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Soundsticks any good?

post #1 of 29
5/19/02 at 10:20am
Thread Starter 
I was thinking of buying Soundsticks.i don't need stat eof the art on my computer but i will probably watch dvds in addtion to listening to mp3s

are they any good?
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post #2 of 29
5/19/02 at 10:28am
I've heard mixed things about them. Mostly saying they aren't worth the $200 price tag.

Personally I'd have to vouch for a $100 stereo system. That's the setup I've had. It's not nearly as compact, but the sound quality is excellent and it's not too expensive compared to many setups. All you need to do is get a stereo system with auxilary jacks on the back (two little plugs, one red and one white, like on a TV) and a cord to connect the aux jacks to your computer's headphone jack. You can easily tell if a stereo system has aux jacks on the back if there's an "Aux" function on the front (it'll be in line with the CD, Tape, and Tuner functions).
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post #3 of 29
5/19/02 at 10:52am
They're not worth it for the price.
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post #4 of 29
5/19/02 at 11:02am
They certainly aren't Klipschs or some of the more expensive Altec-Lansings, but they sound AND look good.

And you can find them for closer to $150 than $200.

I have been happy with mine...
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post #5 of 29
5/19/02 at 11:17am
They are very good and worth the bucks.
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post #6 of 29
5/19/02 at 11:26am
I am very happy with mine too - they look great with any Mac setup, and the sound is perfectly fine. You wouldn't consider them of course if you planned on shaking the walls with your music - but they're great for a computer speaker system.

Not that you can't use them as a home stereo though - we use the iMac for music in our living room about 90% of the time, and we're happy with them. I'd recommend them to anyone.
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post #7 of 29
5/19/02 at 1:02pm
well, the thing about soundsticks (and other H/K stuff) is that they look very good, but you pay a premium for looks (sound like another company we're all familiar with???)

So if you spend the same amount of money for another set of speakers from a less flashy brand (Klipsch, Monsoons, even Bose (!)) you will probably have better sounding, but uglier, speakers.

Then again, the soundsticks certainly don't sound bad, so you just have to think about where you stand on the sound/looks scale.


-robo
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post #8 of 29
5/19/02 at 1:20pm
I have the soundsticks with the i sub : the sound is good, however they are expansive, but all look have a prize. So it's up to you.
I am worried about onething anyway, when i shut down the subwoofer, it awake my G4. The problem is that i can't sleep with these blue light.
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post #9 of 29
5/19/02 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 
these woudn't be replacing my main stereo. i did find them for $160 which is a lot better than $200
thanks
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post #10 of 29
5/19/02 at 3:53pm
for the price I woulf get a pair of klipsh or higher end altec lansing speakers.

even Monsoons sound better and may be cheaper depending on model.


soundsticks look cool as hell though
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post #11 of 29
5/19/02 at 4:12pm
For the price of some of the Klipsch and Altec-Lansing options, I would almost suggest going with PSB Alpha Intro home theater speakers and such...
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post #12 of 29
5/19/02 at 5:04pm
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The SoundSticks' main selling point is looks, they look freaking awesome with any Mac hardware.

IMO, they will do you fine if you aren't going to use them as a main system...I have my iMac hooked up to a nice Aiwa shelf system and it does me fine-most of my music is on the computer.
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post #13 of 29
5/20/02 at 12:06am
when i bought my soundsticks at Fry's in the Bay Area, they were only $149. And I've been very satisfied with them.
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post #14 of 29
5/20/02 at 3:51am
I have the Soundsticks with the isub. I have to say I like them but I had a pair of Altec Lansing ones that cost less than half the price and really sounded great...

The H/Ks are great but the bass is not huge at all, it sounds good though when they are up full volume..
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post #15 of 29
5/20/02 at 4:40am
I have them for my Power Mac, and they are not bad.

However, for a similar price you can have the most kick-ass 2.1 speakers on the planet <a href="http://www.klipsch.com/products/productdetail.asp?id=76&line=promedia" target="_blank">http://www.klipsch.com/products/productdetail.asp?id=76&line=promedia</a>

If I was buying new speakers now, I'd buy these.

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post #16 of 29
5/20/02 at 6:06am
I have Soundsticks/iSub. I love them. I use them for music and games (Wolf,Q3, Unreal, etc).
They are great. I think they sound as good as they look.

The iSub has a cool blue light...
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post #17 of 29
5/20/02 at 7:18am
it worth the bucks, and connect Soundsticks to MacOS X running Mac, use iTune 2.0.4. the sound quality is excellent!
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post #18 of 29
5/20/02 at 7:31am
Thread Starter 
so Soundsticks bass only sounds good when turned up to full volume?? that doesn't sem right
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post #19 of 29
5/20/02 at 9:24am
think you missed his meaning...

