When it comes to entry-level studio monitors, the PreSonus Eris 3.5BT is one of the most talked-about options in South Africa. After spending time with them, here’s my honest review.
First Impressions & Design
First thing’s first — they look good. The matte black finish and Kevlar woofers are stylish without being flashy. They’re also practical: the woofer material doesn’t get dirty easily, and the overall design is aesthetically pleasing. Place them anywhere — a studio desk, living room, or bedroom — and they’ll blend in without looking out of place.
The build feels solid, and I like that the tweeter has a protective cover. Not only does it keep the drivers safe, it also adds to the style.
Bluetooth Convenience
What sets these apart from the standard Eris 3.5 is the Bluetooth connectivity. It’s reliable and fast: turn the monitors off, back on, and they reconnect instantly. That makes them versatile enough for:
- Music production in your home studio 🎧
- Watching movies or YouTube from your TV 📺
- Everyday listening straight from your phone 📱
This Bluetooth feature alone makes them a great “all-rounder” pair of speakers.
Inputs & Controls
On the back, you get a nice selection of inputs, including professional line inputs. Up front, you’ve got a headphone jack, aux input, and a volume knob.
The knob could have been a little bigger, but it’s not a dealbreaker — it’s still functional and responsive.
Sound Quality
This is where the Eris 3.5BT surprised me. For their size, the sound is very clean. They stay accurate and flat, making them suitable for learning how to mix and master. They don’t hype the lows or highs like consumer speakers — what you hear is honest.
Volume is impressive too. You can push them loud enough to fill a room, and they hold up without major distortion. Of course, if you really crank them, the small drivers start to struggle — but for monitors of this size, that’s expected.
Final Verdict
The PreSonus Eris 3.5BT is an excellent entry-level studio monitor. They look good, feel good, and deliver sound that’s honest enough for mixing while still being fun for everyday use. Add Bluetooth, and you’ve got monitors that double as home multimedia speakers.
⭐ Ratings
- Build Quality: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (7/10) – Solid feel, protective tweeter, well-designed woofers
- Sound Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8/10) – Clean, surprisingly loud, flat response for beginners
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8/10) – Simple setup, Bluetooth + aux + headphones are handy
- Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8/10) – Sleek, blends well in any setup, compact size
- Best For: Entry-level music production, podcasts, streaming, everyday listening
✅ Overall Rating: 8/10
If you’re looking for the best entry-level studio monitors in South Africa, the Eris 3.5BT deserves a top spot on your list.
