Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless Speakers
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless Speakers
Posted 02/22/2010 at 9:30am
| by Michael Brown
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Klipsch storms its way onto our Best of the Best list
Every portable computer, from the brawniest desktop replacement to the tiniest netbook, has one thing in common: terrible speakers. There’s no shortage of powered speaker systems on the market—some of which are very good—but what’s the point of using a laptop if you have to tether it to a box to get good sound?
Klipsch has a better solution: The ProMedia 2.1 Wireless uses a USB transmitter to send audio from the host PC to the speakers over the airwaves. The speakers themselves are all hardwired, with the amplifier tucked inside the subwoofer. And lordy, what a subwoofer it is. There’s a 6.5-inch long-throw, side-firing driver housed inside a bass-reflex enclosure with a front port. The sub cabinet also houses the wireless receiver and the 200-watt amplifier that powers all three channels. Klipsch claims line-of-sight range of 30 feet and our experience backs that up. If you’re looking for a wireless audio system that will send audio from a computer in one room to speakers in another, this isn’t the right solution.
If you don't need the wireless feature, give the original ProMedia 2.1 a listen; Klipsch says the two systems look and sound alike, and the wired model is 50 bucks cheaper.
The two-way satellite speakers consist of 25mm polymer tweeters mated to Klipsch’s well-known MicroTractix horn. Mids are produced by three-inch long-throw drivers. The right-hand satellite cabinet houses a master volume control and a separate control for bass volume, a 1/8-inch headphone output, and a 1/8-inch auxiliary input. This input provides +6dB input sensitivity to compensate for the low output voltage that many portable digital media players deliver; take heed if you’re feeding it from an AC-powered source. The satellites can be mounted on either the included desktop stands or on a wall using an optional Klipsch accessory (model WB-1 wall brackets, which sell for $22 a pair).
We predict few people will go the wall-mount route. You could splice more wire to the hardwired speaker cables that connect the satellites to the subwoofer, but there’s no way to lengthen the 10-foot proprietary control cable attached to the right-hand satellite. There is no remote control, either included or available as an optional accessory, but that’s not all that uncommon for speakers in this price class.
We like our bass like we like our beef—served up in thick, juicy slabs—and the ProMedia 2.1 Wireless certainly didn’t disappoint on that score. The subwoofer was a kick with games (exploding Left 4 Dead Boomers practically pushed us back in our seats), but we also auditioned the system with a range of music (everything from Lucinda Williams to Herbie Hancock) and it managed to deliver a tight and coherent bottom end with everything. The satellites are a touch bright for our taste, but that just reminded us that we probably didn’t need to crank the volume quite so high. Most people will use these speakers as near-field monitors, but they filled our 13x9-foot media room with well-balanced sound and plenty of headroom to spare.
These are great speakers and they’re reasonably priced; they’ve certainly earned a spot on our Best of the Best list.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless
Paul Thorn
Wireless connection to audio source; beefy bass response; powerful and efficient amplifier.
Toby Keith
Hardwired cables in satellites; no way to lengthen right sat cable.
9
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GamerDave25
March 08, 2011 at 7:56pm
I was looking for a new set of speakers and have come across good reviews for these all over the net. From what I have read Klipsch has done an excellent job in designing these speakers. I really like them the only drawback I see which is not a deal breaker is that I would like the speakers to be wireless just like the audio source is. Other than that these seem like a good set of speakers.
mesiah
February 22, 2010 at 9:35pm
Unless klipsch has made some major changes in the past couple years their powered speaker systems are notoriously undependable. A quick google search for klipsch promedia amp will return page after page of forum complaints about people with promedia units that die after anywhere from a week to a couple years. Although klipsch makes great speakers their amps are very cheaply made. As much as I love my now dead promedia 5.1s, I can't see purchasing another pair of klipsch speakers.
NSA
February 22, 2010 at 3:44pm
I had me a nice pair of Klipsch 2.0 speakers till the big heavy amp fried!
But for $20, I bought the thin planar USB speakers at best buy and used the 3 watt USB amp on the Klipsch speakers and they sound Fantabulous
So my $100 Klipsh speakers REALLY ARE Portable now that they are USB Powered and sound great too!
Why can't atom motherboard manufacturers add a 3 watt amp to their boards for great sound anywhere?
Seems too logical so maybee thats why they won't do it
NT_
February 22, 2010 at 2:54pm
I've had the wired version of these speakers since late 2001 and love them. Music and movies sound great in a typical bedroom-sized room or office, and the subwoofer -- when corner-loaded -- is more than adequate for anything save kettle drums. With proper speaker placement, the excellent stereo imaging also provides decent location queues for gaming, if you don't want the hassle of mounting a 5.1 or 7.1 setup for your computer.
Over 8 years later, the speaker connections are occasionally a little wonky and the volume pot is sometimes scratchy, but my only thought has been to just buy another set.
I originally paid $180 for mine, but the wired set is currently available direct from Klipsch for $150. Good value, especially considering that most PC speakers are utter crap even at the $100 price point.
Who
February 22, 2010 at 12:04pm
i would be much more impressed if the satellites were wireless =/
I have the wired version, they are awesome speakers, but like any speakers they are a pain if you want to rearrange them or move them to another room.
Neufeldt2002
February 22, 2010 at 11:26am
But you're still tethered to the speakers. If you are using this for a notebook, or netbook, you are still bound by the fact that you have to be near the speakers, otherwise you are back to El crapo built-in. Please don't try to imply that these are good for portable computers. Most people buy the portables because they need something on the go. In which case a good pair of headphones are more appropriate. Or state that you are thinking about when it is docked.
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MrMick
February 23, 2010 at 4:30pm
You're not tethered to the speakers. The audio connection between your notebook and the amplifier is wireless (you plug in a USB dongle). The speakers deliver plenty of sound to fill a room, so you can sit with your laptop just about anywhere.
Having said that, the speakers are most definitely not designed to be portable. If you want sound on the go, you should use headphones or earbuds.
Mike
Michael Brown, Reviews Editor
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