- Ideal for small surface area
- Amazingly accurate sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Easy to setup
IK Multimedia is one of the leading audio companies in the world. Best known for its sensational audio software, this amazing company has been making waves in the hardware space recently, with affordable, compact, and powerful tools for DJs.
In recent years, the portfolio from IK Multimedia has dramatically evolved, with drum machines, synths, audio, and more.
There are even some fantastic monitor speakers on sale, which will be the focus of our review today. In this article, we’ll be focusing on some of the more compact studio monitors from IK, the iLoud Micro Monitors.
Ultra-compact and perfect for portability, the IK Multimedia iLoud Monitors offer an excellent sound good reproduction, in a tiny size.
There are two speakers included in the kit, each with its own ¾-inch silk dome tweeter and 3-inch woofer.
Are the iLoud Micro Monitors any good? (in short)
Available for an extremely budget-friendly price, these are portable studio monitors you can trust to sound great and travel with you to any event or occasion. You can choose the connectivity options that suit you with ease, and there’s even the option to stick with Bluetooth if you prefer.
Watch our iLoud Micro Monitor review here:
Key Features
The Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors are a little smaller than you might expect, even with their “ultra-compact” descriptor.
Though small, these devices pack plenty of portable power for professionals, and offer an attractive design that’s not going to make your setup look “over-the-top”.
Impressive features include:
- Stands for the monitor repositioning
- Two 25w active high end monitors
- Bluetooth pairing or traditional input/output
- One cable to power both monitors
- Microphones stand thread for mounting
- Desktop or shelf adaptive frequency response
- Extended frequency response between 45Hz and 20kHz
Design
The first thing most people notice about the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors is their unique look and feel, particularly when compared to similar small speakers in the same price range.
These iLoud Micro speakers look great, even with their tiny footprint. The matte-black finish looks professional, and everything feels well-made and rugged.
On the rear of the iLoud Micro monitor, you’ll find a selection of input options, including RCA, and 1/8-inch stereo input.
Bluetooth connectivity is available too.
A large dial for volume makes it easy to adjust the purer sound in small increments. All the functionality available from the studio monitors is situated on the left speaker, with a cable included linking to the right monitor.
At first glance, these iLoud Micro monitors might seem simple enough, but when you evaluate the subtle details of the design, you see something much greater.
There’s a front-firing bass port to accurately improve your audio signal results in rooms not designed for acoustics with rear-firing bass ports.
Each powered speaker system also comes with a regular mic stand thread, allowing for easy positioning regardless of your casual listening landscape.
From an aesthetic perspective, you’d probably define these iLoud Micro speakers as “utilitarian”. That doesn’t mean that these high quality studio monitors aren’t good-looking, however.
The compact design means you don’t have to reserve a lot of space for your speakers, and the modest weight means you can transport your iLoud Micro speakers with you when you’re on the move.
- Ideal for small surface area
- Amazingly accurate sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Easy to setup
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Components
Over the top of the drivers on these speakers, you’ll find a multi-grill facemask which unfortunately cannot be removed.
This could be problematic for DJs who prefer to have the option to remove the grills and therefore reduce any potential sound distortion.
Within the iLoud Micro speakers, you’ll find small, deep-set tweeters, which also have their own grill, likely for protection purposes.
There’s a small waveguide for the tweeter on the space of the speaker, though this seems to be a largely aesthetic choice. Heavy grill coverage and deep seating mean that the sound has quite a narrow dispersion overall.
There’s also quite a narrow baffle.
The high quality woofer looks similar to a woolen cone, its compact size means that you get excellent integration with the tweeter, though some limitations in bass output.
All the technology within the position iLoud Micro monitor speakers is controlled via an included DSP control system.
This solution keeps your sound beautifully equalized, to reduce the amount of distortion or crackling.
The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors have a very flat frequency response, offering a very clean output that highlights the technical skill and abilities of the IK Multimedia company.
Using The iLoud Micro Monitors
Particularly for smaller studios, the IK Multimedia iLoud micro monitors excel in virtually every way you can imagine.
