Need new, budget friendly studio speakers

[MissOptimyst]

Hi everyone! For years I have been using Harman Kardon Soundsticks III for my mixing and mastering. Unfortunately my speakers have got pretty shoddy and are starting to go. I also feel like as my ears have matured with audio I can probably find speakers that are better suited for mixing and mastering.

I’m currently looking at the Presonus Eris 4.5 as an option.Would those be better than what I’ve been using? Ideally looking for something not too expensive ($200-$350), but can replace my current set. Also ideal if I can just plug directly into the computer without having to use an interface, but not a dealbreaker.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[Distorted Horizon]

Presonus is good

[Passing Bye]

Do you need small speakers to put on desk?

If small desktop speaker is requirement, definitely IK iLoud Micro, if you want full range ones and you have space for that, Fluid Audio FX8.

[Martkorg]

+1 for Presonus

[roman.i]

Eris 4.5 for mastering?

[Kalamata Kid]

At a local recording studio they gave up their expensive speakers and now use Edifier R1280T
which cost $100. I heard them and they sounded great but I do wonder how accurate they are.

[GaryG]

Musicradar had a budget monitor showdown just a week or two back: https://www.musicradar.com/news/best-bu ... o-monitors

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

Best for small budget studio in my opinion is:
https://www.thomann.de/gb/fluid_audio_fx80.htm

[MissOptimyst]

Eris 4.5 for mastering?

I primarily do mixing, but I’m starting to dabble with mastering a little bit. Are those speakers bad for mastering?

Also thanks so far for the recommendations everyone! I’m going to do my research.

[Pacific05]

Presonus Eris are good, as the usual suspects: JBL 305p (best for me), Fluid fx50/80 etc.
Real problem with small monitors: lack of lows and stereo imaging. If you use monitor headphones and have good ears, you can find a remedy (maybe). Otherwise, mixing is hard. Mastering ever more complicated. You have to listen carefully to your tracks, before mastering, through a variety of sources (cd, home hifi, car, speakers, ear phones etc).
But who knows, hard and complicated is not impossible.

[roman.i]

Eris 4.5 for mastering?

I primarily do mixing, but I’m starting to dabble with mastering a little bit. Are those speakers bad for mastering?

Also thanks so far for the recommendations everyone! I’m going to do my research.

To do a proper mastering you'll need years of professional experience, very expensive gear, a mastering level room. It's not something you can do in your bedroom with pair of a budget near fields.
Anyways, regarding an entry level setup. In my understanding a basic setup needs at least 6 inch near fields, and few acoustic broadband panels on the front and side walls. Eris 4.5 is just another multimedia speaker, that has nothing to do with a proper mixing, so it's not a big upgrade.
Something like JBL 306P will do the job, and a basic audio interface to have a volume control knob and headphones output, maybe a basic $50 Behringer interface if that's your maximal budget.

[Kalamata Kid]

NM

[MissOptimyst]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I’ll do my research and pick the best option for my situation. Glad to have some leads.

[ShawnG]

Just bought my daughter a pair of eris 3.5's pretty decent for the price and size.

[MissOptimyst]

Which audio interface would be recommended for those speakers that use XLR? I also am looking for a good interface to support vocals as well. I’ve been looking at Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 or Komplete Audio 2. Any suggestions there?