Presonus Eris 3.5 vs Yamaha Hs3: Which speakers are better?

A few months ago, I had to replace my old desktop speakers, which had served me well for years. As someone who mixes music and listens to a lot of audio, I needed a pair of speakers that were great for both casual use and professional tasks. After a lot of research and reading reviews, two models stood out: the presonus eris 3.5 vs yamaha hs3. These two speakers seemed to be the top choices, but which one would be the best for me?

I was lucky enough to get my hands on both of these models, and after weeks of testing them out side by side, I can now say they both have their strengths. In this post, I’ll break down the main features, designs, and sound quality of the Presonus eris 3.5 and the Yamaha HS 3s to help you decide which one suits your needs the best. Let’s get into it!

Presonus Eris 3.5 vs Yamaha Hs3 : Key Differences Between The Two

Let us now compare both the speakers over design, build quality, sound quality and features.

Design and Build Quality

The Presonus eris 3.5 have been popular for years because they are compact, affordable, and perform well for their size. These speakers have a clean, simple design. On the front, you’ll find a 3.5-inch woofer, a volume knob, a headphone jack, and a power switch—easy to use and no extra frills. Their small size makes them great for tight spaces.

However, the 3.5-inch woofer means that the bass response is weak. If you’re into deep bass for music genres like EDM or hip-hop, these speakers might leave you wanting more. But if you're using them for watching videos, gaming, or casual listening, the Presonus eris 3.5 does an excellent job with mids and highs.

Yamaha on the other hand is known for making some of the best studio monitors, and the HS 3s are no exception. These desktop speakers share many of the features of the larger HS series, designed for professional music producers. The HS 3s have a similar layout to the Presonus eris 3.5, but the tweeter is slightly smaller (0.75 inches vs. 1 inch on the Presonus). This difference means the HS 3s may not have as much high-end brightness as the Presonus, but they offer a more neutral and balanced sound that’s perfect for mixing music.

While the HS 3s may not have extras like Bluetooth or AUX inputs, they come with room control settings that help you adjust the sound based on your environment. This is a professional feature that gives users more control over how the speakers perform in different rooms.

Features and Connectivity

When it comes to features, the Presonus eris 3.5 are easy to use and versatile. On the front panel, you’ll find a headphone jack and a volume control. They also have an AUX (ORC) input for connecting other devices like phones or laptops. For an extra $50, you can even get Bluetooth connectivity, which is great for people who want to stream music wirelessly.

The back of the speakers has the basic connections you’ll need, including line inputs and TRS connections. However, the Presonus eris 3.5 do not have XLR inputs, which are typically found on higher-end studio monitors. This won’t matter for casual users, but it could be limiting for anyone serious about music production.

If we talk about, Yamaha HS 3s, they offer more advanced features that cater to music producers. One of the biggest advantages of the HS 3s is the inclusion of XLR inputs, which are common in studio monitors. These allow you to connect the speakers to professional audio equipment like mixers or audio interfaces, making them a better choice for studio work.

On the back of the HS 3s, you'll also find room control settings, which help you adjust the bass to fit the acoustics of your space. However, the HS 3s do not come with Bluetooth, and there’s no AUX input either. So if you’re looking for simple plug-and-play speakers with wireless connectivity, the Presonus eris 3.5 might be the better option.

Sound Quality: The Key Difference

Sound quality is where these two models really start to show their differences. The Presonus eris 3.5 are great for casual listening, gaming, and watching videos. They have clear, bright highs that really shine in things like vocals and acoustic music. However, since they have smaller woofers, the bass is a bit lacking. So, if you need strong low-end sound for music production or certain genres of music, the Presonus speakers might not be the best choice. 

The Yamaha HS 3s on the other hand are designed for more accurate sound reproduction, which is important for music production. They provide a balanced, neutral sound, making them great for mixing and mastering tracks. Even though they don’t have much low-end (due to the smaller woofer), the sound is detailed and accurate, which is exactly what you need when working in a studio. The HS 3s are built to deliver a flat frequency response, so you hear exactly what’s in your track, without any extra color or exaggeration.

If you’re serious about producing music, the HS 3s are the better option for critical listening. The Presonus eris 3.5, on the other hand, are more suited for casual use where clarity and detail are important, but deep bass isn’t a priority.

Conclusion: Which One is Right for You?

Both the Presonus eris 3.5 and the Yamaha HS 3s are excellent desktop speakers, but the best choice depends on what you need.

Presonus eris 3.5 are perfect if you need compact, versatile speakers that sound bright and clear for multimedia use. They’re great for casual listening, gaming, or watching movies. The added Bluetooth option is a nice touch for those who want wireless convenience. Yamaha HS 3s are ideal if you’re serious about music production or mixing. With their professional-grade features like XLR inputs and room control, they give you more accuracy and flexibility for studio work.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a speaker that delivers great sound for everyday use, the Presonus eris 3.5 are a fantastic choice. However, if you want something that can help you mix and produce music with a higher level of accuracy, the Yamaha HS 3s will be the better option. Either way, both models offer excellent performance, so it really comes down to your specific needs!