The Ultimate in Computer Speakers
Written: Jul 14 '02 (Updated Jul 14 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great mid and high range; incredible bass; awesome with movies
Cons: Expensive
The Bottom Line: The Promedia 4.1 system is absolutely incredible and will not disappoint anyone looking for the best in computer speakers. It's worth every penny of the $300 cost.
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| mark_ufl's Full Review: Klipsch PROMEDIA 4.1 Speaker System |
Note: Ah, finally able to post this under the correct product. This was previously posted under the v.2-400 system.
Most everyone has heard the tinny and horrible sound of a basic two speaker setup on the computer. By now, most of you have a speaker/subwoofer setup and think that it is pretty good for sound from the computer. The way to get the best sound out of your system, however, is with a 4.1 or 5.1 speaker setup, which several manufacturers provide. With the Klipsch Promedia 4.1 THX system, they have brought computer sound to another level that will please all but the audiophiles.
Features
* 4 satellites, 60 watts each
* subwoofer, 160 watts
* total power 400 watts
* controls on main satellite for main volume, surround volume, and subwoofer level
*inputs for headphones and digital audio players (CD/MP3) on the main satellite
* THX certification
Installation/setup
Everything is fairly straightfoward. Subwoofer has a power cord to go into an outlet. Speaker cables which are provided go from each of the satellites into the subwoofer. A preamp cord goes from the main satellite to the subwoofer, and finally two cords from the main satellite go into the sound card on your computer. The hardest part is probably spacing the speakers, but diagrams included in the manual help show one how to do this.
Sound Quality
The sound quality from these speakers are the best that I've ever heard out of a set of computer speakers. The various components of the Klipsch system (including the microtractrix horn for the hi range and the BASH amplifier -- read more at www.klipsch.com) allow it to reproduce both the mid and high range of music and voices, and also handle ear-shattering bass from music and movies with ease. The speakers can be extremely loud, and most of the time one does not need to turn any of the knobs past the halfway point, as the sound is quite sufficient at that point for just about anything. There is very little distortion with the speakers unless you turn it up considerably past the halfway point (at which point you'd be deaf I think). From contemporary and classical music to country, hip-hop and r&b, it handles everything beautifully.
I've had the chance to watch over 20 movies with this system during my first year at college, and the speakers make my dorm room feel like a little mini-theater. They bring every little sound out of the movies, and after a movie or two I can see that Klipsch definitely deserved the THX certification with these speakers.
For both music and movies, it handles everything with ease. It's an incredible system, and it'll handle anything that you throw at it.
Conclusion
If you have a decent system with a good sound card (preferably a Soundblaster Live of some sort), this is definitely the speaker system to buy if you have $300 and want to listen to great sound out of your computer. Sure, it's a lot of money, but I think I'll be using this speaker set for a long time, and in this way I think it's well worth the money. Despite the fact that it's not 5.1 digital, it still produces incredible sound that few other computer speakers can match. I recommend this (or the 5.1 Promedia system, $100 more) for anyone who wants excellent speakers for their music and movies on the PC.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 299
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Epinions.com ID:
mark_ufl
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Reviews written: 35
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
UF student majoring in computer science. Wish me luck!
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