When I first saw these speakers in the market, i liked them. The transparent tube and satellite speakers look just great. But I dare not even think of buying them - £140 is a bit too much for me to spend on speakers.
I had borrowed the creative 6.1 6700 from a friend who would be away for a month and was using only 2 front speakers as I did not have a 6.1 sound card. I liked them and was planning to buy a new set for myself with the external soundcard - another £70. A total of £120. Again expensive.
The other option I was comtemplating to buy was the JBL creature II - 2.1 and excellent sound. No
external sound card needed. nothing. £60 - a good value for money and not too hard on the pocket. I had decided on them.
I was at my friends place in london and he had recently purchased the soundsticks II. He asked me if I liked them. I told him they were beautiful but expensive. He would have been better off buying something cheaper - like the creative 6.1 6700 speakers - one third the price - he had a 6.1 external soundcard already. If he really wanted a new set.
In his reply, he asked me if I had heard them play? I had not!
He chuckled and switched ON his laptop. I could not believe my ears. These were even better than the JBL creature II I was planning to buy and he already had. I could not believe these small speakers could deliver such good sound quality. I was once again confused which speakers to buy. I had been looking for good speakers for a month now. They are awesome but £140 is a bit too much for me to spend. I decided to wait a few more days and look for cheaper alternatives.
And then, it became obvious that I was buying these - my brother too heard them play a last week and decided on them. I tried to reason with him that they were too expensive. He shot back that they were better than the 6.1 and the creature II and value for money for the quality they delivered, in fact, they were lowly priced for the quality they delvered. It was infact a steal.
Another friend too had the same opinion. And we decided that we buy these.
The result - orders were placed for two sets - one for us and one for my good friend. Purchased them through PCW @ £109.06 each with free delivery.
They have those light touch volume controls on the right speaker just like the creature II and a bass control knob on the rear of the bass tube. The speakers can be instantly muted by touching the two volume control buttons together on the right speaker.
Also Harman Kardon has ensured that the speakers are plugged in the correct sockets by choosing two different kind of sockets for the two satellite speakers. An installation manual was included but everything is so easy to assemble and install, I found it redundant. No user manual is included but again is not required.
Also I had to mention this - the sattellite speakers have an air vent at the bottom providing an enhanced over all bass and listening experience.
I have placed the satellite speakers on either sides of the laptop and the bass tube under the table as suggested in the installation manual for optimum performance .
We now have 3 sets of speakers amongst us friends and all of us are enjoying them. We have made an excellent buy.
It just doesn't end here. Two more friends are placing their orders as I am writing this review. Unfortunately, PCW has temporarily run out of stock but amazon Uk is also selling at the same price and thats where they are placing their orders.
Four sets in the same halls of residence in the same corridor. We are gonna party everyday!
Good luck to those of you who are planning to buy new speakers. I suggest you steer clear of them if you think they are expensive and dont want to burn a hole in your pocket - for if you once hear them you would not be able to resist buying them.
For those of you looking for a steal and have money to blow - you don't want to look at any other contraption made by man. Just walk into you local Dixons or PCW store and hear them play.
Happy Shopping
Questions and suggestions welcome.
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I too was worried about dirt and other subsatances entering the tube but everything seems fine so far. Have placed the bass tube under the desk on the carpet floor - was worried about it too , though all looks fine. Still thinking of getting a wooden plank to place under the bass tube - should enhance the quality further. What you say? Or it would be a bad idea? Let me know.
Two more friends have purchased this set of speakers. So a total of 7 sets. Hall mates and complete strangers walk in to check the speakers out almost everyday. Have become an object of constant and continued appreciation.
Could be annoying when a neighbour knocks at night and asks to cut the noise out. Be responsible enough to use in the day time only and with the consent of the neighbours.
Now they really look like they were a steal. hats off to my brother.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
They look amazing. I'd be worried that something (dust, spillages) might end up going down that tube in the big round thing that looks like a jellyfish (technical, eh?!). Cheers, Sarah
very helpful by (100%):
