Connecting iloud mtm speakers to my PC?

Helen Barber

Helen Barber

Helen Barber

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Looking at buying these, for listening to music and gaming.

I don't have a soundcard, I own a creative G6 headphone amp.

Do I just connect the MTM's to the 3.5mm output on my Motherboard?

I'm surprised pc/studio speakers don't have optical as inputs, as that's much better than 3.5mm AUX.

Back of speakers
https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/jFwEQ5OieWhFoMCJnEgbgf0zPR3zJ3FB7SO35K9HmvX

What do you recommend?... I don't have any PCI-E slots left on my pc, so if I need a sound card, then it's got to be USB

Edit... Would this do? https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/8UyM23JDw6fALvLAqUDqSGQmpcREViDjlhZC4EL9JIP

:)
 
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The lack of an optical input is explained by the fact that the iLoud MTMs are professional active studio monitors rather than consumer active speakers. If you look at competing brands in the same market such as Focal, Adam, Genelec, Yamaha and JBL then you'll find the same lack of an optical input.

For studio monitoring, where the speaker level is driven by signal level changes from a professional mixer, then it's not possible to use optical for that job. The digital optical signal doesn't scale up and down without changing its resolution. That's no good for creative work. The analogue output of a mixing desk does scale. The use of balanced connections keeps the noise floor low. The default +4dB sensitivity matches the dynamic range of studio gear. There's a concession that the monitors include a -10dB setting to accommodate a consumer-level connection.

Another issue with optical is that professional monitors are standalone units. Each speaker stands as an island in terms of signal connectivity. In order to use optical would require splitting the optical source signal in two to feed each speaker directly. The sort of consumer-level speakers with an optical in have one active speaker which then drives the second as a passive speaker. For professional monitoring that's a compromise because it means a subtle difference in the tonality of the passive to the active speaker. That's not acceptable if one is producing work for paying clients.

Regarding signal connections, other brands of monitor make the concession of providing an unbalanced input of some description. It's usually an RCA socket on each speaker. The iLouds don't do this, so you will need a cable that is wired for an unbalanced connection which is what you've linked to, so that will work. Try the cable and see how you get on. If you do find the direct 3.5mm stereo jack output on the PC to be noisy then you can explore options for external DACs.
 
Helen Barber said:
Edit... Would this do? https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/8UyM23JDw6fALvLAqUDqSGQmpcREViDjlhZC4EL9JIP

:)
Click to expand...
Yes that cable will work and you just change the SENS to -10dBV for none balanced inputs like the cable you will be using.

I use mine on my laptop with a DAC/amp that has a pre-amp to control the volume. The volume at the back of the speakers is only for balancing them if needed, but you are meant to set them to max on both speakers and use the volume on the pc or pre-amp.


Great monitors.


I would buy a DAC that has a pre-amp (so easy to control volume) and has balanced outputs, but for now that cable will work and depends how good the audio quality is out of your motherboards 3.5mm single ended output. But you can start there and update later to a DAC with a Pre-amp and some balanced cables either XLR or quarter inch TRS the MTMs will take. Remember when you use balanced outputs to the speakers you will need to set the SENS to +4dBu (but if the output is not as loud as you like it to be then keep it at +4dBu for none balanced single ended depends on your 3.5mm power output to the montors, so maybe having to try both to see which works best for you and produces the best sound without any hissing as an example).


Worth a read and watch :- https://www.boxcast.com/blog/balanced-vs.-unbalanced-audio-whats-the-difference

Balanced (pro) vs Single ended (consumer).
 
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