Yamaha HS5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: it depends on whether you want room correction or straight neutrality. The Yamaha HS5 is very neutral for mixing but not as deep in the bass as others in its size class. The iLoud MTM MKII adds an ARC room-correction microphone and a 100W per speaker MTM layout, yet its native treble runs about 3dB hot and the back-panel -3dB switch overcorrects.

Yamaha HS5 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII

What the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII offers: 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. Watch for: 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 $400.01 you would save on the Yamaha HS5 does not close the gap.

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Specifications Side By Side

Yamaha HS5 IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
Price$399.98 per pair$799.99 per pair
Ranked#43 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers#17 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-10dB)68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Dimensions11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm)10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)
Frequency Response58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified)
InputsXLRXLR
Weight12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each
Drivers5” (127mm) woofer2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter
AppNoYes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation)
BluetoothNoNo
EQYes (Room adjustment)Yes (Room adjustment)
Amplifier Power45w Per Speaker100w Per Speaker
Spinorama Preference Score3.705.22
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.327.44
XLR InputYesYes
RCA InputNoNo
TRS InputNoNo
Optical InputNoNo
Coaxial InputNoNo
USB InputNoNo
HDMI InputNoNo
AES InputNoNo
Aux InputNoNo
Maximum SPL-112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified)

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The Two Speakers In Full

Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay

Yamaha HS5 ranking card

Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 3.70 standalone and 6.32 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).

Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.

AES InputNo
Amplifier Power45w Per Speaker
AppNo
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
BluetoothNo
Coaxial InputNo
Dimensions11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm)
Drivers5” (127mm) woofer
EQYes (Room adjustment)
Frequency Response58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
HDMI InputNo
InputsXLR
Optical InputNo
RCA InputNo
Spinorama Preference Score3.70
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.32
TRS InputNo
USB InputNo
Weight12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each
XLR InputYes

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII: $799.99 per pair Amazon eBay

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII ranking card

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.

AES InputNo
Amplifier Power100w Per Speaker
AppYes (X-MONITOR speaker emulation)
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)46.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
BluetoothNo
Coaxial InputNo
Dimensions10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D (264.2 x 129.5 x 160 mm)
Drivers2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter
EQYes (Room adjustment)
Frequency Response48 Hz - 28 kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified)
HDMI InputNo
InputsXLR
Maximum SPL112.5dB peak (manufacturer specified)
Optical InputNo
RCA InputNo
Spinorama Preference Score5.22
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.44
TRS InputNo
USB InputNo
Weight5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each
XLR InputYes