Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor for better sound quality, the Audioengine A2+ for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor ranks #2 of 12 powered bookshelf speakers at $299.99. The Audioengine A2+ ranks #8 at $279, $20.99 cheaper.
On the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor side: Much deeper bass than any other speaker this size. Set against that: Slightly boosted bass.
What the Audioengine A2+ gets right: Genuinely small footprint for real desktop use, with a wide input selection (RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth) plus a rear volume knob and variable RCA output. The catch: Raw anechoic response has an on-axis midrange dip the reviewer called “too much” at about 6dB peak-to-peak, and a persistent 2dB dip from 3-5kHz that desk placement doesn’t fix - possibly a crossover integration issue.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Audioengine A2+ if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor | Audioengine A2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $279.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 12 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 12 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 7.1"H x 3.5"W x 5.3"D (180.3 x 88.9 x 134.6 mm) | 6"H x 4"W x 5.25"D (152 x 102 x 133mm) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 0.9 kg | 3.5 lbs / 1.6 kg (3.55 lb) left / 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg (3.15 lb) right |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes (A2DP) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble switches, Desktop/Free field) | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 96dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 50W total (combined) | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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- Edifier M60 vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier M60
- Edifier MR3 vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Audioengine A2+ vs Fiio SP3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs KRK Classic 5
The Two Speakers In Full
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor: $299.99 Amazon
Pros: Much deeper bass than any other speaker this size. Wide, consistent horizontal directivity out to about 15kHz gives an unusually good soundstage for such a small speaker, and vertical response stays flat well above the tweeter axis, forgiving desktop placement where the tweeters sit below ear height.
Cons: Slightly boosted bass. Some treble rolloff up high. More hifi sounding than neutral
Full IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (A2DP) |
| Dimensions | 7.1"H x 3.5"W x 5.3"D (180.3 x 88.9 x 134.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble switches, Desktop/Free field) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Max SPL | 96dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W total (combined) |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 0.9 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Adam Audio D3v
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Genelec 8010A
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier MR3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Audioengine HD3
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Edifier M60
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Presonus Eris E3.5 2nd Gen
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs Mackie CR3-X
- See all 11 comparisons
Audioengine A2+: $279.00 Amazon Audioengine
Pros: Genuinely small footprint for real desktop use, with a wide input selection (RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth) plus a rear volume knob and variable RCA output. Sound is well-behaved in its intended use case - sitting on the desk below ear level, where the natural desk-boundary reinforcement fills in the midrange the way the design expects. No port chuffing or major excursion issues noted. Better native tonal balance than its closest same-size, same-price rival tested alongside it (which had a severe 70Hz resonant boom and overly hot treble); at this size and price, a solid, inoffensive pick for background/nearfield desktop use.
Cons: Raw anechoic response has an on-axis midrange dip the reviewer called “too much” at about 6dB peak-to-peak, and a persistent 2dB dip from 3-5kHz that desk placement doesn’t fix - possibly a crossover integration issue. Bass rolls off below about 100Hz with real authority, so don’t expect low-end weight. Compression/limiting kicks in hard above roughly 87dB at 1m, well before most full-size monitors, so these aren’t for anyone who wants to push real volume. Do not put these on stands at ear level - that exposes the raw nonlinear response and makes them sound notably worse; desktop placement below ear level is required to sound right. Kali Audio’s similarly-priced LP-UNF is meaningfully more linear and extends lower, at roughly twice the cabinet size.
Full Audioengine A2+ review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6"H x 4"W x 5.25"D (152 x 102 x 133mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Output Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs / 1.6 kg (3.55 lb) left / 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg (3.15 lb) right |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons