As we have shown when it comes to volume the Klipsch 2.1 can go quite loud, even in an above average size room. For example, over my evaluation period I was doing some home renovations and the ProMedia 2.1 connected to the Terratec m3po delivered good quality loud music in a space of roughly 35 feet x 20 feet over several days of dry walling and painting. However someone spending $180 on a 2.1-multimedia system is more than likely looking for more than loudness, they will be looking for a system to deliver above average quality music reproduction, perhaps even at a reasonably loud volume.

Music is an area where you find a very significant difference compared to less expensive systems such as the Creative SoundWorks Digital 2.1 or Labtec Edge-418. Even compared against similarly priced systems there are usually many subtle and sometime not so subtle differences that can make speaker evaluation such a challenge and some of those differences like room acoustics simply can’t be fully accounted for in a review. This is why when ever you can manage it personal auditions of speaker systems with music that you are familiar with is the way to go and where you can’t, hard facts and as many impressions from others (and not just one review) as you can gather are a must.

Not only will there be differences between speakers systems but there can also be fairly significant differences in performance for the same speaker system in different types of music. On top of speaker performance there is also, no matter how hard people try, an inevitable reviewer preference for a speaker system that does the best job in the kinds of music they typically listen to.

When you get up the quality range of the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 the differences between genres are certainly much less significant than for less expensive system but we think it’s still worth running through them. But first some general comments, which will simply be some key points from the general performance section. On-axis frequency response of the ProMedia is quite smooth, right up there with other quality systems like the HPM-4100 and Crossfire. While off-axis is not quite as good as the HPM-4100 or Crossfire (both vertically and horizontally) it’s good enough that the ProMedia 2.1 can provide very good quality music across multiple listening positions. Transient response is overall very good across the whole frequency range, as is the high-end, low frequency detail and midrange performance of the satellite. There is of course a lot more to what makes a system sound good or bad than what I have listed above. Basically you are looking at, or at least listening to, very good to good quality right across the board from the ProMedia 2.1 compared to anything in it’s price range. Where I find the ProMedia 2.1 really excels for music is in its low frequency detail (thanks mostly to the satellites) and its very smooth integration of the subwoofer and satellites.

So lets look at how that shakes out for some different genres.

Classical music or any other music that utilizes a large orchestra to reproduce more complex scores will pose perhaps the biggest reproduction challenge a speaker system can face. For that reason I will spend a bit more time here and suggest you read this section even if you never listen to classics as many of the points apply across all genres. The orchestra is typically spread out across a fairly expansive stage and a good recording will allow you to pin point many of those instruments on the virtual sound stage. The ProMedia 2.1 shines through with a very precise, if somewhat forward, sound stage. This forward sound stage is something Klipsch is aiming for with their systems, preferring to place the listener front row center rather than a few rows further back from the stage. This is particularly noticeable when compared to the also excellent, but more airy laid back sound of the HPM-4100s.

In classical music you are also most likely to find music to challenge the low-end response of a speaker system. Instruments such as the double bassoon that goes as low as 26 Hz and the organ that can go as low as 16.4 Hz will pose a great challenge for any speaker system, much less a multimedia speaker system. While no multimedia subwoofer that will deliver those low frequencies Klipsch 2.1 manages to get down to 41 Hz at a relatively neutral level and maintain pretty good definition at the same time. Compared to similarly priced systems like the Boston Acoustics Media Theater, S2/HPM-4100 and MM-1000 the Klipsch 2.1 offers bass reproduction that is worthy of a system in its range and will be ahead of what you can get from the excellent 2.0 (no subwoofer) configured VideoLogic Sirocco Spirit.

If reproducing a wide variety of instruments covering a very wide frequency range across a precise but not artificially detailed sound stage is not enough, the speaker system (including amplifier) will in orchestral scores often be challenged to deliver what is likely the greatest dynamic range of any music. That is, ideally system has to have enough power to deliver the both the very quite and very loud passages with good clarity and without compressing the volume. Like other excellent quality multimedia systems the ProMedia 2.1 handles this very well with the subwoofer scaling very well right to high overall volumes.

