Harman Kardon SoundSticks II Plug and Play Multimedia Speaker System
Brand | Harman Kardon |
Model Name | Harman/kardon SoundSticks |
Speaker Type | Woofer |
Connectivity Technology | wired |
Special Feature | Portable |
About this item
- 20 Watts RMS sub woofer power output
- Capacitance touch control buttons provide direct access to volume control
- Stunning, original design with great sound
- 3 piece plug and play multimedia speaker system
- Features computer optimized multi band parametric equalization
Save on Quality Keyboards and Mouse by AmazonBasics |
AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse (Black), 30-Pack | AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard and Wired Mouse , 10-Pack | AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard, 10-Pack |
Similar items that may ship from close to you
- Harman Kardon HK SoundSticks 4-2.1 Bluetooth Speaker System with Deep Bass and Inspiring Industrial Design (White)Amazon's Choicein Portable Bluetooth SpeakersFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31
- Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 - Bluetooth Home Speaker - Superior Sound Performance - 5 Diamond-Effect Lighting Themes - Made with Recycled MaterialsFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Recycled Content Certification for Electrical and Electronic Equipment products have at least 10-50% recycled content, based on product type and environmental impact.
- HQRP AC Adapter Works with Harman Kardon SoundSticks I, II, III, 1, 2, 3 Multimedia Speaker System Sound Sticks Power Supply Cord 16V 1.5A NU40-2160150-I3 AP3211-UV 700-0036-001 + Euro Plug AdapterFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31
- Audioengine A2+ Wireless Bluetooth PC Speakers - 60W Bluetooth Speaker System for Home, Studio, Gaming with aptX Bluetooth (Black, Pair)FREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31
- Edifier G2000 32W PC Gaming Computer Speakers for Laptop Mac Desktop Computer Woofer Speakers Bluetooth USB 3.5mm AUX Inputs RGB Lights Multimedia Speakers BlackFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31
- Logitech Z207 2.0 Multi Device Stereo Speaker (Black), 9.5" x 3.5" x 4.9&Quot;Amazon's Choicein Computer SpeakersFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services means the product’s carbon emissions have been measured and reduced, with any remaining emissions offset.
Important information
Visible screen diagonal
670" / 1701 cm
Compare with similar items
This Item Harman Kardon SoundSticks II Plug and Play Multimedia Speaker System | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | |
Price | $300.00$300.00 | $279.99$279.99 | $59.99$59.99 | $299.95$299.95 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 28 - Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||
Sound quality | 4.8 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
Volume control | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.6 | — |
For gaming | 4.4 | — | 4.3 | — |
Value for money | — | 3.7 | 4.7 | — |
Sold By | CellularStream | Edifier Online Store | NylaveeDirect | OneCall |
speaker size | — | 8 inches | 3.5 millimeters | 5.2 inches |
power source | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric |
connectivity tech | wired | wired, wireless | Bluetooth, Auxiliary | Bluetooth |
speaker type | Woofer | Multimedia | Soundbar | Multimedia |
mounting type | Freestanding,Play,Plug Mount | Tabletop | Tabletop Mount | Tabletop |
weight | 0.5 kilograms | 30.75 pounds | 2.12 pounds | 7.93 pounds |
control method | — | remote | touch | — |
Videos
Videos for this product
0:33
Click to play video
Customer Review: Gorgeous and sounds remarkable!
Tyson
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Product Dimensions | 16 x 12 x 11.25 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
ASIN | B0001DBEM4 |
Item model number | SoundSticks II |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #1,585 in Computer Speakers |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | July 7, 2004 |
Manufacturer | Harman Kardon |
Language | English |
Speakers Maximum Output Power | 40 Watts |
Item Weight | 0.5 Kilograms |
Number Of Items | 1 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
Product Description
The mini stereo jack connection allows you to enjoy awesome audio from a variety of devices such as digital music players, computers (all platforms), stereos and portable listening devices.
