Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-5. It ranks #21 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $698 and is still sold new; the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM ranks #22 (rated 4.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
Choose the Kali Audio IN-5 for the active three-way layout separates bass duties from the coaxial: Watch for: local listening-window irregularities remain despite the small overall midrange span. It’s also the cheaper of the two, at $698 against $1,600.
Choose the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM for ASR’s measurements of the original MTM give scores of 4.07: Watch for: the MTM arrangement makes listening height and orientation important, while bass below the low-50Hz region still needs support. It costs more too, at $1,600 against $698.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-5. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-5 | IK Multimedia iLoud MTM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $698 per pair | $1,600 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #21 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 5” woofer | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers |
| Amplifier Power | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF | 100w Per Speaker |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.12 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | XLR |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | 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 |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 15” x 8.1” x 11.1” (382 x 206 x 282 mm) (H x W x D) | 10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs (8.43 kg) each | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Kali Audio IN-5:
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Genelec 8331A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Genelec 8030C vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Reflector Audio Square Two
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
Kali Audio IN-5: $698 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The active three-way layout separates bass duties from the coaxial mid/tweeter, giving flexible listening geometry. Erin’s data shows a 1.8dB midrange response span and -3dB bass around 45Hz, with scores of 5.12 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer. Placement switches and balanced inputs help integrate it into a studio; moderate-level distortion is well controlled in the existing review. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Local listening-window irregularities remain despite the small overall midrange span. The review reports midrange distortion rising above 3% at 96dB and a brighter perceived balance at closer distances. Limiting makes it unsuitable for demanding farfield playback. Coaxial construction improves geometry but does not remove response errors or guarantee unlimited output.
Full Kali Audio IN-5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W LF + 40W mid + 40W HF |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15” x 8.1” x 11.1” (382 x 206 x 282 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter coaxial with 4” midrange; 5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 25kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs (8.43 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Mackie MR524
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Airpulse A100
- See all 61 comparisons
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 |
- 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 →
- DSAUDIOreview: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs iLoud Micro Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Edifier S3000 Pro Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Kali Audio SM-5
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Airpulse A100
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KEF LSX II LT
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Adam Audio T5V
- See all 47 comparisons