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Are Harman Kardon Sound Sticks still the best 2.1 system to get for Mac?
- Thread starter Benz63amg
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How much does a pair cost? I don’t really need a sub to be honest but with the upcoming sound sticks 4 I wonder if they’re worth a purchase
Just around 3,000 Danish Kingdom Kroner
For local pricing your best bet is probably Googling AudioEngine A5+
What are your criteria? "best" with no criteria is totally arbitrary.
If you want something that sounds better and isn't speakers everywhere have you considered a home theatre sound-bar?
They're good, but it depends totally on what your criteria are (space, cost, sound quality, looks, etc.).
If cost is truly no object the Soundsticks are probably crap. I say that, owning/still using a set and loving them for what they are. But my home theatre set up is way better and if I was to buy again I'd consider a sound-bar setup for similar money (like I have in my living room).
I have a Definitive home theatre set up as well but that has nothing to do with my iMac,
My question referred to what’s the best 2 speaker system (or 2.1) system to get for an iMac sound quality wise, how can you say the sound sticks are crap by the way? They have been know as one of the best sounding computer speakers for almost a decade now.
Size is not of constraint but they will be placed next to the iMac so obviously they’ll need to be bookshelf speakers that can sit on a stand next to an iMac
It's all relative.
For the price? They're great. I love mine for what they are.
But if you're an audiophile with a budget of thousands of dollars you'll get something way better which will make these (relatively speaking) "crap".
What is your budget? If you're a normal person with a budget of a few hundred dollars - they're really, really good. They look and sound great - for that price.
If you're someone who is really anal about sound quality that may not be the case.
If you're willing to spend a little more, and are willing to put a sound-bar on your desk behind your monitor you can get something that sounds way better (With a remote you can adjust the sub with, etc. without crawling under your desk or looking for the volume adjuster on the sound stick sub) for not much more money.
If you're willing to spend more than that you can step up to proper professional-sound-grade speakers.
Speaking of volume adjustment - the touch sensitive controls on the sound sticks are trash imho as well.
Well for the computer I basically want the best sounding pair of speakers for about $400(or 2.1), I have a several thousand dollar dedicated home theatre sound system so I don’t need audiohile quality sound on my iMac setup but I’d like the best I can get for about 400$, Would the sound sticks be that or is there a better sounding Monitor bookshelf speaker that is highly awarded for their sound that would outperform the sound sticks?
I just sold my sound sticks 2 in anticipation of the upcoming sound sticks 4
throAU is right though. There is no such thing as "PC speakers". There are active speakers like the AudioEngine A5+ I mentioned which don't need an extra amplifier, but speakers are speakers, and genuinely without restraints we could be recommending speakers that cost more than 2x the base price of a Mac Pro. The Harmon Kardon Sound Stick thingies may be good for their market segment, but there is no absolute "best"
I suspect you'd be happy with new soundsticks, but given your budget you might want to go listen to some other speakers. Not just "computer speakers". Your budget may cover something that sounds better.
If you're not wanting to shop around, and want to come in under budget, just get the new sound sticks.
If looks are a thing though, I don't think you'll find something that LOOKS nicer for the money.
With $400 US I'd buy a (another) sound-bar if I was to do it again though. But my needs may be different from yours. The budget would certainly cover it though and I'd have something with more channels, better bass, remote control, etc.
If you're not wanting to shop around, and want to come in under budget, just get the new sound sticks.
If looks are a thing though, I don't think you'll find something that LOOKS nicer for the money.
With $400 US I'd buy a (another) sound-bar if I was to do it again though. But my needs may be different from yours. The budget would certainly cover it though and I'd have something with more channels, better bass, remote control, etc.
Considering the AudioEngine A5+ I keep bailing about cost the equivalent of ≈$500 in Danish Kroner, and that things are usually more expensive here with extra tax and such, I think they're roughly in your price range, and I'd personally advice them over the sound sticks. - A lot of good audio shops allow you to test drive speaker setups for a week or so and bring them back without making a final purchasing decisions; When I got my A5+'s I tested out like 15 different pairs of speakers before settling on these as the best in the price and size range; Maybe you could find a shop that lets you test them
Are the Sound Sticks 4 going to have improved overall sound compared to the SoundSticks 2 or 3 or is it just a different look Harman Kardon adapted into the sound sticks 4? I see the subwoofer on it has a new cone design so it must be improved sound wise
Can I jump in here and ask about a sounder option? Several have mentioned using a sounder for Mac speakers... what would you all recommend at various price points for a relatively compact 2.1 setup? At $200USD? At $400USD?
How would a sound bar even connect to the iMac? Into the headphone jack like the HK Sound Sticks?
Well depends on the device. But there's plenty of options; The 3.5mm port as you mention yourself, a USB connection either directly or through an audio interface that could have a host of other connectors or if it's a sounder that takes HDMI you can convert Thunderbolt to that and so on; A plethora of options
As I said earlier there's no such thing as "PC speakers". There's just speakers. And if you plug a signal into an amp into speakers you have audio. A lot of speakers have a built-in amp, so-called active or powered speakers, and then you just need a signal chain
I have been using the HK Soundsticks for over a decade. I cannot remember when I got them, but probably in the late 2000's.
They are good for the price, and look nice on a desk. If you are an audiophile, you might be disappointed in them.
I almost always adjust my volume using the computer, not the volume buttons on the sound stick. I once thought my soundstick system was broke and not working, but I realized that I accidentally rubbed against the volume down button, causing the volume to drop.
I personally think they sound okay. The highs and lows are great, but the mids are lacking a bit, imo.
They are good for the price, and look nice on a desk. If you are an audiophile, you might be disappointed in them.
I personally wouldn't call it trash, but can be annoying at times. I would have much rather have a knob or dial, something that I could easily and quickly tweak.
I almost always adjust my volume using the computer, not the volume buttons on the sound stick. I once thought my soundstick system was broke and not working, but I realized that I accidentally rubbed against the volume down button, causing the volume to drop.
This is accurate.
I personally think they sound okay. The highs and lows are great, but the mids are lacking a bit, imo.
A lot of Macs, especially older Macs, have optical digital audio ports in the headphone ports. You can use a Toslink cable to connect to most audio receivers and a lot of sound bars.
HDMI output? Soundbar works with that.
edit:
or as above TOSLINK if you have it. But virtually all of them these days have HDMI input/pass-through to a monitor and most Macs have either HDMI or the ability to do HDMI via a USB-C/Thunderbolt/Displayport dongle