I am using these and have to say, love their sound and blown away by them!

However, recently I've started having some issues where beyond a certain volume (and not very loud volume either), the powered unit begins to get distorted and muffled. This does not happen to the passive speaker.

This issue seems to be more prominent in bass heavy music, such as techno, which is not ideal as that's what I make! Therefore, it suggests that the low frequencies are what's causing this issue on the powered speaker for some reason.

I have them connected to a Windows 11 23H2 PC that's all updated and using an Audient ID14 MkII audio interface connected via an USB C cable. The speakers are connected using a dual 1/4" L/R jack cable into a 3.5mm TRS input into the rear of the powered iLoud unit. The Audient interface volume and the iD software mixer are set to safe levels with no clipping or peaking in the red anywhere near, and the PC master volume has been tried at 25/50/75/100% volume levels and happens throughout as soon as the iLoud monitor volume is turned up beyond a certain volume.

I have tried a different interface > speaker cable with the same thing happening. I have also tried the output 3/4 on the Audient ID MkII with the same issue too.

However, I have also connected my Pioneer XDJ-RX3 decks to the phono input of the iLoud and I have also tried using my phone via bluetooth so no wires involved, all to try and remove the PC, audio interface and cables as potential issues. When trying these two optiont, the issue seems more intermittent, happening sometimes but seemingly being ok sometimes too.

Anyone else experience anything similar with these (or any other monitors)? What could be causing this issue?

 

The back offers adjustment options (see photo):

The technology of the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor also includes three sliders to adjust the frequency response of the speakers to the respective environment, a kind of 3-band EQ, but with two fixed settings each.

At the very top - labeled "Flat" and "Desk" - the frequencies between 1 and 10 kHz are raised by +3 dB and those below 400 Hz are lowered by 1 dB - perfect if you have the speakers on a table or other large surface to prevent distortion.

Below that there is a high shelf and a low shelf switch. The former lowers everything above 4 kHz by 3 dB if desired, the latter everything below 250 Hz. We'll take a look at how all this works in practice in a moment.

 

I also got them, great small mobile solution. The problem you describe may be a defective amp and not the source, as it's the same even with Bluetooth. There is no real difference of one speaker being "powered" and the other one "passive", it's just that the whole electronics are inside one speaker. The second speaker is connected by this awful impractical thick cable, because the drivers are connected separately, there is no passive crossover inside. Amps are two stereo TPA3118 class D chips, you can see an inside view here: https://prosound.ixbt.com/monitors/ik-multimedia-iloud.shtml
I assume there is no other solution than to have it checked and repaired by IK.

 

Sure - with the size (or rather, the "smallness") of the speakers, the bass cannot present the same volume, the same big belly as significantly larger speakers. The design is still a sound factor. The bass also loses a little bit of presence if you turn the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor up quite high, then the mids and highs slightly gain the upper hand. But still: for monitors with these modest dimensions, this is incredibly good. And - probably no one would think of wanting to query over 100 decibels anyway. They are primarily monitoring monitors and not party cellar sound systems.

Source: www.amazona.de/test-ik-multimedia-iloud-micro-studiomonitor/

 

This is what I was worried about, and fully expecting IK to shirk allsorts of responsibility for it!

 

iLoud Micro monitors jarring at certain low frequencies

If experiencing port noise and other audio issues, I would highly recommend opening a support ticket for better assistance.

 

Port noise is normal due to the small design and a known limitation. But the OP describes a problem occuring only on one speaker that wasn't there before.

To rule out the audio source I would simply exchange left and right input jacks. If the problem stays on the same speaker it is a fault inside the speakers electronics. And without a professional rework station and technical documentation it's impossible to repair such small smd built pcb. Just have a look at the picture of the board on the website I linked above.

 

Thanks @Myfanwy for the picture and your assessment.
I'm just worried, is this a one-off problem or a design flaw and when you replace it you'll get the same problem again.

 

I'm using mine for about 3 years now, but only occasionally, at a close distance and don't push them to the limit when they start to compress the bass. So far everything is fine. I even combined them with a small 8" Presonus Subwoofer and a crossover/DSP a few times, which worked quite well.

But as you said, these are no party PA speakers, but mobile super near field monitors, and at 79 to 82 dB SPL which is the level I like to work at they are pretty good for the size.