Klipsch Promedia 2.1

[nd4spdbh2]

Well im looking at getting some good speakers for my comp. I tried the home theater reciever/ bookshelfs/ and a sub for a while, but it was just to big... and i have a big desk area, although they sounded great.

Anyways im looking for a 2.1 setup and i have pretty much decided on the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's... from reviews it seems like they are the best around. But i just got a quick question.

Do these speakers sound good at lower volumes, i dont like to listen to my music loud, i like quality, and the bookshelf's and ht reciever i had you had to get them slightly to loud for me to get the speakers to "work" if you know what i mean, the tweeters needed the volume turned up for them to become active enough. i dont want to spend 150 on some comp speakers just to have the same prob.

Anyways Thnx.
Ben

[Roofles]

I'm pretty sure they will sound fantastic, but post a quick review of them once you get em. Also you intending to pick them up locally or internets em? I saw them on ebay new for ~$50 plus 25/35 shipping and am considering picking up a set myself as the 2.1 set I have now is at least 8 years old that I actually borrowed from a friend when he left them at my house...

[Theocnoob]

I'm pretty sure they will sound fantastic, but post a quick review of them once you get em. Also you intending to pick them up locally or internets em? I saw them on ebay new for ~$50 plus 25/35 shipping and am considering picking up a set myself as the 2.1 set I have now is at least 8 years old that I actually borrowed from a friend when he left them at my house...

I didnt like those speakers I took them back and picked up the iFi which may now be out of production... its two of their 'real' speakers (RSX3) and a decent (better than PM) sub.

The 2.1 promedia

DOES play well at low volumes

suffers from disproportionate tweeter/woofer/voicecoils meaning vocals usually sound a little drowned out

DOES NOT let you replace the cables with your own better cables (and the cables are rather crapp and low quality)

theyre certainly not bad speakers but in my opinion they lack any real finesse...

[nd4spdbh2]

I didnt like those speakers I took them back and picked up the iFi which may now be out of production... its two of their 'real' speakers (RSX3) and a decent (better than PM) sub.

The 2.1 promedia

DOES play well at low volumes

suffers from disproportionate tweeter/woofer/voicecoils meaning vocals usually sound a little drowned out

DOES NOT let you replace the cables with your own better cables (and the cables are rather crapp and low quality)

theyre certainly not bad speakers but in my opinion they lack any real finesse...

umm coulnd you simply solder up your own cables... wouldnt be hard.

as for the IfI's they are way outta my price range... i mean im looking at 2.1's and the best i can get for 150ish are either the Klipsch 2.1's or Logitec Z-2300's... and the klipsch's definetly get better reviews.

Now as far as disproportionate sound, are you saying that the tweeters will be louder than the mids or visa versa?

[Mr. Roboto]

I used the klipsch 2.1s for years before I got my 5500s, they're great speakers, yes, even at low volumes.

I don't know what that other guy was talking about, they are very clear speakers, especially in the highs. They're horn loaded speakers, so they are very crisp. Just don't expect overpowering bass from the siub.

[Roofles]

I used the klipsch 2.1s for years before I got my 5500s, they're great speakers, yes, even at low volumes.

I don't know what that other guy was talking about, they are very clear speakers, especially in the highs. They're horn loaded speakers, so they are very crisp. Just don't expect overpowering bass from the siub.

Really? even with a 130 w sub? Or is that compared to the 5500's?

[Amoroso]

Great speakers. Low volumes sounds good, at high volumes... it is unbelievable. Bass is not overpowering, but its perfect in my opinion.

Shame my mother slammed the sub with her vacumm cleaner and now I get constant loud static noise coming from the speakers. Anyone know what could be the problem?

[Roofles]

Great speakers. Low volumes sounds good, at high volumes... it is unbelievable. Bass is not overpowering, but its perfect in my opinion.

Shame my mother slammed the sub with her vacumm cleaner and now I get constant loud static noise coming from the speakers. Anyone know what could be the problem?

How hard did she hit it?! Is it noise when the speakers are off? or noise when you are playing music? if its the latter then its probably just something loose.

