AFFORDABLE DESKTOP AUDIO - KLIPSCH PROMEDIA HERITAGE 2.1 REVIEW

LoudspeakerReview
Written By Andrew Robinson

Klipsch ProMedia Heritage 2.1 Review by Andrew Robinson

KLIPSCH PROMEDIA HERITAGE 2.1 REVIEW

Don’t tell me Klipsch doesn’t have a sense of humor. I asked for a Heritage subwoofer and, well, they sent me this (hold up sub). Nice. Jokes aside, let’s talk about the new ProMedia Heritage 2.1 system from Klipsch. 

KLIPSCH PROMEDIA HERITAGE SYSTEM

The ProMedia Heritage 2.1 speaker system is a desktop system consisting of two speakers and a powered subwoofer designed to appear like Klipsch’s higher-end Heritage speakers –specifically the Heresy IV, which you know I love. Obviously this system is not meant as a replacement for the Heresy –or any Heritage speaker for that matter –but diehard Klipsch fans will no doubt welcome this system’s retro styling and see it as a way to bring a bit of Heritage flare to other parts of the home. 

PROMEDIA HERITAGE 2.1 SPECS

The small satellite speakers are a two-way design that feature a one-inch polymer driver resting inside Klipsch’s Tractrix horn waveguide mated to a four inch polycone woofer. The speakers themselves are not powered, but instead draw power from the sub, which has a separate 35 Watt per channel amplifier inside for the satellite speakers. The subwoofer features an eight-inch long throw polycone woofer that is powered by its own 150 Watt amplifier. Combined, the Heritage 2.1 system has a manufacturer reported frequency response of 29Hz to 20kHz. This being a powered speaker system we don’t have to concern ourselves too much with technicalities like sensitivity and impedance, which is great!

PROMEDIA INPUT OPTIONS

The ProMedia system has three input options, two physical and one wireless. You can connect to the system through USB or using standard RCA-style analog inputs. It also has Bluetooth for those who prefer a wireless setup. All of the inputs, not to mention system volume and control over the subwoofer’s level can be accessed using the included remote, which is a nice touch! 

My office isn’t complete yet, so rather than setup the ProMedia Heritage 2.1 system up at our kitchen counter (where both Kristi and I currently work on videos like this one), I opted to set the system up on our new CB2 credenza in our main room. I initially had planned on listening via Bluetooth using my iPhone, though shortly after setting up the system I remembered that we got a WiiM Mini music streamer so I used that. This $99 streamer really elevated the Klipsch system in terms of functionality, allowing it to be connected to Alexa and become a part of a make-shift distributed audio system that included our Pantheone One smart speaker that we just reviewed. 

CAN IT PLAY LOUD?

The ProMedia system can play loud, with surprisingly low distortion when doing so. Also, the sub, which again features an eight inch driver driven by a 150 Watt amplifier, can throw down. Out of the box, it was too much for even our large living room. Thankfully, it can be turned down either on the back of the sub itself, or via the remote, which is very handy.  

THE PROMEDIA BASS PERFORMANCE

Because the powered subwoofer features a variable level control, you can dial the bass down or up to taste. If you go too loud, it is possible to get the sub to misbehave and get a bit bloated, not to mention expose some cabinet resonances. I want to stress however that it takes you pushing the sub pretty loud, likely louder than most consumers would ever listen, to get to that ugly place. Dial the subwoofer in for a more seamless transition between it and the satellite speakers and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. It’s actually pretty capable, even being surprisingly agile at times –which I noted when listening to the opening drum solo of “Say Goodbye” by Dave Matthews Band. The kick drum during the opening solo had both solid scale as well as detail. The mallet hit with palpable authority with solid weight, though admittedly higher-end subwoofers, like our SVS 3000 Micro, or even Klipsch’s own SPL-100, do a better job getting the finer textures surrounding the mallet strike right, but I’m not losing sleep over it because the ENTIRE ProMedia Heritage 2.1 system costs less than either subwoofer, sooo….

MIDRANGE AND TREBLE PERFORMANCE

Moving on to the midrange and treble, because the ProMedia satellites are on the smaller side, they’re not the most weighty on their own, relying exclusively on the sub for bass –not to mention midrange to a large degree. This makes their sound easily influenced. Too much bass –as in turn the sub up –and the satellites will sound fuller to a degree. Turn the sub down too much and they’re going to come across as lean, lean, lean. With the blend just right, the satellites still have a mildly leaner midrange that picks up just a bit of energy as you transition towards the tweeter. So vocals are clear and intelligible but lack some body. The same is true of instruments that also occupy the midrange. You’re never going to miss a note, and thanks to the tweeter you may even like the satellite’s inherent detail. 

