IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Compact Studio Monitor Speaker 2-Way 100W RMS - Black

Product Information

Moving my head from extreme side to side was a strange sensation, as there was considerable movement in the stereo image, and individual instruments lost their pristine clarity. On either side of the tweeter are two polypropylene 3.5″ mid-woofers. This creates the classic midwoofer-tweeter-midwoofer configuration, which tightens up the vertical dispersion, minimising desktop reflections. First impressions were of a capable and serious monitor. It had an understated sound, but there was clearly depth and detail. I left the Eq extension at the default 50Hz. IKM boasts that the speakers have a completely flat, neutral response, but in fact the frequency response can be calibrated to suit the room, so this means they provide accurate, flat sound regardless of the room.

This is far less hit-and-miss than using the presets as it really does tailor the speakers to the room they are in. It’sall done via a series of audio chirps played through each speaker via a set process of placing the mic in four positions around where your head would be. This means an even more natural, life-like sound, where the speakers “disappear” and you can focus on the music. It also minimizes the ear fatigue caused by traditional 2- or 3-way designs, where different frequencies arrive at your ear at different times. So you can mix longer, with less effort.A series of push buttons tweak the response based on your needs or environment. LF (low frequency) extension activates a high-pass filter with a choice of FULL, 35, 50, 65 and 80 Hz. Two additional rows apply low or high shelving filters (Flat, +/- 1.5 or 2.5dB at 100 Hz and 10 kHz, respectively). Calibrate

The optional remote control allows you to store four different monitor ‘voices’ and toggle between them on the fly. This could be handy if you want to A/B the accuracy of the Precision monitors against another style of your choosing, offering a whole new perspective while mixing. Final Thoughts From stand to the speaker enclosure, it looks and feels kind of like Genelec. Of course the configuration of dual mid-woofers and tweeter is unlike Genelec.The ARC system on the MTM monitor is a basic version of IK Multimedia’s full calibration system, called ARC 3. The enclosure is made from injection moulded plastic, finished in a dark grey. On first glance they could be mistaken for the metal cased Genelec monitors. Because 3 inches is very small for a woofer, there will be some compromise in bass frequencies compared to monitors with larger woofers. That’s the trade-0ff for having small monitors. iLoud Micro Monitor wowed the world with the bass performance it delivered from a 3” speaker that “defied physics”. But iLoud MTM offers even more, with even bass response down to an astonishing 40Hz ideal for modern music styles. Being so compact, it's perhaps no surprise that the iLoud MTM enclosure is constructed entirely from injection–moulded plastic. It feels reasonably rigid and non-resonant, however, and, in contrast to some of the distressingly heavy monitors that have recently passed though my studio room, the iLoud MTMs are refreshingly light at just 2.5kg each. The plastic enclosures (and, for that matter, the stands) are finished in a dark grey textured paint. Oh for a bit of colour in my monitor-dominated world!

When set up in a great-sounding control room, the MTMs aren’t overly impressive, but when placed in less desirable or acoustically compromised sonic locations, iLoud MTM monitors truly shine." Finally we get to the truly unusual aspect of the iLoud MTM: its integration of IK Multimedia's ARC room–correction system. The basic principle upon which ARC works is to make a frequency response measurement of the monitor working at its installed position in the listening room, and then to generate a correction EQ curve that flattens the frequency response. Effectively, the output of the monitor is pre-shaped such that the time–averaged response (ie. the response including the delayed room effects) at the monitoring position is flat. It's far easier said than done of course, and raises some psycho-acoustic questions, but ARC (and products such as Sonarworks and the much more ambitious Trinnov system) can definitely produce impressive results. But this small size sums up IK’s ambitions thus far. Everything has been aimed at the consumer end of the market, albeit often with professional specifications. Not so these latest speakers. The new iLoud Precision range is aimed at project/pro musicians with great specs and a price to match.There is a bass extension which I left in the default 50 Hz. All other settings were neutral during testing. As you see, I had to turn the gain way down to test the unit. So even though we have balanced input, sensitivity is quite high even in +4 dBu mode.

To be honest my initial thought was to buy some decent passive hi-fi speakers and external amp for them. That's more serious stuff that many pro producers advice to use. So I was browsing Youtube looking for some comparison tests. And I found out that MTMs which I've being ignoring for quite a long time because of their size and price have some unique and undeniable advantages. It would be better if you are close to MTM. I have tasted it many times that it is very effective between 30-60 cm. If you can put the device on a stand, you will not feel the low vibrations it creates and you will not be mistaken. It’s often overlooked – your studio monitors’ tweeters need to point at your ears. This is even more critical in modern studios where more and more musicians are using them at very close distances, like on a desktop beside their laptop or computer screen.With Arc 3, you can create measurements for multiple monitors, with a range of listening positions. The sweet spot can be adjusted virtually, to suit various set ups, or client listening. Developed and handmade in Italy, the iLoud Precision series comes in three sizes: 5″, 6.5″, and MTM (midrange-tweeter-midrange), which features two 5″ midrange drivers. For reference, the Micro and standard MTM models feature 3″ and 3.5″ drivers, respectively. A stylish, compact monitor that delivers decent sonics, flexible connectivity and solid build all at a very attractive price.