iLoud MTM has a deep low-frequency extension for its size. Being a compact speaker, using its lowest cutoff point requires reducing the maximum SPL. In immersive setups where that lower cutoff isn’t needed and speakers are at a greater distance from the mixing position, this isn’t ideal. Either way, we’d definitely recommend auditioning a set of Precisions – you will hear your music in a completely new light so they could revolutionise your mixing. So while IK might be stepping into the pro arena with the Precision range, it is still offering the same kind of value proposition it has always done; the Precisions offer a hell of a lot of speaker and specs for the cash and are some of the best speakers we have auditioned.

The iLoud MTM monitors are perfect for anyone working in less than ideal conditions – a small untreated room, on the move, or in a tight space. The ARC calibration enables the monitor to morph itself into whatever you need it to be. iLoud MTM includes a tilting mount that not only helps isolate it, but also angles from 0° to 20° for correct positioning in a wide range of setups. That’s higher than most other “tilting” monitors that too often can’t actually reach the needed angle for a desktop or other close-listening setup. In the BoxToo bad we don't have a measurement of the built in EQ, would have been interested to see what it does... IKM boasts that the speakers have a completely flat, neutral response, but in fact the frequency response can be calibrated to suit the room, so this means they provide accurate, flat sound regardless of the room. When set up in a great-sounding control room, the MTMs aren’t overly impressive, but when placed in less desirable or acoustically compromised sonic locations, iLoud MTM monitors truly shine." Maximum SPL @ 1m, one speaker playing, on axis: 103dB from 200Hz up sine wave, 95dB at 100Hz sine, 93dB pink noise

There's a typical compliment of adjustments on the rear panel, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the built-in ARC calibration. Simply position the included mic in your normal listening position, plug it in to each speaker (one at a time), hold down the calibration button for a few seconds, and let each do it's thing for about 20 seconds. I don't know what exactly is going on with the DSP in these, but it's definitely more than just an eq curve. It's good. Damn good. The LF Extension Setting can be set to 40Hz, which does provide a quiet impression of bass down to the lowest sting of a bass guitar. High pass filters allow everything higher than a certain frequency to remain (or pass through), while removing everything under that frequency.

The woofers are called midrange, so you might think that the bass is not intense enough. In fact, they are designed with a bass extension up to 40 Hz and use IK’s Physical Response Linearization (PRL) system to ‘achieve a balanced and distinct bass response’. Automatic calibration The Cal LED will start to blink blue and the front LED will start to blink white. You’ll have 5 seconds to move out of the way But the bigger the monitor, the harder it is to take with you with ease. This is where the iLoud Micro Monitors really shine – portability. I previously covered the ARC System 3 software on its own in November 2020, in September 2019 (part of the original iLoud MTM review), and July 2021 (part of Total Studio 3 MAX). In short, it compensates for your room’s acoustics using the included measurement microphone and stores these profiles in a dedicated plugin or directly into the Precision monitors.

The Desktop setting can be used when you’re placing monitors on a console or a desk. Reflections from a desk surface normally create a boost in the lower midrange. To compensate, this setting applies a bell shaped notch filter taking away 4dB at 160 Hz and adding 1dB at 1.8Khz. Moving my head from extreme side to side was a strange sensation, as there was considerable movement in the stereo image, and individual instruments lost their pristine clarity. Thanks to an advanced and effective shape of MTM's body and their DSP side they are able to really give you a possibility to hear mixes as they are. Measurements are compliant with latest speaker research into what can predict the speaker preference and is standardized in CEA/CTA-2034 ANSI specifications. Likewise listening tests are performed per research that shows mono listening is much more revealing of differences between speakers than stereo or multichannel. MusicRadar verdict: The iLoud MTM is a remarkable feat of audio engineering in bringing such a surgical level of detail at in such a small format. It makes an ideal choice for those with crowded desks, and those who want to dive deeper into their mix. The web says

This means an even more natural, life-like sound, where the speakers “disappear” and you can focus on the music. It also minimizes the ear fatigue caused by traditional 2- or 3-way designs, where different frequencies arrive at your ear at different times. So you can mix longer, with less effort. IK Multimedia’s two studio monitors, the iLoud Micro Monitor and the larger iLoud MTM have created quite a stir in the music industry due to the combination of diminutive size and accurate sound.

Following on from the popular iLoud Micro Monitor, the iLoud MTM introduces a double woofer system and the ability to tailor the sound to the room. Your studio monitors – while not as exciting as your plugin synths, keyboards and even the computer you use – are the most important item in your production armoury. Being able to hear mistakes in your mixing – which good monitors will reveal – means you can sort them out. This is a high-pass filter that can be set to filter out frequencies below 40Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz. You can also filter out everything below 80Hz if you keep your finger on the button for 3 seconds. The question is really whether you should spend four figures on a set of monitors like this, especially as the last few years have seen some great and cheap speaker models from the likes of Adam Audio, Kali Audio, KRK, Presonus, JBL and indeed IK themselves (with the aforementioned MTMs). But this means that it’s even more important to match the vertical alignment of the monitors with your ears. Moving out of alignment, either through poor monitor positioning, or leaving your desk, can result in less mid and high frequencies. There should be no objects in between your ears and the monitors – make sure you can see them in full.Plus of course you can adjust low-frequency extension and trim the LF and HF response to your taste.