SoundSticks II Speakers

by Harman

Product Details

• Item Weight: 11.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 pounds
• ASIN: B0001W8EFK
• Item model number: SOUNDSTICKSIIEU
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 18, 2006

Product Description

Harman Kardon's 40-watt SoundSticks II three-piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for music, MP3's, movies and gaming experiences.

Compatible
The mini stereo jack connection allows you to enjoy high-quality audio from a variety of devices such as digital music players, computers (all platforms), stereos and portable listening devices.

Easy-to-use Touch controls
Touch Volume Control - Just a touch increases or decreases the volume. Just a touch mutes or un-mutes the system. SoundSticks II also remembers your last volume setting. The SoundSticks II audio system utilizes a straightforward interconnect technology, which provides an effortless user interface with minimum desktop wiring.

The powerful subwoofer provides clean low bass. The treble and subwoofer level controls are located on the back of the subwoofer.

Detailed Technical Specifications

• System:
  • Frequency Range: 44 Hz-20 kHz.
  • Power Consumption: 4 W idle, 65 W maximum.
  • Input Requirement: 1/8" (3.5 mm) Mini Stereo Jack.
• Subwoofer:
  • Transducer: (1) 6-inch woofer.
    
  • Amplifier Output Power: 20 Wrms.
    
  • Dimensions: 9.15" (232 mm) x 10.16" (258 mm).
    
  • Weight: 4.93 pounds (2.2 kg).
    
• Satellite:
  • Transducer: (4) 1-inch full range per channel.
  • Amplifier Output Power: 10 Wrms per channel.
  • Dimensions: 2" (50.8 mm) x 10" (254 mm).
  • Weight: 1.47 pounds (0.67 kg).

Another innovative audio solution from Harman Kardon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent For PC Speakers, February 13, 2010

By 

Metaldrummer - See all my reviews

I have had budget speakers, mid priced speakers, higher priced speakers, ran keyboard amps as subwoofers that'll blow the windows out of a neighbors house, you name it. But this is by far the coolest looking pc speaker system I have ever purchased.

Harman Kardon Soundsticks offer very good, crisp, clean sound. But they have great presentation as well. The unique design looks so much better on my desk than your average blocky satellites and a boring cube for a sub. Some don't like the blue led but I think it adds to its modern design. I have led cooling fans as well so it is a matter of taste to have a jedi-like glow coming from your room.

I have used these speakers for at least a couple years now and they haven't given the slightest indication of breaking. And I love bass and volume...

But while I am quite happy with the design, sound, and quality of this system, there are some areas of improvement as noted by other owners. The first is a lack of a power button; I really don't like leaving them on all the time although it is convenient to know your sound will be on when you boot your pc.

The touch volume control adds to the "coolness" factor, but I like the ability to turn a volume knob quickly without having to leave my finger on the control. But my actual gripe with this feature is that it doesn't let you know where in the volume range you are. This sucks.

While many audiophiles in my opinion can be a little too picky and snooty about every minute detail, the opinions I've read from some of the audio gifted do have merit. Using one inch speakers in the sticks provide crisp and clean highs but make it so the subwoofer carries the burden of providing the mid and low end. And the Soundsticks II subwoofer does a good job of providing these mids and lows. However, there isn't enough amplification to really drive this system and it is easy to cap the satellites out resulting in crackling. I am spoiled however having used a 15" powered subwoofer along with professional monitors made for recording studios. For pc speakers? These sound awesome at a medium-loud volume.

Overall, if you're looking for "pc speakers" these are going to one of the best looking and sounding products you can buy in this price range. If you want perfect highs, mids, lows, and the ability to shake the floors of your home, do what I do and buy actual home audio or studio monitoring setups and hook it up to your pc.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best speakers for the money, and better than many much more expensive speakers, August 15, 2010

By 

Conrad B. Senior (Easton, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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These speakers have four small tweeters in each of two clear plastic pod about as big around as a hot dog bun, but longer. What it is, is a tuned cavity. At the bottom of each satellite speaker, is a tuned port--a cavity which converts the highs of the tweeters in to a good mid-range. [8 tweeters, 2 tuned cavities=equals good mid-range sound]

One speaker has volume control with is touch sensitive. I like it. I set it and forget it for my computer and use the computer keyboard for volume control--so if you don't like the volume controls--don't use them except to set them up.

