Proud to have on top of any desk
Written: May 16 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent Sound Quality for such a small device, Design/Style, Color Options
Cons: Retail price can be high
The Bottom Line: Despite its high retail price, this speaker reproduce excellent sound with a style. It also has some advance features that you won't find in similar priced speakers.
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| wc201's Full Review: harman/kardon HK695 2 Speakers |
I bought mine through Dell.
It was my speaker of choice. $30 upgrade.
I think retail price for this item is around $100.
Pros
1. Style/Color Choice.
The shape of the speaker is like a champagne glass.
Most often computer speakers tend to be large. Our desk is already crowded as it is, so we don't need another big speakers. So, I think the size matters.
There are I believe 3 types of color available now. Wood, Black, and Gray. Most speakers don't have any color choices. And for some reason, the popular color is often white in low cost models. I have all black computer, so having white or gray is out of the question, but I do appreciate the options of choosing others.
2. Sound Quality/Unique Connecting Cables
For its size, it reproduces sound remarkable well. I had several larger speakers in the past from various companies, but this one seem to produce better sound.
I credit most of its advantages to its unique connecting cable. This speaker accept one input source. However, for any pc users with a separate sound card, this speaker has left and right channel connecting cable built in. So, left speaker can be connected to the left channel sound output port on your soundcard. And right speaker to the right port.
I doubt it would make a big difference, but it did.
Why would we buy a separate soundcard if we are not going to take an advantage of its feature. So, anyone interested in good sound quality, this is definitely plus.
You might wonder why then settle for just two and half speakers? (half meant for the subwoofer)
I could have bought the speaker sets for DVD viewing (5.1 channels requires 5 individual speakers and one subwoofer). Then, why not? First of all, they cost whole lot more. I also don't have the desk space put them all. Cables will be extremely messy. and for listening music, it's actually waste of electricity and money.
3. Control
This is nothing really special. Volume controls is located on the righ satellite speaker. U just press plus for more sound. Minus sign for less. However, there is one difference. This unit somehow memorize your previous sound settings even after you unhook the power source.
What is that mean? This speaker does not have a knob on its tiny satellite speaker. It actually has two tiny buttons. Knobs are located on top of the subwoofer. Unless you have subwoofer on your desktop, it would be very awkward to change the volume. So, what's different about this speakers? When I lower my volume using the button, it will lower the volume. This does not involve moving knob that are located on the subwoofer at all. Then, how can it lower the volume? That's the question.
This speaker somehow control its own output level related to the computer. Whenever you change your volume, its setting will stay where it is at. It won't change simply because u restarted your computer. I am not the best person to explain this. You just have to try it out for yourself.
Cons
1. Price
Unless you just bought this speaker with your computer, this speaker can be quite expensive. And I believe this speaker is only offered as an option through Dell computer. So, you probably have to buy it in retail. In retail, it can go all the way up to $100. That's a bit too much even for these speakers. You can probably buy these cheaper on eBay around $60 to$70, but that's still a bit high.
So, you do pay for its advance features and style with money.
2. VMAX
It's I guess Harman Kardon version of Dolby Surround. It simulates two rear speakers. But as we all know, industry standard is dolby surround sound. I didn't notice any good or bad thing about this, but just wished it was the Dolby rather VMAX.
That's about it.
It's actually rather long review for just a computer speaker. But, when you try the unit, you will understand why it's worth this much review.
Thanks for reading
These are the specs.
These information is provided from the Dell site.
Power Output
Satellites: (2) 6.0 watts each
Subwoofer: 28 watts
Total Wattage
40 watts
Driver Configuration
Satellites: Two OdeysseyTM transducers per satellite
Subwoofer: One 5¨ù" MagnumTM transducer
Frequency Response
35Hz - 20Khz
Surround Sound
Not Dolby: however has "VMAX" virtual rear speaker performance
Headphone Jack
No
Controls
Volume, Bass, Treble and Surround controls
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wc201
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Location: Jersey City
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 1 member
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