iLoud Precision 6 Studio Monitors - Review

#soniclab #iloud #precision6
Ok so speaker reviews in video are a bit tricky but editor Nick attempts to explain how the Ik Multimedia iLoud Precision 6 Studio Monitors sound.
They may seem expensive, but compared to monitors that offer similar specifications, they are a bit of a bargain.
Available in 5, 6 and MTM (2 drivers) models.
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[@MichaelBriggs3]

Needs a digital input. If it's going to do DSP we might as well minimize the number of conversions. The DAC in your interface really doesn't matter much if there is anothet stage in the speaker.

[@amdenis]

Great video. Very informative. I have used the little iLoud’s and larger IK Multimedia MTM monitors for a few years. I’ve got a fairly high-end studio here, with Focal Trio 11’s, Ocean Way HR-4S, and a Focal ATMOS 9.1.4 system. I got the new IK’s Precision MTM’s for on the road demo work, and all I can say is that they are amazing for the price and quick and easy to dial-in for new rooms. Prior to getting them, the Ocean Way’s or the KII Three’s were my first choice, but these little IK Precision’s are much easier to transport and setup and give me a good 80% of what the 5-10 times more expensive monitors do.

[@PrinceLX]

Great review, Nick! As always. I know you were worried about the amount of talking but it was explained really well and did the job of persuading those of us who are interesting to try and get a live demo of them, which is truly a requirement for any monitor purchase.

[@velanche]

I read some reviews and saw videos from trusted sources such as this one. Just bought my pair; can't wait to get them! I'm upgrading from my monitors going back to 2007, so really excited. Thank you!

[@prospectnyc]

I've been at this for over 20 years. Got a pair of the MTM Precisions and was blown away. One of the best monitors I've ever heard. I also found the room correction to be a little too aggressive. I only turn on the room correction when I need to be surgical about something. Otherwise, I use the comfort mode and leave room correction off most of the time.

[@atomicasounds]

Certainly an interesting foray into the higher-end market. I was interested to see how they compare to the Adam A7V. Great review!

[@MichaelRohaly]

I have the previous MTMs and they are ridiculously clear, almost disturbingly so. They won't cover up crappy sound.

[@itube0103]

11:30 onwards to hear Nick's personal experience and opinion with the speakers.👍

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

The shape of the cabinet would indicate only vertical position possible. There is a bypass for the DSP then and have the option of remaining analog?

[@dankeplace]

Good review, I know the MTM can be horizontal or vertical, can the 5 inch and 6 inch do the same or do you get off axis issues with the tweeter? They want 1800 AUD per monitor so are expensive, but for people who need clarity, these are not too expensive. My only real bug bear is the rear port, which wont allow close proximity to walls. Thx for the upload Nick.

[@billybartcody3591]

Ha! I too will whip out Sun Toucher on new speakers / systems - Superstylin is another banger on that album. I have the iLoud Micro monitors and am stunned daily by how great they sound. I can only imagine these sound impressive.

[@spencerb2631]

Just got the MTM's and they are blowing my mind! Absolutely gorgeous sound. I do wish they would identify which speaker models the voices are emulating in the x-monitoring software though, I can't find that info anywhere!

[@mrdiggie3321]

I just splurged on IK's MTM desktop speakers. I realise for some people they're on the lower end, but for me fairly expensive for speakers. The flat response they achieve, sonic detail, and response range is amazing. Probably the first set of speakers I haven't been disappointed with in some way out of the box. I hope IK maintains strong product offerings for people with different budgets. Regarding ARC, one of the points I've seen many people raise is it allows them to get the same profile in several different physical spaces, so whether you prefer it or not it at least offers you consistency. I'm not rich enough to have several different spaces but there you go...

[@pheotus]

Love my ilouds. Over the years I’ve had to shrink down to smaller and smaller spaces and they fill the space perfectly

[@user82938]

The micros?

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Need to send these iLoud's to Ty next so he can compare the iLouds to his new studio and new high end monitors he is now using for his film scoring.

