Insanely Impressive!!! IK Multimedia iLoud Precision 5 Studio Speakers

[@apextraxx2903]

I got these and I can't believe how much better they sound than my A7 X's, more depth in the base response for 5-in speaker is ridiculous. A7x will be used for reference because that top end is still endless. One of the best purchases I've made!

[@SeriousTipStudio]

First of all, thanks for playing the monitors. I know the mic is not the best for this. I was still able to get a good idea of what they sounded like. Great job with the demo 😁👍

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Thanks!

[@mixhits9306]

I just picked up the Precision MTM's and I'm absolutely floored!!! Incredible. Using these with my Focal's

[@MiximusMaximus]

Me too. My Trident HG-3s sound broken next to these.

[@jafethuerta]

Honestly those micro monitors have been very useful whenever I go to our house in the woods and want to take a minimal setup. Very practical and reliable.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

They're an incredible tool. Maybe the most useful speaker for the money.

[@jafethuerta]

@@BigHairyGuitars Definretly !

[@TheBryceSheehan]

Have you had a chance to test your ATC25's against the ATC model in the iLoud software? That would be an interesting comparison. How close did they get? Great review!

[@TorridDesign]

So, not an audiophile, and not a producer, but got the micros for playing my guitars and computer music and they blew my mind....ive had the name brand speakers bose, pioneer etc and these are epic. I'm getting the Precision 5's next.

[@rok_koritnik]

I'm curious about their headroom. I have a large 15dB dip at 100Hz. When using a room correction software to compensate for the dip you need lots of headroom, so that the amp and the drivers don't cave in. My Adam A7 just can't take it.

[@Ewald_93]

I really love my Micro Monitors. I only bought the because I have very limited space. I think they also work better in untreated rooms. My dad‘s hs-5 sound like shit in my room haha

[@BigHairyGuitars]

NICE! The Micro's work everywhere!

[@davidyates8880]

blimey, I open up KZbin as I'm going to search for recommendations for speakers, as I've just bought an audio interface. I've not even typed in the search and this video appears at the start of my home page!! Happy days. I shall now watch 😀

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Ha! Awesome. If you need any specific direction, let me know.

[@wabisabi7399]

Google's algorithm knows what you want before you even type it. Kinda creepy, right?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

@@wabisabi7399 Yes. amazing

[@davidyates8880]

@@BigHairyGuitars thank you Michael, that's a very kind offer. I watched your video and then a few more reviews, which were all very positive. All I'm looking for the monitors for are some recording/mixing, but also I'm predominantly looking for something that is going to make my guitar sound suitably impressive when I play my Helix. I've been using that through a Katana 100s power section for playing at home, but it just doesn't cut it for me. I'm thinking for my needs that the 5 would be perfect for me rather than going to the 6 (my inner Yngwie is trying to convince me that more is more!). I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to creating music with a computer. I've never done it before, my home recordings were last done using a Teac tascam 4 track tape machine, so I'm daunted to say the least. But I'm determined too. Just want to be sure that I'm choosing wisely. Do you think these monitors would be good for me? They are a bit pricey, but I know that you get what you pay for in this world

[@SoundNebula876]

ilouds sound great. But the atc wow. That mid rage details. I can here everything that's going on with the guitars

[@timothy5974]

If you ask my spouse, she may tell you I’m her nightmare. 😢

[@frankymino8773]

LoL... You brought me to tears when you dropped the monitor!!! Couldn't stop laughing!!! Now that was impressive. But in all seriousness... thanks for the vid cause I'm interested in the iLouds. They really do seem like an advancement in studio monitoring in comparison to many out there. Thanks for a great laugh.... too funny to keep watching! You're subbed.

[@EJH-jn6mo]

I just bought the MTM precision which is pretty amazing. Wish you had that compared to your professional pair

[@MrTriskaidekaphobic]

Great comparison!

[@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!

[@adriancaceres4238]

I'm on the market for monitors and these seems to very good. Th video just showed up on my home page.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

These are VERY good. In a similar price range, the Adam A7X are definitely worth checking out. They're a different color from the IK, but also excellent for the money

[@error8418]

That moment when you switch from the ATCs to the iLouds instantly justifies the ATC's pricetag. The iLouds seem to be missing quite a bit of information in the mids, they almost sound a little scooped in comparison. Maybe that's really down to 2 vs 3 way speakers, but it's definitely noticeable through the video. Is the biggest model of IK Multimedia's new monitors really a 3 way speaker or just a 2 way with double woofers (D'Appolito)?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

You're hearing accurately. It's rare that anything can touch the broad clarity of ATC's midrange. The IK 3 speaker MIGHT be a 2 way.... I'll have to double check.

[@funkyfurballs1078]

Nice review! I was also impressed by the cheaper Kali Audio monitors.

[@thaexception3406]

Got the original MTMs and the big MTMs are on my list, but as a luxury so I’ll be waiting for a price drop like what happened to the original MTMs.

