IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Edifier R1280DB: Which Is Better? (2026)

Q: Which is better, the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM or the Edifier R1280DB?

Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB, if you are buying new. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM ranks higher than it (#22 vs #61 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Edifier R1280DB is still sold new at $189.99.

Q: Should I buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM or the Edifier R1280DB?

Buy the Edifier R1280DB if you want one new; the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM is discontinued, so only look for it used.

Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB, if you are buying new. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM ranks higher than it (#22 vs #61 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Edifier R1280DB is still sold new at $189.99.

The case for the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM: 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. The tradeoff: 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.

What the Edifier R1280DB gets right: Same drivers and cabinet as the ASR-measured Edifier R1280T (identical 4” woofer, same 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) enclosure) plus Bluetooth and digital optical/coax inputs the R1280T doesn’t have. The catch: Shares the R1280T’s jagged on-axis response rather than a neutral one, with a woofer resonance around 5kHz and a tweeter peak near 10kHz that also show up in the directivity data.

Buy the Edifier R1280DB if you want one new; the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM is discontinued, so only look for it used.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.

Buy the Edifier R1280DB at Amazon ($189.99) →Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM at Amazon ($800) →

Specifications Side By Side

	IK Multimedia iLoud MTM	Edifier R1280DB
Price	$1,600 per pair Discontinued	$189.99 per pair
Ranked	#22 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers	#61 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)	50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)	63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the R1280T driver and cabinet; read from that measurement
Bass Extension (-10dB)	40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)	53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points)
Dimensions	10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)	9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm)
Frequency Response	50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)	55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR	Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
Weight	5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)	10.8 lbs (4.9 kg)
Drivers	2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers	4” (102mm) woofer
App	No	No
Bluetooth	No	Yes, 5.1
EQ	Yes (Room adjustment)	No
Amplifier Power	100w Per Speaker	42w RMS Total
XLR Input	Yes	No
RCA Input	No	Yes
TRS Input	No	No
Optical Input	No	Yes
Coaxial Input	No	Yes
USB Input	No	No
HDMI Input	No	No
AES Input	No	No
Aux Input	No	No
Outputs	-	None
Bluetooth Codecs	-	SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified)

Buy the Edifier R1280DB at Amazon ($189.99) →Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM at Amazon ($800) →

How IK Multimedia iLoud MTM compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM 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: $1,600 per pair Discontinued Amazon eBay

Newer model: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.

Pros: ASR’s measurements of the original MTM give scores of 4.07 standalone and 6.26 with an ideal subwoofer, a 2.4dB midrange response span and a -3dB point around 53Hz. The small cabinet, balanced input and calibration capability make it useful for close listening where larger monitors would be impractical. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB).

Cons: The MTM arrangement makes listening height and orientation important, while bass below the low-50Hz region still needs support. The native response is not as smooth as the best compact reference monitors. Exact compression ceilings and correction examples from the MKII review should not be assigned to this original version; its score describes tonal response, not maximum clean volume. Treble runs about 3dB hot on-axis; the reviewer found the rear -3dB switch too aggressive and preferred about -1.5dB of external EQ. Discontinued.

Full IK Multimedia iLoud MTM review and specifications →

AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	100w Per Speaker
App	No
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
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
EQ	Yes (Room adjustment)
Frequency Response	50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
HDMI Input	No
Inputs	XLR
Optical Input	No
RCA Input	No
TRS Input	No
USB Input	No
Weight	5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
XLR Input	Yes

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

Edifier R1280DB: $189.99 per pair Amazon eBay

Pros: Optical/coaxial inputs and Bluetooth add practical flexibility over the analog R1280T, while remote and tone controls simplify everyday listening. It is a convenient inexpensive stereo system rather than a separate amplifier-and-speaker setup. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB).

Cons: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room. Basic tone controls offer less flexibility than parametric equalization.

Full Edifier R1280DB review and specifications →

AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	42w RMS Total
App	No
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the R1280T driver and cabinet; read from that measurement
Bluetooth	Yes, 5.1
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified)
Coaxial Input	Yes
Dimensions	9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm)
Drivers	4” (102mm) woofer
EQ	No
Frequency Response	55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
HDMI Input	No
Inputs	Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
Optical Input	Yes
Outputs	None
RCA Input	Yes
TRS Input	No
USB Input	No
Weight	10.8 lbs (4.9 kg)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($189.99) →Search eBay for Edifier R1280DB →

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

The Two Speakers In Full

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM: $1,600 per pair Discontinued Amazon eBay

Edifier R1280DB: $189.99 per pair Amazon eBay