[Mr. Roboto]

Really? even with a 130 w sub? Or is that compared to the 5500's?

The sub is overpowered in my opinion. Sure, it's 130w, but the sub clips at high volumes. It's only 6.5" (I think). It's great for low to medium volumes though, perfect for what the op wants.

[nd4spdbh2]

ya reading reviews they seem perfect cus they have an individaul tweeter / mid... also i dont need crazy bass... i like bass but not overpower like the z-2300's

i think you guys just cost me 150ish bucks.

One question... is the control pod easily removed, cus it would be friggin awesome if i could mount it under my crt for easy access.

I figure when i get them ill make some nice speaker wires.... use some 14awg wire, and some tinfoil strips for EMI shielding haha!

EDIT: O god ya this sealed the deal... just read this in a review
One complaint that I have had in the past with sub-sat systems is the poor low volume performance. With many systems, at lower volumes, the sub disappears and you are left with a very hollow sound or noticeable localization of the sub. The ProMedia 2.1 does not join this group. At low volumes, the subwoofer was able to effectively blend with the satellites, without over powering them.

[Jacobman]

Well ive been using mine for 5 years and have been very pleased. They are pretty thrashed at this point, so it may be time to replace them with another set :D

[Mr. Roboto]

Yes, the pod comes off easily.

[nd4spdbh2]

Yes, the pod comes off easily.

sweet... now i just gotta find a dealio. and first pay off the books and my parking ticket :bang head

[Mr. Roboto]

I should mention that there is a well known issue with the control pod though. Over time, the volume knob gets corroded so the speakers are staticy until you find a clean position to leave the knob. It happened to mine after a year and a half of ownership. It's really that big of a deal though, just more of an annoyance.

[Amoroso]

The constant noise is coming from the speakers when there is applied volume with no output noise from the computer (music, etc.)

I have no clue how hard she hit it. She claims she didnt, but there wast a mark in the wall where the end of the power plug that connected to the sub hit. Im thinking she messed up the power connection in the back of the sub... Ive unplugged it 100 times and same staitc noise.

Any clue how this can be salvagable?

[nd4spdbh2]

The constant noise is coming from the speakers when there is applied volume with no output noise from the computer (music, etc.)

I have no clue how hard she hit it. She claims she didnt, but there wast a mark in the wall where the end of the power plug that connected to the sub hit. Im thinking she messed up the power connection in the back of the sub... Ive unplugged it 100 times and same staitc noise.

Any clue how this can be salvagable?

ouch that sucks.

[Hookem]

Well I will throw my 2 cents in here...I just picked up another pair of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's...And they do sound good...Well as good as you would expect running the onboard sound.

I really do not like the sound of horn tweeters...One of the reasons I have never considered purchasing Klipsch home speakers when I was shopping for them...After listening to just about ever speaker I could find on display in Houston I bought Polk Audio's.

I can agree with ocnoob...They are way bright and no matter how much I try adjusting the EQ, I really cannot find a spot where they have a nice "balanced sound"...I have some old Boston Acoustic 4.1 speakers that as far as music is concerned just blow the ProMedia's out of the water.

That is why I started a thread asking about some Altec Lansing 2.1's...But after looking closer at the specs they also have a horn loaded tweeter...I have gone to several big box stores trying to demo them without finding any.

Here are the ones I was looking at.

http://www.alteclansing.com/index.php?file=north_product_detail&iproduct_id=33

They are THX certified with 2 mid's and a horn tweeter...Guess I will start calling around instead of driving and try to chase down a pair on display to listen to.

If you ever find any of these Boston's...Buy them.

http://www.directron.com/ba7800.html

I must have sold 50 pairs of these puppy's...I still have a pair but really would like to move on to something else with more power and black...I just cannot seem to find anything that sounds better for music.

Logitech's are great for surround sound movie stuff, but to me sound like crap when listening to music...Flat, muddy sounding...I just do not believe you can make a good sounding mono cone speaker...I have not heard one anyway.

