Klipsch promedia 4.1

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

Im Looking into buying the new Klipsch promedia 4.1 (the newest ones that have the headphone jack) I know that they retail for $300 but i also know that with some research that you can buy stuff for a little cheaper than retail. Im not expecting to find them for $100 or something but maybe a little cheaper them $300 any info?
Thanks

[OuTpaTienT]

I just got the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 and gotta say the sound is absolutely AWESOME! I'm no slacker on stereo components, and I've had a few very nice systems over the years. So I kinda know what I'm saying when I say these sound fabulous.

No matter the cost, I'd recommend you get a set of Klipsch. Be it the 4.1's, or the 2.1's, or the 4.2's. Either way, you can't go wrong.

Now, having said that, I gotta tell you that you will NOT find Klipsch speakers being sold for anything other than the manufacturers suggested retail price...period. You will find NO sales, or rebates, or anything like that. Once I set my sights on getting these 2.1's I did my homework and search everywhere, hell or high-water, every single outlet selling the speakers had an identical pricetag...dozens and dozens of venders, all the same price...to the penny.

In fact, you want to see something kinda amusing? Go to www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) and type in Klipsch in the search...what do think you'll get? That's right...NOTHING. Not a single Klipsch item advertised by a single vendor on pricewatch.

So the bad news is Klipsch is calling all the shots, you're gonna pay their pricetag for the product or you'll have to get'em used or steal them.

But the good news is you won't be sorry for the money shelled out for them...they're definitely worth it.

[OuTpaTienT]

Just so you know the differences...

<FONT COLOR="red"><u>2.1 system</u></FONT c>
2 2-way satillites @ 35watts each
1 sub-woofer ported enclosure w/single driver @ 130watts
total 200watts out
approx. $179

<FONT COLOR="red"><u>4.1 system</u></FONT c>
4 2-way satillites @ 35watts each
1 sub-woofer ported enclosure w/dual 6.5" drivers @ 260watts
total 400watts out
approx. $299

<FONT COLOR="red"><u>4.2 system</u></FONT c> (it's <u>two</u> 2.1 systems)
4 2-way satillites @ 35watts each
2 sub-woofer ported enclosures each w/single 6.5" driver @ 130watts each
total 400watts out
approx. $299 (limited time, I think. They introduced this because they were running in short supply of the 4.1s. Most people are saying they prefer the 4.2s because they can position the two subs how they like for a more 'room filling' bass.)

[BBA]

The Promedia is an awesome sounding setup.

I did not buy them because of my sound taste...they do not have a very well defined midrange transient response...but I'm in the minority of listeners. ( If you listen to my speakers then to others, you would know )

I say you won't go wrong to buy them...because it's very hard to get better sounding speakers without spending a whole lot more money than what the Klipsch's cost.

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

I dont know outpatient i think you might have some of your facts mixed up.
First the v.2-400 have 60watt per sattalite
and are $250. The difference between them and 4.1's is that the 4.1's come with a headphone jack and another input and bass is supposedly better at lower volumes. They retail for $300. I have heard that the wattage is not differet between the two. I checked the klipsch website and saw no sign of the 4.2's though. Only the 2.1's, v.2-400's, and the 4.1's.

[OuTpaTienT]

Here ya go, direct from the Klipsch Online store... (http://www.klipsch.com:80/store/default.asp?) :


ProMedia 2.1 (http://www.klipsch.com:80/store/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1&pf%5Fid=017)

ProMedia 4.1 (http://www.klipsch.com:80/store/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1&pf%5Fid=019)

ProMedia 4.2 (http://www.klipsch.com:80/store/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1&pf%5Fid=020)

[AuraEdge]

The 2.1 and 4.2 have 35watts per speaker, and 130watts for the sub(s), single driver. ($200 for 2.1(200w), $300 for 4.2(400w), limited time, but a long limited time it seems)

The 4.1 has 35w per speaker, and 260w for the sub, Dual drivers. ($300, 400w)

The v.2-400 has 60w per speaker, and 160w for the sub, Dual drivers. ($250, 400w and out of production)

Do the 4.2's have 2 headphone jacks? Hows that work?

[dragonB]

Hey guys,
I have the Altec Lansing ACS54 which have been great. Bang for the buck, they are great since you can pretty much get them for $50. But, I've moved them to a larger room, and for DVD that just don't crank the sound like I would like. I've been and will be on a pretty tight budget, are the Klipsh's worth it, or should I just "live" with my ACS54.
Brian

ps for music(mp3's) the ACS are great! Even if I upgraded I'd keep em around for that. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[AuraEdge]

The Klipsch are well worth the money. Problem is that money that its worth is alot. If you want to dedicate that much money to your speaker system, then go for it, you cant go wrong for room filling sound. The Klipsch are the all and end all of Comp speakers.

