PreSonus makes exceptional entry-level studio monitors which give its users plenty of sonic performance at affordable pricing. The 2nd smallest model of the Eris series, the PreSonus Eris 4.5 is one such studio monitor and provides incredible value for the money. As highly rated the Eris 4.5 studio monitors are, they still have their own limitations and it comes as no surprise that their deep bass reproductions are not on par with larger studio monitors.
Fortunately, it is rather easy to resolve this as we can always add an active subwoofer into the mix where it could supplement and improve the overall bass performance of your sound system. Furthermore, the integrated subwoofer could deliver the subsonic bass response which the PreSonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors are unable to produce. In order for us to find matching subwoofers to pair with the Eris 4.5, we must first learn more about the monitors’ sonic characteristics and also your own requirements.
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Sonic Characteristics of the PreSonus Eris 4.5 and Your Subwoofer Requirements
For a budget studio monitor, PreSonus Eris 4.5 sure doesn’t look like one and will fit in nicely with most modern-day studios and/or listening rooms. It doesn’t have a speaker grille to cover the front panel but the Eris 4.5 does have a mesh-like cover that protects the 1″ (25mm) silk dome high-frequency driver. Below the tweeter will be the 4.5″ low-frequency driver and there is a rear-firing bass port to support bass reproductions. The PreSonus Eris 4.5 uses a Class AB amplifier with a total power of 50 Watts and drives each studio monitor with up to 25 Watts of power. This level of amp power will be enough for nearfield listening.
There are other notable features and they will provide even more value to its users. For instance, the high and low-frequency tuning controls are useful for altering the sound quality of the PreSonus Eris 4.5 to fit your studio in-room acoustics or your sonic preference. This is particularly useful for professionals who need to adjust the sonic characteristics of the studio monitors for their work and you might even complete your audio mixing/mastering faster. The frequency response of the Eris 4.5 is 70Hz to 20kHz which is good enough for a budget studio monitor of this size. This also indicates the need for a subwoofer to produce the missing deep bass frequencies.
More Info at Amazon – PreSonus Eris E4.5 Near Field Studio Monitor (Pair)
If the music you are listening to or working on isn’t bass-heavy, the PreSonus Eris 4.5 would be good enough on its own actually. The level of clarity is amazing as we are able to hear plenty of music details including subtle ones. There’s no need for us to strain our ears especially when these compact studio monitors are able to go loud enough at a nearfield listening distance or to fill a small room with sound. Eris 4.5 stereo imaging is equally outstanding, precisely positioning each musician on a wide soundstage with ample spacing. The soundstage is focused and well-defined filled with rich musical information.
We definitely have no qualms with the highs and mids as they sounded natural and have plenty of details to boot. The bass performance on the other hand its ain’t bad, the PreSonus Eris 4.5 is able to deliver the low ends tightly and with agility. The only qualms will be the lack of weight and impact, not to mention, the missing subsonic bass details. You might want to start working on your budget first, the higher it is the more subwoofer choices you can aim for. If you require a subwoofer that is powerful enough to deliver subterranean bass frequencies of down to 20Hz or below will usually cost more and this is why finalizing a comfortable amount you are willing to spend on a sub is crucial.
If your budget is not really high, you might want to set your expectations low or wait up to save more so as to get a better quality subwoofer in the near future. The size of the subwoofer will also be an indication of how deep a sub could dig down into the bass extension and produce these low frequencies. And so, if you have limited space, you might want to manage your expectations too. There are compact-sized subwoofers that could reach below 20Hz but they won’t be friendly to your wallet. There are other requirements such as the sub must be from the same company, colleagues/partner approval, connectivities, etc. These are just some of the usual subwoofer requirements and you should list out more on your own. Once you have all your subwoofer requirements ready, then do take a look at the list of the best subwoofers to match with the PreSonus Eris 4.5.
PreSonus Eris 4.5 Specifications
- Type: 2-Way (Rear-firing bass port)
- Frequency Response: 70Hz-20kHz
- Drivers: 1″ (25mm) Silk Dome HF driver, 4.5″ LF driver
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 241mm x 163mm x 180mm | 9.5″ x 6.4″ x 7″
- Weight: 5.9kg (13lbs)
Best Subwoofers to match with PreSonus Eris 4.5
Adam Audio T10S is a high-quality powered studio subwoofer and will match well with your PreSonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors. The T10S can accurately deliver subsonic bass frequencies tightly and without bloatedness. Its frequency range is between 28Hz to 120Hz and has a total power of up to 130 Watts (Class D amplifier). The driver size is 10″ and would be large enough to fill a small studio/room with sonic energy. There is impact and punch that tags along with the Adam Audio T10S bass accuracy, the well-textured low-end frequencies will fit nicely with the PreSonus Eris 4.5.
More Information at Amazon – Adam Audio T10S Subwoofer
The KRK S10.4 is an exceptional choice to go for, it has a 10″ glass aramid composite woofer driver and is still able to reach down to 27Hz which is impressive for a studio subwoofer of this size and price. The punchy and tight bass delivery of the KRK S10.4 has a bit more weight and impact when compared to other studio subs within the same price range, it is a suitable match with the PreSonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors. The bass quality is also suitable for professionals who need precise bass responses for their audio works such as mixing and mastering.
More Info at Amazon – KRK S10.4 Powered Studio Subwoofer
For a more seamless overall sound reproduction and a price tag that will match really well with the PreSonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors, the PreSonus Eris Sub 8 is the ideal choice to go for. Designed by the same company, we can expect similar sonic characteristics between the studio monitors and subwoofer, allowing them to work together harmoniously. The bass delivery is taut and agile, not to mention, there is also precision which is great for both critical listeners and professionals. It is also really compact and will be cool with studios or listening rooms with limited space. We will suggest placing the PreSonus Eris Sub 8 near your sitting position though.
More Info at Amazon – PreSonus Eris Sub 8 Compact Subwoofer
The JBL LSR310S is a highly rated 10″ studio subwoofer and has up to 200 Watts of power coming from its Class D amplifier. It has astounding clarity in its bass reproduction and the low-frequency details can be heard clearly, allowing DJs, producers, and other professionals to accurately mix/master their soundtracks. The deep bass reproduction is really clean as well and will be an excellent match with the PreSonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors. For audiophiles who like high-quality bass, the JBL LSR310S is an ideal subwoofer for you. As for home theater enthusiasts, it may not be aggressive and impactful enough.
More Details at Amazon – JBL Professional LSR310S Subwoofer
Listeners with really limited space and require a very compact powered studio subwoofer without compromising the bass quality, you might want to take a look at Genelec 7040A. This slim and compact 6.5″ powered studio sub is suited for studios/rooms with space constraints and is still capable of delivering subsonic bass responses of down to 30Hz (-6dB). It is very agile and fast, which makes the PreSonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors sound like full-range speakers. The frequency range is rather narrow and is between 30Hz-85Hz (-6dB). If you want to crossover at a higher frequency, we will suggest looking elsewhere or finding more space for a bigger subwoofer.
The PreSonus Temblor T10 is one of the best studio subwoofers to partner up with the PreSonus Eris 4.5, since both are designed by PreSonus, we can expect they will work really well together due to similar sound signatures. The accurate and articulate subsonic bass responses which the Temblor T10 brings to the table will give us a seamless full-range sound reproduction. This is a 10″ subwoofer with 250 Watts of Class AB amplifier power, it has a frequency range of 20Hz to 200Hz and it is amazing for a studio sub at this price point. It is definitely worth your time to check them out.
More Details at Amazon – Presonus Temblor T10 Powered Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
If you are really critical about the bass quality which the subwoofer could provide you, we will suggest shortlisting a few of the subs from this list and arranging an audition with them in your own studio/listening room. The potential subwoofers that you will be auditioning should have been broken-in just like your PreSonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors so as to give you a very accurate test result. If it is not possible, testing the subwoofers’ bass performances at a showroom together with your own Eris 4.5 monitors will be another option.
