Design
As far as PC speaker systems go, the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 set is about as basic as they come -- it consists of just two magnetically shielded satellite speakers that measure 266.7 x 82.55 x 165.1mm
The system is designed to be portable, and hence there's no subwoofer. Yet it would be wrong to place the ProMedia Ultra in the same category as portable iPod speakers like the Altec Lansing inMotion IM9 or the JBL On Stage II. Rather, at 3.4kg they're designed to be easily transported from room-to-room or house-to-house; you wouldn't want to carry them around with you all day. Regardless, don't plan on venturing too far from a power outlet, as the system doesn't run on battery power and comes with a rather unwieldy power brick.
While it boasts an unashamedly basic design, the system offers up a few impressive quirks. Adorning the front of the right satellite speaker is a handy auxiliary input for playing music directly from your portable audio player, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack so you're not forced to reach right around to the back of your machine to plug in a pair of headphones. Flanking these connectors are volume and bass control dials.
The ProMedia Ultra 2.0 comes in both black and silver finishes.
Features
Despite their diminutive dimensions, the speakers manage to pack in some hefty drivers. Each satellite offers up dual 2.5-inch fibre-composite cone woofers, as well as a 1-inch tweeter. The combined power output is 30 watts, which isn't anything to crow about but still impressive for a 2.0 set. As a point of reference, the TDK Tremor xa-60 set we reviewed late last year offers up a combined satellite speaker output of just 14 watts.
In contrast, we were disappointed with the system's minimum frequency response rating of 50Hz, which is undoubtedly due to the lack of a subwoofer and is bound to have a detrimental effect on bass output.
Performance
Given the absent subwoofer, we came in with embarrassingly low expectations for the ProMedia Ultra 2.0. Thankfully, we were pleasantly surprised by its performance; its clarity and music playback capabilities particularly impressed us. It's also powerful enough to push through clear sound at relatively high volume levels, but we did notice some noise when cranking it up to full volume.
Naturally, the lack of a subwoofer means that bass output isn't as full or deep as on a 2.1 system, but higher-frequency bass wasn't as disappointing as we'd expected. Mid-range output is crystal clear, and we had no qualms with its ability to convey sound during movie and game playback.
At AU$219, the system is strangely expensive considering that it sells for just US$99.95 (approx. AU$135) in the USA. This makes it dearer than the aforementioned TDK Tremor xa-60 set, which can be had for just AU$129. Yet if you can look past its price tag, the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0's performance is difficult to fault.
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bcpstarsky
20/04/2007, 10:32 AM
rating
4/10
These speakers deliver amazaing sound for the price and size, especially given they are a 2.0 system. If it wasn't for the problems I have experienced I would rate these 9/10
Unfortunately they seem to be let down by either an engineering or part fault. After about a year, a number of users have reported that they intermittently lose sound. It appears to be associated with the volume control, so it is probably a dodgy part. For me (and a couple of close friends) this has happened one month outside of warranty.
Pros: Great quality sound
Headphone Jack
Bass Control
Cons: Intermittently loss of sound after a year of use
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