Orchestral music also comes in many flavors and while the ProMedia 2.1 was good across the board it did reveal some strengths and weaknesses. For orchestral music with lots of lower strings the ProMedia 2.1 really stands out against every other multimedia system I have heard with the exception of the HMP-4100, a system with better overall detail. For classics with more emphasis on the upper strings and horns and piano the ProMedia 2.1 also excels but I found myself more often than not also putting the Crossfire (4.1 system) ahead of the ProMedia 2.1. It’s not a night and day difference but a pretty consistent impression. However, I can’t quite pin down the specific reason when compared against the Crossfire. For example on-axis frequency response appears to be in a similar quality range for the two systems but it just seems a bit smoother to me on the Crossfire. The Crossfire is in turn, based on Mikael’s comparisons (see Spirit review), overall behind the Sirocco Spirit (2.0 system) for music reproduction with the exception of reaching down for the extra low notes or exaggerating bass making the Sprit a system clearly worthy of consideration for this genre. The fact that the Spirit can’t exaggerate bass significantly is not of importance for orchestral music and the deep bass response is apparently better than you might expect. Overall I found the ProMedia 2.1 to range from very good to excellent at reproducing classical soundtracks.

In pop and rock and country music ability to reproduce vocals without excessive (or ideally with out any) coloration is an added challenge while dynamic range becomes of much less importance. The ProMedia 2.1 does a fine job in this respect in a manner similar to the other quality systems that I have heard. There is no set formula of instruments in this genre but most often you will find guitars, drums, cymbals, and pianos accompany the vocals. In some pop music, as with rap, techno and R&B you will also find some surprisingly challenging bass tracks that can give many subwoofers fits. The ProMedia again does a very good job across this range with good punchy bass than can be exaggerated a fair bit. However like most of the other systems some of the more bass heavy tracks (e.g. Celine Dion Power of Love) can create some subwoofer distortion at higher volumes or if the subwoofer is significantly exaggerated. Again I would give the ProMedia the edge against all the systems I have heard with the exception of the HPM-4100 but the difference is not as significant. Likewise the difference between the ProMedia 2.1 and the other quality systems like the Media Theater and MM-1000 will not be night and day.

In jazz music great low frequency presence, midrange and good high frequency definition are very important and of the systems I have heard the ProMedia delivers standout performance again against all but the HPM-4100 thanks to the satellites good frequency range and good blending with the subwoofer. Deep bass is not quite as important in jazz as in some other music so many jazz fans might go for the even better definition that I think the Sirocco Spirit will offer.

In rap music good vocals reproduction and punchy bass are crucial and for dance beat music punchy bass is again crucial. The ProMedia 2.1 sub is a bit more punchy than the other 2.1 subs that I have tested when exaggerated and for that reason I would give it the edge for the best 2.1 system I have heard for this type of music. Having said that I think some mega bass fans will be left looking for even greater bass exaggeration and will find themselves driving the ProMedia sub to distortion. It certainly can’t be used to drive a dance party at the volumes people are often looking for. I have not heard a multimedia system that will meet those needs though.

Now most people don't just listen to one type of music and while many do put emphasis on some particular types, pretty much everyone wants a system that can deliver very good to excellent all around performance and that's just what Klipsch has delivered with the ProMedia 2.1 system.

I can't really offer a definitive opinion on what the best 2.1 speaker system is, as I have not heard them all. Even if I had it would in the end come down to more of personal opinion. That is when you get into the better quality systems in a similar price range you start to find there is a lot less of right and wrong with more subtle factors of sound reproduction that can only be sorted out by auditioning the systems ruling the day. That is, regardless of technical test results it’s quite possible you might come to a different conclusion than me in your own personal preference evaluation of these systems.

Having said that, compared to systems in the $200-$300 original list price range I can offer the following thoughts. The Monsoon MM-1000 will deliver very good quality but not with the same high-end clarity and certainly not at the same volume or good presentation to multiple listening positions so going this route will depend on how you plan to use the system. The Media Theater (now out of production) is also a very solid performer but it will likely be behind in high-end transient response and dispersion, as will the Cambridge SoundWorks MicroWorks (original list price of $250). That's not to say these other options offer poor quality by any means and some people may even prefer them, it's just that I think the overall package offered by the ProMedia 2.1 is more likely to please the average listener than any other 2.1 system in this price range.

I also think it’s safe to assume the $70 more expensive 2.0 (no subwoofer) Spirit will deliver smoother sound than the ProMedia 2.1 for those that don’t want powerful or deep bass response. The originally slightly less expensive Yamaha YST-M100 system might also have been an interesting alternative (also in a 2.0 configuration) but it’s no longer in production and I have much less to go on in terms of comparative analysis so won’t speculate.

That's not to say the quality is unbeatable in a 2.1 system. However to do so you will have to either spend significantly more (e.g. VideoLogic Sirocco Original which is actually not available in North America or get one of the few remaining discontinued S2/HPM-4100 systems that originally listed for $600 (some white units are available direct from Diamond Audio Technology for $200 plus shipping in the US only).

Taking all things into consideration my bottom line is the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is a great blend of performance and value. It has been nothing but a pleasure listening to music on the ProMedia 2.1 - you will get much better quality than you might expect for a $179 investment.

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