[@hansgrayman4809]

I have their MTM's and there good. I would be surprised if these weren't better.

[@zakklee2556]

Let Mike try it. Hey Mike likes it. * eats speakers *

[@BigHairyGuitars]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

Thank you very much for your super video. I loved watching it, I found it so usefull ! Watched multiple times the comparison part also. It makes me want to have ATCs... The difference is really important to my ears. Can you tell me if the ATCs can work properly in a 4,3 m2 room (makes 46 square foot) ? Or they are to big for such a room ?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

The ATC's will work well in any sized room. They sound great at low volume as well. The PMC PMC6 monitors would be my very small room recommended monitor. I LOVE THOSE too, and they're 1/2 price of the ATC25.

@@BigHairyGuitars Wow thank you so much for your fast and great detailed answer ! I'm gonna check it right now !

[@modusceo]

Legimately thought the reference noise for correction was the intro to 2112

[@LaMarrBrewster]

Your demos just keep getting better and better. I have a cramped space and have been thinking about getting monitors to help play at lower volumes through a reactive load. Are the micro-monitors sufficient in tone to cover playing and having fun, but not worrying about mixing, etc... I'm not at that stage.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I know several people that use them for this purpose. keep in mind, they won't fill a room like a larger monitor though. They are a very good option, but in this below 500 price range, also check out KRK Rokit and JBL 306P. Whatever you buy, make sure it's from a place you can return them if you're not happy with them.

[@LaMarrBrewster]

@@BigHairyGuitars thank you. I don’t have the depth to go with a 5” speaker on my desk. Do you think something like the small Genelec 8010 offers improvement over the ilouds?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

@@LaMarrBrewster Not really. I think there's a size that physics takes over . The Genelecs are good, so are the little KRK's, but they're all going to sound small. The IK's for the money sound balanced and will save you some money until you get into bigger monitors.

[@aquilarossa5191]

Quite a few good monitors can be had for for easier to come up with amounts of money these days. I have stuck with Presonus Eris 8 and now Eris 8XT, because I am just a hobbyist and they are pretty good. I immediately noticed stuff on records I had never noticed before. Layered guitar parts, or subtle effects etc. I still need to use headphones when adding reverb to guitar though. It seems to be a lot more apparent with them on, no matter the type. IK Mutimedia? Sunset Sound reverbs are proving very useful. I have Amplitube 5 SE. My nephew says it sounds better than my Softube amp plugins. It does in a way, because it aims to please us noodlers first try. But the microphonic pickups in my Yngwie-fied Strat were not noticeable with AT5. They are with Softube amps, more like my actual amps (I just confirmed the nasty sounding issue was microphonic old HS3s by talking to my guitar, which felt a bit like a loon lol -- my voice showed up on the recorded direct track). IK's T-Racks Max was on special. Early morning email arrived to remind me. I got triggered and quickly clicked buy. I somehow ended up with just one plugin for the same price as the 38 plugins in Max. Waiting for refund now. Must be their fault, rather than my coffee not working :P (Gen X doing my best to not end up sounding like a Boomer, unless it's a cool Booomer like my ex cousin in law Jimmy Page)

[@gravyblue]

Just have 1 pair you love, and learn what they sound like. Keep switching at your peril

[@my_tube9405]

I liked the speaker demo. I am actually looking right now. Do you ever get a baseline volume when mixing? Say like always mixing at 83db (whether the device measuring db is accurate or not) and always start at your 83 db set up and then test at lower and higher volumes? I ask since our internal eq moves around based on the volume and so having a steady volume for mixing is process some people use.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

That’s pretty close to me. I work at roughly 75-83db. I generally prefer to work quietly, since I’m usually writing, or mixing all day. If I’m recording guitars things are louder, and it much harder to mix afterwards.

[@rogerdat7807]

PMC 6:2 is the truth you're looking for - if you're serious. Yeah they are about 5 grand apc, but you'd be amazed at what you'd be willing to sell after hearing the mouse eyelashes, especially at soft levels. Two guitars I rarely played, three sets of inferior monitors and some redundant rack gear sold for the most incredible audio truth I ever heard. Just two speakers and I'd swear I'm sitting in 5.1 every time. The difference is massive workflow time savings via full immersion into audio truthland. Its not even fair... The only downside besides the legacy investment is they are so brutally honest that your tracking/source material has to be pretty much perfect. They'll reveal any herpes your vocalist is hiding, or the dust in your cab's grillcloth. 😂🤣😂

[@BigHairyGuitars]

@@rogerdat7807 PMC's are fantastic! I have a pair of the 6's at my other studio. They're a treat to listen to LOVE THEM!

[@FreeDooMusic]

A pair of ATCs cost as much as a pretty decent used car. so what those ilouds perform in comparison to those for way cheaper is impressive to say the least.

[@emily_the_studd]

What song is that at 7:15? It’s badass and I like it! I want it in my Spotify!

[@bobgreaves1716]

I'm interested to see you don't have any obvious acoustic treatment? A lot is made of the need for panels behind and to the side reflection points of monitors, as well as clouds and corner traps, so I'm keen to hear the expert view.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Hi Bob. I have a couple panels behind me, and 1 in an upper corner. I have some ceiling panels incoming. I've spent the last 20 years in various padded cells; mega panel, tube traps, professional studios. I'm sick at looking at Guilford of Maine fabric. Life is too short! I'm slowly trying to add JUST barely enough panels to work. I can get by as-is now, but there's still a little bit of reflection I dont like. You can hear it in my speaking mic in the videos. It doesn't really effect my workflow, but for vids, it's annoying me. It difficult to advise people on exactly how much room treatment is best for them, but I would suggest, don't go over crazy. ... but also check out SoundID Reference software. It's pretty great if you need room correction at times.

[@bobgreaves1716]

@@BigHairyGuitars Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm just an amateur and put plenty of panels, 4 corner traps and a cloud in my small dining room 'studio', but I think I over-did it - it's a bit too like an audiologists soundproof booth now! :) I much prefer your minimalist approach, so perhaps I'll start taking some down and compare the difference. I'll check-out that software. One other question, if I may? Do you use a subwoofer? (that's two questions, but anyway...)

[@SamDiazProducer]

Thank you for the review Michael! Had been wondering how about these. Quick question, what are your preferred headphones for mixing these days?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I'm using Audeze LCD-X. But I also just got some Apple AirPods Max for the noise canceling, and they sound really good. I'm gonna try them

[@Doty6String]

Midrange price in studio monitors IMO is like 5k. Atc’s are like 10k EACH!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

True, but the ATC's I have are the mid range of the ATC's. The ones I'd LIKE to have are about 20k.

[@Doty6String]

My friend has the ATC’s with the 15” in the bottom and they are a force of nature. Unreal.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

@@Doty6String 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@Doty6String]

@@BigHairyGuitars #overkill lol

[@RichBischoff]

Michael, what do you think of these head phones that Stephen Slate is marketing that are supposed to emulate famous mix rooms?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Hi Rich, they're very good headphones. I use them regularly as just headphones. The room emulation is OK. It's fun. It's kind of helpful to learn what speakers you like. It can be kind of helpful as a different listening perspective, but it's not really the "fix" to our monitoring problem. So if you like the headphones, like I do, you end up overpaying a big for the headphone, but don't really use the software portion of it. ... they are fun to checkout the rooms though.

[@RichBischoff]

@@BigHairyGuitars Good to know, thanks for the info, thinking about getting some good head phones and these are on my radar.

[@mariek6993]

why are they listed per speaker? do people really buy just one speaker?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I don't know. Weird.

[@miguelsotto-mayor7325]

This comment comes 1 year late... :) The mains reason they sell one is because you may want to buy several speakers for 5.1, 7.1 , atmos, or any other setup

[@fabiol.9161]

Just for listening to guitar in an unthreated small room i think micro monitors still unbeatable.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Yeah, they're great!

[@chrismello1915]

Lost me at 1800, lol.

[@Paolocampitelli]

thanks for the video micheal! may i ask you why tweeter in the "middle" instead the opposite?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I positioned them that way because of my close proximity. How the desk dimensions sit. If I put the tweeters on the outside, they would shoot past the back outside of my ears. I have seen some other big time mixers have them setup like this too (tweeter inside), so I felt pretty good about it. 😆👍

[@Paolocampitelli]

@@BigHairyGuitars thanks!

[@jaystonerkstr]

The iLoud sound more mid and crisp. Like the SCM5 bottom

[@wakjob961]

Opinions of Adam A3X for a small space (apartment living)?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Howdy Wak, A3x's are VERY nice, but if you can bump up a little more to the A5X, they'll give you a little more fullness in the sound. Sometimes the littlest monitors really take some getting used to. The 5 feels like there's real sound coming out of the speaker. We have them in the office at the studio, and they're great for referencing.

[@psycofdo]

How they stand against presounus eris monitors?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I haven't been able to A/B, Gonna try to track down some Presonus.

[@tvtime1505]

Your sitting position should be about 4' back.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

There’s theoretical and there’s practical. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[@dbauernf]

5:08 - I don't think those are 3 way.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Right. They just have 3 drivers. But not 3 way

[@altag1]

Another great video! However, re: IK iLoud Precision 5, HARD PASS...

[@matthewblue7839]

At $2,000 usd or the mid monitors they better sound good.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

They do, but not all $2000 monitors sound good. Not that you HAVE to spend 2000. There are lots of usable $500 monitors as well.

[@GonzaCordovez]

clearly your mind cannot believe what is earing!

[@Stringprodigy]

i think Presonus are better IMO

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Which of the Presonus do you like?

[@dougb3854]

Heard price I;m out