Klipsch Promedia 5.1 $300 Before Tax, no Rebate

[Asduf]

CompUSA has the Klipsch Promedia 5.1 for $400 - $100 Instant Rebate = $300 before tax. I saw it at the fifth ave location in NYC.

 

[hawkeye81x]

Sounds like a fantastic local deal for NYC locals.

 

[machintos]

I called a couple of compusa here and they only had the 2.1 version.

 

[bigshooter]

I think the retail stores are going to try and push the GMX series (or whtaever they are called) instead of the promedias. I went to my local compusa, and they were out of the promedias but were getting the new speakers as replacements. Best Buy was also out so no price match there.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: bigshooter
I think the retail stores are going to try and push the GMX series (or whtaever they are called) instead of the promedias. I went to my local compusa, and they were out of the promedias but were getting the new speakers as replacements. Best Buy was also out so no price match there.

i dont know why they would do that. GMX is the budget version and is geared more toward pc gamers with consoles

 

[CtlAltl33t]

Originally posted by: machintos
I called a couple of compusa here and they only had the 2.1 version.

THose are supposed to be like $89 aren't they? Last I knew retailers were trying to clear these out

 

[InfiniteSadness]

Originally posted by: CtlAltl33t

Originally posted by: machintos
I called a couple of compusa here and they only had the 2.1 version.

THose are supposed to be like $89 aren't they? Last I knew retailers were trying to clear these out

Promedia 2.1 still retails for $180.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: CtlAltl33t

Originally posted by: machintos
I called a couple of compusa here and they only had the 2.1 version.

THose are supposed to be like $89 aren't they? Last I knew retailers were trying to clear these out

you must be mistaken because this is a new product

btw, their retail price is $299

 

[keystroker]

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: CtlAltl33t

Originally posted by: machintos
I called a couple of compusa here and they only had the 2.1 version.

THose are supposed to be like $89 aren't they? Last I knew retailers were trying to clear these out

you must be mistaken because this is a new product

btw, their retail price is $299

you're not paying attention .

 

[IgoByte]

$358 shipped at newegg, and you don't have to carry the big box around.

 

[dakels]

The 5.1's retail for $400 and cheapest prices (even on pricewatch) are about $335. making the CUSA deal the best I have seen by far.

btw Asduf, I saw them in the same store as you about the same time as you
The looked nice but I have 4.1's anyways and the difference is not huge. Now if I didnt have the 4.1's I would have been strongly tempted.

 

[Davemeister]

just for comparison, the GMX D-5.1 is $265 and THX 5.1 is $358 over at newegg, free shipping. I'm assuming we're talking about the regular 5.1, so that looks like a pretty good price.

 

[ziplux]

Note that the new GMX version only has optical/coaxial digital inputs and a single stereo analog input, so those wouldn't be good for a computer because even with a digital output you'll only get 2 channels unless you're playing a DVD. I don't think that games are capable of outputting a Dolby Digital 5.1 stream, but I could be wrong. (That'd actually be cool...i'd be interested to find out what PC games, if any, have DD 5.1 sound).

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: IgoByte
$358 shipped at newegg, and you don't have to carry the big box around.

Yea, you can let fedex play soccer with it instead

 

[tjaisv]

So how do these compare with the GMX?

 

[Asduf]

The 5.1's are a huge upgrade over the 4.1's. You'd be surprised how much difference the center channel makes. In music, there is almost no difference (unless it's a multichannel SACD or DVD-A, but most people won't be playing those on their computer). But in DVD playing or in PC games that support 5.1 it's much improved. All dialogue comes over the center channel which means you can increase the volume of the dialogue while keeping everything else the same. In addition, it centers your attention on the characters on the screen because sound from the center channel will be centered itself. This avoids your attention being diverted to the front stereo or surround speakers which will increase your immersion.

