Harman Kardon Soundsticks III 2.1-Channel Multimedia Speaker System with Subwoofer (Refurbished) $100 + Free Shipping

Got 2. For each of my mac minis.

Reading a few responses on this thread... RMS doesn't mean squat for sound quality. Anyone who thinks their Logitech speakers sound good has never heard good speakers. They produce high peak RMS, which means they get loud, but with cheap drivers all that sound is muddy compared to clear speakers.

For something like this, you're looking at pure sound quality. Even though you can't crank it up as high as a Logitech set, if you actually like listening to music you'll notice the difference right away. Bass will be sharp, mids more focused and highs more clear. Logitechs have muddy bass and overemphasized highs.

Of course, these aren't great audio either. If you have a $50 set of earbuds, chances are you've heard better sound reproduction already. But to get great desktop sound, you're looking at $200+ range for speakers, or a custom setup.

I have this sony shelf system http://www.fixya.com/support/p224...elf_system

i have been pre-approved to purchase speakers and have been looking around for sometime now. I know these sound sticks III computer 2.1 speaker system will not out do this type of shelf system. I am not looking for anything to be extremely loud but enough to hear some good bump.

These new speakers could also save me a bunch of space on my desk and remove this bulky shelf system.

I did enjoy the http://www.bose.com/controller?ur.../index.jsp back when they were 500 bucks.. but i couldnt justify spending that kind of money on speakers. I know the price difference between the between the sound sticks III and the Bose is big so im assuming the Bose ones so i cant really make a comparison.

im tempted to pick these up...

Quote from ahwang87 : would the SSIII be a downgrade coming form AV40s?

Oh yeah. The AV40's are a studio monitor, but they are nearfield. So they must be used on a desk, and never off axis. To fill a room, you don't want to use monitors.

Quote from SDCali : I have this sony shelf system http://www.fixya.com/support/p224...elf_system i have been pre-approved to purchase speakers and have been looking around for sometime now. I know these sound sticks III computer 2.1 speaker system will not out do this type of shelf system. I am not looking for anything to be extremely loud but enough to hear some good bump. These new speakers could also save me a bunch of space on my desk and remove this bulky shelf system. I did enjoy the http://www.bose.com/controller?ur.../index.jsp back when they were 500 bucks.. but i couldnt justify spending that kind of money on speakers. I know the price difference between the between the sound sticks III and the Bose is big so im assuming the Bose ones so i cant really make a comparison. im tempted to pick these up...

You'll be surprised. It won't be as loud or as powerful, but the music will sound so much better on a premium system. Also, while those Bose look nice, the Harmon Kardons will probably sound very similar. Bose is expensive but not necessarily high quality. They easily charge 2-3x what other companies will charge for the same sound quality. You're paying for the furniture.

Quote from citrxj : You'll be surprised. It won't be as loud or as powerful, but the music will sound so much better on a premium system. Also, while those Bose look nice, the Harmon Kardons will probably sound very similar. Bose is expensive but not necessarily high quality. They easily charge 2-3x what other companies will charge for the same sound quality. You're paying for the furniture.

Thank you for the reply.. buying one now!

Quote from ctbear : Totally different class. Just look at the RMS power output (ie. i4 engine vs. v6). Which brings me to question why anyone would buy these if not for their aesthetics. For a similar price as this sale price (cheaper if comparing MSRP), one can pick up a substantially better performing 2.1 system in both power and audio quality: Klisch Promedia 2.1, Logitech z623 (z2300), Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra. IMHO, these Harman Kardon's are not worth the price....but that's coming from a guy who picked up a brand new z2300 for $50 from an Amazon sale years ago The shear power and audio quality literally blows you away (be careful of nearby windows). No need for a surround sound speaker system for my home theater with these monsters. But that's just my 2 cents.

I think the sets you mentioned are better for the average user but I must disagree about the sound quality.

I like the Klipsch Pro well enough and I think they are the best consumer sub $100 set around for a family. What I mean is that they are what I would feel comfortable suggesting to anyone for the price.

I'm a fan of Altecs computer speakers but I can't remember exactly what I thought about the Altec Expressionist 2.1. I don't believe I was impressed but since I don't remember I won't say for certain which I think is better.

In my opinion, the z623, or really any Logitech speakers for that matter, are highly over rated. Their speakers in particular are the one area that Logitech hasn't evolved past a cheap peripherals company. I don't find their speakers particularly coloring but they always somehow sound like a cheap boombox . They get loud and they might do that without too much distortion but they have to be pumped full of watts to the point of blaring in order to produce a descent stereo image.

That's my point problem with Logitech. Listening to their speakers makes it clear that they aren't a speaker company. They make loud, descent computer speakers. They don't worry about tuning them and they use a generic driver design that produces inefficient, power hungry speakers that don't open up and produce a true stereo image until they are blasting. Not a fan

As for Harman, I can see why people would choose another brand. If comparing side to side the Soundsticks would probably sound inferior. They just don't blast or rumble like many other pc speakers are expected to at this price point. "Though they do get pretty loud, they shouldn't be used like that) The Soundstickers are truly meant for your desktop, designed to be placed in front and to the sides of you.