You can stream your playlists through these speakers, or connect to your music system through Bluetooth, but that’s not the core of the functionality here.
Clearly, these are monitors intended for professionals who need nothing but the best for accurate mixing and sound reproduction.
Despite a small price point and overall size, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors have a lot to offer. For instance, the iLoud Micro monitor’s speakers come with the option to either sit on your desk or fix to microphone stands.
Since these situations require a different kind of equalization, IK Multimedia offers switches that will compensate for the sound differences caused by the way you want to position your speaker.
An EQ for flat or desk-based speakers will allow you to change how the midrange of your music responds, giving it a small boost.
There are also two other switches, which can adjust the treble and optimizing bigger bass. You can reduce these frequencies by up to 3 decibels.
It’s also worth noting that the iLoud Micro monitors are powered speakers with bi-amplification high end features. There’s no need for an amplifier to be purchased separately, which makes this iLoud Micro monitor even more budget-friendly for beginners.
You can use your monitors with a 3.5mm jack or RCA, with a few possible sources, including a dedicated audio interface, or DAC. Users can also helpfully attach their system to a PC or smartphone using a common patch cable.
Connectivity of the iLoud Micro Monitors
As mentioned above, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors are surprisingly versatile when it comes to connectivity options.
We recommend exploring a few different setups to determine which works best for you. The mixer channel provides a pair of stereo RCA inputs, making it an excellent offering overall.
The audio interfaces, offering XLR with two quarter-inch jack-outs requires you to source an alternative cable.
The iLoud Micro Monitor is quite a bit different from the larger MTM system. You only need a single power supply unit to run both of the speakers. All inward-facing connections, including superior audio and more power, move through a single speaker.
This power then daisy chains to the other speaker, aiding portability and simplicity.
You can set your speakers up whichever way you choose, depending on the design of your studio. We also appreciate the “feet” on the bottom of the iLoud Micro monitor which help to isolate them from your desk.
There are also microphone stand connectors on both speakers, allowing you to place them completely away from the desk.
Despite their position as professional monitors, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors don’t limit users to wired connections alone. The ability to connect via Bluetooth probably won’t be something you take advantage of as much when mixing and recording.
However, you can link your speakers to extremely portable devices and smartphones with ease when you’re working in different scenarios.
Tracking and Mixing potential
Once you have your iLoud Micro monitor speakers connected (however you choose to do so), any concerns over the potential of these little monitors should disappear.
The amount of clean headroom you get from these monitors is almost unbelievable, particularly when you compare the performance to similar speakers from the same price bracket.
The iLoud Micro monitors are perfectly suited for both mixing and tracking performance, and you can even record some valuable song components with these devices without worrying about crackling or distortion.
It’s extremely easy to forget that these iLoud Micro monitors are so small when you’re using them because the output is so wonderfully large.
It’s clear from the various hi-end features and small details of the iLoud Micro monitors that they’re intended for use by professionals. These are speakers made by people who understand DJs and the studios they work with.
The calibration EQ, the isolation stands, and various other elements are highly practical additions that help to identify these speakers as more than just your standard compact monitors.
An extra benefit for DJs is the addition of the thread on the bottom of the monitors that allow you to reproduce all kinds of frequencies at high volumes using a microphone stand.
Even on a desk, there doesn’t seem to be any significant vibration, distortion, or buzzing when you’re recording.
Frequency Performance
- Ideal for small surface area
- Amazingly accurate sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Easy to setup
One point definitely worth noting here is the frequency performance is much better than the average. You’ll be able to access the 55Hz range very easily.
Much of the digital crossover frequency response is supported by the internal DSP we mentioned earlier. If you feel the need to adjust your frequencies in any way, you can once again use the EQ-powered switches that we mentioned previously.
These various EQ settings are generally intended to ensure that your monitors will perform at their best in any listening environment, but you can also feel free to experiment with them to discover new sound experiences.
The ability to adjust the EQ here, combined with the front-facing bass ports is a very practical touch.
