IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Kali Audio SM-5 (August 2026)

Q: Should I buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM or the Kali Audio SM-5?

Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Kali Audio SM-5 if sound quality matters more than the price.

Short answer: the Kali Audio SM-5 for better sound quality, the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM for the lower price. The Kali Audio SM-5 ranks #4 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers at $3000. The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM ranks #21 at $800, $2200 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 Kali Audio SM-5 offers: True coaxial design with the tweeter mounted inside the midrange, and an unusually large waveguide that extends into the front baffle itself - directivity is excellent both horizontally (about +/-55 degrees) and vertically (+50/-40 degrees), so off-axis and low-seated listening positions still get a consistent tonal balance. Overall linearity is very good with in-room extension to about 40-45Hz. Distortion at 96dB is very low through the midrange, with only a mild, expected breakup around 3kHz tied to a small dip in the response there. Built-in DSP with free downloadable software lets you EQ each speaker individually for placement or room correction without an outboard processor, and the cabinet is wall-mountable - useful for surrounds, front heights, or tight desk setups. Compares very favorably to Kali’s own IN-8: similar raw linearity and distortion, but without the IN-8’s diffraction issues above 7kHz. Watch for: Bass output is limited by the 5” mid-bass driver - don’t expect much excursion or high-SPL low end, though extension itself is reasonable for the size. A mild high-Q resonance lingers around 2.5-4kHz in burst decay, though not strong. Instantaneous dynamic range is limited to roughly 96-102dB at 1m before compression sets in.

Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Kali Audio SM-5 if sound quality matters more than the price.

Buy the Kali Audio SM-5 at Bhphotovideo ($3000) →Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM at Amazon ($800) →

Specifications Side By Side

	IK Multimedia iLoud MTM	Kali Audio SM-5
Price	$800 Discontinued	$3000
Ranked	#21 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers	#4 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)	50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)	45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-10dB)	40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)	39Hz (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)	15.7"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) (15.6 x 7.9 x 9.8 in)
Frequency Response	50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)	39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR	XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control
Weight	5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg	20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg (21 lb) each
Drivers	2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers	1" coaxial tweeter, 4" coaxial midrange, 5" mid-bass woofer
App	No	Kali Audio DSP software (free download)
Bluetooth	No	No
EQ	Yes (Room adjustment)	Yes, per-speaker DSP
Output Power	100w Per Speaker	150W total
Discontinued	Yes	-
Max SPL	-	117dB

Buy the Kali Audio SM-5 at Bhphotovideo ($3000) →Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM at Amazon ($800) →

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 →

Kali Audio SM-5: $3000 Bhphotovideo eBay

Pros: True coaxial design with the tweeter mounted inside the midrange, and an unusually large waveguide that extends into the front baffle itself - directivity is excellent both horizontally (about +/-55 degrees) and vertically (+50/-40 degrees), so off-axis and low-seated listening positions still get a consistent tonal balance. Overall linearity is very good with in-room extension to about 40-45Hz. Distortion at 96dB is very low through the midrange, with only a mild, expected breakup around 3kHz tied to a small dip in the response there. Built-in DSP with free downloadable software lets you EQ each speaker individually for placement or room correction without an outboard processor, and the cabinet is wall-mountable - useful for surrounds, front heights, or tight desk setups. Compares very favorably to Kali’s own IN-8: similar raw linearity and distortion, but without the IN-8’s diffraction issues above 7kHz.

Cons: Bass output is limited by the 5” mid-bass driver - don’t expect much excursion or high-SPL low end, though extension itself is reasonable for the size. A mild high-Q resonance lingers around 2.5-4kHz in burst decay, though not strong. Instantaneous dynamic range is limited to roughly 96-102dB at 1m before compression sets in.

Full Kali Audio SM-5 review and specifications →

App	Kali Audio DSP software (free download)
Bass Extension (-10dB)	39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bluetooth	No
Dimensions	15.7"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) (15.6 x 7.9 x 9.8 in)
Drivers	1" coaxial tweeter, 4" coaxial midrange, 5" mid-bass woofer
EQ	Yes, per-speaker DSP
Frequency Response	39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control
Max SPL	117dB
Output Power	150W total
Weight	20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg (21 lb) each

Check current price at Bhphotovideo ($3000) →Search eBay for Kali Audio SM-5 →

Links
- Official Kali Audio SM-5 Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Head-to-Head Comparisons

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

The Two Speakers In Full

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM: $800 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Kali Audio SM-5: $3000 Bhphotovideo eBay