5 Alternatives to the PreSonus Eris 2.1 Bluetooth Speaker System — Including Better Options for Some Setups

If you’re shopping for the PreSonus Eris 2.1 Bluetooth Speaker System, you’re probably after a desktop-friendly monitoring setup that can handle music production, gaming, streaming, and everyday listening without taking over the room. The key question is whether you want a true speaker replacement, a more serious studio monitoring rig, or a recording-focused bundle that gives you more tools for making music. Here’s how the main alternatives compare in real-world use.

1) Yamaha HS5 Studio Monitors — £532.24

Price-wise, the Yamaha HS5 pair sits about £182.24 above the PreSonus Eris 2.1 system, so this is the most expensive option here and the only one that’s clearly aimed at a more traditional studio-monitoring role rather than an all-in-one desktop audio solution. The HS5 is a 5-inch powered nearfield monitor, so although it doesn’t include a subwoofer or Bluetooth, it does give you the kind of honest midrange detail that serious mixing work depends on. In practical terms, that means you’ll hear vocal placement, guitar texture, and EQ issues more clearly than you often will from a more consumer-leaning 2.1 setup.

Build quality is a strong point. Yamaha’s HS series has a reputation for robust cabinets, clean amplification, and a no-nonsense design that feels designed for years of daily use in a home studio. Compared with the PreSonus system, the HS5 pair is less about convenience and more about accuracy. The trade-off is obvious: you lose the subwoofer’s extra low-end weight, so bass-heavy genres may sound lean unless you add a sub later. You also lose Bluetooth entirely, which means no quick phone pairing for casual playback.

Verdict: Choose the HS5 if your priority is mixing accuracy and dependable studio translation. It’s the better pick for producers who want to make decisions they can trust, not just enjoy a fuller sound at the desk. If you mainly want plug-and-play music enjoyment with a bit of studio flavour, the PreSonus bundle remains the easier value buy.

2) Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 3rd Gen Bundle — £239.99

At £110.01 less than the PreSonus Eris 2.1 system, this bundle is a very different kind of alternative. Instead of giving you powered speakers and a subwoofer, it gives you a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface, a condenser microphone, and headphones. The practical impact is huge: you’re not upgrading your listening setup so much as building a proper recording chain. The Scarlett 2i2 is known for its solid preamps, straightforward workflow, and reliable USB connectivity, which makes it especially attractive to singers, songwriters, podcasters, and streamers.

In feature terms, the 3rd Gen 2i2 supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording, and the interface is designed for clean, low-noise capture. That matters more than speaker sparkle if your main goal is to record vocals or instruments with decent fidelity. The included condenser mic and headphones also mean you can start tracking immediately, which is something the PreSonus speaker package simply doesn’t offer. The build quality is excellent for the money: the interface is compact, sturdy, and portable, though obviously the mic and headphones are entry-level rather than premium.

Compared with the PreSonus Eris 2.1, you’re giving up Bluetooth playback and the convenience of a ready-made desktop speaker system. You’re also not getting the same low-end monitoring experience unless you already own speakers. But if your workflow involves recording more than casual listening, this bundle is much more useful as a foundation.

Verdict: Pick this if you need to record, stream, or podcast and don’t yet have an interface. It’s the best budget-conscious alternative for creators who care more about getting sound into the computer than playing it back through a subwoofer.

3) Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface — £236.17

This one is actually £113.83 cheaper than the PreSonus system, which makes it an interesting alternative if your money needs to go toward production flexibility rather than speakers. The Scarlett 8i6 is a 6-in/6-out USB audio interface with more connectivity than the 2i2, making it better suited to multi-device setups, hardware synths, outboard gear, and more complex home studios. If you’re juggling microphones, instruments, loopback routing, and external monitors, the extra I/O can be more valuable than a subwoofer.

