Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. It ranks #23 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $699.99; the Airpulse A80 ranks #48, rated 3.9/5, at $699.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII is the better-sounding choice. Erin’s MKII measurements give a 2.2dB midrange span, a -3dB point around 53Hz, and preference scores of 5.22 standalone and 7.44 with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: Some excess treble remains in the native tuning.
The case for the Airpulse A80: A compact AirPulse speaker with the brand’s horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter and a 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer, separately amplified with 40W per woofer and 10W per tweeter. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the larger Airpulse A100.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Airpulse A80 at the same price, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
About the ratings: the Airpulse A80’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.5 to 4.2, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | Airpulse A80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $699.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #23 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) | 9.8”H x 5.5”W x 8.7”D (250 x 140 x 220 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter | Horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter, 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker | 100W total (2x 40W woofer + 2x 10W tweeter) |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each | - |
| Maximum SPL | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.44 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII compares with other leading options:
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Genelec 8331A
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Reflector Audio Square Two
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM 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: $699.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5). See every IK Multimedia iLoud generation.
Same family: the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5).
Pros: Erin’s MKII measurements give a 2.2dB midrange span, a -3dB point around 53Hz, and preference scores of 5.22 standalone and 7.44 with an ideal subwoofer. The compact layout and included calibration microphone suit a close desktop setup. Existing tests show useful room-peak correction and good harmonic-distortion behavior at moderate levels. Measured bass extension of 52.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Some excess treble remains in the native tuning. The two-woofer MTM arrangement narrows the vertical listening window, so ear height and orientation matter. Multitone distortion rises strongly when pushed toward 96dB/1m; the review favors moderate listening levels, and a subwoofer does not eliminate all midrange output limits. These are MKII results, not measurements of the original MTM. Treble runs about 3dB hot on-axis; the rear -3dB treble switch overcorrects, and about -1.5dB of external EQ works better.
Full IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII review and specifications →
| Released | May 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.44 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Kali Audio SM-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
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- See all 64 comparisons
Airpulse A80: $699.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A60 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the Airpulse A100 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4/5).
Pros: A compact AirPulse speaker with the brand’s horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter and a 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer, separately amplified with 40W per woofer and 10W per tweeter. The specified range runs from 52Hz to 40kHz. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, optical, USB, PC and AUX inputs, a subwoofer output and a remote make it an all-in-one desk or bookshelf system.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the larger Airpulse A100. Bass stops around 52Hz, so it benefits from a subwoofer, and the horn tweeter can narrow vertical dispersion, so keep it near ear height.
Full Airpulse A80 review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (2x 40W woofer + 2x 10W tweeter) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 5.5”W x 8.7”D (250 x 140 x 220 mm) |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded aluminum ribbon tweeter, 4.5” aluminum-cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons