7 reasons why iLoud Micro Monitor are the best studio monitors if you're a bedroom music producer

[@carlosyoung1984]

These speakers are absolutely ridiculous for their size and price. Very impressed with these after 2 weeks of use. Highly recommend for traveling/bedroom mixers and also just for audiophiles who have the extra cash to spend for pc speakers or laptop speakers. Really happy with this purchase. Thanks for the info.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

That makes two of us. Had them for a couple of years now, couldn't be happier!

[@a95Productions]

Get Equalizer APO then do a frequency sweep on the bass and adjust to get a clean and equal volume trough the 30 to 300hz range. You're welcome.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Thanks, not sure I'm following you there tho... what do you mean exactly? Could you elaborate a bit?

[@alvarg]

@@TheNeonSyndicate I think he means, use a frequency sweep and eq the speakers so that each frequency has the same volume level. which wouldn't really be possible to do correctly.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

@@alvarg thanks for specifying. Yeah, sounds like a lot of effort for - well, not even sure what for tbh. Would that be sort of a poor man's version of that room-tuning software you can use in combination with one of those thin mics to really adapt your speakers to your room?

[@valterfcarvalho]

@@TheNeonSyndicate Yeah, Equalizer APO + Peace (the graphical interface for it) it's just a great multi-band graphic equalizer for Windows. It also has some nice effects.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

@@valterfcarvalho Thanks for the clarification! I've switched over to Apple about 3 years ago so I'm not in the loop when it comes to Windows anymore. Still hanging on to my Android phone though.

[@RichLunaMusic]

I was looking at the Presonus Eris monitors for years and then I saw they came out with these so I think the Micros are the best bet for my very small room. They cost more but you're getting a lot for your money. Awesome video. Thank you, my friend!

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Pleasure! Yeah, the Eris monitors were on my radar some years ago when I was looking at what small-monitor options were out there. In the end, I narrowed down the list to either these or the Genelecs, but found a great deal on these and haven't looked back since!

[@TheTimeProphet]

They look good, but how does it handle stereo input. I have stereo jacks on my line 6 pod go guitar interface.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

You have stereo inputs. Might need adapters though.

[@youngmike2553]

I have a question. There are a pair of RCA input plus aux input. Does that mean you can connect speakers with 2 music resources at same time?

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Even though that's likely not what these speakers are designed for (they're not a mixer after all), technically speaking, I guess you could. If you did that, however, chances are you would far exceed the expected input level, causing audible distortion, so my suggestion would be to turn those 2 audio sources down to very low volumes first. By that same token, remember you also have bluetooth connectivity, so that's 3 audio sources for you!

[@VamIy]

Hi! How are they in competitive games and when listening to music from streaming services, i.e. for casual listening? I have a Kanto YU4 right now and a lot of people praise them, they are really good, but they are a bit big and because of the corner table I have a lot of bass, I can't adjust it properly for some songs and I was thinking about buying small studio monitors, but 99% of the comments and reviews are about working on them, not just using them.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Not a gamer myself so can't speak to that, but I sometimes use their bluetooth function to connect my phone for casual listening; me personally, I'm happy with the way they sound - especially the fact that you can get a lot of volume out of them! But remember that you always have the high-shelf in case you want more crispness, as well as the ability to deactivate the low-cut (which I usually always leave on) if you feel you need more bass.

[@VamIy]

@@TheNeonSyndicate They don't seem bright to you? I am sensitive to high frequencies (sibilants are annoying). I'm also looking at Genelec 8010 (I know that 8030 and above many advise because the younger models have almost no bass, but given the corner table and close proximity to the walls I will get a boost in bass, and 8030 is too big for me) and I also really like Vanatoo T0 (vanatoo transparent zero) judging by the reviews.... I don't know if you've listened to any of these, but it's so hard to choose. Sound is a subjective thing and that's why it's problematic :(

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

@@VamIy Right... Plus your room will influence it so it's very hard to get a good grasp on what they'd sound like just based on online reviews. Me personally, I don't find them too bright or dull - never felt the need to engage the high shelf. You also have the "desk" button which will change the frequency response in the mids and high-mids in case it helps.

[@GS-uk3ml]

Please make a iLoud Micro VS KRK GoAux 4 video🙏

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Hey thanks for your interest! Don't own any of those other speakers though I'm afraid

[@GS-uk3ml]

@@TheNeonSyndicate Just borrow or buy.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

@@GS-uk3ml Don't know anyone who owns them and not in the position to spend money just like that 🥲

[@Tonneback]

I'm getting mine today after work

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Sweet! Let us know how you like them

[@Tonneback]

@@TheNeonSyndicate like them? I love them. Really good sound with nice bass. Amazing for the small size and modest price.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

@@Tonneback Right? Couldn't believe it when I first tried them out!

[@VamIy]

​@@Tonneback Hi! How are they in competitive games and when listening to music from streaming services, i.e. for casual listening? I have a Kanto YU4 right now and a lot of people praise them, they are really good, but they are a bit big and because of the corner table I have a lot of bass, I can't adjust it properly for some songs and I was thinking about buying small studio monitors, but 99% of the comments and reviews are about working on them, not just using them.

[@Tonneback]

@@VamIy I watch KZbin and listen to some Apple Music with them and they sound really good. Also use them with Logic Pro and they are really good at that too. I havn't compared them to any of their bigger broters.Will move them from my Mac to my PC when I've bought the Micro Pro and will try some gaming then. I'm really happy with them and they sound really good no matter what I do

[@AlexJohn2us]

" BOOM...... Good Job ! "

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Cheers! Or did I say that in the video at some point? 😆

[@PKAPE004]

Can these be connected to a headphone amp?

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

So long as you have the right cable, I don't see why not!

[@92OnTV]

Greetings. There are rumors about 2nd gen, do you know anything about it ?

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Yo! Haven't heard anything about that. I know they have expanded the line with several other models, but all of them are a little bigger and definitely pricier. Something as compact and powerful as this, I've yet to see, and given its huge success, my guess would be they want to keep milking it as long as possible

[@92OnTV]

@@TheNeonSyndicate I've heard very good reviews about hivi swan os-10, which almost 2 times cheaper, without discounts on iLoud. I would love to get them, but my place is very limited, iLoud would be perfect, mkii even better (maybe without hissing and newer Bluetooth version (5.4 perfectly))

[@Frazer777]

Andrew Scheps, who I'm sure needs no introduction to anyone interested in mixing, has done radio-release mixes on £80 Sony headphones coming out of his apogee interface, so the guy who wants to spend hundreds or even thousands on headphones and amps promising this or that probably just likes nice gear in his studio. Some people are like that - makes them feel good. I mix on headphones but speakers DO give another very different point of view. No mixer uses one point of reference. Headphones are way more convenient but a decent pair of speakers by their physical nature present the sound in a way headphones can't match and vice versa. A pair of iLouds and a £100 pair of cans are probably good enough for most,

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

agreed

[@simonho8374]

I own a pair of iLoud Micro, overall it's good, yet it has a serious problem, annoying port noise occurs when bass from 40Hz to 60Hz playing through. A gentleman has demonstrated this on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/gomvo6acnrmIja8 . Think before you buy iLoud Micro especially if you produce Techno/ EDM who often apply heavy bass or hard kick like the 808's.

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

Thanks for mentioning that. Haven't experienced that so far as I hardly ever go down that low.

[@Injectz]

I agree. I have also had this problem and sent them back.. I've yet to see anyone on KZbin reviewing them mention this design fault

[@simonho8374]

@@InjectziLoud Micro has been receiving positive reviews in all these years, but I just can't stand this problem, am thinking to get a pair of Genelec 8010A, just not sure if it has this bass issue too !?

[@Injectz]

@@simonho8374 I haven't seen any comments on any port issues with the genlecs so far... Double the price but ba superior speaker with a more natural sound.

[@HAYDENMUSICTV]

Yep I experienced the same issue ...These speakers are not recommended for any music with sub bass or 808.

[@malakiy8688]

the old saying is a lie lol

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

You think so? My experience so far has been consistent with it tbh

[@malakiy8688]

