Customer Reviews

Klipsch Groove PM20 2.0 Speaker System (Black)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was looking for some 2.0 speakers to use as a travel system and to use with my mp3 player and roland stage piano. I tried the Creative GigaWorks T20's, but took them back because there is a serious bass falloff. The creatives are fine except for the bass end. If you listen to anything other than maybe classical, you will be disappointed.
I saw the Groove PM20's at BestBuy for $80, so I decided to try them out. Wow...I mean WOW! First off the sound is very clear and detailed. They show their home theater system roots by the exact placement of sounds within the sound field...if you set them far enough apart you can pick out where each instrument is. And the bass is nothing short of stunning. I have a creative labs 6.1 system on my pc, but these 2.0 speakers rival and may actually beat them for bass (unless I turn the subwoofer vol way up). The volume level is fine for my 10X12 bedroom. You really have to hear them to believe them.
Don't let the size of the box fool you, they are a good deal smaller than you would expect from the box. Each speaker is roughly the same size as 5 regular sized DVD cases stacked together.
Not everything is great about them, though. There may be some mid dropout towards full volume...I'm not entirely convinced the problem isn't with my mp3 player, but be aware that near full blast the sound may get a little thin. There is only 1 knob to control all the settings, but there is no display and the knob doesn't have a stop point so you just have to guess what level it's at (full blast means turning the knob round and round until it stops getting louder). You turn it on/off by pushing the volume knob in (turning it off resets the volume to a default level). Holding the volume knob down for 3 seconds accesses the bass level control (which is something you won't know unless you read the manual because there is no indication of there even being a bass control anywhere on the speaker). Then there is the LED...it's a very bright blue. It changes to red when you cut the speakers off, so there's always that little light coming from the 1 speaker. There is an aux and a headphone port, but I wish they'd put them on the front instead of the back. It would certainly make them easier to get to.
The bottom line is that the faults are mostly minor design problems while the audio is top notch (that's what really matters isn't it). And trust me, you won't even miss having that big clunky subwoofer around.

I was specifically looking for a 2.0 system that I would be able to use while at work. I needed something that could be played at a low volume yet still produce full, rich music using as much of the frequency range as possible.

After doing a bit of initial research, I purchased both the Klipsch Groove 2.0 and the Creative GigaWorks T20 2.0 speakers. After reading all of the reviews on Amazon regarding each of these speaker systems, I would have to agree with most of them. Ultimately, my opinion of the Creative system is that it is the more accurate of the two systems, but its bass rolls off at the lower end. They also have a more hallow sound. I really wanted them to perform better than the Klipsch's. But, ultimately, I had to turn the volume too high to be able to enjoy the full spectrum of sound capable through the Creative speakers.

I like the Klipsch speakers. They lack the ability to adjust the Treble like the Creative speakers do, but they do have the ability to adjust Bass. You simply have to push and hold the power button for 3 seconds. Once the LED starts blinking, the bass is adjustable using the volume knob.

My inital intention was to plug my iPod directly into the speakers. However, given Apple's very limited equalizer selections on their hand held products, I didn't care for the sound I heard when coming directly from the iPod. I next downloaded iTunes and listened to my library while using the graphic equalizer. It was then that the more balanced sound was able to be produced and enjoyed. When properly equalized, I am able to enjoy amazingly good sound from these 2.0 speakers. Again, I mostly listen to the speakers at lower volume levels because of my office environment. These speakers perfect for that application.

When I did turn up the volume, as I frequently do when I'm working late, the sound is good, which is fine with me. If you want to add a subwoofer in a 2.1 system, I would highly recommend the Logitech Z2300 system. It rocks. But, these Klipsch speakers are great speakers for lower powered, smaller sized, 2.0 speakers. However, I slightly prefer Creative GigaWorks T20 speakers for higher volume levels. But regardless of the volume levels, the Klipsch speakers can achieve a lower frequency repsonse than the Creative speakers can.

Again, if you're looking for volume and accuracy while being used as a dorm room 2.0 or mini PC entertainment system, you might prefer the Creative GigaWorks T20 system. But, if you're looking for something that has the ability to produce a wide frequency range while at lower volumes, my preference is the Klipsh Groove 2.0 system.

I do not use to write reviews, but I want to share my experience with this one. I was not certain about this product brand and its quality, so I read the reviews where possible. Almost all of them are positive about the good product quality and performance. I took my chances and bought one from Amazon and this was one of the best things I have made. You will experience a very impressive sound for the size of the speakers, which is also convenient for your home desktop computer place. No interferences, just nice sound for enjoying music. It is not a cheap product, but if you can afford it you will not regret it.

I am totally impressed that these small speakers with just a single driver and bass port and no tweeter, can produce such full sound and truly AMAZING bass!!
Now, do understand that these are PC speakers, and thus, they are meant to be listened to while facing you and at not much more than arms length away. I have mine on the hutch of my computer desk, just slightly above ear-level, an arms length away and they sound great, and you can actually feel the bass!!
Being PC speakers, the bass does not carry far though- as it is not meant to. These would be great if you live in an apartment and wanted to play music at a decent volume, without the bass disturbing your neighbors. Although you can hear them just fine across the room or even a few rooms away...the bass fidelity is lost as soon as you move more than a few feet away- so you would not want to use these as party speakers, or for home theatre, etc- but for computer speakers, they rock!- literally!
In my opinion, these are the best all around PC speakers for under $150- and a steal at $60. Now of course, for little PC speakers for $60, we are not talking audiophile perfection...but these babies are BETTER than my JVC home stereo speakers that have 6" woofers!!
The bass is tight and accurate, even down near 30Hz at reasonable volumes. Overall, all but the very lowest bass holds together quite well even when quite loud. All frequencies are quite good, even with no equalization- but if you really want to get great sound, a little EQ will make them really sing! and just a little EQ will really bring out the treble/highs. Mids are rich and full(even competing against such full bass) and can be improved yet more with a little EQ.-Just amazing for the price and size!! (I mostly listen to classical, muzak and 70's oldies these days...but these speakers have incited me to start listening to my old funk and disco stuff again! Can you say Parlaiment and the Peter Jacques Band?)
While these speakers will work with an MP3 player- they are not the best choice for that use, unless you have a pre-amp/amp, [as is the case with any 2.0 system]- as they will not achieve their full volume capability nor their true fidelity by just plugging them into your iPod -Although they will still sound a good deal better than most other 2.0's doing that duty.
But for listening in front of your computer....these speakers are just unsurpassed in fidelity and great bass.
Aesthetically, the cases are made of a very high-quality plastic, which is smooth and shiny- and looks like it will stay that way. They look great on your desk if you have any other black components.
All connections are at the rear of the speakers.....but that is O-K, as the bass port is also facing rearward, and therefore you would not want to put these right up against anything...but you'd need to allow a few inches space, anyway.
Some have complained about the transformer (power brick) being quite large. It is only slightly larger than the standard outlet-mounted ones...and being an inline one, with a generous cord to the outlet on one side and to the speakers on the other, it is quite easy to tuck it unobtrusively away.
Those who say that these speakers don't have impressive bass, must be using them for purposes for which they are not intended- as I stated before....they are meant for close listening...not across a room or throughout a house- and they are quite loud when connected to a PC, for that purpose.
I love these speakers! Evewn without any EQ they are great...and with an EQ...they are near perfect for me.(I'm not an audiophile...but I am quite fussy, and I know good sound when I hear it)- You will not find anything close to these in this price range.
Oh, and don't forget: All new speakers need to be "burned in" (used for a while, to soften up the drivers to the point where they will acheive their full sound)- so remember..although these will sound great right out of the box...they will sound even better after you've used them for a while!

Purchased on Amazon. Was quite surprised by the quality of sound from these little speakers. Nice full range. I don't understand the comments of weak bass, I found it clean and strong, punchy without being boomy. Great value.

What you would expect from Klipsch. Clarity, full range, clean amp. Unobtrusive design.

I purchased these for my son, for his computer & ipod. He hooked them up in a couple of minutes & then dad had to come in & remind him his little brother was sleeping!.......THEY ROCK!....Powerfull, good bass-mids-high end. I was really impressed! They are fairly portable also, so I think they would make a great music source for a cabin, kitchen, shop, etc. They plug into just about anything with a headphone jack, so they are very versatile. I highly recommend this product.