A little comparison
Those speakers are 5w per speaker, and 20w for the sub.

One of the 2.1, 4.1, or 4.2's speakers is just 5w short of your entire system.

[OuTpaTienT]

I don't know if you keep them after hearing the Klipsch. These speakers are the best sounding speakers I've ever owned. And that's not an empty statement considering it wasn't too many years ago I purchased a pair of 300w(continuous max) 5-way stereo speakers with 17" woofers that I thought would keep me happy for a long time...but now they're keeping someone else happy. 8^\

Since you have at least decent speakers there with the Altec's, I'd suggest getting the Klipsch 2.1s to use as your main sound source and use the Altec's as your rear/surround channel.

The 2.1s should be plenty powerful enough for DVD'ing or just crankin' the MP3s. I'm am not exaggerating when I tell you my Klipsch 2.1's shake my entire computer room (approx. 12ft x 20-22ft). Even the farthest wall, about 20 feet away will rattle if I get the volume almost halfway.

But volume alone is not impressive. These are the only speakers I've ever owned that allow me to run a flat EQ or simply bypass the equalizer. Don't need to bump up the bass, it's all there...don't need to add a little more to the highs, it's already there...no need to turn down the harsh sounding mids 'cause they don't sound harsh, they sound just right.

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

Thanks Outpatient. I kinda had a feeling that i was gonna have to fork out the cash for these speakers. Ive heard nothing but good news about them. I've never heard of the 4.2's though.

Thanks again you saved me hours of internet searching. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by spidey_joe80@hotmail.com (edited 04-22-2001).]

[BBA]

no need to turn down the harsh sounding mids 'cause they don't sound harsh, they sound just right.


I would differ from that one statement just a little, lol

They are excellant sounding...but when you listen to live classic music...then listen to the Klipsch...you can tell teh midrange and mid range percussion is NOT present.

That is my only complaint I have with them...that is also why I built my own speakers and amplifier.

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

I am very sorry outpatient for saying that you have your facts mixed up when it turns out that i had my facts mixed up. I was reading my pcgamer and it had a review for the klipsch 4.1's it said and i quote

"A big part of what made this line of thx certified speakers so great from the beginning has been left unchanged. Each of the four satellite speakers still gets 60 watts of power and the subwoofer gets 160 watts of its own"

I was under the influence that the 4.1's were a step up from the v.2-400's and the ONLY change was that this set sounded a little better and that it came with a headphone jack. I also didnt know that the v.2-400's were being discontinued.
So the 4.1s' satellites only get 35 watts thats less than the v.2-400's 60 watts plus the 4.1's cost $50 bucks more. I am very confused.

[AuraEdge]

PCGamer is not to keen on hardware facts. Ive had a 3 years of PCGamers, and theres always small descreptancies, even on the FAQ's n stuff. Still, they may be right about this one. I'll search Klipsch for the info.

Im sure that they both total 400w, but i believe the speaker configuration has been changed. Ill come back with an update if I can find out for sure.

--EDIT--

Looks like PCGamer was correct. There are some reviews out there that say that the 4.1's speakers have been dropped to the power of the 2.1's speakers.

The truth, according to popular belief on the Klipsch BBS, is that 4.1's speakers are 60w a peice, and the sub has dual 6.5" 80w drivers, totalling in 400w [(60x4)+(80x2)]

The 2.1's are 35w a satillite, and the sub consists of a single 6.5" 130w driver, giving you 200w, and double that for a 4.2.

The 4.2's is giving you much more bass (140w of satillites, 260w of sub), while the 4.1 gives you more in terms of normal range sound (240w of satillites, 160w of sub).

If the 4.1's and 4.2's weren't the exact same price, it would be alot easier to choose, but I _think_ the 4.1 is still the better package deal. However, you lose the ability to position the sub's for the surround feel. Less wiring though http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif.

Also according to what I read on my short visit to the Klipsch forum, twice the noise level is 10x the watt's, so 60w is NOT almost double the volume of the 35w speakers, more like 2-3 db higher.

Guess logarithims do have thier real world uses..doesn't make me like em any more though http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by AuraEdge (edited 04-23-2001).]

[OuTpaTienT]

I just ran across something I found interesting...couple pics of the insides of the new Promedia satillites (like the 2.1's & I guess all new systems) and the insides of the older 4.1's (where the lack of midrange was more of an issue). Big difference:

NEW satillite guts - http://www.gamersdepot.com/hardware/speakers/klipsch/promedia_41/speaker_guts.jpg

OLD satillite guts - http://www.gamersdepot.com/rev_graphics2/klipsch/sattelite_2.jpg


At least looks like they improved the circuitry. I've never heard the original 4.1's so I can't attest to the lack of midrange in them. I can say that my 2.1's certainly have satisfying midrange. This might also be attributed to my speaker placement. The speaker stands tilt the drivers upwards and if you have the satillites at ear level or higher (as in my case) then a lot of the sound is being fired directly into your acoustic ceiling and being absorbed.

My 2 sats are a couple feet above my head so this was a real problem. I corrected this by mounting the satillites to the underside of the self they were sitting on. Removed the stands and just put a screw through the shelf into the screwhole that normally holds the stands in place. Thus the satillites are now upside down...which makes them slightly tilted downward...perfection.

8^)

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

So let me get this straight the 4.2's have 2 subs @130 each wichis 260 then its got 4 satellites's @35watts apieace wich is 140watts. I think they both have headphone jacks and mp3 input plus they are the same price. So i guess to size them both up the
4.2's have more bass with its two subs and the
4.1's have one sub but more powerful satellites.
If that is the case i wont sacrifice precious satellite power (Almost double)
for the extra sub. Im gonna go buy the 4.1's
now for the tricky part i need to get $300. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Thanks for all your help guys I couldn't have made my decision without you.

[OuTpaTienT]

Or you could always put together your own 6.3 system (2.1 x 3) ... just a thought. 8^)

[Squishyface]

There is apage on the klipsch website you can download for acrobat reader that diagrams how to set up the 4.2 system. I think you could alter it for a 6.3 or 8.4 system if you were crazy enough and had the cash to blow.
I have a 4.2 system and let me tell you...when you turn the volume knob up to about 25%....you can't hear a **** thing except the sounds of your speakers...and its crystal clear. Also, someone mentioned that this system has more base than the 4.1 because of the 2 subs....i dont' know if its more base...but its definitely plenty of base http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
If klipsch still offers that 4.2 system for $299...get it....well worth the money.....i kind of laugh at myself for even considering the dtt2500 from cambridge soundworks....what a pathetic system in comparison http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

Tell me about it squishy before i realized if i got the klisch that i wouldnt have to upgrade mt speakers for years i was about to buy the fps2000 by creative/cambridge ive heard that they are good for the money but i want speakers that I can say "they are the best computer speakers money can buy" http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Tom Teriffic]

I've not had the chance to hear the Promedias, at leas tin any sort of an environment where one could make any sort of jusdgement. I HAVE, however heard the Altec 4.1 system with the Dolby Digital decoder built in. Does the Klipsch have this feature? I'm considering a set (maybe two) for a bedroom "web-surfin'/DVD watchin'/Check yer email without getting outta bed" system I have, as well as a "real world" check and balance system for mixes that emanate from my studio.

I found the Altecs to be pretty impressive, if a bit "soft" in the extreme top end, probably due to the lack of a proper tweeter. Anybody heard both of them? There's a Klipsch factory outlet store within about an hour's drive of me and it may be worth a trip over there :-)

[AuraEdge]

Hey, if you get a day off and get nothing to do, I'm sure that would be a fun roadtrip...wonder if they let you press all the buttons and crank out the sound? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[rhoff1999]

According to PC Gamer magazine, The Klipsch promedia speakers are the best you can buy at any price for gaming(at any price). I have seen users that say they are not the best for music, but they might be audiophiles who tend to be very picky. The new Klipsch 4.2 speakers have a headphone jack on one of the front satelites and they are supposed to have better sounding bass response at low volume levels than the previous 4.1. If you don't have the money to buy Klipsch, then I can wholeheartedly reccomend Yamaha yst-ms50 speakers (subwoofer40watts, 2 satellites20watts each). These speakers can be gotten for under $120 and have excellent clean bass response and a headphone jack. I have had them for over a year and had no problems.

[ceichhorn]

Can one take a 4.2 system and split it into two 2.1 systems for use on two separate PCs?

Ike

[OuTpaTienT]

Yes.

[AuraEdge]

Looks like both setups have thier pros and cons.
4.1's have better mid, high range sound

and 4.2's have superior surrounding bass

[AuraEdge]

Whoa hey, never thought of that.
Thats a pretty good idea, having an extra speaker system around incase friends come over or something and they dont bring speakers.
Cant really do that with the 4.1 can ya?
I'm also starting to like the idea of being surrounded by bass. I bet the 2 130w subs can do that without a problem if ones in front of you and one in back. I'm still torn between the two, but probably wont buy it until the summer, when I get some real cash inflow. If the 4.2's go back up in price, I'll definitly just go for the 4.1's.

Tough choice...

[OuTpaTienT]

Another thing is, I believe with most surround systems, including the 4.1, the sub works with the front speakers (left, right, & center if there is one) but not with the rear speakers. But with the 4.2 both the front and rear speakers have their own subs, so you get deep bass from the rear channel as well as the front.