iLoud Micro Monitor
Compact monitors for music-makers
$299 Manufacturer IK Multimedia, ikmultimedia.com Features 50W output, RCA/3.5mm inputs, Bluetooth, 3x EQ sliders
Should your experiments with the likes of GarageBand and Logic have moved into more serious music production territory, you may find yourself ditching desktop speakers in favour of a pair of proper monitors. While regular speakers are great for listening to professionally recorded music, they’re not designed for mixing your own. That’s where monitors come in: rather than prettifying music with overemphasized frequencies, they offer an honest, uncolored representation of the sound, which helps to make the finished mix sound great on a range of playback devices, from soundbars to headphones and car stereos.
The problem with most monitors is their size: they’re not exactly practical for regular desks, and are often overpowered for small rooms. Hence the iLoud Micro Monitor system from music-making experts IK Multimedia. As their name suggests, these speakers are smaller than average for monitors and more akin to standard desktop sets, yet still pack a healthy 50W output, thanks to a pair of 3-inch woofers, 3/4-inch tweeters and bass reflex ports. They come with standard RCA connectors to hook up to your audio interface, as well as a 3.5mm cable for other devices, while Bluetooth connectivity is also thrown into the mix.
As you’d hope, the iLoud delivers the flat frequency response you need for recording and mixing, with smooth, rounded highs and robust but not overbearing bass – a built-in tilt stand allows you to optimize the sound direction, too. Versatility comes via a trio of switches around the rear, which allow you to tweak the speakers’ EQ response. Not only do these help to adjust the system to your music-making environment, but they can tailor your music-listening experience as well. That’s particularly handy given the onboard Bluetooth connectivity, which is hardly an essential feature for pro music production, but a welcome addition nonetheless. Less welcome is the rearward positioning of the speakers’ power switch.
IK Multimedia has really hit the nail on the head with the Micro Monitor: it provides a convincing compact setup for budding production types or music-makers on the move. There are cheaper monitors out there, but none that can match the level of audio quality from this kind of physical size.
the bottom line. A practical and portable monitoring setup for newcomers and seasoned pros alike.