PreSonus Eris Series Media Reference Monitors Owner's Manual

1 Overview

1.1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a pair of PreSonus® Eris®-Series media reference monitors. Ideal for gaming, home content creation, or just listening to your favorite album, Eris media reference monitors deliver studio-quality sound, with a smooth and accurate frequency response.

PreSonus Audio Electronics is committed to constant product improvement, and highly values customer suggestions. The company believes the best way to achieve its goal is by listening to its customers. PreSonus appreciates the support shown through the purchase of this product and is confident that users will enjoy their Eris monitors.

About this manual: This manual is designed to familiarize users with the features, applications, and correct connection procedures for Eris media reference monitors before connecting them to other audio equipment, helping to avoid problems during installation and setup.

This manual describes the functionality for all four Eris media reference models. Bluetooth connectivity is only available on the Eris 3.5BT, Eris 4.5BT, and Eris 5BT models.

Throughout this manual, you will find Power User Tips that can quickly make you an Eris expert and help you get the most out of your investment.

1.2 Product Registration

PreSonus is committed to delivering the best experience for its customers. MyPreSonus is a one-stop portal for all registered customers' needs. From a MyPreSonus account, users can view all PreSonus hardware and software registrations, contact support, track orders, and more.

To register Eris media reference monitors, visit My.PreSonus.com and follow the onscreen instructions.

[Image description: A graphic titled "Your Products" with text encouraging users to register PreSonus products for access to learning materials and exclusive content, featuring a button labeled "Register Products".]

Alternatively, download the MyPreSonus app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

1.3 What's in the Box

Your Eris media reference monitors package contains the following:

• (1 pair) PreSonus Eris Media Reference Monitors (1 active, 1 passive)
• (1) 1.5M 1/8" TRS to 2x RCA cable
• (1) 1.5M 1/8" TRS stereo cable
• (1) 2M bare-wire speaker cable
• (8) Foam feet: 4 to be placed on the bottom of each speaker to improve isolation
• (1) Quick Start Guide
• (1) IEC Power Cable

[Diagram description: Line drawings of the different Eris monitor models are shown on the cover page.]

[Diagram description: The package contents are illustrated, showing the monitor pair, various cables, foam feet, a quick start guide, and an IEC power cable.]

2 Connections and Controls

Each Eris media reference monitor pair consists of one active speaker and one passive speaker. Nearly every connection is located exclusively on the active speaker, which provides signal and power for the passive speaker. The exceptions are the bare-wire connectors, which send power and signal from the active speaker to the passive speaker.

2.1 Rear Panel

2.1.1 Inputs

The Eris active speaker provides a choice of two pairs of inputs on the rear panel: left and right balanced 1/4" TRS and left and right unbalanced RCA. These inputs accept a line-level signal from an audio source and feed that signal to each monitor's power amplifier. These inputs enable flexible connectivity, not for connecting multiple sources simultaneously. A third 1/8" stereo input is available on the front panel.

[Diagram description: The rear panel inputs are shown, featuring Left and Right balanced 1/4" TRS connectors and Left and Right unbalanced RCA connectors, labeled "INPUT".]

Power User Tip: The left inputs (balanced or unbalanced) send signal to the amplifier powering the active speaker; the right inputs send signal to the amplifier powering the passive speaker. PreSonus recommends placing the active speaker on the left side of the mixing space and the passive speaker on the right. However, if the active monitor's controls are preferred on the right side of the workspace, reverse the inputs from the audio source to maintain the correct stereo image.

2.1.2 Power

The Eris active speaker accepts a standard IEC C7 power cord. The power switch is located on the front panel of the active speaker.

[Diagram description: An IEC C7 power connector port is shown.]

Standby: When standby is engaged, Eris monitors enter power save mode when no audio plays for more than 40 minutes. Power save mode turns off once audio resumes.

2.1.3 Acoustic Tuning Controls

[Diagram description: The rear panel features "ACOUSTIC TUNING" controls with "HIGH" and "LOW" adjustment knobs. The HIGH control is a high-shelf EQ affecting frequencies above 10 kHz (±6 dB). The LOW control is a low-shelf EQ affecting frequencies around 100 Hz (±6 dB).]

