I have been using the original iLoud MTM monitors in my home studio for the past couple of years, and I was thrilled to hear that IK Multimedia was releasing an updated MKII version. The original MTMs quickly became my go-to nearfield monitors thanks to their solid sound, compact size, and built-in room correction. So when I got my hands on a pair of the new iLoud MTM MKIIs, I was eager to see how IK had improved upon an already brilliant product.
Familiar Design, Upgraded Internals
At first glance, the iLoud MTM MKII looks very similar to its predecessor. It retains the same innovative MTM (midrange-tweeter-midrange) driver configuration in a compact, rear-ported enclosure. However, a peek under the hood reveals some significant upgrades.
The new 3.5″ woofers are lighter and stiffer, allowing them to move more air and deliver punchier, more defined low end down to an impressive 36 Hz (-10 dB). The 1″ tweeter has also been enhanced for even smoother, more detailed highs. Combined with a flatter frequency response (now 48 Hz – 28 kHz ±2 dB), double the DSP processing power, and wider sweet spot, the MKII provides an even more transparent and full-range sound than the original.
Also worth mentioning: thanks to the thread adapter on the bottom of the speaker, iLoud MTM MKII can be mounted on any standard 3/8″ microphone stand. This allows you to place the speakers at the perfect height and, most important, helps
to reduce the reflections of your desk.
Here’s a video overview:
ARC Room Correction: Now Even Better
One of my favorite features of the original iLoud MTM was the inclusion of IK’s ARC room correction technology. Using the included MEMS measurement microphone, ARC analyzes your room and applies corrective EQ to compensate for acoustic issues, ensuring you always hear an accurate representation of your mix.
The MKII takes this even further, using an improved 4-point measurement system derived from IK’s high-end iLoud Precision series. The calibration process is still quick and easy – just place the mic in your listening position, press a button, and let ARC do its thing. But the results are now even more effective at eliminating problematic room modes and reflections.
In my less-than-ideal home studio space (speaking of which, check out our recent Realphones 2 review), the difference ARC makes is night and day. The low end tightens up, the stereo imaging snaps into focus, and I can make confident mix decisions knowing I’m hearing my music as it really sounds – not how my room is coloring it.
X-MONITOR Integration
Another great new feature in the iLoud MTM MKII is integration with IK’s X-MONITOR software (downloadable for free – you will need to use it also for the speakers’ firmware upgrades), previously only available on their iLoud Precision series. This allows you to further tweak your monitor settings from your computer, including precise adjustment of the ARC target curve.
But the real magic of X-MONITOR is its ability to emulate the sound of 20 popular studio monitors and reference systems. Want to quickly check how your mix might translate on NS10s, a car stereo, or a phone speaker? No problem – X-MONITOR lets you simulate those environments at the click of a button. It’s an incredibly handy referencing tool to have built right into your monitors.
Pricing and Availability
The iLoud MTM MKII is available for purchase now in three configurations:
- Single monitor: $399.99 (ARC MEMS microphone not included)
- Pair: $799.99 (includes ARC MEMS microphone) – this is the one I got, FYI
- 11-speaker immersive bundle: $3,999.99 (includes ARC MEMS microphone)
iLoud MTM MKII – Final Thoughts
Overall, the iLoud MTM MKII is a worthy successor to what were already some of the best compact studio monitors on the market. The sonic improvements are noticeable, the new features are useful, and it retains the same great form factor and flexibility that made the original so appealing.
Whether you’re looking for a monitoring upgrade for your home/project studio, a portable solution for mobile production (I’m using them also for a small synth-based setup), recording and mixing, or even a 5.1 or Atmos setup (up to 11 speakers are supported), the iLoud MTM MKII is a great choice.
It’s amazing how much high-end monitoring performance IK has managed to squeeze into such a small and quite affordable package. I say affordable because, if you’re considering the pair configuration, you get some great speakers, as well as a measuring mic and all the bells and whistles provided by the X-Monitor and Arc integration.
If you couldn’t tell, I’m impressed with the iLoud MTM MKII. They have earned a spot in my daily workflow, and I have no doubt they will help me continue to craft great-sounding, translation-ready mixes for years to come. Highly recommended.
Learn more and order iLoud MTM MkII from the IK website. 
