Hands on with the Champagne SE speaker system

You know them as the folks behind the Apple Pro Speakers and the SoundSticks, but Harman Kardon makes another set of speakers that are Mac compatible: the Champagne Special Edition system.

The system features Harman Odyssey Series loudspeakers, which helps each satellite speaker provide an enormous amount of sound while only requiring little more than three inches of desk space. Though they won’t replace my SoundSticks, they’re gorgeous speakers worth consideration by anyone looking for impressive sounding speakers. The US$169 Champagne SE system works with any audio output device equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack, such as the new flat panel iMacs.

The speakers — which resemble champagne glasses — produce a great high and midrange sound. Impressive bass is provided by a relatively large (10 x 7 x 10.5) subwoofer. The right speaker has two volume controls: two small buttons covered by rubber embossed with “minus” (volume down) and “plus” (volume up) symbols.

I tried the Champagne SE system out on a flat panel iMac; you just plug it in via the standard headphone jack. I ran it through a range of CDs, MP3s and one DVD. I also plugged in my iPod to the Champagne SE speakers. They never distorted, even at high levels. Music and soundtracks came through crisp and clear.

Apple’s Pro Speakers-iSub combo and SoundSticks simply look better with Apple’s current lineup of hardware. But the Champagne SE speakers are sexy, no doubt about it. They also look and sound good with other audio components beyond the Mac lineup.