Greetings friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the Presonus Eris E5 vs. JBL LSR 305 comparison, grab a snack, sit back, and relax because…
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
Today I will provide an informative comparison of these two studio monitors, and then give my recommendation towards the end. 🙂 What are studio monitors?
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!
Similarities & Differences
Entry level heaven.
Similarities
Both are active studio monitors and don’t need a separate amplifier.
Both have 5″ woofers (or low-frequency drivers) and thus both are very good for smaller, untreated-type rooms or if you live in an apartment like me.
Check out Acoustic Sound Treatment for some tips on improving quality!
Tweeters.
For their high-frequency driver types, both are dome, although the 305’s is a soft dome vs. the silk dome of the E5.
There are also cone tweeters. You may be wondering about the difference between a soft dome and a cone.
Dome tweeters are more common and they have a better dispersion pattern than cones.
They are also made from materials that are better at reproducing high frequencies, and also handling more power without distortion.
Because the tweeter is what provides the speaker its overall sound characteristics, it’s usually what stands out when you’re intently listening to music.
So basically, a soft dome tweeter provides more clarity, and more accuracy, while also having a more linear response than a cone.
Differences
Frequency Response.
The E5s go from 53Hz – 22kHz, while the 305s go from 43Hz-24kHz.
SPL.
The 305s can handle a higher sound pressure level at 108 dB vs. the 102 dB of the E5. What is SPL?
Power.
The 305 provides a tad more power at 82 watts than the E5 at 80 watts.
Weight.
The E5s are 10.2 lbs. while the 305s are 10.12 lbs.
Input Types.
The E5s have a 1/4″ XLR (What is XLR?), and an RCA (unbalanced), while the 305 has an XLR and a 1/4″ TRS. TRS vs. TS.
Overall sound.
I say this because the E5 has a bit of a boost in the mid-bass right around that expected area.
You know the area I’m talking about.
It’s the one that pretty much 99% of companies boost; whether were’ talking speakers or headphones, it doesn’t matter.
That’s right, 100Hz or thereabouts will receive about a 3dB bump. Outside of that, the E5 is very neutral and flat.
The 305 is also flat and doesn’t have that obvious bump/coloration.
So I would venture to say the 305 will do slightly better for mixing.
I owned the 305 for many years and my mixes came out great.
Here’s a track I mixed on the 305 actually. It was mastered by my friend Bloom:
I also got a chance to listen to the E5 at a friend’s house.
I will say they sound excellent and mostly neutral, but you can tell there’s a slight emphasis in the bass and it makes them, in my opinion, a bit better for the casual listener.
That said, let’s be real – it’s 3dB.
The other thing I noticed is that the E5 was a bit more mellow sounding and laid back vs. the crisper, snappier nature of the 305.
I will also point out it could have just been the type of music we were listening to; lo-fi.
At the end of the day,
You can mix on either just fine, but just plan to undercompensate a bit in the roughly 100Hz area.
This is actually a region that’s really easy to screw up, and countless companies have in attempting to color the sound.
They end up going overboard with it.
Don’t do that with your mixes.
Size.
If space is an issue, the E5s are much more compact, and could theoretically fit into much tighter spaces than the bulkier 305s.
Check out my post on Acoustic Sound Treatment for some more tips.
Port.
Rear ported.
The 305 has a bass port on the back, while the E5’s is on the front.
What this means is that if you have the 305s right up against a wall, you may not get a bass response that’s as good as if you had them out a foot or two from the wall with some panels utilized.
The E5s are front-ported, so you won’t have to worry about that, and the bass may come through more accurately.
However, if you’re able to place your 305s out from the wall a bit, then the difference in sound in the lower region between the two would be negligible.
Videos
Just the 305 vs. E5
Final Word
I had the 305 for many years until 2019 when I had to sell them for some quick cash.
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy them again.
I fully believe that they are the best monitors in this class (price range), and have some serious punch to them while not sounding bloated or artificial.
They are perfect for casual listening as well as mixing/monitoring in the studio.
Learn More:
If you dig a more colored response and only want a monitor for casual listening, the E5 is a nice option.
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Presonus Eris E5 vs. JBL LSR305 comparison.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Looking for something else? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Which one of these tickles YOUR pickle? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!
