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 and is still sold new; the JBL One Series 104 ranks #97 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL One Series 104’s replacement, the JBL One Series 104-BT, is rated 2.8/5.
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 catch: Some excess treble remains in the native tuning.
The JBL One Series 104 is the deeper-bass choice. ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its bass reaches about 45Hz before falling 3dB, against 52.7Hz for the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. It keeps a wired aux input, which the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII lacks. The catch: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL One Series 104 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $129 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #23 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #97 of 105 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) | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | XLR | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| Maximum SPL | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.44 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| DSP | - | 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 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). 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
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JBL One Series 104: $129 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL One Series 104-BT, ranked lower, estimated 2.8/5, released Feb 2020. See every JBL One Series 104 generation.
Pros: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its internal equalization is part of the working speaker and should be included when assessing it, rather than judging the passive drivers with that correction bypassed. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The 4.9dB midrange span and a high-frequency cancellation around 7.4kHz indicate significant unevenness; the review also found some vocals bright and irritating. These are results for the original 104, not a verification of the later 104-BT. Discontinued.
Full JBL One Series 104 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Drivers | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL One Series 104 vs Edifier R1280T
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