IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs M-Audio BX4 D3

Last updated: August 25, 2026

Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII for better sound quality, the M-Audio BX4 D3 for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranks #20 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $799.99. The M-Audio BX4 D3 ranks #56 at $149, $650.99 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 M-Audio BX4 D3 offers: Affordable compact powered pair with 4.5-inch Kevlar woofers, rear EQ controls, balanced TRS, RCA and front-panel aux/headphone connections. Spinorama predicts a 5.14 preference score with a subwoofer and useful nearfield bass extension near 62Hz. Watch for: The third-party measurement is low confidence, and the small shared-amplifier design has limited output and bass headroom. Its raw no-subwoofer preference score is modest, the rear port complicates wall placement, and only the left cabinet contains amplification and controls.

Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3 if the price matters more than sound quality.

If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the M-Audio BX4 D3. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs M-Audio BX4 D3

Specifications Side By Side

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII M-Audio BX4 D3
Price$799.99$149/pair
Ranked#20 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers#56 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Dimensions10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in
Frequency Response48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified)-
Bass Extension (-3dB)52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)-
Bass Extension (-10dB)46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)-
InputsXLRTRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output
Drivers2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter1" dome tweeter, 4.5" Kevlar woofer
AppYes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation)-
BluetoothNo-
EQYes (Room adjustment)-
Output Power100w Per Speaker-
Weight5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each9.8 lbs/pair
Max SPL112.5dB peak-
Enclosure-2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported
Power Output-120W peak system

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

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

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranking card

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.

AppYes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation)
Bass Extension (-10dB)46.3Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)52.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
BluetoothNo
Dimensions10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)
Drivers2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter
EQYes (Room adjustment)
Frequency Response48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified)
InputsXLR
Max SPL112.5dB peak
Output Power100w Per Speaker
Weight5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each

M-Audio BX4 D3: $149/pair Amazon eBay

M-Audio BX4 D3 ranking card

Pros: Affordable compact powered pair with 4.5-inch Kevlar woofers, rear EQ controls, balanced TRS, RCA and front-panel aux/headphone connections. Spinorama predicts a 5.14 preference score with a subwoofer and useful nearfield bass extension near 62Hz.

Cons: The third-party measurement is low confidence, and the small shared-amplifier design has limited output and bass headroom. Its raw no-subwoofer preference score is modest, the rear port complicates wall placement, and only the left cabinet contains amplification and controls.

Dimensions8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in
Drivers1" dome tweeter, 4.5" Kevlar woofer
Enclosure2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported
InputsTRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output
Power Output120W peak system
Weight9.8 lbs/pair