Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black)

After about 5 years owning a Yamaha Stagepas 300 PA system, one of the bass speakers cracked--not from abuse, but because the paper had become brittle. It was discovered there is no replacement available for this 6-ohm speaker. I tried to repair the crack with several methods, but the cracked progressed due to the brittle paper.I researched several days to try to find a suitable and affordable replacement without sacrificing quality. The ones in which I was interested were too expensive. The system was mainly used at home, with rare exceptions to entertain at parties for pleasure. Not wanting to spend much for what was essentially an indulgent hobby, I decided to research systems intended for computers as an alternative.When I came across this Klipsch system, I did intense research to see if this might be a suitable replacement. I was very familiar with Klipsch performance and reputation, being raised about 40 miles from their manufacturing in Hope, Arkansas. One friend from over 30 years ago had a set of the Klipsch Heresy home speakers where a kid had kicked a hole in one of the bass speakers, yet the system was still performing with zero distortion. That was the defining moment for me knowing the Klipsch brand as top-notch.I decided to try this one because of the Klipsch reputation and the fact that it had a higher power rating that the Yamaha PA system at a fraction of the cost. The explanation of how to hook up the system as hard wired wasn't too clear from the Internet research; I discovered when receiving the system that it had 2 wired options. There was a port on side for 3.5mm female Auxiliary input, and a primary 3.5mm male plug on the end of wire coming from a speaker that would typically plug into the headphone jack of a computer.I needed to connect my older 8-channel keyboard mixer to the system and only had an adapter for the RCA "out-to-tape" jacks that would go into the stereo 3.5mm Auxiliary input. That connection did not incorporate the graphics equalizer on the mixer, so I wasn't getting the quality for which I knew the system was capable.I had another adapter that would connect the 2 normal 1/4-inch output ports from the mixer to combine into a 3.5mm female connection to the male 3.5mm plug, but that was only a mono connection. I ordered a connection that had the dual 1/4-inch plugs combined into a STEREO female receptacle, and plugged in the primary 3.5mm male plug from the Klipsch system.That finally produced the sound I was expecting from this system because I could graph the sound within the mixing board. With a few tweaks to the graphics equalizer on my mixer, the sound quality produce was incredible. This very affordable computer speaker system out-performed the Yamaha Stagepas 300 (rated at 100 watts) in sound quality hands down. How can so much sound clarity come from such small speakers?My use of the system as a PA system was not what was originally intended, but I'm extremely satisfied with the results. I would strongly suggest anyone wanting to use this Klipsch 2.1 system professionally in a small venue consider this as an inexpensive and very portable alternative. You might have to purchase some poles to elevate the satellite speakers; but with all the savings, spending the additional funds for the poles would still make this more affordable than the conventional PA systems.I've put the speakers on top of the Yamaha speakers right now to get the elevation. I'll search around to see if I can find some suitable poles to give the system portability if I wanted to take it to a party. For now, this is fine for me.The sound quality is truly in keeping with the Klipsch reputation. I haven't cranked the system to anywhere near the top volume, but the test at about 1/3 volume from my mixer was enough to vibrate the walls. This system is phenomenal to say the least!I'm sure I haven't used this system to the full capability in the way I have it connected, but I don't need anything else. As they say in the old commercial "Try it; you'll like it."

