PreSonus Ceres 3.5 and 4.5 for $90 and $115

[KEW]

These are good sounding monitors and notable because of BlueTooth, subwoofer output, multiple inputs, and conveniently located controls on the front.

http://dealnews.com/Pre-Sonus-Ceres-C4.5-BT-4.5-Bluetooth-Speakers-for-115-after-rebate-free-shipping/1538218.html

 

[Adam]

For $115, the 4.5s are a great deal. I can hear the amp hiss on mine about two feet away, so I just don't use them up close. They really do sound great, IMO.

 

[afterlife2]

I think one of the amazon reviews someone fixed that amp hiss issue.

 

[KEW]

For $115, the 4.5s are a great deal. I can hear the amp hiss on mine about two feet away, so I just don't use them up close. They really do sound great, IMO.

Thanks! I just checked mine and I get the same thing - hiss (and 60Hz hum) in a quiet room that disappears right around 2 feet away when listening for it. I've used them a lot and had not noticed, my laptop fan (Lenovo ThinkPad i5) is louder.
FWIW, one of the reviews said if you get static/hum to ground the source.
It can use (unbalanced) RCA or (balanced) TRS 1/4" inputs. I don't know if a balanced input would eliminate the issue or not. I'm good with it as is.

Looking for other pros/cons:
Pro:
1) Headphone jack (on front).
2) The drivers have metal grills to protect them (I use mine as a portable speaker system, so this is handy).

Con:
1) They use spring clips for the speaker wire between the speakers which means bare wire ends (I don't like for travel since they can snag stuff - I put them in a separate pouch or just a baggie).
2) The speakers do not have a high pass filter to limit the low frequencies when a sub is connected (pretty sure no LPF either)
3) From a review I just read, it sounds like the BT range is only about 12-14 feet (he tried with 3 different sources). I have used BT, but had not challenged the range.

 

[TheWarrior]

Are these the ones I heard? I couldn't remember which model it was...

 

[KEW]

Are these the ones I heard? I couldn't remember which model it was...

Yes, you heard the PreSonus Ceres 3.5.

 

[TheWarrior]

Yes, you heard the PreSonus Ceres 3.5.

Thanks! My memory sucks so I may ask that a dozen or so more times ;-)

 

[KEW]

Thanks! My memory sucks so I may ask that a dozen or so more times ;-)

So, aren't you going to share your impression of them?

 

[TheWarrior]

So, aren't you going to share your impression of them?

I think I have by the number of times recently folks needed recommendations, and Presonus powered monitors were what I suggested!

 

[KEW]

Just for the record, I recently listened to these speakers side by side and aside from a little deeper bass (but not as much as you might believe), the 3.5's are the better sounding of the two speakers. The 4.5's are still a decent speaker, but the 3.5's are the jewels here. I assume the lower crossover somehow stresses the tweeter. The 3.5 is cleaner.

Even if they cost the same, I would get the 3.5's!!!

 

[KEW]

Now $85 after mail in rebate (BUT STILL A VERY GOOD DEAL AT $99 if you don't do MIR's)

Adorama offers a pair of PreSonus Ceres 2-Way Powered Bluetooth Speakers, model no. C3.5BT, for $99.99. The $15 mail-in rebate cuts it to $84.99. With free shipping. They feature 3.5" Kevlar low-frequency transducers, 1" silk-dome tweeters, 25-watt class AB amplifiers, and a frequency response of 80Hz to 20kHz.

http://www.adorama.com/psc35bt.html?emailprice=t&utm_source=rflaid912524