It means that your speakers can be sitting directly next to a wall, and you won’t get a lot of confusion and distortion around the lower frequencies.
Despite a power output of only 50 W RMS from the internal power amplifiers located within these micro monitors, the IK Multimedia mini speakers can deliver some significant sound pressure.
In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to leave these speakers on at top volume for too long, as they can almost be uncomfortably loud.
This means that even if you’re playing music in louder spaces, you won’t be limited by the miniature size of your speakers.
iLoud Micro Monitor Sound Quality
In the professional audio world, it’s not easy to find a powerful set of speakers that delivers excellent quality of sound in a compact and portable package.
This is the essence of what makes the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors such an impressive and popular product.
The IK Multimedia team has achieved a balance, unlike anything you’ll see from similar monitors in the same price range.
Both professional-level and everyday listening systems via the speakers is a delight. The EQ shaping on the back means you can adjust and perfect your experience regardless of the room size and where you’re listening from.
You’ll probably benefit most from the “desk” setting when you’re enjoying casual music, as this helps to pull the vocals to the front of the experience.
For serious mixing requirements, the IK Multimedia team once again goes above and beyond. Through your flat EQ settings, you can keep bass wonderfully well-rounded and easy to follow.
Mid and high-level frequencies are smooth and powerful, without any unwanted distortion or crackling.
Notably, when you connect your iLoud Micro monitors to a computer, you might notice a very low buzz or a hissing sound when the speakers are active.
This is only really noticeable when you’re not playing any sound or environmental noise. You won’t notice any ongoing buzzing when you’re playing your music.
If you find the initial buzzing annoying, you can simply lower the volume a little with the integrated knob. You’ll be able to turn the sound on the source of your music up again when you decide to start playing.
Another odd factor is that the iLoud Micro monitors can emit quite a high-pitched tone when you power them on initially.
However, once again, this noise doesn’t linger when you get into the more important parts of your mixing experience.
Another point to note is that although the Bluetooth connection doesn’t offer quite as much sonic accuracy and depth as you’ll get from a wired connection, it is a convenient extra feature.
If you plan on taking your speakers with you wherever you go, the monitors offer a highly accurate representation when powered by an effective Mac system or smartphone.
You’re unlikely to notice much quality loss here, particularly if you stay within 20 feet of the monitors when you’re accessing your connection.
Pros and Cons
It’s difficult to find anything that you wouldn’t fall in love with about the IK MultimediaiLoud Micro monitors.
These miniature monitors pack one heck of a punch, with impressive high power and great sound quality build that instantly make you forget just how small they are.
It’s difficult to believe that such a small set of speakers – around a quarter of the size of some of their competitors – could offer such amazing outcomes. However, the functionality of the iLoud Micro monitors is a testament to the skills of the IK Multimedia team.
Clearly, this is a company that knows exactly what its customers need.
While there are more high-level speakers out there for professionals who can’t afford to compromise on performance, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors are sure to make it into the must-have kit of many professionals.
Pros
Cons
iLoud Multimedia Micro Monitors: The Verdict
It’s difficult to oversell the performance capabilities of the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors when you consider their price and size.
These monitors are powerful pieces of technology capable of punching far above their weight and stature. IK Multimedia proves that big things can genuinely come in small packages.
The compact iLoud Micro monitors sound fantastic and offer an incredible level of accuracy that’s hard to access anywhere else.
From a sound perspective, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors deliver smooth and excellent results, without any initial confusion. There’s a linear tuning solution that makes almost everything sound better. You also don’t have to worry about excessive coloration that might skew the sound in any specific direction.
It’s clear that these powerful devices were made by experts who understand exactly what DJs need from their mastering audio technology.
The technical ability and detail of these iLoud Micro monitors help them to compete with much larger and more expensive devices.
However, it is worth noting that there are some limitations around solid bass depth to be aware of.
This is something you’re likely to expect anyway, given the diminutive size of the speakers.
- Ideal for small surface area
- Amazingly accurate sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Easy to setup