As for PC games that support 5.1, most of the new ones do. I know from direct experience that Warcraft III and Mafia both support 5.1 sound and it makes a huge difference over even 4.1. If you're looking at the 4.1 or 5.1 system, I heartily recommend the 5.1. If you settle, no matter how much you enjoy 4.1 sound, you'll always wonder what 5.1 would be like and will possibly end up with both systems! If you rarely watch DVD's or play PC games, go with the 2.1 because mass multichannel audio is still years away. SACD and DVD-A, despite being around for nearly 5 years, are unfortunately still in their infancy. An Audigy 2, M-Audio Revolution 7.1 or any other sound card with 24 bit output (I don't know of any others) will be able to play DVD-A through your DVD-Rom drive with the appriopriate plugin for Windows Media Player or WinAmp. Without the plugin or with a soundcard that doesn't support 24 bit output, you'll still be able to play DVD-A, but they'll sound like regular CD's. SACD is unplayable unless either you have an SACD player (doesn't exist for the PC) or the SACD is a hybrid (meaning it has the CD audio and SACD). If it's a hybrid, obviously you'll be playing the CD portion and hear no difference over a regular CD. In short, get the 2.1's if you only listen to music, but the 5.1's if you watch movies or play PC games. The 4.1, like a BMW 500 series, is mid range and will leave you wondering what the high range is like but cost a lot more than the low range.

 

[tjaisv]

Originally posted by: Asduf
The 5.1's are a huge upgrade over the 4.1's. You'd be surprised how much difference the center channel makes. In music, there is almost no difference (unless it's a multichannel SACD or DVD-A, but most people won't be playing those on their computer). But in DVD playing or in PC games that support 5.1 it's much improved. All dialogue comes over the center channel which means you can increase the volume of the dialogue while keeping everything else the same. In addition, it centers your attention on the characters on the screen because sound from the center channel will be centered itself. This avoids your attention being diverted to the front stereo or surround speakers which will increase your immersion.

As for PC games that support 5.1, most of the new ones do. I know from direct experience that Warcraft III and Mafia both support 5.1 sound and it makes a huge difference over even 4.1. If you're looking at the 4.1 or 5.1 system, I heartily recommend the 5.1. If you settle, no matter how much you enjoy 4.1 sound, you'll always wonder what 5.1 would be like and will possibly end up with both systems! If you rarely watch DVD's or play PC games, go with the 2.1 because mass multichannel audio is still years away. SACD and DVD-A, despite being around for nearly 5 years, are unfortunately still in their infancy. An Audigy 2, M-Audio Revolution 7.1 or any other sound card with 24 bit output (I don't know of any others) will be able to play DVD-A through your DVD-Rom drive with the appriopriate plugin for Windows Media Player or WinAmp. Without the plugin or with a soundcard that doesn't support 24 bit output, you'll still be able to play DVD-A, but they'll sound like regular CD's. SACD is unplayable unless either you have an SACD player (doesn't exist for the PC) or the SACD is a hybrid (meaning it has the CD audio and SACD). If it's a hybrid, obviously you'll be playing the CD portion and hear no difference over a regular CD. In short, get the 2.1's if you only listen to music, but the 5.1's if you watch movies or play PC games. The 4.1, like a BMW 500 series, is mid range and will leave you wondering what the high range is like but cost a lot more than the low range.

Very nice response you made.

I have the 4.1 series and already find it most awesome. Now I plan to get these 5.1's as soon as i get a job.

 

[dakels]

I have access to the 5.1's at work and you are right. But paying $300 to replace my 4.1's makes no sense at all and I play mainly MP3 music on them. Not overly concerned about crucial audio sound. I get that from my main stereo and mixing system.

 

[mrbill]

before you go out and buy the klipsch 5.1 speakers, you really have to hear the logitech z680's.

I bought the z680's, klipsch 5.1 and the klipsch gmx 5.1 and did my own home testing. I think the gmx's I got were defective as they had a lot of speaker hum.

But the klipsch 5.1 and the logitech were very close. The klipsch were a little flat in comparison. Plus the logitech has the 3 inputs and cost less.

I was surprised when I returned the klipsch speakers.. My home theater system is all klipsch (except for the velodyne subwoofer).

I am sure the klipsch will have higher resale value and they are made a little bit better, but I feel the z680's are the ones to get.

 

[tydas]

DOOH! Time to return my Z680's...when will the madness end?