Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus. It ranks #15 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $699.99; the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranks #17, rated 4.2/5, and costs $799.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick 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.
What the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus does well: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Watch for: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality than the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 per pair | $699.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #17 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #15 of 68 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) | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| Maximum SPL | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | 5.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.44 | 7.38 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA subwoofer |
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The Two Speakers In Full
IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII: $799.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
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 Kali Audio SM-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs JBL 305P MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- See all 62 comparisons
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Scores of 5.57 standalone and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer make it an attractive standalone system as well as a subwoofer partner. Remote tone controls, multiple digital and analog inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover engagement simplify setup. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ. No HDMI ARC. Deep bass and louder playback still benefit from a subwoofer; amplifier wattage alone does not establish clean room-filling output.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs JBL 305P MKII
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Klipsch The Fives
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Genelec 8020D
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Topping MA4
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Kali Audio IN-5
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