Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Computer Speaker System December 23, 2008 Reviewer: Jedd Category: Peripherals Electronics and computer related products usually only have a few year life span. During those few years there are often many revisions to update or change it to help increase sales and user adoption. Occasionally we find a product that lasts the test of time and doesn't fit into this normal product lifecycle. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 computer speaker system is a great example of the latter. Debuting on the market more than 8 years ago, it has gone through very few (if any) revisions. Does it stand the test of time and still produce quality sound compared to other, more modern systems? Let's take a look.... Company: Klipsch, www.klipsch.com Price: $149.99 US Ratings Price: Install/Setup: Usability: Support: Average Rating: Pros: Fast, easy setup Great Klipsch sound quality Internal amplifier provides plenty of power and volume to fill your room Cons: Price is a little high for the options available Some distortion with very low bass when bass volume is turned up high Getting Started Most 2.1 speaker systems are a breeze to set up. As is the case with the ProMedia, simply connect the satellite speakers to the amplifier build into the subwoofer unit, plug into the Computer Out connection, plug in the power, and you are ready to go. Fast and easy. From there you have two control options. Volume up and down and bass level high or low. Simple and easy. For most users, this is enough. Some sound fanatics would like to have more control over the treble and bass, but as is the case with a majority of 2.1 systems, these just are not available. Also available are an aux input and headphone or audio out connection. Usability We tested out the ProMedia with a variety of sounds. We listened to some Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Pop, Classical...basically a variety of acoustic and electronic forms of music to get a good feel for how the system handles the highs, mids, and lows of all types of sources. We also watched clips from very intensive action movies and played various video games. In all cases the sound was very clear at low and high volumes. One way I like to test is to turn the volume way up to find the max. Does the max fill my office with sound or is it a little weak? And does the sound (highs, mids, and low) distort at all at high volumes. In both instances the ProMedia performed well. The highs and mids were crisp and clear and the bass was booming. If you turn the bass volume up too high, you do get some distortion with very low (low frequency) bass. But at the high volumes the 6.5" sub was too much bass for me, so I found my optimal bass volume at about the mid mark. Here, there was not any distortion in the bass. Specifications and Features Specifications Frequency Response: 31Hz - 20kHz Power Handling: FTC Rated Per Satellite: 55 watts/channel @ ≤ 1% THD, 200Hz - 1KHz (Note: all channels driven) FTC Rated Subwoofer: 50 watts @ ≤ 7% THD, 40 - 100 Hz Max Burst Power*: 200 watts @ ≤ 1% THD (Note: all channels driven) *Maximum Burst Power indicates the actual power this amplifier will deliver to the speakers under normal operating conditions. While the FTC power rating indicates power available on a continuous, long-term basis, multi-channel systems do not rely on that type of power. Instead, the amplifier is called upon to deliver large, short-term bursts of power to be able to support today’s digital music, games and movie formats. In addition to the required FTC power rating, we have provided the maximum burst output as a better indication of the product’s true performance. Max Acoustic Output: 106dB SPL Crossover Frequency: HF: 5kHz Maximum Acoustic Output: 106dB SPL Tweeter: 0.75" Poly compression driver High Frequency Horn: 90° x 40° MicroTractrix® Horn Woofer: 3" long-throw fiber-composite cone Subwoofer: One side-firing 6.5" (16.51cm) long-throw fiber composite cone Amplifier: Digital/Linear A/B amplifier; discrete MOSFET output power section Enclosure Material: Satellites: ABS Subwoofer: MDF Enclosure Type: Satellites—sealed Subwoofer—bass reflex Inputs: MP3 two-channel soundcard miniplug Outputs: Headphone Dimensions: Satellite: 8.5" (21.59cm) x 4.2" (10.67cm) x 5.67" (14.4cm) Subwoofer: 9.5" (24.13cm) x 9.8" (24.9cm) x 10.2" (25.9cm) Weight: Satellite: 2.1 lbs. (0.95kg) Subwoofer: 16 lbs. (7.26kg) Accessories: SAT 2 Stand WB-1 Bracket (each sold separately) Finishes: Black Voltage: 110/120 VAC Built From: 2000 Features 200 watts drive two satellites and a vented 6.5" subwoofer 32-20,000Hz frequency range 106dB maximum output capability Connects easily to virtually any source: two-channel soundcards, or any stereo mini-plug equipped device Headphone jack Adding It All Up Despite its high price, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is a great product. It has very good sound quality and very good sound levels to give the volumes anyone will need in any listening space. And despite it being a product that has been on the market for some time, it still kicks butt over most of the other 2.1 computer systems on the market today. Because of the excellent sound quality we are warding the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Computer Speaker System the UpgradAdvisor.com Recommended Upgrade seal of approval!!!

< home   |   home >