Why I Regret Upgrading Presonus Eris E3.5 to E4.5

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their personal experience comparing the Pronus 3.5-inch and 4.5-inch studio speakers. Despite the 4.5-inch version offering slightly better bass, the speaker argues that the 3.5-inch speakers provide excellent value for money, especially for video editing and gaming on a flat profile. The 4.5-inch upgrade, while offering some improvements, doesn’t justify the price difference. Ultimately, the creator recommends the 3.5-inch speakers for their affordability and high quality, emphasizing that the larger speakers are only worth considering for those seeking deeper bass or dedicated music use.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker upgrade from the Persona 3.5 to the Persona 4.5 was considered, but the 4.5 speakers did not provide significant value for the increased price.
• 🎧 The Persona 3.5 speakers, priced at around $99, offer tremendous value with great sound quality for the price.
• ⚡ After a lightning storm that damaged other electronics, the speaker upgrade was necessary because the 3.5 speakers stopped working.
• 💡 The speaker setup includes using an audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2) to connect the speakers to a computer for studio-quality sound.
• 📊 Despite the larger size of the 4.5 speakers, the difference in sound quality was not substantial enough to justify their higher price tag.
• 🎵 The user prefers a flat sound profile for video editing and gaming, ensuring consistent audio across different devices like speakers, headphones, and a TV.
• 💲 The Persona 4.5 speakers are priced at about $200, which is double the price of the Persona 3.5 speakers, but the sound improvement is not twice as good.
• 🎶 The difference in audio quality between the 3.5 and 4.5 speakers is noticeable, but it’s not enough to make the upgrade worthwhile for most users.
• 🔧 The 4.5 speakers do allow for adjustments to bass and treble via settings on the back, but even after tweaking, the user still found the improvement to be marginal.
• 📅 The user has been using the Persona 3.5 speakers for around 2 years and finds them still highly reliable and suitable for their needs.
• 👨‍💻 The 3.5 speakers, when tested in a flat profile, offer great value for video editing, gaming, and general listening, without the need for a more expensive upgrade.

Q & A

What was the reason for upgrading to the 4.5-inch Pronus speakers?

The upgrade was prompted by a lightning storm near the house that caused a power surge, which damaged the original 3.5-inch Pronus speakers. The reviewer needed to replace them and decided to try the 4.5-inch model.

How much more expensive are the 4.5-inch speakers compared to the 3.5-inch speakers?

The 4.5-inch speakers cost about $200, while the 3.5-inch speakers cost around $100, making the 4.5-inch speakers roughly twice as expensive.

What is the main difference in audio quality between the 3.5-inch and 4.5-inch speakers?

The main difference is that the 4.5-inch speakers offer slightly more bass and a fuller sound compared to the 3.5-inch speakers, but the difference is subtle and not significant enough to justify the higher price.

Why does the reviewer prefer a flat audio profile for testing the speakers?

The reviewer uses a flat audio profile to achieve neutral, unaltered sound for accurate video editing, gaming, and content creation. This allows for more consistent sound testing across different devices, like headphones, speakers, and a monitor.

What is the key reason the reviewer does not recommend upgrading to the 4.5-inch speakers?

The reviewer doesn't recommend the 4.5-inch speakers because, while they are a little better in terms of audio quality, they are not twice as good as the 3.5-inch speakers to justify their higher price.

What feature of the 4.5-inch speakers can be adjusted to alter the sound?

The 4.5-inch speakers have controls on the back that allow users to adjust the bass and treble, giving them some flexibility in tailoring the sound to personal preferences.

How does the reviewer test the audio across different devices?

The reviewer tests the audio by listening on multiple devices: the speakers, headphones, and an OLED TV. This helps ensure the sound is consistent and accurately reflects the intended audio experience.

What does the reviewer think about the value of the 3.5-inch Pronus speakers?

The reviewer believes that the 3.5-inch Pronus speakers offer tremendous value for money. For $100, they provide excellent audio quality that is sufficient for editing, gaming, and general use.

Is there a significant difference in audio quality when using the 3.5-inch and 4.5-inch speakers for video editing?

No, there is no significant difference in audio quality when used for video editing. The reviewer found the 3.5-inch speakers to perform just as well as the 4.5-inch speakers, even when both were used in a flat audio profile.

Would the 4.5-inch speakers be a better choice for music listening?

The 4.5-inch speakers could be a better choice for music listening if you prefer more bass or a fuller sound. However, for video editing or gaming, the 3.5-inch speakers provide better value.