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"Beware: major manufacturing flaws!" on
Pros: stellar sound - unbeatable
Cons: Satellite speakers pop out easily; Subwoofer dies after warranty expires
Summary: The sound quality is amazing, but these were built to be disposable. After 2 years you'll need to buy another speaker system.
While under warranty, one of the satellite speakers promptly popped out. Harman Kardon sent out a replacement satellite but it was a Soundstick I (not II like I had) and it looked totally different, but that's all they would send.
After the warranty expired, the subwoofer began to get fickle. The knob on these go very easily even if the knob is rarely used as in my case. Finally after 2 years the subwoofer quit altogether. HK referred me to an authorized HK repair nearby but the repairer said they had no way to get into the subwoofer to fix the problem - HK designed it so that it could not be fixed if broken.
The subwoofer is a very common problem with these - see the reviews at the apple store at apple.com (the ones rated poorly will tell you the truth).
I will not buy these again even though the sound is superb. -
"Holy cow! !" on by themacdaddy
Pros: AMAZING sound quality! ! Really cool design, especially if you want it to match your Mac
Cons: Cost is kinda high. But for the sound quality and cool factor, it's worth it
Summary: I'm a huge music/audio fan. I know when audio sounds right, when it sounds off, when it sounds good, when it sounds bad. I can hear things none of my friends pick up, except for one who's also heavy into music and audio fidelity. Having said that, I can tell you these speakers are REALLY good for sound quality. A much better range than I thought they'd have. Highs sound crisp. Bass is really full. And it's all balanced really well (bass doesn't overpower the rest of the sound range, and vice/versa). I also dig the design of these speakers. They go perfectly with my mac and they look cool. There's a dial on the sub-woofer to adjust the base level. The touch volume control is pretty darn cool too. I KINDA wish there was some visual prompts for sound level when you adjust the volume, but it's not a huge deal because I mainly adjust my volume through my Mac's interface anyway. There are better speakers out there but for computer speakers, these are pretty hard to touch!
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"PERFECT, even my PC computer works with it" on by ludovic1992
Pros: Original design, Excellent sound
Cons: A little pricey
Summary: I bought those soundsticks to go with my ipod photo 30 GB. There was no problem, I just plugged in the sound receiver (which came with the soundsticks. a +) and the sound was INCREDIBLE.
Extremely clear and crisp sound came from the speakers and the bass made it all perfect.
I would definitely recommend this product.
Enjoy! -
"As Rich as Any 2.1 Speakers You Can Buy" on by PittsburghAfterDark
Pros: High end quality, great product design, incredibly rich sound from a small package.
Cons: Cons? With These? Mmmm, they require a plug!
Summary: I'm a Mac user and my primary use for these things is iTunes and internet radio, not games or movies so I can't attribute this products handling of downgrading 5.1 sound to 2.1.
However from having these for a good long while now before writing my review, anyone that hasn't listened to them before writing a review COUGH *mmilovic* COUGH, really shouldn't speak. I've been able to make neighbors complain with these things. In fact they sound as good as if not better than my bookshelf system speakers.
I'm no audiophile by any means, I can't tell you how they do on the low end, mid-range, high end or how much hissing or clipping they have. I just know that they sound great for what I use them for and I'm never out of room where I want to get to "11". When these things are cranked to 10, you can't hear yourself talk to someone next to you.
Now most times you're used to PC speakers getting flooded at high volume, distortion and the like. Not these, they sound as deep and rich at high volume as they do normal listening.
Honestly, after paying $150 from buy.com? I couldn't be happier with these things. I've seen Mac speakers come and go for nearly 3 years but nothing I've seen has topped these HK 2.1's as far as quality. At least that's what the Apple Store people and my local Mac dealer keep telling my agreeing mind.Updated
Just to be clear, I have the USB version of this product, not the mini-jack. The product is identical in performance aspects with the exception that I can't use mine on anything other than a Mac. -
"its all about the sound" on by gridrunner
Pros: clean, clean sound - great form factor on a 2.1 system
Cons: If yu don't tweak the system through your sound card, it has a lack of controls on the speaker system itself - otherwise - awesome.
Summary: bit of background - I am into quality sound systems - from WAY back. At many times I hav had no transport - but DID have good sound. 'nuff said. This was a purchase for my computer rig, a lightweight system - Dell Dimension 8400 P4 @ 3.4 GHz 1Gig RAM - Audiology 2ZS sound card. Now a hard core gamer I am not - into an ecclectic mix ranging from Classical throuygh techno and rap with a good shot of Euro and a Rock library raging from 60's through yesterday. Bottom line - it's all about the sound. This speaker system's SOUND OUTPUT is clear, clean, balanced, responsive - and out of all proportion to price, size, or what I thought I would get. I had been trying everything from Bose systems through the usual Klipsch, Creative, Logitech, JBL event Altec Lansing... These ones kick - not for sheer "break the house volume"... this isn't what they're designed to deliver... but clean, clear, solid sound with balanced bass (and I used to PLAY bass) at levels appropriate to a 120-150 square foot room or so... terrific.
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