More hi-tech extras
Fluid Audio have teamed up with Sonarworks to integrate SoundID Reference software into the speakers. This can auto-calibrate the Image 2s to your room in a similar way to the ARC system we recently reviewed with the KRK GoAux 4 speakers from KRK and IK Multimedia iLoud Precisions. SoundID Reference goes a little further though. You can easily calibrate the system with many types of available headphones. So if you use a set of ’phones on the Sonarworks list, simply select them and the software will adjust playback to make what you hear more honest and flat – great for mixing. With speakers, though, you have to go through a calibration setup, with a measuring microphone picking up different frequency tones and feeding back to the DSPs in the Image 2s. The speakers essentially self-adjust their frequency response to account for your acoustics – issues and all. Et voila, you have a flat response whatever your room issues, and much better mixes!
With studio speakers like the FX80 and C5 costing no more than $249 a pop, Fluid Audio are one of many speaker manufacturers battling for the cash of a home or project studio user. Good speakers, at sensible prices. With their Image 2s, they are turning their backs on low prices and welcoming a new future. And at the best part of £2,000, they ruddy well should be.