Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII for better sound quality, the Audioengine HD4 for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranks #17 of 36 powered bookshelf speakers at $799.99. The Audioengine HD4 ranks #33 at $429, $370.99 cheaper.
What the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII offers: Compact MTM layout (two 3.5” midwoofers flanking a 1” tweeter) powered monitor rated at 100W per speaker with XLR input, sold as a pair with an ARC room-correction microphone included. Watch for: Native treble tuning still runs about 3dB hot on-axis; the back-panel -3dB treble switch overcorrects, and roughly -1.5dB via external EQ works better.
What the Audioengine HD4 offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Audioengine HD4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Audioengine HD4. It ranks near the bottom of the 36 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | Audioengine HD4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $429.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #33 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Max SPL | 112.5dB peak | - |
| Outputs | - | RCA Output |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Yamaha HS5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- JBL 305P MKII vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Edifier S1000MKII
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
The Two Speakers In Full
IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII: $799.99 Amazon
Pros: Compact MTM layout (two 3.5” midwoofers flanking a 1” tweeter) powered monitor rated at 100W per speaker with XLR input, sold as a pair with an ARC room-correction microphone included. Well-suited to nearfield desktop use, with linearity good enough for mixing or mastering. The bundled auto room-correction mic is genuinely effective - in testing it resolved specific room resonance peaks around 150Hz and 220Hz, making the midrange sound noticeably more lifelike. Back-panel switches allow desktop vs. free-field placement plus treble and bass trim. Harmonic distortion is good at a moderate 86dB output, appropriate for a speaker of this size.
Cons: Native treble tuning still runs about 3dB hot on-axis; the back-panel -3dB treble switch overcorrects, and roughly -1.5dB via external EQ works better. Vertical MTM lobing means staying within about 20-25° of the tweeter axis, or the upper-midrange to treble transition suffers significant suckout - the speaker should never be laid on its side unless the tweeter is pointed directly at the listener, or comb filtering results. Bass falls off sharply below its F3 of 51Hz (F10 45Hz), so a subwoofer is needed for anything lower. Multitone distortion rises sharply at 96dB/1m, and the reviewer recommends not exceeding about 86dB for extended listening at any distance - broadband output for the pair tops out around 94dB at 1 meter, with dynamic range essentially collapsing approaching 102dB. Horizontal directivity narrows with frequency rather than staying constant. Adding a subwoofer with an 80Hz crossover doesn’t meaningfully improve the distortion headroom, even though it does extend the low end.
Full IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII review and specifications →
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 112.5dB peak |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Edifier S1000MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Dayton Audio M4
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Edifier R2000DB
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
Audioengine HD4: $429.00 Amazon
Cons: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
Full Audioengine HD4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" (102mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons