Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. It ranks #22 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $699.99. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #51, rated 3.8/5, at $658, $41.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII is the more accurate 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.22 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. Watch for: Some excess treble remains in the native tuning.
Why pick the Focal Alpha 50 EVO: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment. The catch: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $41.99 with the Focal Alpha 50 EVO does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | Focal Alpha 50 EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $658 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 100 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) | 12.2”H x 9”W x 9.4”D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker | 60w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each |
| Maximum SPL | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | 1.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.44 | 5.70 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII:
- 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 7, 2026 at 9:25 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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).
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 →
| 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
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- 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
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs JBL 305P MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- See all 63 comparisons
Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $658 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Focal Alpha 80 Evo (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5) and the Focal Alpha Twin Evo (larger bookshelf, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment.
Cons: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction. Careful placement is still important, especially near walls or on a desk.
Full Focal Alpha 50 EVO review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 9”W x 9.4”D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independent Measurements (spinorama.org)
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Eve Audio SC205 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Dayton Audio M4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumi BS5P
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumi BS5P-ARC
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Onkyo GX-30ARC
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kanto YU
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 63 comparisons