Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 - any thoughts?

drumguy · TweakNOOB Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

I'm thinking about getting these speakers (whenever I can find a good deal on them...month or 2 ago they were available from dell.com for around $220

).

If you have these, what are your thoughts on them? How do they compare to the 5500s (in terms of sound quality)? I am going to use them for my PC, so I don't need digital decoding or all the inputs like the Logitechs have. Also, I'm much more comfortable about Klipsch's 10" warning on the subwoofer as opposed to Logitech's 2' warning.

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Ham_fisT · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:48 pm Post subject:

...Calling Mr. weaZel

some one here has them...I know it
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JayDubya · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:45 pm Post subject:

I believe (don't quote me on this) that Klipsch does a much better job in fine tuning their speakers. the sound quality should be better. Logitech has a strategy of big, bad and noisy subs for their main selling point.

We'll let Weaz talk to you about the Pro medias.
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drumguy · TweakNOOB Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

Another question about the Klipsch - I know they make a big deal about buying from an authorized reseller for warranty issues...would Dell.com qualify as an authorized reseller? This might also influence my decision, as the only local authorized dealer has them for around $350 (dell had them for $220 a couple months ago)

Another question regarding it and the 5500s - pretty much all of the reviews I've seen say that the Logitechs are excellent...I don't think I've seen an official article comparing it and the Klipsch (which are over 1 year old), yet users still, for the large part, say the Klipsch sound better. Is this mostly because of the tweeter and sub's lower ranges?

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Also check out the Z5300s from Logitech.
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Like JW said, they're really designed for different purposes. The Logitechs are designed for balls to the wall power, thumpy bass, and sharp highs. Actually, they sound quite good, for phase-plug speakers. The Klipsch, however, are more designed for musical reproduction than games, so they're smoother through the midrange, with a bit less "thump". They're also two-way designs on the sats, which will give a smoother transition from mid to high frequencies.

Both are excellent, depending on what you use them for. For myself, I would probably stick with Klipsch, mainly because I listen to music much more than I play games, and I don't listen to rap or techno, where the low end is the ultimate goal. I found them to be much more "musical" sounding than the 680's.

Yeah, Dell is an authorised reseller. As long as it's a mainstream shop, you're alright. Where you'll get into warranty problems is if you buy them from one of those "computer swap meets", where retailers will dump off excess stock for cheap. Even then, it's usually not an issue, as long as you have a reciept and proof of purchase from the box.
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drumguy · TweakNOOB Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

Actually I've had the z5300s for about a year now...they're good, but I was thinking about upgrading a little bit. If there isn't that much difference between the 5300s and the Klipsch, then there isn't any point in upgrading. But I was under the impression that both the 5500s and the Klipsch were worthwhile upgrades...some people even went from the z680s to the 5500s.

Since Dell.com is an authorized dealer, I am happy waiting a while for a good coupon to come up...I want to find them (Klipsch) for under $250 before I might upgrade.

drumguy · TweakNOOB Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

I forgot to add that I would use them more for games than music...however, accurate musical reproduction is good too. However, I usually listen to rock music, so heavy bass is also sometimes a plus :) .

The Klipsch should still be very good for gaming, right? The bass would still be quite heavy if I cranked up the sub. Is the bigger sub the reason that the Logitechs might sound better for games?

[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 2:26 pm Post subject:

Just as FnF as said the Klipsch is more "musical" which is over all a good thing. Meaning you get more depth to the sounds coming from your computer (or what ever the source). After getting my Pro-Media THX's for the computer I switched my Home Theater speakers to Klipsch (before I have used Bose and Jamo) and have not looked back. Its pretty simple I think, Klipsch is designed to be a higher end speaker, and Logitech is designed to give alot of bang for the buck (meeting alot of gamers needs). The bass responce is going to be similar in power but the bass of the Klipsch may not be as "punchy" as the Logi's. But the bass so much smoother and tighter. Its more of an audiophile sound rather than just boomy bass.
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drumguy · TweakNOOB Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

Thanks for that info weaZel.

So the main reson to get the Logitechs would be based on price, as opposed to sound quality? Without rebates, the Logitechs are around $100 cheaper, depending on where you buy them. I'm keeping my eye out on Dell.com, as there is bound to be another % off coupon for electronics, hopefully making the Klipsch break the $250 barrier.

Is Klipsch coming out with an updated model anytime soon? I don't wanna end up getting these only to have another, better model come out in the next few weeks (happened to some people with the 680s and the 5500s).

How would the Klipsch sound with Battlefield 1942 or Half Life 2, or other games like that? I know they'll sound good, but how would they sound comparatively? (sorry if that sounds confusing). Also what's the difference between the dual 8" sub on the Klipsch vs. the 10" on the Logitech?

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Last question first.......audiophile sound.

Hear all those jacked-up Hondas going down the road, with the subs making the trunk fart like a Texan on a four day chili binge? That's one sound.....all lows, at the expense of low-mids and midrange. Think dance-club music.

An audiophile speaker will lack some of the pure thump, but give you the smoothness........something you just have to hear to understand.

Games are geared toward lows and highs, with mids being relegated to small sections of the soundtrack.......let's face it, if a grenade detonation doesn't make your 'rhoids rattle, it's no fun. But throw on a smooth jazz CD from, say, Charlie Hunter, and the lack of frequency definition definitely hurts. You'll lose whole strings of notes from Charlie's 8 string guitar in the crossover range.

The Klipsch speakers will serve you well overall.....not quite as gut pounding in games, but more satisfying in music. Equally good in movies, though, if you watch 5.1 stuff on your computer....in fact, I found the Klipsch's to be better at movie rendering than the Logitechs. More spacious, clearer dialogue, tighter on the low end. Logitechs make you crap yourself, Klipsch makes you crap yourself, but smoother.

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2old2care · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 11:26 pm Post subject:

So what do you really think fuss?

YOU would so love the mexican influence here in Phoenix....nothing like a kw or 2 blasting acordian out the back of a chevy

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JayDubya · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:41 am Post subject:

[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:53 am Post subject:

basically they will sound great in what ever you want to use them for. Dont worry about what going to be coming around the bend, get the ones that are available now and enjoy the sounds. The Klipsch can be played at very high volume levels and have little or no distortion, which makes them sound wonderful compared to other speakers that sound good at lower volume levels but when cranked sound like crap. Bottom line buy and enjoy.
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

drumguy · TweakNOOB Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

fussnfeathers -

I know this is off topic, but out of curiosity, how much would it cost to get a decent system in a car? I know the price ranges vary a lot, but is there a good system for under $1000? (good all around, not just bass, mids, or highs).

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

I really have no clue, there's other guys here who know more. I still have a stock cassette player in my car.

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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

if you ask nicely in the Auto sound thread, myself and a few others will definitely respond
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