IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Neumann KH80 DSP (August 2026)

Short answer: the KH80 DSP, both on ranking and price. It ranks #4 of 25 powered bookshelf speakers at $598.98; the iLoud MTM ranks #13 at $800, $200 more.

The iLoud MTM’s room-correction microphone is a genuine differentiator. Our notes describe it resolving specific room resonance peaks at 150Hz and 220Hz in testing, making the midrange noticeably more lifelike, though it’s SPL-limited: significant bass loss by 96dB, and dynamic range collapses approaching 102dB.

The KH80’s control setup is the real tradeoff. Its companion app for EQ and setup is iPad-only, with no Android or Bluetooth option despite being control-only, an odd limitation at this price. Our notes also mention one listening test where the cheaper JBL 305P MkII sounded more present despite measuring worse.

Buy the KH80 DSP for the better ranking and lower price. Buy the iLoud MTM if the automatic room correction and compact desktop footprint matter more to you.

Specifications Side By Side

	IK Multimedia iLoud MTM	Neumann KH80 DSP
Price	$800	$598.98
Ranked	#13 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers	#4 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Dimensions	10.4"H x 5.1"W x 6.3"D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)	13.6"H x 10.8"W x 9.6"D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm)
Frequency Response	50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)	57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR	XLR
Weight	5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg	9 lbs / 4.1 kg each
Drivers	2x 3.5" (89mm) woofers	4.1" woofer, 1" fabric dome tweeter
App	No	Yes (MA 1 alignment)
Bluetooth	No	No
EQ	Yes (Room adjustment)	Yes (via DSP)
Output Power	100w Per Speaker	140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter)
Bass Extension (-10dB)	-	51Hz
Bass Extension (-3dB)	-	57Hz
DSP	-	Yes
Max SPL	-	110.7dB @ 1m

The Two Speakers In Full

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM: $800 Amazon

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.

App	No
Bluetooth	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)
Inputs	XLR
Output Power	100w Per Speaker
Weight	5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg

Check current price at Amazon ($800) →

Neumann KH80 DSP: $598.98 Amazon

Pros: Near identical sound to the 8020D. 8020D is slightly cleaner, KH80 is slightly warmer.

Cons: High price. Companion app for EQ/setup is iPad-only - no Android or Bluetooth option despite being control-only. There’s a dip in energy around the crossover that gets worse with ceiling/rear-wall reflections, and in one reviewer’s listening test the smoother-measuring KH80 actually sounded smaller and less present than the cheaper JBL 305P MKII, which had more perceived bass and clarity despite measuring worse.

App	Yes (MA 1 alignment)
Bass Extension (-10dB)	51Hz
Bass Extension (-3dB)	57Hz
Bluetooth	No
DSP	Yes
Dimensions	13.6"H x 10.8"W x 9.6"D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm)
Drivers	4.1" woofer, 1" fabric dome tweeter
EQ	Yes (via DSP)
Frequency Response	57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR
Max SPL	110.7dB @ 1m
Output Power	140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter)
Weight	9 lbs / 4.1 kg each

Check current price at Amazon ($598.98) →

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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.