Like other Scarlett interfaces, the 8i6 is built around Focusrite’s transparent preamp design and supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz audio. That gives you a clean recording path and enough resolution for serious production work. Build quality is strong, with a metal chassis that feels dependable enough for regular use in a studio or mobile rig. Compared with the PreSonus Eris 2.1, this is not a speaker upgrade at all — it’s a workflow upgrade. You’ll still need monitors or headphones to hear what you’re doing, but if you already own decent speakers, the 8i6 can be a smarter investment.

The trade-off is that it doesn’t solve your monitoring needs on its own. Also, if you only need one mic and one instrument input, the extra channels may be overkill. In that case, the PreSonus bundle is simpler and more immediately satisfying for desktop listening.

Verdict: Choose the Scarlett 8i6 if you’re building a more advanced home studio and want better routing, more inputs, and room to expand. It’s the best choice here for producers who already have monitors and need an interface upgrade instead.

4) Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen Bundle + AKAI MPK Mini MK3 — £325.00

At £25 less than the PreSonus Eris 2.1 system, this is one of the most compelling alternatives if your real goal is making music rather than just listening to it. You get the Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen bundle plus an AKAI MPK Mini MK3, which is a 25-key USB MIDI keyboard controller with 8 backlit drum pads. That makes this package much more production-oriented than the PreSonus speaker bundle, because it gives you both recording hardware and a hands-on way to play virtual instruments, program beats, and sketch ideas quickly.

The 4th Gen 2i2 is a meaningful step up in usability and audio performance over older entry-level interfaces, with improved conversion, stronger monitoring features, and a more polished front-end for tracking. The bundle is especially attractive for laptop producers and songwriters who want to move beyond mouse-and-keyboard composition. The MPK Mini’s compact 25-key format won’t replace a full-size piano controller, but it’s ideal for desktop work and travel. The drum pads are a practical bonus for beatmaking, and the whole setup is compact enough for a small room.

Build quality is good across the board. Focusrite interfaces are generally sturdy, and the AKAI controller is light but dependable for portable use. Compared with the PreSonus Eris 2.1, you lose the convenience of a speaker system with subwoofer and Bluetooth, but you gain a much more complete music-making toolkit. If your current speakers are acceptable, this bundle is arguably the better creative investment.

Verdict: Buy this if you want to write, record, and program music from one compact package. It’s the smartest choice for producers who would rather have a MIDI controller and interface than a desktop speaker system.

5) Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen Bundle — £245.00

This is the cheapest alternative on the list at £105 less than the PreSonus Eris 2.1 system, and it’s the most straightforward “start recording now” option. Like the 3rd Gen bundle, it includes a condenser microphone and headphones, but the 4th Gen interface brings a more modern front end and better overall refinement. For anyone who wants to record vocals, guitar, or podcasts without spending speaker money, this is a very efficient buy.

The practical difference compared with the PreSonus setup is that you’re switching from playback hardware to capture hardware. That matters if you already have speakers, or if you mainly use headphones and want a cleaner interface for your DAW. The 2i2’s 24-bit/192 kHz support gives you plenty of resolution for home recording, and the 4th Gen platform is designed to feel more polished and more capable than basic starter interfaces. The included mic and headphones make the bundle genuinely usable from day one.

Build quality is solid and roadworthy for a home studio. The interface is compact, the controls are sensible, and the bundle feels well thought out for beginners who are serious enough to want a proper signal chain. The downside is that, unlike the PreSonus Eris 2.1, you’re not getting any speaker solution at all. If you need desktop playback as well as recording, you’ll need to budget for monitors separately.

Verdict: Choose this if you’re focused on recording and want the lowest-cost path into a proper interface-based setup. It’s ideal for singers, podcasters, and home recordists who don’t need a subwoofer-equipped speaker system.

Bottom line: If you want a compact 2.1 desktop listening setup with Bluetooth, the PreSonus remains the most convenient all-rounder. But if you’re after more accurate monitoring, more recording flexibility, or a better path into music production, the Yamaha and Focusrite options each make a strong case depending on your workflow.