June 10 - June 17 2001
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pump up the stylish volume
by Alessandro Cancian

 Play, Maestro! One of the things I would never give up while I work on my computer is the possibility to listen to music. Rhythm inspires, silence distracts me. This is why the first thing I do when I fire up my PC is insert a CD or tune in on one of the great many radio stations broadcasting over the Internet.
Unfortunately, considering that this is called the age of digital revolution, most computers currently available on the market come equipped with pitiful speakers. The best CDs, MP3s, or DVDs turn to garbage when listened to or watched. So if youre a sound aficionado, the built-in speakers that came with your computer are just not going to cut it.
Mac users are not immune to this either. Despite improvements in the past, the speakers currently equipping the new iMacs, iBooks, PowerBooks, or G4, do not represent an ideal solution for fans of sound fidelity. An alternative is now offered by Harman Multimedia, a Harman/Kardon division, with the launch of the iSub a subwoofer ideally suited for iMacs and the Soundsticks, a 3-piece speakers system designed for easy plug-and-play.
Ideal for any type of Mac as long as it has a USB port, the Soundsticks style will strike you from the beginning. Design plays an important role, but it was to be expected since these products must match Apples own, the winners of many design awards.
The clear plastics theyre made of and their shapes are really catchy when you consider that theyre& speakers. The SoundSticks come with two desktop speakers, for midrange and high frequencies, and a large subwoofer dealing with low frequencies.
The installation is quite simple. No drivers are required, all you have to do is connect the power cord, connect the three pieces together and plug the system on the computer USB port. In less than one minute the sound quality coming out of your new Mac will be excellent.
Harman/Kardon recommends placing the subwoofer under the desk and the Sticks on each side of your monitor in order to achieve best performance. The sound reproduced is clear without audible distortion, even with volume turned all the way up.
The $199 (U.S.) speakers can perfectly reproduce the highest frequencies and all those background noises that, until recently, you didnt know existed. The sound of a guitar, previously lost within a booming medley, will now be clearly distinguishable, but I felt the most pleasant sensations when I played DVD movies.
Wherever I tested it, the SoundSticks system worked flawlessly. I was astonished to see that it even worked with a computer where the new Mac OSX (still officially unsupported) was installed, although the results were less than spectacular.
On the down side, the system lacks software control of the volume of the different frequencies. The Sound-Sticks have one manual bass control, located on one side of the subwoofer.
In summary, the SoundSticks probably will not equal your movie theatre quality, but the sound experience is incredibly good for a computer audio system. The price may not be for everyone, but those who can afford it will not be disappointed.

For further information visit: www.harman-multimedia.com
 

 

 
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