Get this if you don't care too much about quality of sound, and you like to be able turn up the volume and feel some bass from a 2.0 system at a good price. Good for gaming where sound compression is used, and lack of quality is not as big of a deal.

I bought these hoping for an inexpensive crisp sound, and I was very disappointed what I got. Ended up getting the Bose companion 2 speakers for $100. My opinion the Bose was well worth it, and these speakers were not worth buying. But I don't play games on my computer or need to feel my bass. I just need a crisp high quality sound for my room.


Pros:
Inexpensive
Strong bass for 2.0 speakers
Can turn the volume up

Cons:
Sound quality
power light way too bright
Need an equalizer

These Klipsch Groove PM20 speakers sound terrible. In a head to head comparison against Altec Lansing VS2321 2.1 system they performed very poorly. The Klipsch speakers sound like a cheap transistor radio. The sound is thin, grainy, lacking tone, and yet is boomy, with "one-note" bass. The plastic speaker cabinets resonate audibly, and there is enough distortion that the music sounds trapped in the speakers. Simply put, these Klipsch do not "Groove" - instead, they make your music sound bad.

On top of it all, these speakers cost me 50% more than the Altec Lansing VS2321s did (or VS2421 currently on the market). At their full retail price they would have cost 2.5x as much! Clearly there are better choices on the market. Your money is best spent elsewhere.

Note: I am an experienced audiophile. In audiophile-speak, the built-in amplifiers of these speakers sound like cheap transistors in the worst sense of the word (thin, grainy, scratchy, papery), no credible soundstage is established in either width or depth, the 2.5" full range drivers have a peaky frequency response with no representation in the lower midrange, the speaker enclosures are tuned towards heavy port response to simulate nonexistent bass, and the built-in tone controls default with a heavy bass boost that exacerbates the boomy, atonal rattling of the plastic enclosures. As a result, voices are unintelligible and music is thoroughly unenjoyable. By contrast, the Altec Lansings VS2321s, which cost 2/3 as much, have fuller bass due to the separate 5 1/2 inch woofer enclosure, cleaner amplification that presents credible warmth and tone, lower distortion which allows the soundstage to extend somewhat from the satellites, and better dynamic range - achieving some actual groove. However, you don't need to be an audiophile to hear how much better they sound than the Klipsch PM20s.

I repeat - do not buy these Klipsch Groove PM20 speakers! There are better speakers for your money. I sure hope Amazon will take them back.

I got these new at a fantastic price from ebay, not entirely sure how unless it was some sort of overstock. I got it for less than half the amazon price.

I'm not an audiophile, and I prefer to keep it that way. As an analogy, there are people out there who dissect everything possible about an LCD monitor, and are able to see little details like bleeding, subtle blurring, etc. In contrast, almost every LCD monitor and HDTV looks great to me.

Similarly with speakers, I have simple categories for sound like okay, good, and great. The native speakers on my Dell laptop sucked. I upgraded to a monitor soundbar for about 5 months, which has been okay. I previously had great 2.1 speakers that I gave to my sister, and I really like my home theater system from Polk.

I'd put this sound quality as "good." It isn't quite as clear as I like my sound- for instance, voices sound just a tad muffled. Maybe I just like things "bright" and "clear," rather than "rich." I did notice that the instrument separation is fantastic, I can really pick out individual sounds that I couldn't hear before.

The bass is unbelievable. I don't know why no one's thought of putting small subwoofers in the backs of speakers before (there are subwoofer sound holes in the backs of these), as it saves a LOT of space. I personally don't like the sound of a lot of bass, and in fact it's a detriment to me because I listen to a lot of piano music, which sounds artificial with bass. There is a bass control that you can access by holding the volume button in.

The indicator light is too bright for me and drives my peripheral vision crazy, so I put a piece of small black tape over it. Problem solved.

Overall, these Klipsch speakers are good, but not "knock your socks off" type of sound. Other reviews on the net and here on Amazon have talked about something called "midrange is not well toned." Maybe that's what I'm hearing, because it does sound a bit "muffled" with mid level sounds.

Anyway, for the price I got them at, and I encourage you to shop around on places like ebay, these are unbelievable. At amazon's prices it's good, but not great.