IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor

Not a mouse, not a frog, but an unknown animal

In recent years, acoustics manufacturers have begun to allow themselves all sorts of experiments with form, content and the introduction of new technologies. How else, if the way we listen to music changes almost every year? The answer to new challenges from the Italians from IK Multimedia was iLoud Micro Monitor — tiny speakers that can simultaneously play the role of studio monitors, computer speakers, and bookshelf acoustics with a wireless connection.

Convenience is a priority

Monitors with a 3-inch speaker are compact in size, weighing only 1.7 kg per pair and thoughtful ergonomics. At the bottom of each monitor, oblong rubber legs with tilt adjustment are hidden, the bass reflex port is brought forward, which simplifies placement close to the wall, and a special travel bag can be purchased in pair with them. Add here a Bluetooth receiver that allows you to connect any smartphone, tablet or player to them and get a rather interesting and unusual device. At IK, they say they kept in mind the image of a kind of mobile producer, musician or teacher who does not sit in a well-equipped studio for days, but constantly shuttles between home, studio and music school.

Bass you don't expect

Don't be fooled by the size, this is truly a studio quality speaker with split amplification, flat frequency response and DSP for room correction. They play surprisingly bright, cheerful and interesting. The bass is especially surprising, which, although it rests on the threshold of 45 Hz (in fact, the tests showed a lower threshold of 60 Hz), it perfectly sounds everything that falls within its competence. But Subic to them just would not be superfluous. Even more surprising is the study of mid frequencies and localization of sounds in space: they have a minimal directional effect, which creates a powerful immersion effect. If we talk specifically about monitor use, then this is not so much a replacement for studio acoustics, but an addition to the existing set. It is also a great alternative to portable acoustics for listening to music. The main thing is that there is an outlet nearby, they do not have a built-in battery.