Klipsch GMX A 2.1 Personal Audio System (3 Speakers, Black & Silver)

by Klipsch

Product Details

Product Manual [15.46mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 32.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 31.4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000AE82C
• Item model number: GMX A-2.1
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 29, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description When quality counts and space is tight, the ProMedia GMX A-2.1 system from Klipsch provides stylish, full-range sound from a pair of matched, two-way satellite speakers and a 50-watt powered subwoofer. The system's analog stereo (left/right).125-inch minijack plug accepts dynamic sound from any audio source--from PCs and game consoles to CD, DVD players, VCRs,minidisc player/recorders, and MP3 players.

This one goes to eleven.

The satellites receive 14 watts per channel from an amplifier housed within the subwoofer, and each satellite uses a three-inch woofer and .75-inch tweeter in Klipsch's exclusive MicroTractrix horn. They're magnetically shielded to allow distortion-free placement near a computer monitor or television, and their ported enclosures extend their low-frequency reach down to the subwoofer's upper 140 Hz crossover region. Each satellite comes with its own self-supporting ball-joint pedestal that grants a 45-degree range of motion for optimal sound directing.

An included preamplifier/control module includes separate main and subwoofer volume controls, letting you set a subwoofer level whose volume relative to that of the satellites is most pleasing to you. The controller offers two stereo inputs: one dual RCA and one stereo (left/right) .125-inch minijack plug. Further, a headphone output grants private listening. The system boasts a wide frequency response--an impressive 35 to 20,000 Hz--but keep in mind that the range for this response is +/- 5 dB rather than the traditional +/- 3 dB, so the effective range may be a little more limited than the numbers suggest.

Hook up is simple. The speakers connect to the subwoofer via included RCA-type connection cables, and the controller connects to the subwoofer via an included DIN connection cable. The rear panel of the GMX A-2.1's subwoofer features a Klipsch SWS Link socket, fostering the easy connection of one or more ProMedia SWS supplementary powered subwoofers to further extend and fortify low-frequency reproduction. The SWS Link fully integrates your additional subwoofer(s) with the rest of the system, allowing master volume and bass-level adjustment all from the GMX A-2.1 controller.

A full host of ports for all your audio parts.

What's in the Box
Two satellite speakers with pedastals attached, one subwoofer, one control preamplifier, requisite cabling (with 22 gauge wire), AC power cord, DC power cord, DIN cord, one stereo minijack interconnect, and a user's manual.

Product Description

KLIPSCH GMX A-2.1 - This three piece multimedia speaker system is designed for consumers who want true high fidelity sound, but can't afford the space or the long green for a full surround speaker setup. The system delivers dynamic sound from any audio source, including PC, CD, DVD and MP3 players, game consoles, laptops, cable box and VCR! Features include: Frequency response - 35Hz - 20kHz +/-5 dB Exclusive SWS Link socket enables easy connection of one or more optional supplementary powered subwoofers With a way cool industrial design and killer KLIPSCH performance, the ProMedia GMX A-2.1 will change the way your life sounds! Finish - Black

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANALOG. There is no DSP, therefore no DSP hiss problem, May 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Klipsch GMX A 2.1 Personal Audio System (3 Speakers, Black & Silver) (Personal Computers)

Could someone remove that review that gave these speakers only 3 stars because the guy owns other speakers and its DSP has hiss? These speakers are the A-2.1's and not the D-5.1's ... A vs D ... ANALOG vs. DIGITAL! The guy says these 2.1s have the same DSP, he's full of it. There is NO DSP in these speakers, thus there is no DSP-related hiss. So all of you folks who are listening really hard to detect hiss, you won't find it unless it comes from your own misconfigured or noisy sound card.

Now then, what will you find? GREAT sounding speakers.

Overall these are very efficient and natural sounding with prominent highs, plenty of bass, and very minimal coloring of the mids.

Pluses ...

Very efficient, nice at low levels if you want something in the background
Good bass response and extension. I leave the sub on at 1/3
It definitely has the high end ... very bright. Real tweeters!
LOUD ... plenty loud for my needs
Sub level control is right on the control puck

Headphone jack

Minuses...

Lower mids are not quite as prominent
Very bright, maybe too bright if you aim them right towards your face
Bass can be a bit overpowering, turn the sub down
Headphone level too low ... have to turn volume up, then back down when unplugging headphones

These minuses are all minor. Overall these speakers are fantastic. I had a set of Logitech Z-640's and they didn't have anything near the kind of presence these have. These are speakers that cause you to you forget about the speakers and listen to the music and all the interesting sounds in the original recording. I listened to a lot of speakers before choosing these and these make you say "WOW"! They really stand out from the others.

180 of 220 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Here's a devil's advocate review for your pleasure, December 10, 2003

By 

techdad review (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Klipsch GMX A 2.1 Personal Audio System (3 Speakers, Black & Silver) (Personal Computers)

I was very close to purchasing these speakers from reading just the reviews on Amazon and on the brand reputation of Klipsch. I wanted to see if I could upgrade from my Bose MediaMate speakers for just a little more money. But I have firmly decided against the Klipsch. Read on for my personal reasoning.

PROS:
- Great sound
- Plenty of input options
- Convenient control module

CONS:
- Continuous buzzing/hissing noise
- Love it or hate it looks

PERFORMANCE
From every specification I've read and every review I've read, these speakers DO sound amazing. 1/3 of the volume limit is about what most people max out at before they begin to wonder whether they'll upset their neighbors or cause their picture frames to go flying off the walls. This aspect of these speakers are what brought me to seriously consider them and I have no doubt that they are probably some of the best sounding 2.1 speakers you can buy, and at a semi-reasonable amount of money.

FEATURES
Wow, inputs galore and a very attractive looking control module, unlike those from Creative Labs and Logitech. Should you desire, you can also purchase matching speaker stands for the GMX line. A very flexible set of speakers for use with your PC, game system, or portable audio device.

AESTHETICS
Arguably, the ugliest speakers I've ever seen. I think some people really appreciate the industrial look of these speakers, but I prefer something more elegant and simple.

INTANGIBLES
So here is why I decided not to spend my hard earned dollars. There is a constant HISS that resonates from the speakers that you cannot get rid of. This hiss exists also in the 5.1 version of the GMX and if you do some more research, you'll read plenty of people who have purchased this set and that is their primary complaint. I don't want my speakers to hiss/buzz. I only want to hear Eddie Van Halen's amazing guitar work, Freddie Mercury's tremendous vocal range, DJ Tiesto's bouncing beats, and my MONSTER KILLS on Unreal Tournament.

SUMMARY
I thought Amazon shoppers might appreciate the research I've done with these speakers and get a devil's advocate review. I for one, always like to read the reviews of those who didn't like a product more, because it's the picky people who will tell you something about a product you won't know from reading a feature list on the box. I gave the speakers 3 stars, which means I think they are "OK." I am much happier with the value of my Logitech Z-2300's. The average rating on both sets are 4.5, but the Logitech's have 816 customer reviews, while the Klipsch have only 53. The masses have spoken.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Know what to expect, November 2, 2006

By 

G. Holdorf - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Klipsch GMX A 2.1 Personal Audio System (3 Speakers, Black & Silver) (Personal Computers)

I have a rather strong background in home theater, of which I will spare you the details of to say, "It has been a while." A lot of people seem to have different ideas of just what $100-$150 buys when it comes to speaker systems. I must admit I find the reviewers that seem to hold this particular system to the standard of world class audio components are also going to have a hard time dealing with the fact that a Nissan cannot hold it's own on the track against a Ferrari. If you are looking for the ultimate in a musical or soundtrack reproduction experience, look else where. By that I mean do not look to a 2.1 speaker setup. These speakers are excellent, are very easy to setup and adjust to suit your tastes, and do just about as good a job with sound reproduction as one could expect when dealing with a setup this size with "out-of-the-box" cables. The hiss issue I read so much about is absent, but I run my computer with a grounded outlet and voltage regulator. I am happy Klipsch has a few offerings that fall below the $190 mark. They are accurate, convenient, and most strongly recommended as a COMPUTER SPEAKER setup. Oh yes, and I am very happy with what my $100 buys.