Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM for better sound quality, the Donner Dyna 3 for the lower price. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM ranks #21 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $800. The Donner Dyna 3 ranks #63 at $89, $711 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 Donner Dyna 3 offers: Very inexpensive self-powered desktop pair with Bluetooth, balanced TRS, RCA and 3.5mm connectivity plus included isolation pads. The tiny 3-inch woofer/1-inch tweeter format occupies little desk space and produces usable output for close-range background listening. Watch for: Erin’s Klippel data contradicts the advertised studio-monitor accuracy: response is severely non-neutral, directivity is poorly integrated and the tonal errors are too large for a reference role. The small woofer has limited bass extension and high-level headroom, while distortion and compression rise quickly. It is an active system, so passive sensitivity and impedance do not apply; Erin did not publish comparable passive measurements. Better-measuring budget monitors are worth the additional cost.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Donner Dyna 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Donner Dyna 3. 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 | Donner Dyna 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 Discontinued | $89/pair |
| Ranked | #21 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 66.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) | - |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg | - |
| Drivers | 2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers | 1" dome tweeter; 3" woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker | - |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension | - | Limited by 3" woofer (Erin’s Audio Corner measurement) |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active loudspeaker) |
| Amplification | - | Built in |
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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 →
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- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- 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
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Donner Dyna 3: $89/pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Very inexpensive self-powered desktop pair with Bluetooth, balanced TRS, RCA and 3.5mm connectivity plus included isolation pads. The tiny 3-inch woofer/1-inch tweeter format occupies little desk space and produces usable output for close-range background listening.
Cons: Erin’s Klippel data contradicts the advertised studio-monitor accuracy: response is severely non-neutral, directivity is poorly integrated and the tonal errors are too large for a reference role. The small woofer has limited bass extension and high-level headroom, while distortion and compression rise quickly. It is an active system, so passive sensitivity and impedance do not apply; Erin did not publish comparable passive measurements. Better-measuring budget monitors are worth the additional cost.
Full Donner Dyna 3 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Built in |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension | Limited by 3" woofer (Erin's Audio Corner measurement) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66.8Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter; 3" woofer |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, TRS, RCA and 3.5mm |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active loudspeaker) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons