Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System- Black

by Klipsch

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.2 x 10.5 inches ; 8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006TIEZS
• Item model number: ULTRA2.0
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 28, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The ProMedia Ultra 2.0 multimedia speaker system is designed to deliver high-level performance with the simplicity and portability of a two-speaker setup. It was created for consumers who want superior, full-range sound quality but do not want to give up the space or run the wire required for a subwoofer. Each satellite has a sleek appearance, with floating grilles and undercone termination, to provide a cleaner look. This ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speaker system easily connects to Apple iPods and other MP3 players, laptop and desktop computers and to portable audio/video devices, such as televisions, CD and DVD players. Listeners can also feed a laptop PC signal and an MP3 signal simultaneously to the speakers for mixed sound playback, making this system an excellent choice for both multimedia presentations and entertainment.

The ProMedia Ultra 2.0 consists of two magnetically-shielded satellite speakers. Each satellite has a highly efficient two-way design that utilizes dual 2.5" drivers and a 1" metalized polymer tweeter. An exclusive Klipsch MicroTractrix(TM) Horn is coupled to the tweeter for maximum clarity and efficiency, no matter what format you play. The woofers are long-throw units powered by neodymium motor structures. This audiophile design approach provides rich midrange clarity, extended airy highs and a satisfying bass punch, creating balance throughout the audio spectrum. One of the satellites—the control speaker—hosts a bass level control, along with the main volume, a headphone jack and an auxiliary input jack for convenience. The most powerful speaker in its price range, the ProMedia Ultra 2.0 system provides the most satisfying, detailed and dynamic sound reproduction available for two-channel multimedia applications.

Product Description

The ProMedia Ultra 2.0 personal audio system is designed to deliver sub/sat level performance from the simplicity and portability of a two speaker setup. This system delivers real bass response without having a subwoofer in the way. Designed to maximize the audio experience with iPods, notebooks, PC's, cd players or anything with a headphone jack.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for what they are, February 26, 2005

By 

D. O'Bryant (South Bend, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System- Black (Personal Computers)

These are 2.0 multimedia speakers in the hundred dollar range. Which means you will not get the subsonics (sound you feel more then hear) that you get from a subwoofer nor will you get "audiophile" quality of sound, which requires a lot more money and separate speakers and amplifier. That being said, these speakers are a great value in terms of sound quality for your money. The sound is clean, clear and well balanced. Also, I found them to be well put together.

The bass on these is far better then I expected, strong and tight. The midrange is strong and clear as is the treble. There is more then enough volume to overwhelm the person sitting in front of the computer and can easily fill a bedroom size room. Do they distort at very high volumes? I don't know, I have'nt felt the need to take them that loud.

For music these are hard to beat in this price range. The only limitation is the lack of a subwoofer. These are excellent for accoustic music, classical, jazz etc. However, if you are into rap or are a rocker who needs to feel the bass, you need a subwoofer.

For DVD's you get a suprisingly emersive experience. explosions rumble very nicely, sound separation is excellent for a 2 way system, and voices are clear and distinct. But, if watching DVD's is your primary concern and you want the surrond sound theater experience you'll want at least a 5.1 system.

If games are your big priority you'll want a 5.1 system or at least a 2.1 even it means a sacrifice in sound quality.

So if you want the best sound for the price and don't need surround sound or subsonics these are an excellent choice. They are also excellent for those with space limitations or who live in an apartment and want to avoid annoying the neighbors but still want good sound.

A final note, Klipsch is promoting theses as "portable". Portable is a relative term, usually relative to your needs. These are not small (10.5" H x 3.25" W x 6.5" D) as multimedia speakers go, you have the two speakers, the power brick, and wires to deal with and you need to plug them in somewhere. Portable enough for prsentations where you have to bring your own sound system, but not something with which you can just grab and go.

130 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Overpriced and suffer from known Klipsch problems, January 13, 2007

By 

Jeremy Chadwick (Mountain View, CA, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System- Black (Personal Computers)

Individuals looking for a small desktop speaker (for laptops or workstations) will find these speakers to suit their needs. The audio is fairly rich for such a compact form factor; bass does not drown out the mids or highs, and the highs do not pierce your eardrums.