But I can say without a doubt that the Harman Kardon speakers are a far superior instrument. Their detail and stereo imaging ability is so far ahead of Logitech that after listening to them for a week a set of z623 sound like built in tv speakers on full blast. Logitech get loud but lack dimension. That's my take anyways.

Quote from citrxj : Reading a few responses on this thread... RMS doesn't mean squat for sound quality. Anyone who thinks their Logitech speakers sound good has never heard good speakers. They produce high peak RMS, which means they get loud, but with cheap drivers all that sound is muddy compared to clear speakers. For something like this, you're looking at pure sound quality. Even though you can't crank it up as high as a Logitech set, if you actually like listening to music you'll notice the difference right away. Bass will be sharp, mids more focused and highs more clear. Logitechs have muddy bass and overemphasized highs. Of course, these aren't great audio either. If you have a $50 set of earbuds, chances are you've heard better sound reproduction already. But to get great desktop sound, you're looking at $200+ range for speakers, or a custom setup.

I agree.

A good amp/receiver and set a speakers would beat this any day. Even at the same price point (not including amp/receiver unless you buy used probably)

For what they are the Harman Kardon is superior in every way other than sheer volume. I genuinely dislike Logitech and think they sound like tv speakers--loud and hollow

It should also be noted that Harman Kardon has always been very conservative in their watt measurement methodology.

Electronics companies (and most audio companies) measure a channel or a speaker at a time and quote the wattage of each speaker as if you would only be using one and at full blast. Harman has always measured a system as a whole, doesn't matter if it is a stereo receiver, 5.1 speaker system or set of computer speakers.
Measuring like this produces far more realistic measurements but far lower numbers than most companies quote. Example: my Harman Kardon 150w stereo amplifier is more powerful than my 250w stereo amp from another brand

is there a place I can plug my headphones into if I want to switch to that simply? I can't find a pic or a demo video that talk about that. the website said it does but can anyone confirm?

Quote from airventor : You can ~basically~ put the sub anywhere you have enough wire. Putting it in the desk drawer then closing it might be bad but in general, there is no wrong place to put it.

This could not be MORE wrong

Quote from citrxj : Reading a few responses on this thread... RMS doesn't mean squat for sound quality. Anyone who thinks their Logitech speakers sound good has never heard good speakers. They produce high peak RMS, which means they get loud, but with cheap drivers all that sound is muddy compared to clear speakers. For something like this, you're looking at pure sound quality. Even though you can't crank it up as high as a Logitech set, if you actually like listening to music you'll notice the difference right away. Bass will be sharp, mids more focused and highs more clear. Logitechs have muddy bass and overemphasized highs. Of course, these aren't great audio either. If you have a $50 set of earbuds, chances are you've heard better sound reproduction already. But to get great desktop sound, you're looking at $200+ range for speakers, or a custom setup.

What do you mean drivers? Also, love my logitech z-2300's, I think they are leaps and bounds ahead of these - the bass here is weak.

Quote from oowtfmate : This could not be MORE wrong

Disagree. Sub placement isn't a huge deal, except for audiophiles. Sure, it makes a slight difference, but a subwoofer isn't nearly as directional as a speaker....

Bummer. OOS

Quote from redsrule2500 : What do you mean drivers? Also, love my logitech z-2300's, I think they are leaps and bounds ahead of these - the bass here is weak. Disagree. Sub placement isn't a huge deal, except for audiophiles. Sure, it makes a slight difference, but a subwoofer isn't nearly as directional as a speaker....

He means the tweeters and woofer. The HK's are just as cheap as the Logitechs. Believe me - they aren't putting Morel woofers and HiVi fabric tweeters in either. Most pc speakers have a massive hole in the midrange, favoring the highs and upper bass. The best are the monitor style speakers, but those don't come with sub's, so while you'll get the midrange, you miss out on the bass (not that pc subwoofers are putting out anything useful below 50Hz).

Subwoofer placement in a home theater room is extremely important. Corner load a subwoofer, and you may have spikes at a certain frequency that destroy the sound. Too far from a corner or wall, and you could lose half the efficiency. Subwoofers produce waves, and the distance they travel, or objects they run into, effect the final result. Try putting your sub in a corner, about 6 inches from each wall. Then compare that to putting it out in the middle of the room.

Quote from redsrule2500 : Disagree. Sub placement isn't a huge deal, except for audiophiles. Sure, it makes a slight difference, but a subwoofer isn't nearly as directional as a speaker....

Lol subwoofer isn't nearly as directional as a speaker but its placement definitely has effects on the way you hear it depending on it's position relative to different walls. You don't have to be an audiophile to notice this. The way vibration works and how air moves given subwoofer displacement and it's size, it is actually a very big factor. There are lots of common misconceptions about it as well.