ARC Studio offers this same massive boost in performance and accuracy to any monitor in every studio. The system includes a standalone hardware processor; new ARC 4 software (also available separately) for analyzing and correcting the listening environment with additional controls; and a precision MEMS measurement microphone.
Improves Mixing Accuracy
Rooms have a big impact on how music is heard. The size, shape, materials, and furniture all work to distort the frequency and stereo balance of studio monitors, degrading their sound.
ARC 4's all-new algorithm analyzes and corrects these issues in minutes. The music snaps into focus with more controlled low-end, tighter transients and pinpoint stereo imaging. It's like an instant upgrade for monitors, leading their users to mix faster and more confidently than ever.
Installs in Minutes
With the included mic connected to an audio interface, ARC 4 software guides the user through a rapid process of measuring acoustical responses within their listening position. IK's award-winning ARC technology uses this 3D snapshot to identify and completely correct all the problematic issues degrading a monitor's performance.
ARC 4 stores the correction profile and loads it to the ARC Studio processor, sitting invisibly between the interface and monitors to apply to all incoming signals. The standalone processor corrects studio monitors in any studio, including hardware- and console-based setups.
Corrects Any Studio
For pro studios, whether DAW-based or console-based, ARC Studio with ARC 4 offers sonically transparent correction and custom-tuning for any monitoring setup from nearfields to mains, preserving the inherent system's sonic quality.
For DAW-based studios, ARC Studio eliminates the need to insert the ARC 4 plug-in on the master bus of a project and preserves zero-latency monitoring setups. Plus it allows users to listen to their preferred streaming service with acoustically corrected monitoring without messing around with system drivers.
Using ARC 4, profiles can be created and stored for every configuration, listening position or even monitor pair and quickly recalled or loaded to the processor unit at any time. Whether in a makeshift studio or a world-class one, fine-tuning the monitoring perfectly to taste is no longer a challenge and has never sounded so good.
And not only is the ARC Studio hardware designed and made in Italy to the highest precision and quality standards, but its clever engineering makes it extremely affordable and it is available at a fraction of the cost of other hardware solutions. Now everyone can dramatically improve the sound in their mixing environments: from a single pair of monitors to multiple monitoring systems, up to large facilities with multiple mixing and recording rooms.
Audiophile Performance
ARC Studio features a 120 dB(A) analog input to analog output dynamic range, 0.5 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, and ultra-stable clocking for vanishing low jitter, offering total sonic transparency and accuracy only found in mastering-grade audio converters.
The processor unit connects to the studio and monitors via balanced XLRs with a power-safe relay-based hard bypass - so when bypassed everything is protected from sudden power-related pops. Between the premium audio quality of ARC Studio and ARC 4's all-new correction algorithm, the result is the most natural, transparent monitoring ever.
Includes Monitor Emulations
ARC Studio can be reloaded instantly with new settings using ARC 4 software. ARC 4 now features a monitor emulation function that turns any monitor system into iconic studio monitors, plus popular hi-fi speakers and mobile devices, with breathtakingly true-to-life results, accurately reproducing the frequency and phase response of the originals.
With over 20 profiles included in ARC 4, a single pair of monitors now lets users test a mix on different reference systems quickly, without ever having to head to the car or buy additional pairs of monitors.
System Customization
ARC 4 now comes with 9 factory-tailored target curves suitable for most situations. The default curve offers optimally balanced results with Flat and other specific curves for different needs or setups. By default, ARC corrects the entire frequency spectrum, but users can define limits to both upper and lower correction ranges separately. This is useful to preserve monitors' unique voicing or correct a certain frequency range.
There's also a control to adjust the resolution of the correction filter to use more or fewer frequency bands. Depending on the room's unique sound, this can achieve a more surgical correction, or a broader, smoother balance.
Selectable Natural and Linear phase modes ensure precise stereo imaging. Natural mode improves the phase response, while linear phase maintains the original inter-channel phase response, which may be preferable in certain rooms and conditions. With ARC Studio, users will experience limitless flexibility as their studios grow and evolve.
Pricing and Availability
ARC Studio and ARC 4 software are shipping now and available from the IK Multimedia online store and IK authorized dealers worldwide:
- ARC Studio $/€299.99* - Includes processor unit, ARC 4 software, and measurement mic.
- ARC Studio Upgrade $/€249.99 - For registered users of ARC (any version with mic), iLoud MTM, or iLoud Precision. Includes processor unit + ARC 4 software. Measurement mic not included.
- ARC 4 Software and Mic $/€199.99 - Advanced room correction plug-in, and measurement mic.
- ARC 4 Software Only $/€149.99 - Advanced room correction plug-in. Measurement mic not included.
For more information, please visit ikmultimedia.com.
IK Multimedia ARC Studio Advanced Room Correction System
KRK Classic 5
Even with a 5" woofer, this two-way monitor offers a total of 50 watts of power with 30 watts driving the woofer and 20 watts for the tweeter. It has an optional bass boost, front-firing port, and dedicated high- and low-frequency adjustment controls.
$149.50 each
Samson MediaOne BT3
Portability and wireless features are at the forefront of this design. Each speaker has a 3" woofer and 1" tweeter that offers 15 watts per channel. Around back you have Bluetooth capability, RCA inputs, and passive output terminals.
$91 pair
JBL 1 Series 104-BT
This set of monitors is powered by an integrated class-D 60-watt amp that distributes 30 watts to each speaker. With a 4.5" woofer it can kick out up to 104 dB SPL. It offers three sets of inputs (aux, RCA, and TRS) along with Bluetooth connectivity.
$199 pair
Behringer MS16
Aimed for entry-level music creators, this setup is a compact, 8-watt affair with dedicated treble and bass controls on the front panel along with a TRS mic input with level control. A built-in mixer makes playing along with backing tracks a breeze.
$99 pair
Kali Audio LP-6 V2
On the higher end of our collection is the latest iteration of the company’s LP-6 which is loaded with an 80-watt class-D amp along with a 6.5" woofer that can churn out a max SPL of 115 dB. Inputs include RCA, TRS, and XLR, and features include a series of dip switches that help tune the monitors to your specific space.
$199 each
Presonus ERIS E3.5
These portable reference monitors offer a dead-simple control setup with an aux input, a headphone output, and a simple volume knob. They come packed with balanced TRS and RCA inputs. Even with a 3.5" woofer, a 50-watt engine pushes a peak of 100 dB.
$99 pair
Mackie CR3-X
If space is at a premium, these ultra-portable monitors combine a silk dome tweeter and a 3" woofer into an extremely affordable package. An easily accessible headphone jack is on front and a trio of inputs (TRS, RCA, and unbalanced stereo in) are featured on the back.
$99 pair
Alesis Elevate 5 MkII
Combining a high-precision driver with a custom-designed crossover, this pair offers 40 watts of power in a magnetically shielded enclosure to help with interference from video monitors. Rear controls include a switchable bass boost, RCA and XLR inputs, and a power switch.
$139 pair
Tannoy Reveal 502
A front-firing bass port allows for placement near walls and aim to keep the low-end in check. Inside is a 75-watt bi-amp design with a custom crossover that puts out 50 watts in the lows and mids and 25 watts in the highs. Naturally, it comes stocked with XLR, unbalanced, and aux inputs.
$149 each
M-Audio BX5 D3
A 5" Kevlar woofer (bulletproof?) is the highlight of this affordable monitor set. The front panel is sleek and doesn’t offer any tangible control. All the inputs (XLR and TRS), volume control, and power switch are around back along with a toggle used to tune the monitors to your specific acoustic space.
$149 each