Bookshelf Speakers — Moondrop M4P-MTM

The M4P-MTM is a passive two-way monitor from Moondrop, the Chinese company otherwise known for in-ear monitors, headphones and portable players. Moondrop announced it in early January 2025 as its debut loudspeaker, priced at USD 399.99 per speaker, and at the same time offered it as a split active set with a custom power amplifier developed together with SMSL. The maker describes it as a desktop monitor for professional and semi-professional work as well as everyday listening. Finishes are matte black and matte white.

Key specs that matter

Two 4 inch (87 mm) carbon cone woofers flank a 1 inch (25 mm) aluminium-magnesium dome tweeter, with the crossover set at 1800 Hz. Frequency response is 60 Hz to 30 kHz at -3 dB, measured to IEC 61094-4 Type WS3, a standard for measurement microphones. Nominal impedance is 4 ohm and sensitivity is 85 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, so the drive level is a voltage figure rather than 1 W. Rated power input is 75 W and maximum input 150 W. The wooden cabinet measures 380 mm high, 185 mm deep and 155 mm wide, and each speaker weighs 6.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

The drivers sit in a vertical MTM layout, also called a D'Appolito arrangement, with the tweeter between the two woofers. Moondrop cites flat response, low distortion and good off-axis performance as the aims of this layout, which keeps the woofer output symmetrical around the tweeter axis and narrows vertical dispersion. Two woofers of this size give more cone area than a single woofer of that size while keeping the front baffle narrow. The crossover is a passive network without DSP, and Moondrop states that it uses high-precision crossover parts. The cabinet is vented through a large bass reflex port and finished in matte paint over wood. The rear panel carries two pairs of terminals, so an owner can bypass the internal network with an external crossover and drive the tweeter and woofers from separate amplifier channels.

Pairing

The low sensitivity and low impedance call for an amplifier that is comfortable with low impedances. Moondrop's own answer is the PA160, rated at 160 W per channel, with XLR, RCA, Bluetooth and USB inputs and several equalisation modes. The PA160 alone costs USD 379.99 and a set of two speakers with the amplifier USD 1,299.97. For a desk the speakers should sit at ear height on stands or risers.

Alternatives

The Moondrop MM3A is an active desktop speaker with a 3 inch aluminium cone woofer, a silk dome tweeter, two side passive radiators and a DSP crossover.