Fluid Audio Announces Professional Studio Monitor Solution with Sonarworks Integration

November 15 2022, 16:10
Fluid Audio is the latest studio monitor company to announce a partnership with Sonarworks to deliver a complete pro studio monitoring solution, built around its brand new Image 2 studio monitors and SoundID Reference calibration software. As with previous hardware integrations, the Sonarworks software allows users the ability to create their own calibration profile for the Image 2 studio monitors, removing unwanted colorations, and offering a more accurate reference in any studio or home environment.
 

The Fluid Audio Image 2 studio monitors are a new nearfield or midfield design, using the latest in DSP development and Class-D amplification to achieve an extended frequency response with incredible bass extension and low distortion in a compact size cabinet. The Image 2 monitors are in fact a 2-in-1 monitor system, combining a full range mixing and mastering system that also offers a mixcube mode at the press of a footswitch. This helps dial in low end and mids for a wide range of “bass challenged” devices, and also helps adjust the overall balance as required to fine tune vocals, and nail the kick drum sound.

The Sonaworks SoundID Reference software is now used in more than 100,000 studios globally, including by many Grammy-Award-winning engineers recording A-list stars. SoundID Reference helps deliver a consistent reference sound across all speakers and headphones, allowing users to mix with confidence. In order to help as many people as possible experience the possibilities of this technology combination, Fluid Audio and Sonarworks have partnered to include an extended 60-day SoundID Reference trial for users of the Image 2 monitors.

Users are still required to have a measurement microphone to perform the measurements necessary to create the calibration profile in SoundID Reference. Once they do, they will be able to feel the results in their own studio environment and decide by themselves. If they decide to activate the SoundID Reference software, the calibration profiles will run directly from the monitor's own DSP. The Image 2 monitors feature a USB port that expands the functionality and provides the ability to upload and run exported room correction files natively at the monitor level.

The newly developed Image 2 monitors feature an AMT tweeter that delivers a more precise, detailed response, and low distortion, while the aluminum cone mid-range driver helps to deliver a more linear response. On the sides of the cabinet, the opposed, dual 8" ultra-long-throw bass woofers are interlocked at their magnets from within, providing extended bass response below 80Hz and improving cabinet stability. Each bass driver is individually powered by its own Class-D amplifier channel.
Driving the entire system is the newly developed Class-D Quad amplifier. According to Fluid Audio, this is an aspect of the design where the team as spent the most development time. "The Image 2 amp has extremely low self-noise, very low distortion, improved THD+N performance, improved IMD performance, and lower output impedance," they state.

The Image 2’s sealed enclosure design provides a natural, 6dB/oct roll off for a more controlled low frequency response. This translates into less likelihood of unwanted interaction with the room, which means these monitors are less sensitive to positioning. "Mixing or mastering on the Image 2 will deliver professional results that are more accurate, and more effortlessly achieved than ever before," the company adds.

The Image 2 studio monitors will be available mid December 2022, for $1,899 USD. Following the initial 60-day trial for Image 2 customers, the SoundID Reference software is available for purchase at www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference for $249. A bundle including the SoundID Reference software and calibration microphone is available for $299.
www.sonarworks.com
www.fluidaudio.com
related items