Guess I will sell this new pair of ProMedia's and get the Altec's if push comes to shove.

Once again the shrill, bright sound of the Klipsch's will have me reconnecting the Boston's and going in some other direction.

:bang head

[nd4spdbh2]

ya i have given up on good computer speakers... if i want to listen to music ill just listen on the 5.1 setup on my htpc (my main rig is behind the couch of the home theater) and when i play games i use headphones...

If i REALLY wanted good sound id get these http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_42&products_id=94&osCsid=7c93dd12e3f78b6ec9f6aaa2304c3b08

and a 2ch car amp with the old 8inch yamaha sub that we have. but i like my desk space.

[Hookem]

Just sold my ProMedia's and will try these M Audio's...Well if Guitar Center has them anyway.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV40-main.html

Looks like about as close to what I am looking for...Powered multi-media speakers with a mid-tweeter design.

If they have them I will post back after a back to back compairison to the Klipsch's.

[dudleycpa]

Hey Hookem - Did you ever hear the M-Audio LX4?

I curious as to what you thought of them.

Thanks!

[Hookem]

I have heard a couple of different m-audio's connected to computers...Unfortunatley I really did not pay much attention to them...:beer:

The ones I heard had a nice clean sound...Light on the bass compared to 2.1 systems...But that is a good thing...At least compared to the boomy bass most 2.1 systems produce.

I have owned many many pairs of computer speakers...Buy them...Check them out and then sell them.

From Logitech, Monsoon, Altec, Klipsch, Creative, Dell...You name it I have probably given them a test run.

Kinda crazy that out of all the computer speakers I have heard the 50.00 dollar Bose 4.1's that were made for Gateway sound the best for music.

It only stands to reason that for my purpose which is to listen to music the M-Audio's should work...That is what I am hoping for sure.

Guess I will buy a 5.1 M Audio sound card so I can ditch the onboard sound I am now using and get the AV40's and give em a whirl.

I really liked the old 7.1 M Audio sound card but have heard that the 5.1's have better DAC's.

If it sounds good looks like I will be looking for someone to split a pair so I can come up with 5.0 surround sound.

I like having more than 2 speakers...The SRS surround feature on the M-Audio 7.1 card sounded great all though probably not that accurate if you are talking "audiophile" sound.

Just tired of booming bass, muddy mid's with no high's or screaming horn tweeters.

I could not find the Altec 5021's and it is probably just as well.

The M-Audio's is looking more and more like the way to go for music.

The guy who had the M-Audio's has a home theatre in a box connected to his compter now...He never sells anything so I will call him later this evening and see if still has them...Great guy to know...He wont sell stuff but he will give his old stuff to his bud's.

:burn:

[dudleycpa]

I have heard a couple of different m-audio's connected to computers...Unfortunatley I really did not pay much attention to them...:beer:

The ones I heard had a nice clean sound...Light on the bass compared to 2.1 systems...But that is a good thing...At least compared to the boomy bass most 2.1 systems produce.

I have owned many many pairs of computer speakers...Buy them...Check them out and then sell them.

From Logitech, Monsoon, Altec, Klipsch, Creative, Dell...You name it I have probably given them a test run.

Kinda crazy that out of all the computer speakers I have heard the 50.00 dollar Bose 4.1's that were made for Gateway sound the best for music.

It only stands to reason that for my purpose which is to listen to music the M-Audio's should work...That is what I am hoping for sure.

Guess I will buy a 5.1 M Audio sound card so I can ditch the onboard sound I am now using and get the AV40's and give em a whirl.

I really liked the old 7.1 M Audio sound card but have heard that the 5.1's have better DAC's.

If it sounds good looks like I will be looking for someone to split a pair so I can come up with 5.0 surround sound.

I like having more than 2 speakers...The SRS surround feature on the M-Audio 7.1 card sounded great all though probably not that accurate if you are talking "audiophile" sound.

Just tired of booming bass, muddy mid's with no high's or screaming horn tweeters.

I could not find the Altec 5021's and it is probably just as well.

The M-Audio's is looking more and more like the way to go for music.

