New Gear Review: iLoud MTM Monitors by IK Multimedia
On the heels of the success of the original iLoud Micro Monitor, IK Multimedia unleashes the next-generation iLoud MTM.
Monitoring is everything. I’ll say it again, and I want you to shout it out with me while you’re reading. MONITORING. IS. EVERYTHING.
I’ve had a few revelations along my career that have confirmed this time and time again. Getting my first pair of good monitors and finally hearing moves that were imperceptible on my prior system. Setting up my first studio with proper sound absorption and decoupled speakers. And finally, using the fairly recent Sonarworks Reference calibration software.
But what if you don’t have the money to invest in all that I mentioned above? What if you want those great boons, and want them now? In comes IK Multimedia with a continuation on their iLoud Micro Monitors, the iLoud MTM. Boasting ultra-flat frequency response, linear phase response, and the inclusion of the ARC System EQ calibration, these promise to pack a real punch for a very reasonable price. So let’s unbox!
First impressions
The iLoud MTM come in a ready-to-go, simple-as-pie setup. We have our speakers, an adjustable speaker mount for changing the angle of the speaker to face further up, an ARC calibration microphone, and a cable to attach said mic to the speaker (it is an XLR to 1/8” TRS, so not a cable many of us might have lying around). In my version, each speaker came with its own mic, but I’m told that when you buy a pair now, you will only get the one microphone. Makes sense.
My immediate reaction to the speaker build was that the encasement seemed a bit lacking compared to the higher-end speakers that I’ve become accustomed to. The casing is made from a combination of ABS and PC plastic, common materials used in mid-level speaker builds, and although it was not substandard in construction by any stretch, the lightweight design didn’t immediately wow me either.
The instructions—basically unnecessary because of the simplicity of setup—were simple and IKEA-esque, showing only very basic photos with no words or descriptions. (For those wanting to delve deeper, there is a more complete user manual available online.) These issues weren’t egregious, but I was beginning to wonder how significantly the speakers would deliver on their promises. That’s where I was surprised.
Included ARC system
A closer look at the included ARC system calibration microphone.
One of the things that seemed the coolest about these speakers to me was the inclusion of the ARC system calibration. I won’t go into detail about the system itself, but it has been name-checked and written about many, many times, and is a real game changer in monitoring for anyone. The Sonarworks plugin that I myself use does pretty much the same thing, and there’s no denying how much it has changed the workflow of many an engineer.
I set up both speakers and got to work on using the calibration mic. The first thing that struck me as odd was that the speakers are calibrated separately and not at the same time. Or, more specifically, there are no additional tests for interaction between the two speakers, and only a test for each speaker as its own object. This seemed strange to me, and was different than how I had done EQ corrections on speakers in the past, but it is not a flawed system in the greater scheme of correction.
Aside from a more detailed calibration of the full monitoring experience, it seemed as though correcting for phase was out the window. Impressive as the Sonarworks and ARC systems are in the field of EQ calibration, the phase correction on those products was even more of a revelation to me. And even though there is a “linear phase response”, that deals with the speaker itself, and the truth is that improper placement of monitors can cause phase issues. This becomes an issue with those using a subpar room setup, so even the minor adjustments that are made on the more detailed version of EQ calibration software are mind blowing.
It’s also worth noting that the version of the iLouds that are on sale now includes a free version of the T-RackS Metering suite. It can be used regardless of whether you’re using the MTMs or not, however it does not include additional insights into MTM calibration, which was something my nerdier side was interested in.
Listening
With all that said, I was imagining what the sound would be like coming out of these bad boys, and I will say my expectations were tempered. So I turned on one of my many reference tunes and… WOW! I did not expect that. The bass extension was as impressive as promised, and the EQ calibration definitely picked up the right issues in my room. The sound was smooth, and the highs sizzled in a way that allowed you to focus in and get a sense of that “airy” register.
For my initial pass, I did not put the speakers on any kind of separate decoupled stand, and I will say that that is going to be a must if you are using these. The bass extension that these give will be somewhat useless without it. And although the tilting mount stands that are included are great for positioning, they are not robust enough to deal with a true decoupling of the speaker.
I did use the tilting stands to set up the speakers a little lower than I would my normal monitors—probably the position one would put them in if you had a normal, non-optimized setup for listening. The mounts are an important inclusion and another great tool for the customer.
Mixing
Alright, let’s get it out of the way. I am an NS-10 devotee. We need not devolve into a pros/cons list, a lovers/haters list (but for my side… Bob Clearmountain anyone?), or any of the other things that have been said about them a billion times over. But it’s an important fact as I go into my experience with mixing on the MTMs.
I opened up a session that I was ready to mix and decided to do two separate mixes. One would be on the NS-10s (spot referencing on a pair of Dynaudio BM5A), the other on the iLouds. These would be separated by a week, and would each start with a fresh session, no plugins held over. Focusing just on my experience with the iLoud system, my attention was drawn to all of the areas I assumed it would be. I found myself focusing more on the area above 12k, and less on 1.5-5k. The lows were very responsive, and I felt like I was getting somewhere in the lower mids. And even though the iLouds claim to go down to 40Hz, working in the 40-80Hz range was a little more difficult.
I found myself working pretty quickly on the iLouds and was impressing even myself with how solid everything was sounding. The monitoring was responsive, but not painfully so. And that was my general impression of the iLouds, by and large. Very smooth, very pleasant sounding, yet responsive in a “responsible” way. Now it was time to compare the mixes.
The Test
I took both mixes home with me and listened to them on my home setup. As I listened blindly I was quite surprised to notice that there wasn’t a huge discrepancy between the two. I was really expecting the differences to jump out in a big way, but for the most part, both mixes were very solid. Of course, there were differences, and the best way I could describe them was in terms of intrigue, movement, and sound detail.
The mix on the iLouds hit all the right spots frequency wise, but it lacked the more interesting sounds and movement I got from the NS-10s. And now I’ll get on my NS-10 soapbox and say that the utter brutality the NS-10s provide is what makes one strive to really refine not just the mix, but also the entire vibe. Again, I thought the iLouds provided me with a great mix, but the flattery of the speaker made it a little more dull.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been pretty picky about the MTMs, but that’s because I believe monitoring deserves the most attention of all. Get thyself a good speaker setup before that original 1073, my friend! But in the end, I would recommend the iLoud MTMs as a really good purchase.
With a sticker price of $349.99 each, these speakers sit right in that sweet spot between budding young engineers and mixers that want to upgrade and not break the bank. A professional mixing engineer would appreciate them as something that is both bookshelf-ish, but doesn’t skimp on the bass. The inclusion of the ARC system makes this a really appetizing purchase, and should be something that all speaker companies consider doing from now on. But the absence of calibrating both speakers at once and not having phase adjustment is something that bothers me, but I guess there are some compromises that just have to be me made. Overall I would consider the iLoud MTMs a good investment for the price point.
Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.
[…] I’ve had a few revelations along my career that have confirmed this time and time again. Getting my first pair of good monitors and finally hearing moves Read more… […]