[@motoboy6666]

Really happy with my micros ... great sounds for a tiny speaker

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Isn't incredible how we can educate our ears so quickly after years of our reference systems/program material setting a standard for our brain and ears was just proven wrong (again)? I just finished my little synth studio that I have been struggling (money wise) to complete over the last 17 years. Now that I have replaced all my cheap crappy synths/sampler/groove boxes/recording equipment with high quality sound...I am focusing on my monitoring equipment. Trouble with these monitoring systems, you MUST be present to hear them live, or use trial and error until you find something. And then there is our room with its (most likely) square-ish cube shape and all the awful dynamics/reflections/harmonics that come with listening to a sound coming out of a box, while listening inside a box :). I don't want to spend the same amount on my monitoring as I did on my instrument studio :) and wait another 17 years. So...I am cheating; after buying 4 different sets of headphones looking for a linear set, I am giving up and building my own monitoring system from mono-block amps, 31 band stereo EQ, full metering with dampened VU and LED segment with peak indicators, metered AC power with stabilized voltage, and a number of passive and active monitors for comparison mixing, and my choice of DAC for conversion.....hope it works.

[@TheSakuraGumiLTD]

Interesting to know the room correction didn't help... but also, have more confidence in them because of it. Also the fact the room correction might not be needed means the cheaper Dolby Atmos mixing setup I'm going to build will have one less complication. I'm thinking a pair of Precision MTM's and 11 of the mini MTM monitors, then a Dynaudio 18S as the subwoofer. If I want to upgrade the sound later on and change the mini ones for the Precision 5's or 6's, the Trinnov room correction device will be able to add correction and actually gain clarity... it's just another £10,000!!!... only when Atmos is proving profitable 😉😂 To hear what they beat in a day and night like difference, I think I'm sold. I'd have to test for myself, but I think this might be the answer

[@zoundsic]

helps a lot but like nick said it's weird, until you get to learn it's sound. best used like a second set of speakers.

[@cornerliston]

Nice to see. The price tag surprised me a lot. I first thought it was a per pair price when looking on their web the other day, and this price tag feels very weird in relation to my idea of the IK brand. But that's probably just me having a dated opinion about IK as a brand. Although they put this into a market segment where the competition is fierce. Hope to see they do well! The calibrated curve you show at 16:00 isn't that the response before calibration rather than what you hear after calibration? This could be better clarified in the UI and something for the UX designer at IK to deal with : ) Is the calibrated sound managed by the software or the DSP inside the monitors? If it's the software I'm really surprised there's no audible latency and job well done.

[@sonicstate]

Yeah I know what you mean, but they have got something right here thats for sure.

[@prospectnyc]

The software on the computer helps to manage the calibration but the realtime processing is done on-board the speaker.

[@cornerliston]

@@prospectnyc Thanks! The Genelec way. Which explains the inaudible latency. Very good. Probably something we'll see more speaker developers embrace. Adam Audio did this recently together with Sonarworks in the new A-series.

[@jovensotto7701]

the first Generation of the MTM was the real Masterpiece! now this 2nd Generation of MTM.. it's like a Home Theater Sound System.

[@mc2engineeringprof]

I just hope the build quality has improved. Without even setting the level higher than 50% on previous iLoud products, the monitors detached the coil in every unit I purchased in less than 6 months time. They sounded quite good. But the construction was abysmal. I get the feeling that they design for "new" experience but have no concept of lifecycle value in their design process. Again, hopefully these are different.

[@sonicstate]

Oh dear, hopefully not. Sadly I cannot test them for longevity

[@Jason75913]

@@CharlesFrommage Mackie? Wow, I would have expected Behringer to be worst or one of. When I used to fix and resell pro audio gear, I noticed Behringer powered speakers have very mediocre circuit board designs.

[@TheSpeedyr6]

What about the hiss

[@pheotus]

Will you be keeping them???

[@dankeplace]

Nah he mentioned they're expensive and possibly not worth the amount of time he does little mixing on.

[@user82938]

I think you should have played some audio through them in the video. Even though I understand it's extremely unscientific, I always appreciate the monitor reviews that give a little sample of how they might sound.

[@DoctorRevers]

Company should change their name. And their logos. Generally don’t like products named “i….” That’s enough negative Nelly from me. Great review. Your praise is convincing, so I’m interested now.

[@Jason75913]

I dislike that a bit as well.

[@deadmanwalking6342]

I use Musks brain chip so im fully plugged in and dont need speakers!

[@Mclennnan]

overpriced

[@habfps]

it is but for what it offers it can be, this monitor years ago would have been 5k+ now we can actually get something good under 2500$ for a pair

[@nomoredamnnamestouse]

​@@habfps I ordered a pair of 6s for just 1200 EUR shipped. The Precision series are having a deep discounts as of now on IK's own web store and Sweetwater.