14 comments
The Eris E5 has a silk dome tweeter
Good catch! Fixed it. Thank you much. Let me know if I can ever help you out with anything.
-Stu
HI. I still can not decide between these two speakers to make boom bap music and house (I have a mpc 2000xl and a korg m1). can you help me. I feel that jbl color more sound so not great for music production. Only in my country they are on sale in all music stores (100 euros per piece). I hesitate.
No the JBL’s are fine for music production. The sound is clean and clear, and they don’t place too much emphasis on coloration. They are basically giving them away nowadays so I would go for it. You’re not going to be disappointed in the slightest.
I like the work you put in. I think the Presonus are more balanced. I think the JBLs sound nice to my ears. I think they have a little mid scoop. The biggest difference is the crossover freq 3k for the Presonus around 2k for the JBL so the woofer for the Eris goes higher in the mids not as bright as the JBL 305 where the tweeter goes lower making the upper mids sound brighter. I’m not sure if you want a mix that sounds good on all playback systems that is the way to go. In the end and at this price point it is about learning your speakers I can mix with Eris and JBL 305 owners can mix with those.
Thanks Stephen!
A bit confused by your post. So basically you’re saying that in your opinion, a mix from the E5’s sound better on more playback systems?
Yes that is what I am saying the the 305’s sound great a little dialed in smiley face my opinion only. The E5’s sound more balanced. Mixes will be played on all kinds systems so you need balance. To me the lower crossover point on the JBL tweeter gives the upper mids a good crisp sound that sounds great to listen to but my not be accurate on all systems. But if you learn them you will be good. Most people confuse mixing you want the sound you hear to be right, and good is not always right. But you should use what works for you at this price point both are fine.
Yeah I can def see what you’re saying. I’ve had good luck mixing on these since 2014 but I do agree they are a bit forward and more exciting than the laid back E5’s. I do think that they are fairly accurate though, but maybe a smidgen colored I guess you could say. My mixes have always turned out very good and translated pretty well so I can’t complain. I do tend to prefer headphones more though so I’m one of those weird outliers who prefers to hear music through cans. For some reason it’s just easier for me to pick out flaws because I’ve always been a headphone guy. It’s nice to have both though. Thanks for your valuable input though it’s much appreciated for potential buyers!
Stuart I should have not said better that is in the ear of the listener. Do an experiment and listen to Jamie Woon Sharpness. Find a version on YouTube etc. Then listen with a set of regular speakers or headphones. Then listen to the version you have posted. One minute 21 seconds each and let me know what monitors sound more like what is coming out of your regular speakers or headphones. I should have said more correct to my ears. For the record to me the music sounds better coming from The JBL’s. Keep up the good work it’s good to see young folks serious about audio.
Will do man! I do agree actually about the E5’s from listening to them at a friends house. They seem to be more balanced actually, but we didn’t have the volume pushed. It’s just that they also kind of had this warmish, gooey character to them that I’m not sure would be suitable for mixing as much as a 305, but I’d have to try them out again. Maybe I will do that and report back.
Just wanted to say the information on here is really helpful! Well written, clear and factual where possible. It’s true that in the end it also comes down to personal preference – no matter how much you read and think about studio monitors… you need to go to a place and have a listen yourself. Take some reference material with you to ensure you know what you’re listening to. Thanks!
Thanks so much man and great point! I think studio monitors are one of the hardest to evaluate because it’s much more difficult to get access to them all. You really do have to go into a store and try them out. My friend bought his E5’s simply because he thought my 305’s were ugly. LOL. I will admit they look kind of dumb in pictures but in person they are pretty sharp. Anyway thanks again for stopping by and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Great website by the way! -Stu
me gustan mas los Presonus E5 me parecen mas bonitos y para mi emiten mejor sonidos respeto las decisiones de los demás, pero me gustan mas los E5 aunque escuchándolos con atención ambos emiten casi la misma calidad de sonido pero me gusta mas el sonido de los E5, a mi gusto suenan mas naturales .
En realidad tienes razón sobre eso. Cuando estaba en la casa de mis amigos, escuchándolos, sonaba un poco más natural y orgánico. Yo diría que son mejores para escuchar música mientras que los 305 son mejores para la escucha crítica. Dicho esto, todavía disfruto mucho con mis 305 solo por relajarme y relajarme. ¡Gracias por pasar y compartir tus pensamientos!