Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII for output and room correction, the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus for neutral tonality. The MTM MKII pairs two 3.5-inch midwoofers with a 1-inch tweeter, rates 100W per speaker and includes an ARC room-correction mic, with treble running about 3dB hot that roughly -1.5dB of EQ fixes better than its -3dB switch. The Zero Plus is neutral but its 58Hz high-pass needs a subwoofer.
What the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus offers: Genuinely neutral tonal balance in a small desktop-class powered speaker - a rarity in this size and price range, where the reviewer says most competitors have a scooped mid-range, one-note bass. Watch for: An 8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz sharply limits bass below that point - F3 measures 92Hz and F10 53Hz, so kick drum fundamentals and true low end need a subwoofer.
The case for the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII: Compact MTM layout (two 3.5” midwoofers flanking a 1” tweeter) powered monitor rated at 100W per speaker with XLR input, sold as a pair with an ARC room-correction microphone included. The tradeoff: Native treble tuning still runs about 3dB hot on-axis; the back-panel -3dB treble switch overcorrects, and roughly -1.5dB via external EQ works better.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $300 saving on the Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus | IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $799.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #35 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #17 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 4” aluminum cone woofer, 4” long-throw passive radiator, 1” soft dome tweeter | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 120W total (Class D) | 100w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog | XLR |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| Dimensions | 8.5”H x 5.5”W x 6”D | 10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm) |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.07 | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.73 | 7.44 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | Yes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation) |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s data shows a small 1.7dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a broadly level midrange trend. Scores of 4.07 standalone and 6.73 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a useful compact desktop option. Flexible cabinet orientation, multiple inputs and automatic subwoofer crossover behavior help with setup. Measured bass extension of 92Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.5dB.
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 95Hz, with a much lower F10 in the original review; this is not flat bass to the low-50Hz region. Vertical listening angle changes the upper-midrange response. The review finds cleaner results at moderate levels than near maximum output, where multitone distortion increases. A subwoofer is particularly valuable here. An 8th-order high-pass filter at 58Hz sharply cuts bass below that point, so kick drum fundamentals need a subwoofer.
Full Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W total (Class D) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (8th-order Butterworth high-pass at 58Hz) |
| Dimensions | 8.5”H x 5.5”W x 6”D |
| Drivers | 4” aluminum cone woofer, 4” long-throw passive radiator, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth (aptX HD), USB (24-bit/96kHz), Toslink Optical (24-bit/96kHz), 3.5mm Analog |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.73 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus Review. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
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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
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