High: Boosts or cuts all frequencies above 10 kHz by ±6 dB.

Power User Tip: The High control is a high-shelf EQ that attenuates or boosts frequencies above 10 kHz. It functions similarly to a treble control on a home stereo, raising or lowering the gain on all frequencies above the specified cutoff frequency. Shelving EQs can significantly alter sound quickly by adding or removing an entire range of frequencies.

Low: Boosts or cuts frequencies around 100 Hz by ±6 dB.

Power User Tip: The Low control is a low-shelf EQ that attenuates or boosts frequencies below 100 Hz. It functions similarly to a bass control on a home stereo, raising or lowering the gain on all frequencies below the specified cutoff frequency. Shelving EQs can significantly alter sound quickly by adding or removing an entire range of frequencies.

2.1.4 Speaker Connections

[Diagram description: The diagram illustrates connecting the active speaker to the passive speaker using bare-wire connectors. It shows the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on both the active and passive speakers, indicating that positive should connect to positive and negative to negative.]

Bare-wire connectors are used to send power and signal to the passive Eris speaker. Ensure that the positive and negative connections on the active Eris speaker are connected to the corresponding positive and negative connections on the passive Eris speaker.

2.2 Active Speaker Front Panel

[Diagram description: The front panel of the active speaker is depicted, showing a Power Switch, a central Power/Bluetooth Status LED, a Volume knob, an Aux In 1/8" jack, and a Headphone Out jack.]

Power Switch: This is the On/Off switch.

Power / Bluetooth Status LED: The LED in the center of the active speaker indicates power status and Bluetooth status:

• Solid White: Eris speaker is powered on and in standby mode.
• Solid Blue: Eris speaker is powered on and not in standby mode.
• Flashing Blue and Green (Eris 3.5BT, 4.5BT and 5BT only): Eris speaker is in pairing mode.
• Solid Green (Eris 3.5BT, 4.5BT and 5BT only): Eris speaker is paired to a Bluetooth device.

Volume: Sets the volume level of the input signal before amplification. This knob also controls the volume for the front-panel headphone amplifier.

Aux In: This stereo 1/8" jack can be used to connect a media player for quick reference checks.

Power User Tip: This input sums with the inputs on the back panel.

Headphone Out: This headphone output is controlled by the Level knob.

Power User Tip: When headphones are connected, audio is muted to the Eris speakers. This allows for listening at high volumes without disturbing others.

3 Hookup Diagrams

3.1 Basic Setup

[Diagram description: A basic setup diagram illustrates connecting a computer or audio source to the Eris monitors. It shows the connection of the active speaker to the passive speaker via speaker wire, and the connection of the audio source to the active speaker's inputs (e.g., RCA or TRS), along with power connections.]

3.2 Audio Connections

[Diagram description: This diagram illustrates various audio connection scenarios. It shows connecting a smartphone to the front Aux In jack, connecting headphones to the Headphone Out jack, and connecting audio sources like a PC/Mac or turntable to the rear panel inputs (balanced 1/4" TRS and unbalanced RCA).]

3.3 Bluetooth Pairing (Eris 3.5BT, 4.5BT, and 5BT only)

Eris 3.5BT, 4.5BT, or 5BT speakers can be paired with any Bluetooth device for audio playback. To pair the speakers, first press and hold the pair button on the rear of the active Eris speaker for three seconds.

[Diagram description: The rear panel of the active speaker is shown, highlighting the "PAIR" button with an instruction to "Hold 3 sec".]

The Power/Bluetooth LED on the front of the active speaker will flash blue and green, indicating pairing is active.

On your Bluetooth device, select "Eris 3.5BT", "Eris 4.5BT", or "Eris 5BT" to connect.

Once the Eris speakers are paired, the Power/Bluetooth LED will illuminate green.

Power User Tip: An additional device can be paired by repeating these steps. Eris speakers can store two Bluetooth device pairings, though audio can only be streamed from one device at a time. When powered on, stored Bluetooth devices will automatically pair if within range.

4 Resources

4.1 Technical Specifications

4.2 Setting up your Eris Monitors for Best Performance

1. Use balanced cables to connect your monitors to your audio device. A balanced cable uses three conductors (two signal conductors and a ground conductor) to transmit audio signals, helping to cancel out noise or interference picked up along the cable length. Unbalanced cables are more susceptible to noise and interference and should be avoided.
2. Ensure that your monitors are plugged into a good power source. Unstable or noisy power sources can cause unwanted noise in your audio signal. Use a surge protector or power conditioner if necessary.
3. Keep your cables away from power sources and other electronic devices to avoid electromagnetic interference that can cause buzzing, humming, or other noise in your audio signal.
4. Position your monitors correctly to minimize noise. Keep them at a reasonable distance from other electronic devices to avoid interference.
5. Proper gain staging can help avoid noise in your audio signal. Gain staging refers to setting the input and output levels of audio signals in a recording or mixing system to achieve optimal sound quality and avoid distortion. Ensure input levels are not too low or too high, staying within a reasonable range and avoiding overdriving your audio interface or mixer.

4.3 Troubleshooting

• No power: First, ensure that your active Eris speaker is plugged in. If connected to a power conditioner, verify the power conditioner is turned on and functioning.
• No audio: If your active Eris speaker appears to power on but produces no sound, first ensure the cable connecting your audio source to the active speaker is working correctly. Also, verify the volume control is set to provide sufficient amplitude for the signal. If only the passive Eris speaker is not passing audio, check your speaker-wire connections and verify the bare wire is fully inserted into each connection.
• Hum: Hum is usually caused by a ground loop. Verify that all audio equipment is connected to the same power source.
• Sound is thin: If the sound seems thin and brittle, check that your speaker wires are connected correctly (i.e., the positive/red connection on the active Eris speaker is connected to the positive/red connection on the passive Eris speaker, and the negative/black connection on each is connected to the negative/black connection on the other).

Added Bonus: Chicken and Andouille Gumbo

This section provides a recipe for Chicken and Andouille Gumbo.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup All-Purpose flour
• 3/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 1 small onion (quartered)
• 6 celery stalks (diced)
• 1 large green bell pepper (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (2 minced, 1 whole)
• 1 lb link Andouille sausage
• 4 Chicken leg quarters
• 4 qt water
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1-2 Cups frozen okra, sliced
• 1/4 Cup fresh parsley, minced
• 6-8 eggs (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine whole chicken leg quarters, water, quartered onion, Old Bay, 2 bay leaves, and 1 whole clove garlic. Cover and bring to a low boil. Simmer stock until chicken is falling off the bone. Remove the chicken and set aside. Discard the onion, bay leaves, and garlic, reserving the liquid.
2. In a heavy saucepan, heat 1 Tbsp of oil on medium-high heat and brown the andouille until cooked through. Set aside sausage.
3. In the same saucepan, add and heat remaining oil. Slowly add flour 1-2 Tbsp at a time, stirring continuously. Continue cooking and stirring the roux until it is a dark brown (like melted dark chocolate). Be careful not to get the oil too hot or the flour will burn.
4. Once the roux reaches the correct color, add diced onion, celery, green pepper, and minced garlic. Cook until vegetables are very tender. Do not cover.
5. Slowly add 1 quart of chicken broth and bring to a low boil, stirring constantly.
6. Transfer roux mixture to a soup pot and bring to a low boil. Do not cover, as the roux may settle and burn.
7. Add remaining chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Simmer for 30 minutes.
8. While gumbo simmers, debone and shred chicken and slice the andouille.
9. Add chicken and andouille to gumbo and return to a simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
10. Stir in frozen okra and parsley and bring to a rolling boil.
11. Optional: Crack one egg into a teacup and quickly pour into the boiling gumbo. Repeat with other eggs, being careful not to cluster them too closely. After all eggs have risen back to the surface, reduce heat and simmer.
12. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper (red, white, and/or black) if necessary.
13. Serve over rice with potato salad.

Serves 12.

©2023 PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Eris, PreSonus, and the Wave Logo are registered trademarks of PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. All specifications subject to change without notice... except the recipe, which is a classic.