Macworld | iPod Product Guide: Harman Kardon SoundSticks II

Harman Kardon SoundSticks II

Basic Information

Price as Reviewed:	$170
Company:	Harman Kardon
Rating:

Review

From the Playlist book:

If JBL's Creature II -- which we've reviewed on Playlist and recommend highly -- is otherworldly in its design, Harman Kardon's Soundsticks II system is positively underwaterish. With a sub that looks like a new species of jellyfish and four-driver satellites that will look right at home next to your aquarium, this system certainly won't go unnoticed on your desk. The good news is that the sound quality will also attract attention, with excellent detail and good overall balance. You don't get some of the extra features of other systems in this price range, such as a headphone jack or multiple inputs, but given how much better the system looks, that just might be an acceptable tradeoff. As with the Creature II (JBL and Harman Kardon are divisions of the same parent company), you control the volume via touch-sensitive buttons on the right satellite. The only problem with the Soundsticks II is that it may end up taking more of your precious desk space than expected--you'll be tempted to put the sub where you can see it.

(Full review in progress.)--Dan Frakes

Specs

Ipod Models Supported	1G (Physical Scroll Wheel)2G (Touch Scroll Wheel)4G (Click Wheel or iPod Photo)3G (4 Horizontal Buttons)5G (Video)Mini4G (Click Wheel or iPod Photo)1G Shuffle (White Plastic Stick)1G Nano (Chrome Back)2G Nano (Aluminum Body)2G Shuffle (Aluminum Clip)
Size	Sub: 10.2" high by 9.2" diameter; satellites: 10" high by 2" diameter
Speaker type	Computer (no iPod dock, connects via minijack)
Channels	Left/Right with subwoofer
Connection type	Minijack