TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Review: SoundSticks II by harman multimedia

Volume Number: 20 (2004)
Issue Number: 5
Column Tag: Review

Review: SoundSticks II by harman multimedia

by Neil Ticktin

As you might expect, I'm definitely a computer guy ... 6 computers in one house with 4 people. Lights, sprinklers, and more are controlled by one of the machines, and of course, we've now added a G5 for a "media station" since we've been averaging more than 1250 pictures per month, since 2001, with my trusty Nikon D100.

All this technology aside, taking pictures is not about being a geek ... it's about capturing an emotion. And, while stills capture the moment, stringing them together and putting them to music is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. There's nothing like putting a teacher and classroom full of parents in tears ... or hearing a six year old yell out the names of their teammates when they see them on the screen.

In my set up, my G5 sits several feet to the side of its screen and keyboard, and while the G5 is a great machine, listening to music out of it while composing a slide show or video ... let alone just listening to iTunes for pleasure ... just doesn't cut it.

I started to look around at options just to get the speakers up next to the screen where I'm working. I quickly realized that while technology has come a long way, cheap speakers for your computer still sound cheap ... they sound like computer speakers. While I don't get the time to listen to music as I once did, I still do have a discerning ear and "computer speakers" were not going to cut it.

I looked a variety of the options out there, including harman multimedia's assortment. I always liked the SoundSticks design and layout (especially the small form factor on my desk), but I didn't like the need to go through USB and software to handle my speaker output. I'm an "old school" guy ... we have audio outputs, let's use them.

Enter SoundSticks II

harman multimedia has taken a great product in SoundSticks, and made it even better with SoundSticks II by taking to a standard analog audio connectivity and touch volume control.

As any audio aficionado will tell you, sound is a personal thing. It's best to listen to speakers side by side using the exact same source to determine what is attractive to you. When buying speakers for your computer, this is relatively difficult. That said, I had the opportunity to listen to a variety of harman and JBL speakers (as well as other brands), and to my taste, the SoundSticks II were hands-down the winner.

To me, SoundSticks II were well worth a bit of extra money (retail for $199) for the clarity, accuracy, and fullness of the sound. If you want to just go with speakers without having the opportunity to do a side by side sample as I have, these are winners.

The details...

SoundSticks II have three main parts -- two satellite speakers that are tall and narrow, and one larger subwoofer, which optimally sits below your desk. Frankly, the hardest thing about setting them up is unpacking the box. :)

The only issue that I had in set up is that it took me a couple of minutes to find the volume controls the documentation mentioned (at the base of one of the satellites). It would have been nice to see this better in the documentation.

These speakers can pack a wallop ... enough of one that when i first set it up, my kids on the other side of the house made me turn them down. :(

Conclusion

You've spent a good chunk of money on your system ... if you are either listening to iTunes or making slide shows or movies, you have to get the full effect by upgrading your sound. SoundSticks II is, hands-down, the best solution that I found at a moderate price.


Neil Ticktin is the Publisher of MacTech Magazine.

