PreSonus Eris E8 XT Active Studio Monitor Pair

The PreSonus Eris E8 XT is an active (powered) studio monitor, part of PreSonus’s highly successful Eris series, which is known for delivering accurate sound reproduction and extensive acoustic tuning options at an affordable price point.

The “XT” in its name signifies an updated version of the original Eris series, incorporating improvements for wider sweet spot and deeper bass response.

Key Features and Highlights:

• 8-inch Woven Composite Low-Frequency Driver: The E8 XT features an 8-inch woven composite woofer. This material is chosen for its ability to produce tight, clear, and punchy bass with minimal distortion. The larger 8-inch size allows for significantly deeper low-frequency extension compared to 5-inch or 6.5-inch monitors.
• 1.25-inch Silk Dome High-Frequency Driver: It’s equipped with a 1.25-inch ultra-low-mass silk dome tweeter. Silk domes are prized for delivering smooth, natural, and non-fatiguing high frequencies, which is crucial for long mixing sessions.
• EBM (Elliptical Boundary Modeled) Waveguide: This is a major upgrade in the XT series. Designed by Hugh Sarvis of WorxAudio, the EBM waveguide provides a wider and more controlled sweet spot. This means you have more freedom to move around your mixing position without the stereo image collapsing, and it also helps to reduce reflections from your desk surface due to a narrower vertical dispersion (60 degrees horizontal x 100 degrees vertical).
• Front-Firing Acoustic Port: The Eris E8 XT features a front-firing bass port. This design allows for more flexible placement, including closer to walls, without as much low-frequency buildup as rear-ported designs. The larger ported enclosure further contributes to its impressive bass extension.
• Bi-Amplified Class AB Design: Each Eris E8 XT monitor is bi-amplified, meaning separate amplifiers power the woofer and tweeter. This results in more efficient power delivery and reduced intermodulation distortion.
  • Total Power: 140 watts of Class AB amplification (75 watts for the LF driver, 65 watts for the HF driver). Class AB amplification is known for its warm, natural sound and good power efficiency.
  • High SPL: Capable of producing a maximum continuous SPL of 105 dB, providing ample volume for most studio environments.
• Wide Frequency Response: The Eris E8 XT boasts an impressive frequency response from 35 Hz to 20 kHz. The extension down to 35 Hz is particularly notable for an 8-inch monitor, allowing you to hear and mix sub-bass frequencies without necessarily needing a separate subwoofer (though a sub would still be beneficial for very critical low-end work or larger rooms).
• Extensive Acoustic Tuning Controls: This is a hallmark of the Eris series, allowing you to tailor the monitor’s response to your specific room acoustics:
  • Acoustic Space: A three-way switch (-4 dB, -2 dB, Flat) that compensates for the bass boost that occurs when speakers are placed near walls or in corners.
  • High-Frequency Trim: Adjusts frequencies above 10 kHz (±6 dB).
  • Mid-Frequency Control: Adjusts a 2-octave wide band centered at 1 kHz (±6 dB).
  • Low-Cut Filter (High-Pass Filter): Offers Flat, 80 Hz, or 100 Hz settings. This is useful when integrating a subwoofer to prevent overlapping frequencies.
• Versatile Inputs: The E8 XT offers a full complement of inputs for professional and consumer gear:
  • Balanced XLR
  • Balanced 1/4″ TRS
  • Unbalanced RCA
• Protection Circuitry: Includes protection against RF interference, output current limiting, over-temperature, turn-on/off transients, and a subsonic filter.
• Software Bundle: Typically includes the Studio One Prime DAW software and the Studio Magic Software Suite, adding significant value with a collection of plugins, virtual instruments, and tutorials.
• Robust Construction: Built with a vinyl-laminated, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) cabinet with internal bracing, ensuring durability and minimizing resonances.

Who is the PreSonus Eris E8 XT for?

• Serious Home Studio Users: Who need accurate, full-range monitoring for mixing, mastering, and music production.
• Project Studio Owners: Looking for powerful and reliable monitors for a variety of tasks.
• Electronic Music Producers & DJs: The deep bass extension makes them excellent for genres with heavy low-end.
• Content Creators & Post-Production: For editing and mixing audio for video, film, and games.
• Anyone needing a wide sweet spot: The EBM waveguide makes these ideal for collaborative work or studios where the listener isn’t always in a single, fixed position.