iLoud review: Bluetooth speaker by day, amp by night
The problem with Bluetooth speakers is that they're typically underpowered, and not very dynamic. You get small-ish speakers pushing out varying levels of sound in both level and quality. The iLoud is meant as a no-compromise device that can even double as an amp for your guitar. To find out if it actually pulls double-duty, we took it for a spin.
Hardware
As a standalone Bluetooth speaker, iLoud is a touch bigger than what you may be used to. There's good reason, though. This guy pumps out a full 40-watts of music, which IK Multimedia, the masterminds behind iLoud, say is around double others in its size category.
A peek beneath the front-facing grille shows four speakers, and a look around back details what makes iLoud unique. You'll get the typical power toggle and DC input, and even an audio jack for wired connectivity. You also get a Guitar/Mic input and gain control — and it starts to become clear.
The overall makeup is plastic, and iLoud has a decent amount of heft to it. IK touts it as portable, and that's accurate. You will notice it's in your bag, though.
Use
If you're just going to use this as a speaker, you're not going to be disappointed. The deep sound is consistent at higher levels, and the iLoud gets — well, loud.
IK says the iLoud has tuned bass-reflex, which is something you'll notice if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy music. The bass is dependably clear and deep, offering up none of the bottomed-out buzz you may get elsewhere.
Textural sounds like those you'd find in a concerto (yes, I literally went from Lil Jon to Bach) also ring true. The time-aligned system and non-resonant enclosure really shine, here. As a pure listening device, it's phenomenal for the size it takes up.
Software
The iLoud falls into a lineup from IK, and occupies the same app family. With any iRig product, you'll find a string of apps meant to digitally control your inputs.
iLoud was meant as an amp as well as a speaker. That's why it has the guitar input around back. This is great for those times you don't want to be tethered to a larger amp, and wonderful for more in-line music recording and light production.
The software available (AmpliTube, available on the App Store) isn't necessarily cheap, but it is profound, depending on the type of guitar you have. Even the free Amplitude amp asks for in-app purchases ranging from $2.99 to $14.99. The free app gives rudimentary controls, but you can graduate to a pretty deep level of studio control for $19.99.
Again, this brings you to the digital realm. If studio time is hard to come by, this app/speaker set might be a good option for you. In toying with it for this review, I do suggest using it on a tablet rather than a phone. More screen real estate makes for better overlay and sampling control.
Conclusion
The aim with iLoud is to bridge a gap. You are supposed to great great sound during playback, and an amp that offers enough power to unleash respectable results for casual interaction.
It's worth noting that those things are both very accurate. Playback was crisp, deep, and loud enough to shake any room.
As an amp, it's a portable, straight-forward approach. Though the accompanying app and in-app purchases can be a touch steep, they're all considerably cheaper than the alternative, which can be studio time.
All in all, iLoud is fantastic. I'd wager this would suit the market it's intended for, and is more than good for the casual music listener. If you're into music production, this is a winner. If you just want a bluetooth speaker that really kicks hard, this is one we'd highly recommend. If you want both, run out and grab one now.
The iLoud speaker sells for just under $200, and can be found on the IK site or via Amazon.