The guy who had the M-Audio's has a home theatre in a box connected to his compter now...He never sells anything so I will call him later this evening and see if still has them...Great guy to know...He wont sell stuff but he will give his old stuff to his bud's.

:burn:

Hookem Thanks for the reply!:beer:

Sound and speakers is such a SUBJECTIVE subject isn't?

I totally get the "boomy" bass thing and the blaring of horn tweeters. I prefer highs to lows myself (and the engines of the F4 Phantom did a number on that), but I can live without the brightness that horns produce.

A 5.0 system? Never thought of that!:thup:

[Hookem]

"Sound and speakers is such a SUBJECTIVE subject isn't?

I totally get the "boomy" bass thing and the blaring of horn tweeters. I prefer highs to lows myself (and the engines of the F4 Phantom did a number on that), but I can live without the brightness that horns produce."

Yes listening preference is a very subjective thing...When I was selling all those Bose 4.1 systems I would demo them for people against a pair of Logitech Z640's and a pair of ProMedia's.

Without expception they all like the Bose's for music...It was an easy decision...Nice smooth, balanced sound without the horn tweeter's brightness from the ProMedia's or the flat sound from the LogiTech's single cone satellites.

I am going to go to Directron today and order the M-Audio's...They are dropped shipped from some other company and will wait until they get the M-Audio 5.1 Revolution sound card.

I did talk to my buddy and he gave the LX4's he had to his sister who is now living in New York...He is really into techno stuff...Makes his own songs and all that business...He is trying to steer me towards a Home Theatre in a Box...But like nd4sp I like my desktop space and I have a nice surround sound system for my home theatre setup.

He did tell me that a friend who is a DJ here in Houston that is into Drum and Bass has the 40's and they sound awesome paired with one of the Boston sub's...So it looks like that is what I am going to end up with...For awhile anyway.

:burn:

[hanzalo]

a few weeks ago i got the klipsch promedia gmx-a 2.1 speakers and i'm impressed. i don't have that much experience with pc speakers, but they sound good to me. i have an m-audio revolution sound card, and i had to change only a couple of settings to get them to sound good.

[Hookem]

Yeah after playing with the ProMedia's for a few days now, I have gotten them much, much better.

The onboard sound is not supposed to be bad, but I doubt it will compare to a good pci sound card...It has Realtek HD sound...LOL...I do have a Audigy card and a X-Fi but I aint in the mood to mess with it...Still mad about beta Vista and the X-Fi card driver fiasco.

When I had the M-Audio 7.1 and some 5.1 ProMedia's with the SRS turned on it sounded pretty darn good...Rocked the house, that's fo sho.

I did talk to my bud today and he loves the M-Audio 40's...Mixes his own stuff and really has the Drum and Bass thing going on...He told me falt out, that they blow the Bose 4.1 system I linked to outta the water...And I must admit he has very critical ears.

Guess I will stop being cheap and just go to Guitar Center and buy them there instead of waiting on Directron.

[Lodrin]

I'd consider the Audio Engine 2's. $200 for a small, quality set of bookshelves.

I have the Audio Engine 5's, but at $325 they are probably out of your range.

[Hookem]

:welcome:

I'd consider the Audio Engine 2's. $200 for a small, quality set of bookshelves.

I have the Audio Engine 5's, but at $325 they are probably out of your range.

Well after reading this review of the M-Audio's the Audio Engine 2's are going to be my next speaker purchase.

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/proaudio/m-audio-av40.html

I found this review of the Audio Engine 2's...To say the guy was impressed would be an understatment.

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/1207ae/index.html

So I gotta give you props for helping me out...I will be ordering some of the 2's Monday morning.

Thanks again and WELCOME TO THE FORUMS !!!!!

:burn:

[Lodrin]

I had cheap Logitech Z-230's for a good 2 years. I thought they were good because they were loud. Big mistake. I came to the conclusion I was hearing some lousy sound and wanted to upgrade. I did some research/boardsurfing, and settled on the M-Audio 40's. They were good, but after about 5 minutes of being pushed hard while gaming, the tweeters would start putting out noise/crackling. I thought it was my X-Fi, but I had the same issue with my Audigy 2 ZS in my other comp.
Maybe they were defective.