From the Manufacturer
Harman Kardon's SoundSticks II three-piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for Music, MP3s, movies and gaming experiences.
The SoundSticks II system encourages you to step out of the ordinary speaker world and offers sound in an original and unique package. The system, described as curvy, sleek and sexy, delivers sound that is loud and clear.
SoundSticks II employs a new computer-optimized multi-band parametric equalization and Harmans unique "capacitance touch" control buttons on the right satellite allow for direct access to volume control.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, appearance, quality and value of the speakers. For example, they mention that it has excellent sound, adequate low range bass and more than ample highs. They appreciate the unique design, saying that it really catches the eye. Customers are also impresseded with the value, saying it's a very worthwhile purchase. They like the performance, saying they work excellent and have no issues.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the speakers. They say it has excellent sound, adequate low range bass, and more than ample highs. The subwoofer provides very good lows, but the midrange is mediocre. The speakers are great at high, medium, and low volumes, and the sub-woofer booms while the sound is crisp and clear. Customers also mention that the sticks are very musical and balanced.
"...instead underscoring the translucent, clear, absolutely pristine quality of the audio."..." Read more
"...The Harman Kardon Sound Sticks easily deliver the best sound quality out of any speaker set I have own, for more than half the price of the Bose..." Read more
"...The sound is different than the sticks. The sticks were very musical and balanced, they seemed very precise and able to convey emotions in the music...." Read more
"...The 20 watt woofer is perfectly suited for close up listening - not too loud, but powerful enough to vibrate your pants legs...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the speakers. They mention it's great looking, unique, and interesting to look at. Some say the design might turn some off, but most find it sweet, transparent, and clever.
"...reasons I was drawn to these computer speakers because of their sleek and elegant design...." Read more
"...But overall, the design is striking, but it is not conservative, so if you are looking for something a bit more casual and more professional looking..." Read more
"...It really does look on the floor and it hides a couple does cables at the same time. You can use it as a foot rest, too!..." Read more
"...go, I've included some pictures and can say I am 100% satisfied with the sleek look of this setup...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the speakers. They say they are beautifully constructed, solidly made, and high quality. They are also impressed with the value, saying they are great speakers in a form factor that may or may not appeal to everyone. Customers also mention that the speakers have excellent treble, making them ideal for movies and video. They also say that the sound sticks provide a rich and complex foundation to the mids and highs, yet never calls attention to it.
"...It provides a rich and complex foundation to the mids and highs, yet never calls attention to itself...." Read more
"...The clear plastic is a nice touch, adding a hint of sophistication to a simple design...." Read more
"...The speakers themselves are beautifully constructed, and feature a very solid feel and look...." Read more
"...Out of the box they are very heavy and solid. They feel like they will last forever. The sound is different than the sticks...." Read more
Customers find the speakers to be a superb value, worthwhile purchase, and great sound at a fair price.
"...Funky blue hue when powered. Crisp highs, and deep bass lows. Good price, designed for an office or bedroom...." Read more
"...For 116 dollars, these are the best speakers you can get. The price is an absolute steal and is a worthy investment for all computer users, novice..." Read more
"...a pleasant sound in a small space while looking good, all at a fair price. It does just that." Read more
"...But at the Amazon price, I think they are a very decent value." Read more
Customers like the performance of the speakers. They mention that it works excellent, has no issues, and is a stylish choice. The speakers have a very cool function, a little silver touchpad that works well. Overall, customers are happy with the performance and functionality of the product.
"...Compact, beautiful, and extremely effective - doesn't get any better than this." Read more
"...way, but hiding beneath the beauty is a very pragmatic and functional speaker set that delivers rich quality sound every single time...." Read more
"...I am extremely impressed with the performance of this sub-woofer which is connected to the AV amp to the dual sub woofer outs using a good quality..." Read more
"...But after only 10 minutes, the subwoofer stopped working...." Read more
Customers like the size of the speakers. They say it has a compact size, a space-saving design, and is perfect for small rooms. The speakers are easy to position and can fit pretty much anywhere. They are also extremely portable and can be relocated in other rooms. Customers also mention that the subwoofer is big, but it fits very nicely.