However, in my opinion, these speakers have a lot of issues which should have been thought of before being released on the market.

1) External AC power adapter -- the size of a large baseball, although square (not rectangular) in shape. It's huge, weighs a lot, and gets quite hot. It's one of those "inline" power bricks, where it sits between the AC outlet and the speakers themselves. Anyone familiar with these power bricks knows how irritating they can be when it comes to finding a place to put them. I prefer the AC adapter be put inside the speaker enclosure.

2) Speaker hiss -- this is a well-known problem with most Klipsch speakers released sometime after the 2nd revision of the ProMedia 2.1 series. The speakers, when turned on at lowest volume (and without anything plugged into them as an input device), emit a very loud hissing noise. This haunts the GMX series as well. The problem is caused by Klipsch increasing the internal gain (amplification) of the speakers (thus making them louder). Since there's no way to adjust the gain, you end up with speakers requiring you to turn them completely off when not in use. Otherwise, white noise constantly bombards your ears.

3) Faulty adjustment dials -- another well-known problem with Klipsch multimedia speakers since (and including) the ProMedia 2.1 days. Klipsch has once again decided to use a very cheap brand of potentiometre for their bass and volume adjustment knobs. The problem with these pots is that over time/use, dust manages to get inside of the pot. When this happens, you'll hear static coming out of the speakers every time you adjust the volume or adjust the bass. As stated, the ProMedia 2.1 control pod suffers from this problem too. Why Klipsch keeps using the same crummy pots for their products is anyone's guess.

If you think my complaints are limited to just one person (me), I urge you to visit the Klipsch Forums and see for yourself. Look at the ProMedia 2.1 forum as well, because they use the same pots as these speakers.

Because of these three (what I consider to be major) flaws, I can't give this product more than 2 stars. I will admit that the audio quality is quite good for small form-factor speakers (compared to the Creative Itrigue series, for example), but the negatives easily outweigh the positives.

If you want a good set of semi-small speakers, but require the use of a humongous heat-emitting subwoofer, and insist that they must be Klipsch, get the ProMedia 2.1 set (which do not suffer from the hiss problem). Otherwise, consider a different manufacturer.

135 of 151 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First rate powered speakers with fabulous sound ..., January 15, 2005

By 

Travis Good "Travis Good" (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System- Black (Personal Computers)

Over the past 20 years I've tried lots of external computer speakers. In the early days quality wasn't much a consideration; PCs only sounded a few beeps and buzzes. However, ever since 1997 when I started ripping all my CDs and playing music from my computer, speakers became really important ... expecially when in 2002 I replaced my home stereo with a laptop and powered speakers. Quality sound is now a very high priority but for my situation so too were two other criteria: 1) I needed a two-speaker solution, nothing with a subwoofer would work and 2) I didn't want to spend over $100.

Well, my standard answer to the above has been Bose Companion 2 speakres. I have two pair, one pair in each of my offices (home and work). While I absolutely love those speakers I just didn't feel they were right for a living room setting. They're too "plasticy".

After a relatively extensive search I stumbled across the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speakers (quite a mouth full, eh?). They're new so it was hard to come across reviews or opinions but the few I found sounded positive. Normally I'd order through Amazon but these were unproven speakers and I wanted the option of returning them so I bought a pair at the local Apple store and set them up.

The cabling is pretty straight forward. Power and audio source plug into the back of the controlling speaker; also on the back is an RCA plug to connect the other speaker via cable. On the front of the controlling speaker are (from left to right) bass control, secondary audio input, headphone jack, and volume control. A green LED sits below the two front plugs of the controlling speaker to indicate the unit is ON. As I say, pretty simple to set up.

Firing them up was a bit disappointing. I played some of my daughter's music and it sounded flat ... then I realized she had ripped the music at 24kbps so of course it sounded bad! Once I played some 128kbps music my heart soared. Beautiful! I hear great range, I feel sufficient base, I can sense much detail. Yes, I'm very pleased with these speakers and if you can live with black, then I'd highly recommend them. At 15W per channel they can crank.

I paid $99 but I'm sure you'll get a better deal here on Amazon.

Will I be returning them? Not a chance!!! :-)