Klipsch ProMedia™ 2.1 Personal audio system

Hardware Review by Yanman

 

Most of our hardware reviews here at Yanman.com are of some of the largest and most expensive consumer electronic equipment around, from huge speakers to pricey surge suppression. The THX® Certified Klipsch ProMedia™ 2.1 audio system proves that a small price and a compact size, doesn't mean a skimp on performance. Anyone looking for a amplified speaker system for any reason, whether for that new PlayStation 2, MP3 players, computers, or for any other electronic device, would be hard pressed to find a comparable system at even twice the price.

The Specs for the ProMedia 2.1 Setup are as follows:

MSRP $179
Frequency Range 32Hz-20kHZ
Maximum Accoustic Output 106dB Peak
Amplifier Headroom 2x35 watts-satellites
1x130 watts-subwoofer
Satellite Impedance 4 ohms minimum

Dimensions

Satellite (including bracket):
8.5" H x 4.2" W x 5.67" D

Subwoofer:
9.5" H x 9.8" W x 10.2" D

As a first test for this system we decided to hook it up to one of our office computers and test it with both digital music and DVDs on a PC. Hooking up the system was extremely simply to do, with just five or so steps. Just plug the control satellite speaker into your sound card, hook the control satellite to the sub with the connected DIN cable, attach the speaker wires to the sub, and plug the subwoofer into the wall. The hardest part here was that the almost ten inch cubed subwoofer would not easily fit under the desk, but with only a slight bit of effort we were able to wire it out to the side of the desk. One note here since every wire here is a custom one, placement is limited to the wire length, at least without some rigging of your own. The small speakers do fit well on any desk or can be placed on stands or mounted to the wall using optional accessories available from Klipsch.

Now the fun begins, adjust the computers wave volume, and the two knobs on the control speaker (one for volume, one for bass output) insert CD then … madly scramble to turn down the bass before ticking off the neighbors. Seriously though the amount of bass that the ProMedia 2.1 provides in such a small package is astounding, you can feel it in your chair. MP3s, DVDs or computer games all elicit the same response, incredible bass regardless of source. While the Satellites, performed well at the high and midrange they are clearly overshadowed by the power of the sub.

One of the other unique features of this system is the MP3/Aux on the side of the control pod (in addition to a headphone jack), allowing you to plug in any external device with a mini plug (CD player, MP3 player, video game etc.) The device plugged into this port actually "shares" the speaker with the computer (or whatever other device is the "Main" device), This is ok if the only sounds you have coming in is the occasional incoming e-mail "ding", otherwise consider listening to only one device at a time. We did break out our MP3 player, and portable CD and gave them a quick check on the ProMedia system, and they sounded great. If you have a limited amount of space this system allows you the best of both worlds a permanent connection with the ability to hook up an external device.

Klipsch is promoting its THX Certified ProMedia 2.1 personal audio system as the perfect companion to the new Sony PalyStation 2, and it is, but any electronic device will certainly benefit from the incredible sound produced by the system. If you are in the market for new powered speaker system, give serious consideration to this one; your ears and your wallet will be glad you did!

Headquartered in Indianapolis with manufacturing facilities in Hope, Ark., Klipsch Audio Technologies was founded in the 1940s by audio pioneer Paul W. Klipsch. Indianapolis entrepreneur Fred S. Klipsch (a cousin to Paul W. Klipsch) and his wife Judy Klipsch bought the company in 1989, guiding it to its current position as a global leader in audio systems. With distribution of the brand to specialty audio retailers as its core business, Klipsch manufactures and markets complete lines of consumer and professional loudspeakers. For more information visit www.klipsch.com.

 

The THX® Certified Klipsch ProMedia™ 2.1 audio system proves that a small price and a compact size, doesn't mean a skimp on performance.

 Hooking up the system was extremely simply to do!

 

The almost ten inch cubed subwoofer would not easily fit under the desk, but with only a slight bit of effort we were able to wire it out to the side of the desk

 

 

Anyone looking for a amplified speaker system for any reason, whether for that new PlayStation 2, MP3 players, computers, or for any other electronic device, would be hard pressed to find a comparable system at even twice the price.