"...Compact, beautiful, and extremely effective - doesn't get any better than this." Read more
"...Bottom Line: A good substitute for standard computer speakers, if you want to maintain a modern, high-tech, look and adequate sound." Read more
"...They look great and the satelites do not take up much space, I put a premium on that.The controls are a disaster...." Read more
"...And for an added bonus, the super-slick, space-saving design with it's ethereal blue-lighted subwoofer is a can't-miss icebreaker...." Read more
Customers find the installation of the speakers to be easy. They mention that the speakers are easy to set up, use, and place. They also say that the setup is awesome, crisp, clear, and loud. Customers also mention that there is no software needed and that the speaker can be hooked up to their Airport Express.
"...PROS: Modern, sleek, stlylish design. Simple setup and easy of function. Does not have a third cord to control volume...." Read more
"...Installation was easy and simple...." Read more
"...It was very easy to hook up the speakers...." Read more
"...Pros:+ Excellent sound quality+ Very simple installation+ Amazing Bass response+ Unique DesignCons:-..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the volume control. Some mention that the volume on the speaker is convenient to adjust the sound levels between the "steps" of the volume up/down, bass adjuster and power button. However, others say that the control is stupid, awkwardly placed, tiny, and annoying.
"...The subwoofer can be regulated by a knob, but that is the only adjustment. Not even an on-off switch...." Read more
"...balance is great and the bass sounds ridiculously great, it can also be easily adjusted but I like it right in the middle...." Read more
"...CONS: Difficult to capture midrange. Awkwardly placed and tiny volume controls...." Read more
"...The touch sensitive volume control make for easy adjustment when necessary, however I don't seem to touch it much and rather use the PC volume and..." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
"SoundSticks" is perhaps an unfortunate designation, bringing to mind kids playing video games and using joysticks. But no doubt the makers of the unit sensed that a term such as "Twin Towers of Peace and Tranquillity" just wouldn't cut it in the marketplace. It does seem strange, though, that the most conspicuous of the three objects--the "woofer" component--isn't even mentioned in the name. With its eerie yet alluring blue luminescence, it's bound to strike some as a spaceship mock-up, but I prefer to see it as an "oasis" or "grail," a feminine mother-ship that magnetically attracts the onlooker to the music.
Be assured that the sound of these speakers is anything but "overwhelming," loud, or arresting. The operative word here is "understatement," but the emphasis on subtlety merely serves to bring out the faithful, utterly "natural" quality of the human voice, the piano, the orchestra without gratuitous spikes or artificial boosts. Formerly, I owned the woofer alone, and the only way I could be certain that it was working was to disconnect it now and then. It provides a rich and complex foundation to the mids and highs, yet never calls attention to itself. (Just be careful not to advance the bass control beyond the mid-point.) Not to become picky, but the touch sensitive, near theremin-like control of the volume, while a clever modernistic touch, seems no more practical than an ordinary rotary knob. Also, a jack for monitoring recordings would have been preferable to the Y-connectors I now must use to connect the HK speakers to a computer.
I hope I'm not being nostalgic, but I wouldn't necessarily view these as the kind of "audiophile" speakers that aroused endless comparisons and controversy among those of us who, in the '60s and '70s, stood passionately by our chosen transducer. I remember the thrill of hearing an AR2 speaker for the first time (I could afford only one), only to be challenged by the possessors of a KLH or Advent loudspeaker (the tones all the warmer because of the tube amplifiers that seemed made to bring out their inexhaustible vibrant potential). When I finally had saved up enough, I broke ranks with these overly fastidious and often snooty champions of hermetically-sealed East Coast speakers in favor of the brighter-sounding West Coast speakers make by JBL--first, the Lancer 100 speakers with the colored foam grills and next the Athena S99 model with its enormous 14" woofer.
