PreSonus keeps its studio monitors going with new Eris XT 5 and 8-inch models
5,0 / 5,0 | 
PreSonus has begun shipping its Eris XT series active studio monitors. Their updated specs include an entirely new elliptical waveguide design and larger enclosures, all meant to improve audio reproduction.
Eris XT
According to the blurb, the new waveguide brings enhanced high-frequency response with a 100 degrees-wide horizontal sweet spot and 60 degrees of vertical dispersion. The design minimizes early reflections to reduce environmental interference for a more consistent off/on-axis response. Furthermore, the XT series’ larger ported enclosure extends their frequency range at the low end.
The XT monitors are immediate heirs to the original Eris E series. They are available in E5 XT and E8 XT models, spec’d as follows:
- Eris E5 XT – 5.25-inch woven composite woofer, 1-inch silk dome tweeter, 80W Class AB power, up to 102dB SPL. Frequency response is rated at 48 Hz – 20kHz.
- Eris E8 XT – 8-inch woofer, 1.25-inch tweeter, 140W Class AB amplification, up to 105dB SPL. Frequency response is rated at 35Hz – 20kHz.
All monitors offer acoustic tuning controls with Low-cut, Mid, and High frequency adjustment alongside 3-way space tuning to help compensate for non-optimal placement. Input options include balanced XLR, balanced 1/4-inch and unbalanced RCA line-level inputs. Safety features include RF interference protection, output current limiting, temperature protection and subsonic protection.
Price and availability
PreSonus’ new monitors are available from dealers now, priced USD 150 for the E5 XT and USD 250 for the E8 XT. I think USD 300 is an okay entry price for what looks like a pair of good 5-inch monitors from a reputable brand. That’s not to say there aren’t alternatives, including a particularly formidable one in the face of JBL’s USD 150 305P MkII monitor. If you have the opportunity to compare directly, by all means do it.
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