Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. Both are rated 4.2/5 for sound quality (#22 and #24 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers), and the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII costs $699.99 against $1,398 for the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII: 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 catch: Some excess treble remains in the native tuning.
The HEDD Type 05 A-CORE is the deeper-bass pick. ASR’s Klippel data shows useful bass reach for this size, with -3dB around 44Hz. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 52.7Hz for the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. Watch for: The 2.7dB midrange span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.404 trail the most linear monitors here.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $698.01 less than the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | HEDD Type 05 A-CORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $1,398 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 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) | 12.1” x 7.1” x 9.6” (308 x 180 x 245 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 43Hz - 50kHz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Inputs | XLR | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | None (analog-only, no DSP) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) each |
| Maximum SPL | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 112dB per pair at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.44 | 7.23 |
| 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 |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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: $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
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- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
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HEDD Type 05 A-CORE: $1,398 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the HEDD Type 07 A-Core (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.2/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data shows useful bass reach for this size, with -3dB around 44Hz. Preference scores of 5.35 standalone and 7.23 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a balanced all-round option. The AMT tweeter and analog signal path appeal to users who want a studio monitor without digital conversion or firmware dependence. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.7dB midrange span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.404 trail the most linear monitors here. The response rises modestly toward the treble. The analog-only design does not provide built-in room correction or digital inputs, and published amplification power should not be read as a measured clean-output rating.
Full HEDD Type 05 A-CORE review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) |
| App | None (analog-only, no DSP) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.1” x 7.1” x 9.6” (308 x 180 x 245 mm) each |
| Drivers | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer |
| EQ | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 50kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB per pair at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.23 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs Kali Audio IN-5
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs JBL 305P MKII
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