Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM. It ranks #21 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $800; the Audioengine HD6 ranks #41 and costs $817.44, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 HD6 offers: Rated 3.7 in the SpeakerRanking database. Watch for: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass. Slight dip in the midrange.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Audioengine HD6 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| IK Multimedia iLoud MTM | Audioengine HD6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 Discontinued | $817.44 |
| Ranked | #21 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #41 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) | 11.7"H x 7.2"W x 10"D (298.4 x 184.1 x 254 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg | 17.4 lbs / 7.9 kg |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers | 5.5" (140mm) 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Genelec 8320A
- Klipsch The Fives vs Genelec 8320A
- Klipsch The Fives vs Airpulse A100
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Audioengine HD6
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
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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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIOreview: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs iLoud Micro Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Edifier S3000 Pro Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio A3X vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
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Audioengine HD6: $817.44 Amazon eBay
Cons: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass. Slight dip in the midrange.
Full Audioengine HD6 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.2"W x 10"D (298.4 x 184.1 x 254 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical |
| Output Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | RCA Output |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs / 7.9 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine HD6 vs Klipsch The Fives
- Audioengine HD6 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier S1000W
- Audioengine HD6 vs Edifier R1280DB
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