Monoprice Announces Monolith MTM 100 Watt Powered Desktop Speakers

The Promise of “Audiophile Grade Sound” for your Desktop

Monoprice has a new high-end pair of powered desktop speakers from their Monolith premium audio brand, with the MTM providing 50W per channel from each large, bookshelf-sized speaker. And the Monolith MTM also serves as a full scale DAC, with USB-C and TOSLINK optical inputs, along with standard L/R RCA analog inputs. There’s even a subwoofer output.

“The Monolith MTM Desktop Speakers deliver stunning audiophile performance for your desktop! These speakers feature an accurate frequency response, exceptional sonic clarity, punchy, powerful bass, and present a spacious, and musical soundstage. Set up is a breeze: Connect easily through analog RCA and 3.5mm inputs or through the optical or USB digital inputs. Pair your device wirelessly using the Bluetooth with Qualcomm aptX HD Audio for high quality, CD audio level Bluetooth performance. A headphone jack adorns the front, allowing you to easily switch between the speakers and headphones. The Monolith MTM powered speakers are a perfect, great sounding addition to a home office, gaming, or bedroom system.”

The specs look impressive:

• Power: 50 Watts per Speaker
• Frequency Response: 45Hz-20Khz +/- 3db
• Drivers (each speaker):
  • Dual 4″ Woofers
  • 1″ Silk Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25″ Passive Radiator
• Connectivity:
  • Bluetooth 5 with aptX HD
  • Toslink Optical Input
  • USB-C Input
  • RCA & 3.5mm Inputs
  • Subwoofer Output
  • Front Headphone Jack
  • Remote Control
• Warranty: 3 Year Replacement

Input selection is all that you could really ask for from a pair of powered desktop monitors, with USB, optical (TOSLINK), and standard RCA input jacks. And while Bluetooth connectivity is a given in this era, the fact that we have Bluetooth 5 with aptX HD puts these at a higher level than most. If you have an aptX HD capable device (such as a Qualcomm SoC-equipped Samsung smartphone), the difference between this codec and the standard SBC of the BT spec may shock you.

I obviously have not heard these yet, but initial impressions are good. If anything, I’m just impressed that Monoprice is providing the tolerance for the frequency response spec, which is +/- 3 dB for the stated 45 Hz – 20 KHz range. Even at -3 dB, being able to reproduce 45 Hz should give these speakers excellent low-end capabilities, and attention has clearly been paid to that area as the design incorporates a passive 5.25-inch bass panel on the side of each cabinet, which should help with lower bass response from the pair of smaller 4-inch bass drivers.

For treble response there is a 1-inch silk dome tweeter with a generous-looking wave guide, and this design should widen the tweeter “sweet-spot” quite a bit, and help blend sound from this 2-way (or perhaps 2 1/2-way) design.

Of course, none of these impressive specs come cheap, as the MTM carries a $499 USD price tag. Powered monitors are a crowded market, but there seems to be enough in the way of features to help set the Monolith MTM apart. I’ll be reaching out to Monoprice to see if they are sampling these new speakers to media, to hopefully see how well executed this new product is.