MusicRadar Verdict
The Micro Monitor Pro is a big sounding monitor considering its size. Add in the integrated room correction and software support and you have a very flexible and portable tool that’s ideal for a multitude of users.
Pros
- +
Big sound from small footprint.
- +
Integrated room calibration.
- +
Powerful support software.
Cons
- -
Punchy bass can be a bit flattering.
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IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro: What is it?
Micro Monitor Pro is the latest addition to IK Multimedia’s iLoud studio monitor range and brings to the table a new and enhanced version of the brand's smallest Micro Monitor.
The big news, and much like the iLoud MTM MkII, is that the Micro Monitor Pro incorporates IK’s ARC calibration system and supports IK’s X-Monitor control software. To that end, although available as individual monitors, if you buy a pair of speakers they come bundled with the ARC calibration mic. This allows you to take full advantage of extra functionality including easy matching to the acoustics of your space, and emulation of famous monitor types.
The Micro Monitor Pro is a 2-way front-ported design with 3” woofer, 1” tweeter and integrated desktop stand, and on first impressions, it looks a lot like the original Micro Monitor. However, a quick look around the back reveals a noticeably different feature set.
One key difference is each speaker is self-contained (the original Micro Monitor uses a master and remote configuration). Each monitor includes its own Class D amplification and DSP-powered features, allowing it to be used, adjusted and calibrated without connection to a computer. To facilitate this on the back you’ll find a bank of four soft buttons that cycle around the various EQ options (HF, LF and high-pass filter) and access the operation Mode (Flat, Desk or Calibrate).
In keeping with the Pro tag, audio inputs are on both RCA and XLR, meanwhile, the volume is conveniently set using a regular control knob. Impressively for units of this size, they are also powered directly from the mains, so no messing around with external PSUs. Rounding things off is a soft power button and USB-C socket (1.5m USB-C to USB-A cables are included in the box) for computer connection and use of X-Monitor.
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro: Performance and verdict
Setting up the Micro Monitor Pro is pretty straightforward. The integrated stand allows them to be positioned flat or with the front raised, and there’s also a stand mounting thread on the bottom for more adventurous installs.
The monitors can be used without room calibration by setting the Mode to either Flat or Desk. The latter setting applies desk compensation EQ, which cuts the lows and boosts the mids (-3dB at 250Hz, +4dB at 1.2kHz), and in practice, this makes a pretty noticeable difference. In both Flat or Desk modes you can also make modest adjustments to the overall EQ, with shelves at 100Hz and 8kHz. Rounding things off is an 80Hz high-pass filter option for use with a subwoofer.
In keeping with their design philosophy the Micro Monitor Pro delivers a big sound and you can really feel the bass port doing its work. This can be a bit too flattering at times and prioritises the punchy low frequencies over the low mids. Nevertheless, the mid-range is well-defined, and overall they sound very engaging.
Of course, the big attraction is you can finesse things further using the room calibration and X-Monitor software. First up, calibration can be done using just the monitor. All you need to do is plug the ARC mic into the XLR input, place the mic at the listening position and hold down the calibration button to start the process. This takes a few minutes for each speaker and the results are stored onboard.
Using X-Monitor requires you to connect both monitor USB connectors to your computer. X-Monitor is a powerful remote control app that handles a whole host of features such as more extensive EQ, EQ presets and speaker emulations, including the white coned classics. It identifies the connected speakers and imports any existing settings including calibration. When you run the calibration from X-Monitor it uses a four-point process. This takes quite a bit longer to do, but the results are more accurate.
One of the great things about using X-Monitor is it displays both analysis and correction curves, so you can see what it’s correcting. What’s more, changes made using X-Monitor, including EQ, remain active even when the monitors are no longer connected to your computer. Excellent and powerful stuff.
Verdict
Overall, the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro is quite an achievement. There is plenty of tech crammed into a small space, and coupled with the room calibration and support software, it makes for the most flexible mini monitor we’ve tried. They’re not cheap, but all in all, offer excellent value.
MusicRadar verdict: The Micro Monitor Pro is a big-sounding monitor considering its size. Add in the integrated room correction and software support and you have a very flexible and portable tool that’s ideal for a multitude of users.
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro: The web says
"We always loved these monitors in their first incarnation, because they looked just like desktop multimedia speakers but sounded more like reference studio monitors, making them a great choice if you have little room or need something portable yet value great audio quality. Now with digital calibration, they just got even better."
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IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro: Specifications
- KEY FEATURES: Type: 2-Way, front ported, bi-amped, digitally controlled compact studio monitor with DSP tuned bass reflex.
- Drivers: LF 3” custom-made composite cellulose fibre, HF 1” silk dome.
- Features: integrated calibration and DSP control.
- Amplifiers: 30W LF, 20W HF Class D.
- Crossover frequency: Digital linear phase at 2.5kHz.
- Frequency Response: 50Hz to 20kHz +/-2dB.
- Peak SPL: 107.3dB free field, 1m distance, weighted pink noise.
- Main EQ: +2/-3dB 100Hz low-shelf, +2/-2dB 8kHz high-shelf, high-pass filter 50 or 80Hz.
- Desk Correction EQ: -3dB at 250Hz, +4dB at 1.2kHz.
- Connections: XLR, RCA, USB-C.
- Mounting: Integrated stand and bottom stand mounting point.
- Size: 206 x 106 x 158mm.
- Weight: 1.37kg.
- CONTACT: IK Multimedia
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