Short answer: the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM measures better, but the Yamaha HS5 is the one you can still easily buy new. The iLoud MTM ranks #43 of 68 medium powered bookshelf speakers against #22 for the HS5, and it costs $1,200.02 more where still available.
The measurements don’t support the HS5’s reputation for neutrality. Audio Science Review found excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight, producing a bass-light balance despite the “very neutral” reputation the HS5 carries, with a 4.3dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz. The iLoud MTM measured tighter, at a 2.4dB span in the same range, and reaches a -3dB bass point around 50Hz against 88Hz for the HS5, a meaningful difference in low-end weight from a physically smaller cabinet.
Each has its own real flaw. The iLoud MTM’s native treble runs hot, about 3dB boosted on-axis, and ASR’s reviewer found the back-panel -3dB switch overcorrects, preferring roughly -1.5dB dialed in through external EQ instead. The HS5’s flaw is more fundamental: a subwoofer adds low bass but doesn’t fix its elevated midrange, since that’s a tonal balance issue rather than a simple extension gap.
Both are XLR-only monitors with no app, Bluetooth, or streaming, built for a desk or a small studio rather than a living room, and both include basic room-response switches on the back panel.
Buy the Yamaha HS5 if you want a currently-produced monitor with wide third-party support and don’t mind correcting its midrange bump with EQ.
Buy the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM if you can find one and want a smaller footprint with a flatter midrange and deeper bass, and are willing to tame its treble boost with EQ.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | IK Multimedia iLoud MTM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.98 per pair | $1,600 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.2”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 Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 2x 3.5” (89mm) woofers |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker | 100w Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How IK Multimedia iLoud MTM compares with other leading options:
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8331A
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8030C
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
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.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head 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)
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