-emerging home studio scene. Today, the company's product range includes audio interfaces, microphone preamps, digital mixing consoles, and studio monitors as well as the established DAW software Studio One.
The Presonus Eris 5BT 2nd Gen offers extensive connectivity, making it easy to integrate in an everyday living and working space. The left-hand speaker is equipped with balanced 6.3mm TRS jack sockets for audio interface connection and an unbalanced RCA socket for hifi systems. The 3.5mm stereo jack input at the front of the speaker enables the rapid connection of wired playback devices such as smartphones or tablets, although easy wireless connection of mobile devices is, of course, possible courtesy of Bluetooth 5. For added practicality, the volume control and headphone jack can also be found on the speaker – a feature that definitely sets the inexpensive Eris 5BT 2nd Gen apart from its larger counterpart, the Eris Studio 5.