Short answer: the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB for better sound quality, the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks #10 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $2998. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranks #20 at $799.99, $2198.01 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 Devialet Phantom II 98 dB offers: Exceptional bass for its tiny sealed enclosure measures 30Hz at -3dB, 25.8Hz at -6dB, and 22.4Hz at -12dB, with a well-damped 0.302 low-frequency Q. The 2.58 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation indicates broad, consistent dispersion, and preference scores reach 6.07 without a subwoofer and 7.15 with one. Each speaker integrates amplification, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and optical/analog input. Watch for: The medium-quality manufacturer measurement has a 2.3dB reference band and 0.590dB on-axis average absolute deviation, good rather than class-leading linearity. Stereo requires two individually powered network speakers and costs nearly $3,000; maximum output is rated at 98dB at 1m per speaker, and the all-in-one architecture offers less serviceability and system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Devialet Phantom II 98 dB if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $2,998/pair |
| Ranked | #20 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 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) | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Inputs | XLR | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker | 400W RMS each |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each | 9.5 lb each |
| Max SPL | 112.5dB peak | 98dB at 1m each |
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- Genelec 8320A vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
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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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Devialet Phantom II 98 dB: $2,998/pair Devialet eBay
Pros: Exceptional bass for its tiny sealed enclosure measures 30Hz at -3dB, 25.8Hz at -6dB, and 22.4Hz at -12dB, with a well-damped 0.302 low-frequency Q. The 2.58 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation indicates broad, consistent dispersion, and preference scores reach 6.07 without a subwoofer and 7.15 with one. Each speaker integrates amplification, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and optical/analog input.
Cons: The medium-quality manufacturer measurement has a 2.3dB reference band and 0.590dB on-axis average absolute deviation, good rather than class-leading linearity. Stereo requires two individually powered network speakers and costs nearly $3,000; maximum output is rated at 98dB at 1m per speaker, and the all-in-one architecture offers less serviceability and system flexibility than conventional monitors.
Full Devialet Phantom II 98 dB review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Drivers | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Max SPL | 98dB at 1m each |
| Output Power | 400W RMS each |
| Weight | 9.5 lb each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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