After i recently reviewed two other products from IK Multimedia, the iRig Pro preamp/A>D converter and the iRig Mic HD, they graciously sent me their iLoud, a rechargeable stereo powered speaker that impressed me quite a bit. Although IK Multimedia markets the iLoud for musicians, I immediately saw several other applications for our ProVideo Coalition readers, including playback for a music video production, to present live, or even to monitor when editing audio or video, with the usual disclaimer for the last one. Ahead are the details.
Quick introduction by the manufacturer
The above video was supplied by the manufacturer.
The market is flooded with powered speakers, some of which are wireless (Bluetooth A2DP) enabled and others are not. Some of those are rechargeable, and some are not. The iLoud from IK Multimedia can work either with A2DP Bluetooth, or a few different ways with a physical cable connection. The iLoud is rechargeable and is stated to work for up to three hours at maximum volume, or up to ten hours with normal use. In my initial test, I used it for a three hour session with a professional singer, as I will describe later in this article.
iLoud published specs
- Size: 250 x 160 x 60 mm (2.36 x9.84 x 6.3 inches)
- Weight: 1.330 g (46.91 ounces)
- Total power: 40W (2x16W low-frequency, 2x4W high frequency)
- Frequency response: 50Hz to 20kHz
- Four Class-D Amplifiers, bi-amped system
- Two way 2×3” neodymium woofers & 2×3/4” neodymium tweeters
- High performance bass-reflex port
- 1/4” iRig input for connecting guitars and dynamic microphones to iOS devices
- Bluetooth compatible with A2DP protocol
- 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo analog line input
- DSP controlled
- Superior low-frequency extension and sound accuracy
- Auto Standby
- Integrated high-performance Li-Ion rechargeable battery
- Battery duration at maximum volume: up to 3 hours
- Battery usage with normal use: up to 10 hours
What comes in the box with iLoud
- iLoud speaker
- Power supply
- Power supply cable
- TRRS audio cable: 1 meter (3.3 feet)
- Quick start guide
- Registration card
Comparison with other speakers
The below comparisons were made by IK Multimedia using a stereo microphone. Both speakers were set to play at the same sound pressure level, approximately 85 dBA.
Why did I call it multifaceted in the title?
I called the iLoud multifaceted since I see the following ways to use it, in terms of connectivity:
- Wirelessly via Bluetooth A2DP
- With a dynamic microphone, electret condenser microphone with a battery inside, or a guitar connected via 1/4″, and an iOS connected with the included 3.5 mm TRRS<>TRRS cable to an iOS devices (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch) running one of IK Multimedia’s apps like AmpliTube or VocaLive for live processing
- With a line-level source via 3.5 mm TRS stereo (which is what I did with my initial test, as described below)
I also see several potential applications for it, including playback during music video production (while the performer does a lip-sync), to present live, or during editing. For that last one (during editing), I will point out the age old debate: Should you edit with flat studio monitors, with speakers that represent what the end consumer will hear, or alternate with both? The resolution of that debate goes beyond the scope of this article.
My initial test of the iLoud with a professional singer
I knew that my friend Bárbara Intriago, a professional Chilean singer whom you may have met in my CapicúaFM podcast or in this recent microphone review, was going to be singing in a local Peruvian restaurant. I knew that she typically lugged a very large and heavy self-powered monitor with her to the restaurant, so I proposed testing the iLoud at her next gig at that Peruvian restaurant which specializes in ceviche.
I also knew that Bárbara often sings live in small clubs with the soundtrack of her own songs, rather than having a live band. She mixes the soundtrack with her live microphone using a small audio mixer. We took the stereo unbalanced line level output of her mixer and fed the stereo 3.5 mm TRS into the iLoud. The iLoud impressively filled the entire restaurant with clear stereo sound (stereo from the soundtrack + her mic in center). For that sized venue, it sounded better, was much lighter to carry, and occupied much less space in the restaurant than her typical huge powered monitor (mono). One of the waiters saw her singing —but didn’t see her usual huge powered monitor— and didn’t immediately get what was the source of the sound. Bárbara, he, and I were quite impressed.
Want to hear the iLoud yourself?
Click here to see if there is a demonstrating dealer near you.
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Contact Allan Tépper for consulting, or find a full listing of his books, articles and upcoming seminars and webinars at AllanTepper.com. Listen to his CapicúaFM and TecnoTur programs. Search for CapicúaFM TecnoTur in iTunes or Stitcher Radio.
My latest book (paperback + ebook)
My most recent book is available in two languages, and in paperback as well as an ebook. The ebook format is Kindle, but even if you don’t have a Kindle device, you can read Kindle books on many other devices using a free Kindle app. That includes iPad, Android tablets, Mac computers, and Windows computers. Although generally speaking, Kindle books are readable on smartphones like Androids and iPhones, I don’t recommend it for this particular book since it contains both color photos and color comparison charts. The ebook is also DRM-free.
In English:
In English, it is currently available in the following Amazon stores, depending upon your region:
- Amazon.com, for the US and other countries in the Americas that don’t currently have their own Amazon store, or anywhere if you simply prefer it
- Amazon.br for Brazil
- Amazon.ca for Canada
- Amazon.de for Germany
- Amazon.es for Spain pero a lo mejor lo preferirás en castellano, a continuación)
- Amazon.fr for France
- Amazon.in for India
- Amazon.it for Italy
- Amazon.co.jp for Japan
- Amazon.com.mx for México
- Amazon.co.uk for the United Kingdom
Or in your favorite bookstore by requesting ISBN–10: 1456310232 or ISBN–13: 978–1456310233.
En castellano:
En castellano, está disponible actualmente en las siguientes tiendas Amazon, según tu región:
- Amazon.com para EE.UU. y todas las Américas donde no existe ninguna tienda particular… o en cualquier parte si simplemente lo prefieres
- Amazon.com.br para Brasil
- Amazon.co.jp para Japón
- Amazon.de para Alemania
- Amazon.es para España
- Amazon.fr (Francia)
- Amazon.in para India
- Amazon.it para Italia
- Amazon.com.mx para México
- Amazon.co.uk para el Reino Unido
o en tu librería preferida al solicitar el ISBN–10: 1492783390 ó el ISBN–13: 978–1492783398.
FTC disclosure
No manufacturer is specifically paying Allan Tépper or TecnoTur LLC to write this article or the mentioned books. Some of the other manufacturers listed above have contracted Tépper and/or TecnoTur LLC to carry out consulting and/or translations/localizations/transcreations. Many of the manufacturers listed above have sent Allan Tépper review units. So far, none of the manufacturers listed above is/are sponsors of the TecnoTur programs, although they are welcome to do so, and some are, may be (or may have been) sponsors of ProVideo Coalition magazine. Some links to third parties listed in this article and/or on this web page may indirectly benefit TecnoTur LLC via affiliate programs.
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