I understand that Mr. Harmon, the founder of JBL/Harmon Kardon, is now in his 90s and still active, so even with these latter-day plastic creatures, there's a connection with a tradition which, like the beckoning azure light, practically sanctifies the space around the computer screen, transforming it into an altar as at this very moment I hear the sound of Sinatra singing "My Shining Hour" with choirs of angels (a controversial addition for a 1980's album) surrounding me on all sides.
[Practical matters: Like many other owners of desktop machines, I first went with the much praised Logitech speakers at a "giveaway" price. Unfortunately, the audio quality was inferior to the internal speakers of my iMac (not surprising, since Harmon Industries first worked with Apple in the early to mid-90s to come up with a complementary, stylish and sonically matched bass driver--the "iSub"--for the early iMacs). The present bass unit replicates the dimensions of the iSub, but (thankfully) the power transformer is smaller and lighter than the big "brick" that accompanied the original subwoofer. Attention to detail is impressive, from "locking" jacks for attached cords, to unmistakable right and left outputs for the satellite speakers, to generous electrical and speaker cord lengths, with perhaps the exception of the 3.5mm audio cable that connects the unit to the audio out jack on a computer. The length of this cord is clearly designed to encourage placement of the SoundSticks unit in a configuration beneath and straddling the computer. (Fortunately, this is the cable for which an extension is a non-problematic "add-on" should the user wish to place the entire unit at a further remove from his or her desktop machine.) Finally, I'm relieved to discover that the 2 vertical towers, unlike some others I've checked out, have enough weight to hold their place--no velcro or sandbags required (reassuring to those of us whose desktops tend to be in a continual state of turbulence.)]
[Further: Price-wise, Amazon is selling these for almost half their original retail price. Not a bad deal, especially compared to the Harmon Kardon GLA-55 pair of speakers (jagged moon-rocks going for a grand). Occasionally, users have experienced frustration at the dropping out of one of the channels. The cure usually consists of connecting the speakers directly to the computer (not a hub) and/or going to the "Audio MIDI Setup Utility" in the Applications>Utilities folder and making sure it's set to "2 channels 16 bits," not "1 channel 16 bits."]
--
For obvious reasons I was drawn to these computer speakers because of their sleek and elegant design. With a price tag north of $100 I was a little nervous if the sound quality would be worth the price, but decided to trust the other Amazon reviewers.. I'm very glad I did! My previous sound system for my computer was surround with the 5 speakers and subwoofer. It sounded great, but having all the cords running around the house was a hassle and mess. And honestly, I think these Soundsticks sound even better. With just the two stick speakers and the woofer, they can boom with perfect clarity and half the wires.
I've read some other reviews that claim the mid section of the audio is a little weak, but they must be extreme audio experts. I listen to music all day long on my computer and watch movies on it, too. I think it sounds phenomenal and have absolutely no complaints about sound quality.
The blue LED light in the subwoofer looks great and adds great drama to the set. I was a little disappointed the speakers didn't have a blue glow as well, and that the light didn't react to the sound - but maybe Soundsticks III will deliver those fantasies. Also, they are made of a tough plastic and not glass. That's probably obvious to most people, but I noticed a few wondering.
The left soundstick has the volume control, and my only complaint about it is that it is VERY sensitive. If your finger lingers on the up button the volume will soar to its maximum potential, which I assure you is very loud. So you have to train your fingers to tap them quickly. Also, I miss the remote on my last sound system, but I can sacrifice it for the looks.
Overall, I'm very very very impressed with these speakers and have no serious complaints about them. If you aren't a music or movie buff and rarely use your computer for entertainment purposes, you can no doubt find a more suitable cheaper system out there, but if you care anything about audio quality I think this is the best way to go. They sound like top of the line surround sound systems, but without the mess of excess speakers and cords. Compact, beautiful, and extremely effective - doesn't get any better than this.