Harman Kardon SoundSticks II Plug and Play Multimedia Speaker System

Harman/Kardon abandoned the awkward, limiting USB interface of the original model. The Soundsticks 2 use an almost universal connector, the stereo mini-plug, used in almost all computers and portable stereo equipment--CD players and the like. I use mine with my iPod and it's a dynamite combination.

The volume control consists of two touch-sensitive pads on one of the sticks. Touch both simultaneously, and it mutes. Very cool. They kept the blue LED in the subwoofer which glows beautifully in a darkened room.

Bass from the subwoofer is more than adequate, in my opinion, and overall sound is quite good. Setup is incredibly simple.

But most of all, the cool-ness factor of these speakers, especially the subwoofer, is worth the price of admission. You won't want to hide this one under a desk. Everyone stops in their tracks when they see this speaker system. Highly recommended.


Amazing Soundsticks!   October 18, 2005
Mark R. Pritchard (Portland OR, USA)
25 out of 25 found this review helpful

I recently bought the Soundsticks 2 from Amazon. I have been a music teacher for more years than I care to think about and good quality sound is really important to me.
I have a great Hi Fi system at home in the living room and our family computer is in the kitchen. I've connected the Harman Kardons to the computer and to say the least, I'm over the moon with their performance. I listen to all types of music and these speakers produce the goods. This evening I have listened to Joe Cocker, Herbie Hancock, Gustav Holst, Samuel Barber, Vivaldi and Stevie Wonder! In every instance the speakers produced clean, well balanced music. Plenty of volume and amazing sound quality and stereo image. I spent a little time in iTunes when I first got the speakers and adjusted the equalizer to my tastes. The bass is full without being boomy, the highs nice and clean and the voices come through beautifully. I find myself sitting in front of the computer listening to music more than I do in the living room with my expensive sound system! For the price these speakers are hard if not impossible to beat. They may not be what you want if you want earth shattering rumble to accompany video games but if you want to hear great music on a set of remarkable speakers, you won't be disappointed with the Harman Kardon Soundsticks. By the way, I have never written a review of any product before this one. When listening to them tonight I just had to get on line and spread the word.


Now I view my computer as a music system--awesome product   September 30, 2004
Conrad B. Senior (Easton, CT United States)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

I've seen pictures of these speakers at the Appple web site and I thought Apple Compputer chose them because of the clear plastic modern look. Wrong.

These speakers are the best computer speakers I've heard or seen. I tried them out at Comp USA and had trouble leaving the store.

Amazon's prices are far better, with reliable shipping, so I plan to buy some here. Don't take my word for it, but do make a special trip out just to hear these speakers playing your favorite mpeg music--you will be hooked. Bring a CD full of your favortie mpegs. If you don't use your computer for mpegs, then start today.

There are two vertical mini-speaker columns. Each has four tweaters. Close inspection reveals there is a tuned port in the base of each for more mid range--hence the reason the tweaters are stacked in a column.

The right speaker has a capacitive touch switch which I didn't notice at first. I moved the speakers around trying to figure out why the volume was so low, and suddenly the sound got louder. Then I figured out the switch--which is faster and easier to adjust volume than the computer controls. Very cool, and better--useful and handy.

The subwoofer is shaped like a hollow apple, with the cone facing downwards and a tuned port opening to the top. It is not as big as many subwoofers but delivered great sound.

All three of these would fit in a bookbag making them a nice portable system.

The sound of these speakers was awesome for such a small package. It is not often that I experience a product like this and immediately want it.

I'm a cautious purchaser. But now I'm hooked. I see myself buying not just one set, but several for myself. I've decided to buy these for Christmas gifts this year.

Finally, I can't wait to try these with an iPod. If an iPod mount was built into the woofer, this would be a perfect setup.


It does turn off.   January 3, 2006
Robert Palmer (Iowa)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

Everyone mentions that the product does not turn off. If you put your finter over the + & - volume buttons at the same time the speakers will cut off. This allows you to unplug your ipod without distortion.