this will be a long comment sorry in advance well its because your not set up the right way to MIx on headphones it has already became an extremely regular practice for the best engineers out there. I do however understand what you mean! There is some knowledge that needs to be understood about headphone mixing first that a lot of people don't realize its not simple plug and play but you also don't need sound id reference like most people suggest and crossfeed or headphone mixing plug ins you do however have to UNDERSTAND your headphones! and need to listen to a lot of reference tracks and grasp how you should mix. I have been mixing exclusively in headphones for 4 years and the translation and vast depth and sound of my mixes is through the roof especially in this last year and half. Theres 2 major factors when it comes to headphone mixing The Headphone: use open back headphones! For me I use the Audeze LCDX which is basically the headphone of choice for most serious headphone exclusive engineers there is no speaker under 10 grand that can give you what the LCDX can. close back headphones just don't translate right and don't give you the soundstage open backs do. Headphone amplifier: this is critical maybe the most critical because the headphone amp on your audio interface SUCKS it does not matter how much money you spent. because we come from the mindset that speakers are everything pro audio manufacturers make the headphone amp literally the last thing to care about most of the time. its really there for recording duties not for mixing! even the ones that make dedicated headphone amps still are not making them to understand WHAT headphones need to mix at the highest level. You need to buy a headphone amplifier that is Linear -through out the entire volume range!- this cant be be overstated. I've tried them all Rme adi 2 pro FSR although better than my apollo twin (slightly) for what ever reason i still couldn't get the kicks to translate exactly the way i wanted to. it had more power than the Apollo which gives me more headroom which translates to better cleaner mixes but it is NOT a linear headphone amp through out its volume range meaning the frequency will slightly shift and you will make bad mixing decisions unknowingly some may read this and say BS maybe an RME respresenitive will show up but it is fact that at certain volume ranges the low end sounds distorted and not clean especially the more you turn it up! so i tried the SPL phonitor x (literally a dedicated headphone a amplifier with an after thought dac. smh) a step up in audio quality (headphone wise) for sure but not in linearity Through much better than the ADI the volume range and cross feed is over hyped though sounds great for immersive playback lol my bass and soundstage got better mixing on the phonitor x better by meaning i was already mixing very good with prior set ups but the speed in decision and translation was better but again the low end was not as accurate as i wanted in translation the dac was the problem after i hooked it up to my apollo it was clear the DAC was shit! with all 3 apollo,Rme, and the Spl i was already mixing with superb results but but i started nerding out into the details and technology behind headphone amplification and stumbled upon the Fiio Q7 a hifi device now I'm into hifi products so for me i understood that there's the color warm crowd in hifi and the scientifically accurate as possible crowd like accurate to point that would put pro audio manufactures to shame the Fiio q7 is a dedicated headphone and and DAC and i mean DEDICATED to give you actually a superb dac and AMP now the Fiio uses a THX styled headphone amps (not digital or digital mixed uninspiring headphone amps) THX am,ps which are the worlds most linear headphone ampfiers they have Years of knowledge of the RIGHT dac and headphone amp combination for the most linear result 3 watts of power giving you enough headroom unlike your audio interface long story and very long story short lol (sorry) this is portable device with 9 hours of battery that has desktop mode that has optical and coaxial connections that has 4 analog outputs Bluetooth i mean endless features and is absolutely the best mixing headphone amplifier on earth RIGHT NOW maybe side from the Chord HUGO 2/ Chord Dave and i tried it VS the new MT 48 by neumann and again i tell you audio interface headphone amps SUCK the detail i get throm this thing in the bass region the space and soundstage my LCDX turned into a whole other different headphone that became spacious and Accurate at all frequencies and at all volume ranges for the first time i mix at a low volume and cause when i turn it down it finally DOES NOT sound different! (hence linear through out the volume range) no Sound id reference no crossfeed all you need is this and headphone of choice and you will cry that you didn't start mixing in headphones earlier lol

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

@@malakiy8688 ok, first of all, thank you for the long and detailed answer. Appreciate you taking the time! If you don't mind me asking, out of curiosity: what's the price of such a setup? And do you have any links by any chance to any material mixed that way? I'm honestly curious!🙏

[@Notinserviceij]

​@malakiy8688 so having a multi thousand dollar headphone system is better than the equivalent speakers? Hmmm The context of this video is for bedroom producers I.e. probably not someone that had a few thousand for headphone systems I'm glad your mixes are translating, that's awesome But you learn your system and you adapt, that's not due to headphones or not that's just fact Unfortunately beginners don't have the experience to alunderstand how their headphones or sound in their room translates Hence why this couple hundred dollar pair of speakers that are smaller then head phones is a great idea for again beginners You sound like you are beginning your intermediate phase, so this video isn't for you nor is your comments useful to a beginner, unless they have money (but you'd still recommend speakers first or I would at least) It's all hearsay anyhow

[@TheNeonSyndicate]

@@Notinserviceij That's kind of what I was getting at. I've never tried that kind of setup with expensive headphones and preamps, so for all I know it might be the Holy Grail of mixing. But from my experience so far, mixing on cheap headphones for a while, then switching to speakers like these, the difference is enormous - that extra couple hundred dollars gives you a setup that has no drawbacks in terms of portability compared to headphones really, while at the same time allowing for a giant leap forward in terms of making it possible to make better mixing decisions. Where you take it from there is ultimately your decision, I at least have not reached that place yet where I feel I can say with confidence I have "outgrown" this setup. If and when that day comes, I will certainly consider expensive headphones and preamps as a possible next step!