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Top Mobile Game Discounts
Every day, we pick out a curated list of the best mobile discounts on the App Store and post them here. This list won't be comprehensive, but it every game on it is recommended. Feel free to check out the coverage we did on them in the links... | Read more »
Price of Glory unleashes its 1.4 Alpha u...
As much as we all probably dislike Maths as a subject, we do have to hand it to geometry for giving us the good old Hexgrid, home of some of the best strategy games. One such example, Price of Glory, has dropped its 1.4 Alpha update, stocked full... | Read more »
The SLC 2025 kicks off this month to cro...
Ever since the Solo Leveling: Arise Championship 2025 was announced, I have been looking forward to it. The promotional clip they released a month or two back showed crowds going absolutely nuts for the previous competitions, so imagine the... | Read more »
Dive into some early Magicpunk fun as Cr...
Excellent news for fans of steampunk and magic; the Precursor Test for Magicpunk MMORPG Crystal of Atlan opens today. This rather fancy way of saying beta test will remain open until March 5th and is available for PC - boo - and Android devices -... | Read more »
Prepare to get your mind melted as Evang...
If you are a fan of sci-fi shooters and incredibly weird, mind-bending anime series, then you are in for a treat, as Goddess of Victory: Nikke is gearing up for its second collaboration with Evangelion. We were also treated to an upcoming... | Read more »
Square Enix gives with one hand and slap...
We have something of a mixed bag coming over from Square Enix HQ today. Two of their mobile games are revelling in life with new events keeping them alive, whilst another has been thrown onto the ever-growing discard pile Square is building. I... | Read more »
Let the world burn as you have some fest...
It is time to leave the world burning once again as you take a much-needed break from that whole “hero” lark and enjoy some celebrations in Genshin Impact. Version 5.4, Moonlight Amidst Dreams, will see you in Inazuma to attend the Mikawa Flower... | Read more »
Full Moon Over the Abyssal Sea lands on...
Aether Gazer has announced its latest major update, and it is one of the loveliest event names I have ever heard. Full Moon Over the Abyssal Sea is an amazing name, and it comes loaded with two side stories, a new S-grade Modifier, and some fancy... | Read more »
Open your own eatery for all the forest...
Very important question; when you read the title Zoo Restaurant, do you also immediately think of running a restaurant in which you cook Zoo animals as the course? I will just assume yes. Anyway, come June 23rd we will all be able to start up our... | Read more »
Crystal of Atlan opens registration for...
Nuverse was prominently featured in the last month for all the wrong reasons with the USA TikTok debacle, but now it is putting all that behind it and preparing for the Crystal of Atlan beta test. Taking place between February 18th and March 5th,... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

AT&T is offering a 65% discount on the ne...
AT&T is offering the new iPhone 16e for up to 65% off their monthly finance fee with 36-months of service. No trade-in is required. Discount is applied via monthly bill credits over the 36 month... Read more
Use this code to get a free iPhone 13 at Visi...
For a limited time, use code SWEETDEAL to get a free 128GB iPhone 13 Visible, Verizon’s low-cost wireless cell service, Visible. Deal is valid when you purchase the Visible+ annual plan. Free... Read more
M4 Mac minis on sale for $50-$80 off MSRP at...
B&H Photo has M4 Mac minis in stock and on sale right now for $50 to $80 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – M4 Mac mini (16GB/256GB): $549, $50 off... Read more
Buy an iPhone 16 at Boost Mobile and get one...
Boost Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering one year of free Unlimited service with the purchase of any iPhone 16. Purchase the iPhone at standard MSRP, and then choose... Read more
Get an iPhone 15 for only $299 at Boost Mobil...
Boost Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering the 128GB iPhone 15 for $299.99 including service with their Unlimited Premium plan (50GB of premium data, $60/month), or $20... Read more
Unreal Mobile is offering $100 off any new iP...
Unreal Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering a $100 discount on any new iPhone with service. This includes new iPhone 16 models as well as iPhone 15, 14, 13, and SE... Read more
Apple drops prices on clearance iPhone 14 mod...
With today’s introduction of the new iPhone 16e, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and SE. In response, Apple has dropped prices on unlocked, Certified Refurbished, iPhone 14 models to a... Read more
B&H has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros on sa...
B&H Photo is offering a $360-$410 discount on new 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Max CPUs right now. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – 16″ M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB/... Read more
Amazon is offering a $100 discount on the M4...
Amazon has the M4 Pro Mac mini discounted $100 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Their price is the lowest currently available for this popular mini: – Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB/512GB): $1299, $100... Read more
B&H continues to offer $150-$220 discount...
B&H Photo has 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros on sale for $150-$220 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – 14″ M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB): $1449, $150 off MSRP – 14″ M4... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.