IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Audioengine HD4 (August 2026)

Q: Should I buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM or the Audioengine HD4?

Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Audioengine HD4 if the price matters more than sound quality.

Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM for better sound quality, the Audioengine HD4 for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM ranks #21 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers at $800. The Audioengine HD4 ranks #53 at $429, $371 cheaper.

What the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM offers: Compact MTM layout (two 3.5” midwoofers flanking a 1” tweeter) powered monitor with 100W per speaker and XLR input, well-suited to desktop/nearfield use with great linearity for mixing or mastering. Includes a genuinely effective auto-room-correction microphone that resolved specific room resonance peaks (150Hz and 220Hz in testing), making the midrange sound noticeably more lifelike. Extensive back-panel switches handle desktop vs. free-field placement plus treble/bass adjustment. Harmonic distortion looks good at a moderate 86dB output, appropriate for a speaker this size. Reasonable value at around $799/pair including the calibration mic. Watch for: Native treble tuning runs hot (about 3dB boosted on-axis); the reviewer found the back-panel -3dB switch too aggressive and preferred roughly -1.5dB via external EQ instead. Vertical MTM lobing means listeners need to stay within about 20-25° of the tweeter axis, or the upper-midrange to treble transition suffers significant suckout. Should never be laid on its side (introduces comb filtering); if it must be, the tweeter needs to be pointed directly at the listener. Bass falls off sharply below its F3 of 51Hz (F10 45Hz) - like a cliff - so a subwoofer is required for anything below about 50Hz. Multitone distortion rises sharply at 96dB/1m; the reviewer recommends not exceeding about 86dB for extended listening at any distance. SPL-limited overall: significant bass loss by 96dB, and dynamic range essentially collapses approaching 102dB; maximum broadband output for the pair tops out around 94dB at 1 meter. Horizontal directivity narrows with frequency rather than staying constant, unlike some rival designs.

What the Audioengine HD4 offers: Rated 3.3 in the SpeakerRanking database. Watch for: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.

Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Audioengine HD4 if the price matters more than sound quality.

If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Audioengine HD4. It ranks near the bottom of the 60 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.

Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM at Amazon ($800) →Buy the Audioengine HD4 at Amazon ($429.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

	IK Multimedia iLoud MTM	Audioengine HD4
Price	$800 Discontinued	$429.00
Ranked	#21 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers	#53 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)	50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)	-
Bass Extension (-10dB)	40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)	-
Dimensions	10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)	9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm)
Frequency Response	50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)	60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR	Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input
Weight	5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg	7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg
Drivers	2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers	4" (102mm) woofer
App	No	No
Bluetooth	No	No
EQ	Yes (Room adjustment)	No
Output Power	100w Per Speaker	50w RMS Per Speaker
Discontinued	Yes	-
Outputs	-	RCA Output

Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM at Amazon ($800) →Buy the Audioengine HD4 at Amazon ($429.00) →

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

Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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: $800 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Pros: Compact MTM layout (two 3.5” midwoofers flanking a 1” tweeter) powered monitor with 100W per speaker and XLR input, well-suited to desktop/nearfield use with great linearity for mixing or mastering. Includes a genuinely effective auto-room-correction microphone that resolved specific room resonance peaks (150Hz and 220Hz in testing), making the midrange sound noticeably more lifelike. Extensive back-panel switches handle desktop vs. free-field placement plus treble/bass adjustment. Harmonic distortion looks good at a moderate 86dB output, appropriate for a speaker this size. Reasonable value at around $799/pair including the calibration mic.

Cons: Native treble tuning runs hot (about 3dB boosted on-axis); the reviewer found the back-panel -3dB switch too aggressive and preferred roughly -1.5dB via external EQ instead. Vertical MTM lobing means listeners need to stay within about 20-25° of the tweeter axis, or the upper-midrange to treble transition suffers significant suckout. Should never be laid on its side (introduces comb filtering); if it must be, the tweeter needs to be pointed directly at the listener. Bass falls off sharply below its F3 of 51Hz (F10 45Hz) - like a cliff - so a subwoofer is required for anything below about 50Hz. Multitone distortion rises sharply at 96dB/1m; the reviewer recommends not exceeding about 86dB for extended listening at any distance. SPL-limited overall: significant bass loss by 96dB, and dynamic range essentially collapses approaching 102dB; maximum broadband output for the pair tops out around 94dB at 1 meter. Horizontal directivity narrows with frequency rather than staying constant, unlike some rival designs. Discontinued.

Full IK Multimedia iLoud MTM review and specifications →

App	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bluetooth	No
Dimensions	10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)
Discontinued	Yes
Drivers	2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers
EQ	Yes (Room adjustment)
Frequency Response	50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR
Output Power	100w Per Speaker
Weight	5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg

Check current price at Amazon ($800) →Search eBay for IK Multimedia iLoud MTM →

Audioengine HD4: $429.00 Amazon eBay

Cons: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.

Full Audioengine HD4 review and specifications →

App	No
Bluetooth	No
Dimensions	9"H x 5.5"W x 6.5"D (228.6 x 139.7 x 165.1 mm)
Drivers	4" (102mm) woofer
EQ	No
Frequency Response	60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input
Output Power	50w RMS Per Speaker
Outputs	RCA Output
Weight	7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg

Check current price at Amazon ($429.00) →Search eBay for Audioengine HD4 →

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

The Two Speakers In Full

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM: $800 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Audioengine HD4: $429.00 Amazon eBay