Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It ranks #8 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $311; the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM ranks #18 and costs $800, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Focal Alpha 50 EVO offers: More neutral than the great HS5 Watch for: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class.
What the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM offers: Compact MTM layout (two 3.5” midwoofers flanking a 1” tweeter) powered monitor with 100W per speaker and XLR input, well-suited to desktop/nearfield use with great linearity for mixing or mastering. Watch for: Native treble tuning runs hot (about 3dB boosted on-axis); the reviewer found the back-panel -3dB switch too aggressive and preferred roughly -1.5dB via external EQ instead.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It ranks higher for sound quality than the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | IK Multimedia iLoud MTM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $311.00 | $800 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 12.2"H x 9"W x 9.4"D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) | 10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | XLR |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker | 100w Per Speaker |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $311.00 Amazon
Pros: More neutral than the great HS5
Full Focal Alpha 50 EVO review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2"H x 9"W x 9.4"D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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IK Multimedia iLoud MTM: $800 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact MTM layout (two 3.5” midwoofers flanking a 1” tweeter) powered monitor with 100W per speaker and XLR input, well-suited to desktop/nearfield use with great linearity for mixing or mastering. Includes a genuinely effective auto-room-correction microphone that resolved specific room resonance peaks (150Hz and 220Hz in testing), making the midrange sound noticeably more lifelike. Extensive back-panel switches handle desktop vs. free-field placement plus treble/bass adjustment. Harmonic distortion looks good at a moderate 86dB output, appropriate for a speaker this size. Reasonable value at around $799/pair including the calibration mic.
Cons: Native treble tuning runs hot (about 3dB boosted on-axis); the reviewer found the back-panel -3dB switch too aggressive and preferred roughly -1.5dB via external EQ instead. Vertical MTM lobing means listeners need to stay within about 20-25° of the tweeter axis, or the upper-midrange to treble transition suffers significant suckout. Should never be laid on its side (introduces comb filtering); if it must be, the tweeter needs to be pointed directly at the listener. Bass falls off sharply below its F3 of 51Hz (F10 45Hz) - like a cliff - so a subwoofer is required for anything below about 50Hz. Multitone distortion rises sharply at 96dB/1m; the reviewer recommends not exceeding about 86dB for extended listening at any distance. SPL-limited overall: significant bass loss by 96dB, and dynamic range essentially collapses approaching 102dB; maximum broadband output for the pair tops out around 94dB at 1 meter. Horizontal directivity narrows with frequency rather than staying constant, unlike some rival designs. Discontinued.
Full IK Multimedia iLoud MTM review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Edifier S3000 Pro Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio A3X vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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