IK claims coherent phase response within +/- 15-degrees from 200Hz to 24kHz (super good). If you don't know what I am talking about, you can definitely hear the difference between these and other monitors with a worst phase response spec and you'll like these. Phase integrity is vital for reproducing realistic stereo sound imaging. Monitors have to reproduce the exact stereo imaging--the stereo effect, panning, delays, and the instruments and vocals placement in the whole sound stage that the mixer/producer have created in the studio. The MTMs come in two ways: you can buy one at a time or in pairs. Either way they include one ARC™ MEMS reference measurement microphone and two bases for setting them up either vertically (as I preferred) or horizontally if you have more desktop space or place them on shelves.

I liked the vertical 'look' and setup of the new MTMs; they come with an adjustable tilt mechanism that aims the cabinet's center-mounted 1-inch tweeter and the two 3.5-inch woofers upward at me sitting in the listening position. For desktop and close near-field positioning, this symmetrical design offers a focused stereo image and a balanced sound while taking up less space on my desktop.

The iLoud MTM monitors have a built-in, self-calibration system derived from IK's ARC™ System that sets the monitors to work best in your room's acoustic space. Although the ARC System will not correct excessively live or dead spaces, these monitors will sound as best as they can in your room. Furthermore, if you change rooms or use them elsewhere, you can re-calibrate them--the monitors store a single measurement only. The goal is to have all your mixes translate better to the outside world.

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Reference Monitors On Either Side Of The DAW Screen

I set them up in my control room on either side of my 29-inch DAW computer video monitor. Using the "Magic Equilateral Triangle" speaker positioning method, the two MTMs were about 32-inches apart and so my listening position is located at the third corner exactly center in front of my desk just where I always sit and mix music. I angled and locked them up as far as they go (20-degrees) to aim right at my ears. The top woofer aimed a little over my head and I found that was better when an artist or the producer was standing and listening behind me.

After plugging them into my Cranesong Avocet II monitor controller using its 1/4-inch TRS/XLR Combo jacks, I plugged the monitors into AC power using their conventional IEC AC power cables--one for each monitor--so no pesky wall-wart power supplies are required.

The iLoud MTM uses high quality DSP to convert incoming analog audio into digital for processing for the crossovers, filtering, time alignment, equalization, dynamics control and auto-calibration. The DSP also manages the off-axis response to minimize the effects of room reverberation. The digital is converted back into analog for driving the speaker drivers.

Other rear panel jacks and controls are: an USB connector for future firmware updates, volume control, ARC mic input jack and on/off switch. I liked the three frequency control buttons. There is a choice of low frequency (LF) extension where you can filter out all frequencies below either: 60Hz, 50Hz (default) or 40Hz. The HF button lets you select an 8kHz shelf of 0dB (default) or +2dB or -3dB.

The CAL/Preset button is unique and used for two different modes. With the ARC microphone plugged in (using an included special cable) and located at the listening position, I held the CAL/Preset button down for two seconds. The MTM begins the calibration procedure and takes about 20-seconds to run the calibration routine on each speaker separately. The same button also toggles the speaker's filter to compensate for either desktop or speaker stand use.

I was now ready to evaluate and use these during a mix and I was immediately impressed. Compared to my mains they are very slightly boxy sounding and normal for small box speakers. And because they are only about 32-inches from my ears, the sound is very present and "in my face." Like a sonic microscope, the increase in clarity that close is what I am looking for in a second pair of monitors to reference to my mains.

I was also impressed by the amount of bass these speakers delivered despite their diminutive size. The bass is solid and not floppy, loose and indistinct. My control room is acoustically treated and bass trapped so that has an effect too.

These monitors track well up and down in volume--no one frequency area(s) leaps out when playing them loud or soft--assuming your mix is good. I can hear my mixes very clearly at very quiet volumes. Mixing errors show up immediately!

The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Reference Monitors sell for $349.99 each or as a pair $699.99 including the MEMs Microphone.

www.iloudmtm.com