Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII for better sound quality, the M-Audio BX5 D3 for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranks #20 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $799.99. The M-Audio BX5 D3 ranks #49 at $149.50, $650.49 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 BX5 D3 offers: A 100W bi-amplified 5-inch monitor with balanced XLR/TRS inputs and acoustic-space control. The local Spinorama snapshot scores 3.34 raw and 5.94 with a subwoofer, with 58Hz measured extension. Watch for: Rear ports require boundary clearance, and there is no digital input, Bluetooth or automatic calibration. Sold individually, so level matching and cabling are handled per speaker.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the M-Audio BX5 D3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the M-Audio BX5 D3. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | M-Audio BX5 D3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $149.50 each |
| Ranked | #20 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 64 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) | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz-35kHz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR and TRS |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers, 1" silk dome tweeter | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker | - |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each | 12.3 lbs each |
| Max SPL | 112.5dB peak | - |
| Enclosure | - | Active 2-way, rear-ported |
| Power Output | - | 100W each |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
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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
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.
Full IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII review and specifications →
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 112.5dB peak |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs JBL 705P
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Airpulse A100
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
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- See all 62 comparisons
M-Audio BX5 D3: $149.50 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A 100W bi-amplified 5-inch monitor with balanced XLR/TRS inputs and acoustic-space control. The local Spinorama snapshot scores 3.34 raw and 5.94 with a subwoofer, with 58Hz measured extension.
Cons: Rear ports require boundary clearance, and there is no digital input, Bluetooth or automatic calibration. Sold individually, so level matching and cabling are handled per speaker.
Full M-Audio BX5 D3 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Power Output | 100W each |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons