IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Review: Is It Worth It?

Some of the best studio monitors have starting prices of $500.

The thought of buying even just a single speaker from that range might be enough to make you sweat.

Fortunately, with the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor, you won’t have to tighten your belt!

This pair of speakers are small but terrible (in a good way) and come with a REASONABLE price too!

Continue reading this iLoud Micro Monitor review to learn more about it.

Overview of the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors

There are many factors that can affect how you create your home studio.

Of course, you want a setup that will help you produce excellent audio, even if you’re just a beginner.

Some people say that the output depends on the person rather than the tools — which is true to an extent.

After all, you’ll still need the RIGHT TOOLS that can help you perfect your craft.

However, it can be ESPECIALLY difficult if you’re dealing with a small studio and a relatively tight budget.

If you’re in that exact situation while building (or upgrading) your studio, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors are for you!

Main Features:

• Two 25W active monitors
• Flat/desk switch for midrange response
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Bi-amplified
• Internal DSP to equalize sound
• Can be used with an RCA or 3.5mm jack
• Microphone stand thread

Specifications:

• Type: Class D Bi-amp system (50W)
• Frequency response: 55 – 20,000 Hz
• Extended frequency range: 45Hz and 20kHz
• Power output: 50 W RMS, 70 W peak
• Bluetooth version: N.D.
• Connectivity: 2 x RCA, TRS 1/8” stereo input, 4-pin speaker cable

The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors were launched in 2016.

They’re beginner-to-intermediate level monitors that are PERFECT for home musicians who want to continuously improve their music production.

This pair has a small footprint, and the modest weight makes them PORTABLE.

But be careful when you use them — they’re definitely powerful enough to bother everyone outside your room!

Despite the small build, the monitors give EXCELLENT sound reproduction.

The build is of excellent quality, too, being sturdy and staying in place even if you play loud bass-y music.

Overall, at $350 a pair, these speakers are one of the BEST in their size and price range.

We’ll give you a breakdown below of why they should be high up on your list of studio equipment to invest in.

About IK Multimedia

IK Multimedia was founded in Modena, Italy, in 1996.

The company motto is “Musicians First,” which means they’re also musicians! So to cater to fellow musicians, they create products that they themselves would use.

This way, you could say that their products are immediately tried and tested by the creators themselves. Doing so ensures that what they’re offering definitely WORKS.

They were also the pioneers of the mobile music industry with apps like the following to connect the guitar and bass to mobile devices.

• AmpliTube
• AmpliTube Fender
• iRig

They even have solutions for keyboardists, vocalists, and DJs! As for hardware, they offer:

• Audio interfaces
• Monitors
• Mics
• FX pedals
• Accessories

You should also know that various artists have used IK Multimedia’s products, including the Rolling Stones, Eminem, and Coldplay.

With the company’s motto and credentials, you can be sure that ANYTHING they produce will undoubtedly help your audio sound good!

IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Review

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Sound Quality

The sound quality is certainly not something you’d expect from this small package!

You’d EXPECT things to sound muddy and for the speaker housing to be shaking when you REALLY turn the music up.

But with the iLoud Micro Monitors, you get a balanced bass response, and they only stay put.

The excellent bass response is thanks to its internal DSP limiter, which controls the bass, so the driver doesn’t peak when the bass reaches higher levels.

However, this does mean that the bass would be a bit colored at high volumes.

The DSP limiter also creates a flat frequency response for crisp and clear mids and highs. The rear panel has some -3dB settings so that you can adjust low and high frequencies too.

Aside from that, it has a flat/desk mode to control midrange responses.

The desk mode gives the audio a slight boost. It’s great for listening to casual music since it brings the vocals to the front.

You might notice that upper midrange and treble sounds might sound a bit too harsh. It can cause some ear fatigue if you listen to it for too long.

The upper midrange levels are also made more noticeable by the bass response.

Unfortunately, trying to adjust it with the -3dB switch for the treble doesn’t seem to improve it much.

The iLoud Micro Monitors is a powered speaker, specifically bi-amplified, so you DON’T need an amplifier!

Build and Design

Aside from being small, the first thing you’d probably notice about these speakers is they look raw. If you look at other speakers, you might notice that they tend to be quite flashy.

But with the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors, the cabinets are made of simple matte black plastic, which gives them a professional look.

You can even say it reminds you of computer speakers in the late 90s!

You can also get it in a sleek white version if it suits your studio setup better. Rest assured that it looks as rugged and well-made as the black version.

The speakers have a sturdy build with SOLID housing, meaning you don’t have to worry about knocking anything loose if you decide to take them for a ride somewhere.

It has good grill coverage and deep seating, which helps control the sound dispersion when you’re playing higher octaves.

The small size of the woofer makes it work better with the tweeter too. However, this will limit the bass response a bit.

The monitor’s size makes it easier to position. You won’t have to think about how far from the wall to place them or how to fit them on your desk!

You can see input options at the back of the monitors.

The left speaker has ALL the functionality — from the power switch and Bluetooth buttons to the volume knob and EQ settings.

It also has a proprietary port that connects it to the right speaker.

For such a small speaker, you’ll be surprised how many small details go into its creation!

Connectivity

Despite the compact size, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors surprisingly offer a few different setups for connectivity.

The mixer channel has a pair of stereo RCA outs. As for the dedicated audio interface, it has an XLR and two quarter-inch jack-outs.

However, you need to source a DIFFERENT cable to use these.

It works for basic audio consumption too! Connect your laptop’s headphone output to the speakers, and you’re good to go.

You only need one power supply for both speakers, which makes it more portable and easier to set up.

The iLoud Micro Monitors even come with microphone stand connectors if you ever don’t want to place them on your desk.

Putting them on microphone stands also makes it easier to get them to ear level, helping REDUCE ear fatigue!

Another option is to just use the “feet” you can find under the speakers to incline them towards ear level.

Aside from wired connections, these speakers also offer Bluetooth connection, so you can connect them to portable devices.

While this isn’t something you might use for recording and mixing, it’s perfect for casual listening.

With outstanding audio quality and balanced sound, you can appreciate even the subtleties in audio that you might not be able to catch with similar speakers.

Surprisingly, this is also powerful enough that you DON’T need to connect it to an amplifier!

Frequency Response

The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors have IMPRESSIVE frequency performance.

As mentioned above, the flat frequency response is thanks to the DSP, meaning the response isn’t “natural,” but you’ll get audio to sound accurate even with the speakers’ dynamic range.

You can use the EQ switches if you still want to adjust frequencies.

It has a low frequency -3dB switch that removes some of the bass so as not to overwhelm the mid and high frequencies.

There’s also a high frequency -3dB switch to remove some of the treble.

Admittedly, the sound might be distorted at lower frequencies or when there’s heavy bass.

The speakers might also produce an annoying hiss while they’re on. In this case, you can just lower the volume a bit through the integrated volume.

You might still be thinking how good the iLoud Micro Monitors REALLY are, especially if you see that it only has a power output of 50 W RMS. 

In that case, you should know that these speakers have impressive sound pressure — to the point that you can’t leave them at top volume for too long.

But at least this means you can definitely use these if you want to play audio in louder or bigger spaces.

Tracking and Mixing Ability

If you pay close attention to the details about the iLoud Micro Monitors, you’ll realize that they’re definitely made for professionals!

Of course, these speakers DELIVER, offering more than other monitors of the same size and price range.

These monitors have a lot of clean headroom and produce incredible sound. Once you get them connected, there’s nothing you should worry about anymore!

You can record ANYTHING without thinking if there might be some crackling or distortion.

A mic stand thread ensures that you can reproduce any frequency using a mic stand — even at high volumes.

But even if they’re standing on your desk, you won’t notice any strong distortions or vibrations when you’re recording.

Value for Money

The iLoud Micro Monitors will 100% give you great value for your money.

They’re relatively AFFORDABLE and a worthy investment since speakers with similar features are mostly high-end speakers.

These little monitors pack a SERIOUS punch with a great bass response without you needing to treat and outline your room for it.

It makes audio sound good (and better!) as well since they offer a lot of clarity and transparency.

Meanwhile, internal amplifiers mean these speakers can get LOUD!

Admittedly, the DSP, drivers, and tweeters can be limiting, so it’s not exactly the best option for a completely outdoor setting or larger studios.

The Bluetooth connectivity is also a nice modern addition if you’re listening to audio casually rather than for mixing and tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need a few more questions answered to convince you about the technical ability of the iLoud Micro Monitor?

We’ll answer them below.

How to Connect iLoud Micro Monitors to Audio Interface?

To connect the iLoud Micro Monitors to the audio interface, you’ll need 2x male 1/4” to 1/8” adapters and  1/8” TRS inputs. 

Most budget interfaces have only 1/4 “TRS outputs. But the iLoud comes with the 1/8 “TRS inputs.

Because of that, you’ll need to buy the adapters separately. Fortunately, they shouldn’t cost much.

Is iLoud Micro Good for Mixing?

YES!

In fact, they’re primarily created to help you achieve accurate mixing and great sound reproduction. Using them for casual listening is just a nice bonus to that!

Even for some serious mixing, you can adjust the EQ settings to prevent any crackling or distortion in the audio.

You can keep lower frequencies and deep bass well-rounded while keeping mid and high frequencies smooth and powerful.

However, we mentioned above that you might hear a low buzz or hissing sound when the monitors are on.

They might also hear a high-pitched tone the first few seconds after you turn them on.

Understandably, you’d be worried about how these would affect your audio tracking and mixing, but rest assured that you won’t hear unwanted noises once you’ve already started.