They don't have great bass characteristics, but they don't rattle/sound like sh*t when you have them turned up all the way.

At least thats what i think he meant...
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post #20 of 29
5/20/02 at 2:38pm
The Soundsticks with iSub also have a universal power supply, meaning that you can bring them with you to 220 Volt countries (like the UK). They are also very lightweight. I've seriously considered buying a set for my 6 month travels this year (I have a fairly stable "base camp"). If the Klipsch 2.1 setup has universal power supply, then I'd buy those, as they are reported to really kick a$$.
17" PowerBook G4 1.5GHz, 128MB vram, 80 GB 5400 RPM HD, 2 GB DDR RAM, 200 GB LaCie D2 Extreme FW800 HD, M-Audio Sonica Theater USB Sound Card, Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultra, Logitech MX 510, Apple...
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17" PowerBook G4 1.5GHz, 128MB vram, 80 GB 5400 RPM HD, 2 GB DDR RAM, 200 GB LaCie D2 Extreme FW800 HD, M-Audio Sonica Theater USB Sound Card, Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultra, Logitech MX 510, Apple...
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post #21 of 29
5/20/02 at 8:56pm
excellent quality, yet not quite worth the bucks, get the klipsch pro media 2.1 if you want the better value- although i was never a fan of the soundstick stylings to begin with.
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post #22 of 29
5/20/02 at 9:50pm
A warning about Klipsch.. They do tend to sound impressive, but they aren't actually very accurate speakers. They are designed to sound impressive at first listening, with emphasized bass and treble, but aren't the most realistic sounding speakers, and can actually get tiring with extended listening. No 'audiophile' would ever recommend Klipsch speakers.

I would actually recommend Monsoon MM700s as more accurate sounding speakers, but which also have strong bass. The thing about monsoons is that you have to sit in front of them to get the full effect, though if you want to fill a room with sound you don't want computer speakers anyway.


-robo
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post #23 of 29
5/20/02 at 11:09pm
[quote]No 'audiophile' would ever recommend Klipsch speakers.<hr></blockquote>

I have never heard any audiophile single-out Klipsch like this. The Klipsch bookshelf speakers my friend owns sound great, no over emphasis of bass/treble.

For sure, the best budget speakers probably come from Paradigm. Most of my crazy audiophile friends just go with headphones for their computer audio needs anyway.

[ 05-21-2002: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>
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post #24 of 29
5/21/02 at 11:44am
Sorry, i meant Klipsch ProMedia or whatever computer speaker/sub combos.

I don't know about their regular speakers.

And yes, if you want the best sound out of your computer, a pair of Sony MDR-7506s will do the trick (well, actually, it's possible to debate over headphones for days, but anyway.. )

-robo
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post #25 of 29
5/21/02 at 12:30pm
The soundsticks have exceptional clarity, which many of the speaker manufactures can't say about their own products (even klipch) they are a little lacking in the bass. However, anyone living in an appartment will see this as a benefit. Enough bass to let you hear it but not enought to disturb the neigbors.

What I'm waiting to see is a firewire dolby dts receiver to either allow me to hook into an already existing surround sound system or build one right on my desk. Already got the 12" JBL digital sub and Samson dms80 amp with a pair of M40's. Another dms80 and I'm set for Full active surround with bass that will stop your heart. I just need a way to get the digital audio out of the box. (tried the creative soundblaster, what a joke)


<a href="http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=90&brandID=2" target="_blank">Samson DMS80</a>
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post #26 of 29
5/21/02 at 8:01pm
I have senheisser HD590's and id pretty much say that they offer the best combination of sound and comfort for headphones as long as you dont mind paying the premium

For speakers, ive got Boston Accoustics Media Theaters, and they are really nice in the fact that they handle bass and low-mid tones VERY well, something that is rare even in the higher end computer speaker
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post #27 of 29
5/22/02 at 8:07am
I love my SoundSticks. Superb sound quality, even when turned up to maximum volume (and full bass).

They are definitely worth the price. Got mine at the European Apple Store.
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post #28 of 29
5/22/02 at 9:04am
I'm satisfied with my Soundsticks, they have _very_ crisp and clear sound, as well as a nice enough bass. Especially when I use the equalizer!
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post #29 of 29
5/22/02 at 9:46am
[quote]Originally posted by Imergingenious:
<strong>I have senheisser HD590's and id pretty much say that they offer the best combination of sound and comfort for headphones as long as you dont mind paying the premium

</strong><hr></blockquote>

I have the older HD 580 sensation : and i have to say it's a damn good headphone too. Unfortunately they are getting older : 9 years and detoriate slighty. I use it too in my HiFi using the special headphone amplificator : the creek OBH11 : the sounds appear much better in this case compared to the average 10 $ amplification section for Headphone of most CD player.
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