When I first began looking for a replacement for my introductory-level computer speaker system (CA 3602), I was unsure of what to buy, but I knew I wanted something that I would never want to replace. After almost two months of research, I had narrowed the entire market down to three systems, from three reputable companies; the Corsair SP2500, the Klipsch Promedia 2.1, and the Logitech Z623. I will guess that anyone reading this review will have also come to the same, or a similar final list of choices. If not, I will highly suggest starting from this point, as it will likely save you a lot of time.The first system that I cut out was the Corsair SP 2500, for one simple reason; it's subwoofer is massive, and I did not have anywhere to place it in my office where my cats could not defile it. However, from the research I did, I found that the audio and build quality of the SP 2500 is equivalent to the Promedia's, but the SP 2500 maintains lower THD (total harmonic distortion) at it's maximum volume. However, it's bass may by a bit "boomy".The second to go was the Logitech Z623. This was a much harder decision to make, as I read glowing reviews of both systems, and even side-by-side comparisons ended on personal preference. Latter in the two months I finally found a purely unbiased site on which a comparison was being drawn. On this site, it was almost unanimously decided that the Z623's subwoofer was somewhat muddy and inaccurate when compared to the Promedia's, and thus the Z623 was eliminated from my list of choices leaving only one.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thus far, I could not be more impressed with my Klipsch Promedia 2.1s. Their treble is crisp and clear, but not overly sharp (a common trait of Klipsch systems). Their midrange reproduction is rich and accurate. The bass is tight and powerful. They will go far louder than I require (I have never turned them up past 30% volume). I use them to listen to pretty much everything (dubstep, orchestral, classical, trance, house, drum and bass, metal, and classic rock), and they are simply outstanding.I am also a gamer (Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty MW3, League of Legends), and I can hear the clash of every sword, and the crack of every gunshot like what was not possible with my previous speakers. I can feel the rumble of the tank's engine, the collapse of every building, and the thunderous cry of a dragon flying overhead.Klipsch has been making this same set of speakers since the year 2000. If this is not a hint at their amazing build and audio quality, I don't know what is.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------After using this system for a few months now, I have found 4 small things to complain about (and most of their solutions), all of which are related to the subwoofer:>Problem: At higher volumes + higher bass settings, the sub driver's cone will actually hit the protective grill.>Solution: Using a flat bladed screwdriver (or that little fold-out thingy on a pair of fingernail clippers), you can CAREFULLY pry out the grill. Setting it back in place, but not pushing it all the way in, will give the driver an extra ~3/32 of an inch of headroom.>Problem: The panel on the side of the subwoofer (the amplifier's heatsink) gets EXTREMELY hot if the system's volume it turned up for long durations.>Solution: Well, I'm a tech nerd, so I naturally have old Computer components laying here and there. I grabbed an old, flat-bottomed aluminum CPU cooler, and cleaned the old thermal paste off. I then applied new thermal paste to the center part of the heatsink, put dots of superglue around the edges, and stuck it on the side of the subwoofer, just above the satellite plugins (the hottest spot on the side panel). I have not had heat issues since.>Problem: At very high bass volumes, the sub can travel an ever-so-slight amount.>Solution: Old college textbooks now have a use (set them on top... *derpface*).Also, I have to note that the sub's crossover frequency should have been 10hz or 15hz lower, as there is an extremely narrow range over which audibly directional sound (which should be played by the satellites) can be traced back to the sub.UPDATE ----- 11/24/12 -----I have recently upgraded the default satellite speakers to a set of Dual LU43PB Indoor/Outdoor Speakers. To my ears, this was a vast improvement over the defaults. The Duals have a much broader range, especially in the midrange and midbass. At the same time, the tweeters are not so overpowering. Vocals sound MUCH more natural now. My experience while watching the Lord of the Rings Trilogy was definitely more um...THXier than with the stock set. The issue I listed above about the sub's crossover frequency has been virtually eliminated since the satellites now play more midbass / upper bass. I highly suggest this upgrade to any and all owners of the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s.Also, there is another spot on the subwoofer that get exceedingly hot during prolonged use; it is the area above the control pod plugin on the sub. I bought 3 sets of these Xbox mini-heatsinks, and applied them to the hotspot. It barely even gets warm to the touch now.

Most computers are just 2.1 stereo. Gamers usually add a sound card to support higher quality sounds and effects.This is the BEST sound quality I have heard out of a 2.1 system. My old one was a Bose and this Klipsch system blows that away. They may cost a little more. But we're talking a lifetime excellent quality sound and music reproduction.Musician for over 50 years. IMHO [Klipsch for home audio speakers,,,, JBL for professional audio speakers]