Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for simple value; the iLoud MTM MKII if you want built-in room correction. The JBL is a fantastic value in studio monitors, though its amps may hiss slightly at low levels. The IK Multimedia is a compact MTM rated 100W per speaker and sold as a pair with an ARC mic, but its treble runs about 3dB hot on-axis; the -3dB switch overcorrects and roughly -1.5dB via external EQ works better.
The case for the JBL 305P MKII: A fantastic value in studio monitors. The tradeoff: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 per pair | $799.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) | 10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | XLR |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 100w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | 7.44 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
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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
JBL 305P MKII: $289.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data gives 5.38 standalone and 7.52 with an ideal subwoofer, with bass reaching -3dB around 51Hz. Broad horizontal coverage and reasonably smooth reflected sound support stable imaging across a desk. The existing review reports effective limiting and little sustained thermal compression, making it a strong budget-monitor option rather than just a speaker with a promising frequency curve. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91.1dB.
Cons: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral. A port-related feature around 1.6kHz and some excess treble can be audible; the review recommends the treble-trim switch. Vertical crossover interference makes ear height important. Amplifier hiss may matter in very quiet nearfield use, and rear-port placement needs room-boundary adjustment.
Full JBL 305P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: LIVE! JBL 305P MkII Powered Studio Monitor Review
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio IN-5 vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 308P MKII vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frquency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5 6-Track Comparison
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL 305P MKII vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- JBL 305P MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
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IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII: $799.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Erin’s MKII measurements give a 2.2dB midrange span, a -3dB point around 53Hz, and preference scores of 5.22 standalone and 7.44 with an ideal subwoofer. The compact layout and included calibration microphone suit a close desktop setup. Existing tests show useful room-peak correction and good harmonic-distortion behavior at moderate levels. Measured bass extension of 52.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Some excess treble remains in the native tuning. The two-woofer MTM arrangement narrows the vertical listening window, so ear height and orientation matter. Multitone distortion rises strongly when pushed toward 96dB/1m; the review favors moderate listening levels, and a subwoofer does not eliminate all midrange output limits. These are MKII results, not measurements of the original MTM. Treble runs about 3dB hot on-axis; the rear -3dB treble switch overcorrects, and about -1.5dB of external EQ works better.
Full IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| App | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| 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, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.44 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Kali Audio SM-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- See all 62 comparisons