Bluetooth isn’t a feature you should be using when mixing since it WON’T give you the same accuracy and depth as a wired connection will.

What’s the Difference Between the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM and IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor?

The iLoud Micro Monitor is the iLoud MTM’s little brother. Literally.

Aside from being smaller, iLoud Micro Monitors also have Bluetooth. They’re also cheaper.

These monitors only have one power supply as well, which makes them more portable and easier to set up.

However, they DON’T have XLR and 1/4” TS inputs, unlike the MTM speakers, but both monitors have EXCELLENT sound reproduction capabilities and neutral tonality.

You can also calibrate them to maintain accurate sound production, depending on where you’re using them.

What’s the Difference Between Home Listening Speakers and Studio Monitors?

Home listening speakers exist for casual listening. Meanwhile, studio monitors are made primarily for audio production.

On the one hand, your typical “lifestyle audio” speakers — even the high-end ones like Bose — improve the sound quality of whatever audio you feed it.

This can involve applying any predefined EQ settings, such as slightly boosting bass and treble frequencies. The age and kind of speaker cone used also defines the kind of sound the speaker produces.

On the other hand, you can describe studio monitors (or monitor speakers) as no filter speakers. That’s because the sound they produce is EXACTLY what you feed them.

So, when you mix audio that already sounds accurate, balanced, and clear on monitors, you can be sure that it will sound great regardless of the speakers that the end-user chooses to use.

Because of these differences, you CANNOT substitute even a budget monitor with a high-end lifestyle audio speaker.

If you do, you’re preventing yourself from mixing audio that will sound good on any speaker.

User Reviews & Testimonials

Let’s look at some user reviews about this great studio monitor:

“Couldn’t be happier with the accuracy of these. Great flat response, very impressed with the bass frequency. I HIGHLY recommend these for any producer/composer/mix engineer.”

– Anonymous, Amazon

“They sound clean, clear, flat, and well defined. Instrument separation is excellent. Highs are crisp without any harshness. Mids are balanced and tight. Lows are clean and mellifluous.”

– Anonymous, Amazon

“The precision of sound is far better than many other studio monitors in the same price range. . . Also has little hiss on lower volume, like many other speakers.”

– Anonymous, B&H Photo Video

Alternatives to IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Speakers

If you’re looking for alternatives to the iLoud Micro Monitor, we’ve listed some of the budget choices below:

1. JBL One Series 104

JBL is known for its AMAZING sound reproduction, and the Series 104 brings this quality in a compact and portable pair of monitors!

To prevent issues with low frequencies, particularly build-up, you’ll need to put it 12 inches (or less) from the wall due to the speakers LACKING an onboard compensation EQ.

However, it’s quite cheaper than the iLoud Micro Monitors and offers impressive performance for its price.

It has a wide frequency range of 60Hz to 20kHz.

Its Bluetooth is pretty versatile, so you can use it in small studios one morning and stream music on it from your phone in the afternoon.

These monitors are great at delivering midrange, so they’re perfect if you’re trying to balance crucial lead instruments in your mixing.

2. M-Audio BX5-D3

If it’s your first time doing audio production, and you REALLY want to get it right the first time, but you’re on a budget, the M-Audio BX5-D3 might be a better option for you.

It costs less than $200 and comes with impressive features. 

Other monitors can easily double as “lifestyle audio” speakers, but this model was really designed with just monitoring in mind.

The frequency range is 52Hz to 35kHz. It even has a built-in LED light, so you know if you’ve set them up at the right angle that’s good for your ears.

It also has bi-amplification features, with a better tweeter waveguide for broader sound dispersion.

These monitors also do have some protection circuits.

3. PreSonus Eris E3.5

Some people start their music production journey using only headphones or built-in laptop speakers.

If that’s the case for you, then the PreSonus Eris E3.5 is a great budget next step.

It actually has some difficulty handling HIGH volume, but it has good onboard EQ correction for a price of less than $100.

They could also improve bass depth a bit, but it already sounds solid as it is.

Despite being one of the cheaper PreSonus monitors, it’s still built to produce sound with low vibration and distortion.

The frequency range also reaches only down 80Hz, but it’s surprisingly solid and punchy enough to offer sound accuracy.

Aside from a TRS jack and RCA, these speakers also have a headphone out and stereo mini jack, meaning they’re also perfect for casual audio listening.

You’ll notice there isn’t an XLR input since these monitors are made for desktop use rather than an actual professional-level studio recording.

Final Verdict: Are IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Studio Monitors Worth It?

The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Speakers are DEFINITELY worth it. Considering it’s such a small package, it offers a big sound and accurate audio.

It has a couple of connectivity options — from wired connections like RCA outs to Bluetooth. There’s even an option to connect it to mic stands!

Of course, it does have a few drawbacks, such as the treble possibly being too harsh at times.

However, for their price and size, these monitors make up a pair that you definitely should not pass up!