BUT - these speakers don’t quite nail the natural timbre of instruments like acoustic guitars or even some male and female vocals the way larger two-way speakers with a bit more midrange and mid-bass can.This isn’t necessarily a knock against the ProMedia speakers, just an obvious limitation of their sheer size and design. All that said, with the sub dialed in just so, and when playing back at reasonable volumes between say 50-70dB, music is wholly enjoyable. 

KLIPSCH SOUNDSTAGE AND DYNAMICS

Now, when it comes to soundstage and dynamics, the ProMedia 2.1 is surprisingly good! These tiny speakers image quite well with a shockingly good center image. Toe them in just a bit at the center image locks in proverbial stone and the lateral dispersion is boundary defying. There is a more forward presence to these speakers which should come as no surprise given their small size, treble-forward demeanor and design makeup. That said, I don’t consider them to be shouty or fatiguing. Not to say that either can’t happen, especially if you choose to listen to them at loud volumes in the near-field, but keep things within reason and remember you’re listening to a sub $350 speaker SYSTEM and I doubt this setup will give you much to complain about. Dynamically, it can be explosive and even come across as sounding much larger than it is. 

REMOTE CONTROL

For a more affordable speaker package I think Klipsch is actually giving you an awful lot for your money. I love the remote control –even if it is a carryover from some of their soundbars –it’s handy AF, especially for dialing in the bass on the fly. I wish the system had either a built-in phono preamp, or at a minimum an extra pair of analog inputs, but aside from that, it’s hard to fault in terms of features at this price. 

COMPARABLE DESKTOP AUDIO SYSTEMS

KLIPSCH VS KANTO DESKTOP SPEAKERS

In terms of comparable desktop audio systems, compared to the Kanto YU2 powered speakers, which I used as my desktop rig for most of last year, I love the YU2s. At $199 a pair, I consider them to be a relative steal. They have more power compared to the ProMedia Heritage 2.1 system –at least with respect to the satellite speakers –but I’m not sure many listeners would notice. The YU2s have a subwoofer output, which is great, but also means that a subwoofer is optional. I paired my YU2s with the Kanto Sub 8 which is comparable to the Klipsch. Adding the sub will run you about $80 more than the Klipsch. Which is better is going to be a matter of personal taste. I could be happy with either, though I will admit I prefer the mini Heresy IV styling of the ProMedia Heritage setup.

KLIPSCH PROMEDIA VS UTURN AUDIO ETHOS

Another speaker that comes to mind is U-Turn Audio’s new Ethos powered speaker. I haven’t finished my evaluation of these speakers (yet) but if you’re in the market for a desktop solution at or around the Klipsch price point the Ethos should be high on your list. Stay tuned for our full review of the Ethos coming to the channel soon. 

KLIPSCH VS FLUANCE

Stepping things up in size, there’s the Fluance Ai41 powered monitors at $249 a pair. These are a solid option and I lived with a pair for a bit before their release. They have good scale, better midrange on their own, and a fairly airy tweeter. Speaking of the tweeter, I found them to be a little noisy with respect to tweeter hiss. While hiss can be somewhat common in budget powered speakers, when placed in the near-field the hiss from the Ai41 proved to be too much for me, which is why I sent them back. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

While I’m still waiting for my Heritage-inspired subwoofer, I have to say, I’ve come away from my time with the ProMedia Heritage 2.1 system, more than a little impressed. No it’s not the end all be all in terms of speaker packages, but it’s not a gimmick or cash-grab either. This system is legit. I listened to it for hours at a time, both at low and high volumes, and honestly just enjoyed myself –which is kind of the point. This is the kind of no-brainer, fun audio purchase I think a lot of people can get behind because you don’t have to be an audiophile or “expert” in hifi BS to just enjoy it.  I love its visual style, because all too often desktop speakers look pulled from the basement of some Twitch streamer, whereas the ProMedia Heritage 2.1 system is right at home on a desk or in your living room.

Andrew Robinson https://therobinsonbrand.com
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