Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII for better sound quality, the Avantone Pro Active MixCube for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranks #20 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $799.99. The Avantone Pro Active MixCube ranks #59 at $259, $540.99 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. 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. 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. 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.
What the Avantone Pro Active MixCube offers: A compact sealed single-driver monitor made specifically for checking midrange balance and mix translation. Its 60W Class-AB amplifier, balanced combo input, isolation pad and mic-stand mount make it a convenient specialist studio tool. Watch for: The local Spinorama results are exceptionally limited for general listening: -3.74 raw and only 1.00 with a subwoofer, with 183Hz measured extension. It omits deep bass and treble by design, so this ranking reflects objective full-range performance rather than its utility as a secondary mix check.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Avantone Pro Active MixCube if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Avantone Pro Active MixCube. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | Avantone Pro Active MixCube | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $259 each |
| Ranked | #20 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #59 of 64 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) | 6.5H x 6.5W x 6.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 90Hz-17kHz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | Balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter | - |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker | - |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each | 7.13 lbs each |
| Max SPL | 112.5dB peak | - |
| Enclosure | - | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Driver | - | 5.25-inch paper cone |
| Amplifier | - | 60W RMS Class AB |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB at 1m |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII: $799.99 Amazon eBay
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) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Avantone Pro Active MixCube: $259 each B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A compact sealed single-driver monitor made specifically for checking midrange balance and mix translation. Its 60W Class-AB amplifier, balanced combo input, isolation pad and mic-stand mount make it a convenient specialist studio tool.
Cons: The local Spinorama results are exceptionally limited for general listening: -3.74 raw and only 1.00 with a subwoofer, with 183Hz measured extension. It omits deep bass and treble by design, so this ranking reflects objective full-range performance rather than its utility as a secondary mix check.
Full Avantone Pro Active MixCube review and specifications →
| Amplifier | 60W RMS Class AB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 6.5W x 6.5D in |
| Driver | 5.25-inch paper cone |
| Enclosure | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz-17kHz |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB at 1m |
| Weight | 7.13 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Edifier R1280DB
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs KRK Classic 5
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs KEF LSX II LT
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Yamaha HS5
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Adam Audio T5V
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