I did some more research, and there are many Audio Engine 5 reviews that are pure gold. Audio Engine 5's. I was also sitting on a ton of Amazon gift cards, so I tried em out. After trying em out, I would have bought them with my own money outright.

I had to do a lot of research like you are. The only other advice I'd say is there are quite a few speaker companies who stand 110% behind their speakers. They will pay for return shipping and give you full money back if you aren't happy. Audio Engine is one of em. You may want to order 3-4 different speaker sets and let your own ears decide.

[Vengance_01]

If you can find a pair of Altec MX5021's they are fantastic. I had mine now for 4+ years. I really like there sound. M-Audio, and swan makes good stuff too, but it costs $$$$.

[Hookem]

I was looking for the Altec 5021's but I could not find them in Houston...Pretty big town with a whole lot of places to buy stuff...No dice.

I feel that the Audio Engine 2's will be right down my alley...The 325.00 for the 5's is no big deal...Lodrin say's they will let you demo them...The only thing keeping me from buying them is size.

But from reading the above linked review of the Audio Engine 2's should serve my intended purpose very well indeed.

I have tweeked the ProMedia's I bought this week...But after listening to them all day I am just wore out...They are just so bright...Or to me anyway...That after 3 or 4 hours of listening to them I just turn the music off.

So me wanting accurate "studio monitor" type sound without the super bright sound of the ProMedia's loaded horn tweet along with the boomy bass to me is not anywhere close to how the stuff was mixed that I listen to...Listening to old school rock and growing up on vinyl and going digital was hard enough.

I want to thank Lodrin again for putting me onto the Audio Engines...Sounds like they are doing it right by not buying off the shelf stuff and putting together speakers, but are designing and making to spec componets for the 2's.

If they are half as good as the review at stereophile I will be a very happy camper indeed.

Now that I Lodrin has given me the hook-up on the speakers, hopefully someone can give me a better sound card option that the M-Audio Revolution 5.1 sound card.

:burn:

[Vengance_01]

For music your not gonna get better then that card, at least IMO.

[Lodrin]

I currently use an Auzentech Prelude 7.1. It's probably creme of the crop atm, but it's high priced =/.

I'm a little annoyed atm though, I'm getting the classic X-Fi crackle issue in BF2.

[Hookem]

Yeah the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 is a sweet sounding card...I am going with the 5.1 because it has better DAC's.

I dont game on my computers anymore...So music and an occasional movie will be it's main funcition.

I have a X-Fi ExtremeGamer...And a nice 12 gauge shotgun that I am going to get together for a little "love fest" I have gone through a few Creative driver issues in my time but nothing like my experience with Vista and that card.

Just kidding about the shotgun love fest...I am going to give it to a friend who claims he can make it work perfect with his machine using 64bit Vista...

I wish him luck !!!!

[ian2000gsxr]

i love my klipsch 4.1s

[Blkout]

Yeah the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 is a sweet sounding card...I am going with the 5.1 because it has better DAC's.

I dont game on my computers anymore...So music and an occasional movie will be it's main funcition.

I have a X-Fi ExtremeGamer...And a nice 12 gauge shotgun that I am going to get together for a little "love fest" I have gone through a few Creative driver issues in my time but nothing like my experience with Vista and that card.

Just kidding about the shotgun love fest...I am going to give it to a friend who claims he can make it work perfect with his machine using 64bit Vista...

I wish him luck !!!!

Not sure what your issue is with X-Fi and Vista, my X-Fi works flawlessly on Vista 64.

[Hookem]

Been way too busy...Finally ordered the AudioEngine 2's...They should be here early next week and I will post a new thread about how they sound.

Only problem is Directron does not have the M-Audio 5.1 sound card and I will be getting a Creative PCIe Sound Blaster Xtreme Audio card.

http://directron.com/sb1040ef.html

Already gave my Extreme Gamer to my buddy.