There is also a big apple shaped woofer that is downward firing, has a volume knob for the bass and a blue LED light to let you know it is on. It is not a mega huge woofer, but it provides surprisingly good sound. It also is a tuned cavity--which extends the bass response. Tuned cavities are faulted for producing a muddier sounding bass--it sound great to me. A tuned port also provides better low end bass when you have smaller woofer.

In this case, the tuned cavities on all three speakers provides for more efficiency--allowing a small amount of drive power to produce big sound. I love them and I've been telling my friends about these for years.

Best of all is the price. A little over $100 for great sounding powered speakers. For this price you can't go wrong. I think they sound better than my large speakers with a pair of 12" woofers, and separate mid range and tweeters--they do sound fabulous.

In a blindfold test, in normal power settings, these speakers would be the top pick for many people.

I have left this plugged into my computer for years on end, and it has always produced great sound.

I liked them so much I bought a pair for my girlfriend, and these were pass on my my niece who uses them for her MacBook--a great sound system--laptop and these excellent speakers.

I cannot find a fault in them. When I look at other speaker systems, I laugh when I compare them to these speakers.

The wiring cords are a little weird in that you have to connect mini-DIN connectors to the woofer, but that only limits how far apart you can place them.

Also there is a power brick that outputs 16V at 1.5 amps. I think these speakers would run off of a 12V battery.

I like them so much I'd like to get a set for my boat--for use down below in the main cabin. I would wire these for 12V use. Right now, I'm thinking about buying a set for the bedroom, to serve my iPad or iPod. lately I've been using my iPad for streaming movies. I don't much like headphones and the built in speakers are ok but a little weak. A pair of these speakers mounted up high would really make "wake up" alarms loud, playing music more fun, and watching video's just great.

After using these for four years now, and three years on the second set, we have had zero problems with these speakers. We do not blast them at insane volume, but they are plenty loud to fill a room with clean sound.

One more point. I used a pair of copper 1/2" pipe straps, found in any plumbing department, to hang the two satellite speaker under my bookshelf--it frees up space on my desktop and bookshelf.

I have debating hanging the woofer upside down also. If there is a weakness to these speakers, it is they need a wall mount for all three. Placing the woofer on the floor means it will get very dusty--which could cause problems. I put my woofer behind my monitor. I also clean these with a damp paper towel every year or so, and blow the dust out of them with a camera dust canister at the same time. Perhaps those with problem, simply never clean them and put them in dusty areas--like floors.

Sound--excellent
Durability--Excellent
Reliability--Excellent
Looks--Outstanding-in a high tech sort of way.
Mounts--for desktop use--good, for wall mount or hanging--weak.
Wiring--With wall mounts--these would be great for whole house sound systems--I wish these has such a system--you would have to add some length to the wires serving the two satellite speakers.

Bottom line--everyone with a computer or an iPod should have a set of these speakers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcomed surprise, June 20, 2010

By 

Sam (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

I've only owned these speakers for about a week, yet I'm already blown away by there quality. Looking at these online I was skeptical of both there sound and build quality due to the plastic housing. I was delighted when I got them to find the plastic very strong and scratch resistant. The sound quality is outstanding. Highs are crisp and detailed. The subwoofer sounds like one twice its size, and offers a lot of punch. Even the crossover between the sub and satellites comes together to bring natural sounding mids. The sound quality is that of a system that costs 2 to 3 times more. Very pleased.

Pros: Great overall sound at all volumes. Touch sensitive volume controls on right satellite. Button on Sub that acts as both on/off switch and bass volume. Thick connection cords

Cons: Nob is difficult to get to, back lower portion of subwoofer. No way to keep system on while turning off blue LED. Many cords including an external power brick. Subwoofer is downward firing causing annoying feet vibrations, making u feel more than hear.