Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Dane Trethowan]

No, I wouldn't pay $1000 for a pair of MM1's either and I thought we had 
it bad paying $699 for the things but having said all that I think the 
$699 was worth the amount I paid for these.


I've not read the comments about hearing optimal sound sitting right in 
front of those speakers but nevertheless I take the point to a degree 
but I will say that the MM1 speaker system does a fine job at filling my 
lounge room with a rich measured sound.


If I went out of the room obviously the sound would be radically different.

If you wanted devices to give you superb rich filling room sound then 
the B Wireless systems would be worth looking at however they don't 
quite have the separation characteristics obviously as the MM1 computer 
speakers do and for obvious reasons, the MM1's are separate speakers 
whereas the wireless systems are all-in-1 systems which are designed for 
slightly different purposes.


Yes, you can detect the different channels in a B Wireless system its 
just a little bit harder and not quite as obvious unless you're really 
listening to the thing but when you see the size of these things its a 
wonder that any seperation between channels can be detected at all so 
full marks to the engineering team at B for the well designed DSP.


I mentioned that the Wireless systems give rich filling sound? Yep, that 
they do and I'll go even further.


I recently got rid of my B A5 - saving for a B A7 -, the A5 lived in 
my den but when the A5 was pumping out music at a modest volume I could 
easily hear it at the other end of the house but it was far more than 
just hearing it, the characteristics of the sound - no matter where I 
were in the house - were exactly the same, rich and powerful with easily 
distinguished speech, instruments and so on, I mentioned this to other 
colleagues because the effect is something I've not heard too often and 
the response was, "You're listening to B my friend, what else would 
you expect".




On 21/01/2016 5:10 PM, André van Deventer wrote:

I would have to draw the line at the Bowers and wilkens ones.  I already have a 
good quality DAC so it will not be that much of an issue.

I'm not interesting so much in volume but in sound quality.  So the optimum 
would be for these speakers to deliver optimum sound while I am sitting at my 
desk less than 6 feet away.

One of the criticisms I have read in interviews about the B mm-1 is they 
sound optimum when you sit real close to them like about 6 feet away.  That is I 
think what desktop speakers should do though.

Dane finally - the strange thing is that many bowers and wilkens products are 
available over here including their wireless systems.  I can order 1 and have it 
delivered to my door within 2 or 3 days.  The problem is the mm-1 system which I 
cannot find over here in spite  of the fact that I have used google extensively.  I 
have now written to two B suppliers to find out if they can get it for me and 
at what cost.

I could find one local supplier of the mm-1 but they mainly import from Amazon. 
 And they wanted almost $1000 for it which I am not prepaired to pay.

So the search continues

André

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 20 January 2016 08:33 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

Only my observations for what they're worth.

I Had a pair and I wasn't too impressed to be honest, they're okay but nothing 
earth shattering.

I suppose that's because I set a high bar when it comes to my music listening 
as I want to enjoy it.

If you can wait a little longer and save a little more then perhaps you might look 
at some computer Desktop speakers that will really knock your socks off and show 
your ears the true quality of your music and there are quite some incredible pairs 
to choose from such as those from Keff - can't remember the model number now - and 
of coruse the B M1's which are still available.

Both these sets have their own Sound Cards in them if you like to think of it 
that way so they just plug into the power and your computers USb port ready for 
Windows to find them, they do have Aux-In for older systems or for other 
devices.

Both the sets from Kef and B are strictly 2 channel units though one could be 
forgiven for thinking that you have a 30 inch sub-wooffer connected to your 
computer.



On 20/01/2016 6:08 PM, André van Deventer wrote:

Hi all

I'm in the market for a good quality set of desktop speakers This is strictly 
for listening to music - definitely not a surround sound  system!

One of the systems I am looking at is the Harmen Carden Soundsticks III.  Does 
anyone have this system and what are your thoughts?  I realize that something 
like sound quality is a personal opinion but I am curious to hear what people 
say.  I'm interesting in a set that will give you what would be considered 
audiofile sound.

Regards

André


---
This email has be

RE: harmen carden sound sticks II

[André van Deventer]

I would have to draw the line at the Bowers and wilkens ones.  I already have a 
good quality DAC so it will not be that much of an issue.

I'm not interesting so much in volume but in sound quality.  So the optimum 
would be for these speakers to deliver optimum sound while I am sitting at my 
desk less than 6 feet away.

One of the criticisms I have read in interviews about the B mm-1 is they 
sound optimum when you sit real close to them like about 6 feet away.  That is 
I think what desktop speakers should do though.

Dane finally - the strange thing is that many bowers and wilkens products are 
available over here including their wireless systems.  I can order 1 and have 
it delivered to my door within 2 or 3 days.  The problem is the mm-1 system 
which I cannot find over here in spite  of the fact that I have used google 
extensively.  I have now written to two B suppliers to find out if they can 
get it for me and at what cost.

I could find one local supplier of the mm-1 but they mainly import from Amazon. 
 And they wanted almost $1000 for it which I am not prepaired to pay.

So the search continues

André

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 20 January 2016 08:33 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

Only my observations for what they're worth.

I Had a pair and I wasn't too impressed to be honest, they're okay but nothing 
earth shattering.

I suppose that's because I set a high bar when it comes to my music listening 
as I want to enjoy it.

If you can wait a little longer and save a little more then perhaps you might 
look at some computer Desktop speakers that will really knock your socks off 
and show your ears the true quality of your music and there are quite some 
incredible pairs to choose from such as those from Keff - can't remember the 
model number now - and of coruse the B M1's which are still available.

Both these sets have their own Sound Cards in them if you like to think of it 
that way so they just plug into the power and your computers USb port ready for 
Windows to find them, they do have Aux-In for older systems or for other 
devices.

Both the sets from Kef and B are strictly 2 channel units though one could be 
forgiven for thinking that you have a 30 inch sub-wooffer connected to your 
computer.



On 20/01/2016 6:08 PM, André van Deventer wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I'm in the market for a good quality set of desktop speakers This is strictly 
> for listening to music - definitely not a surround sound  system!
>
> One of the systems I am looking at is the Harmen Carden Soundsticks III.  
> Does anyone have this system and what are your thoughts?  I realize that 
> something like sound quality is a personal opinion but I am curious to hear 
> what people say.  I'm interesting in a set that will give you what would be 
> considered audiofile sound.
>
> Regards
>
> André
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
>
>

--

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves




---
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RE: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Hamit Campos]

Look the models up on youtube. Yes you're hearing them threw people's camaras 
but if the camaras are any good they will give you an idea of what they are 
like. 

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Singing 
Sparrow
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 7:52 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

do you have a web site that we may read up on these speakers and how about a 
sound sample?

On 1/20/2016 4:08 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
> Since I’ve mentioned Kef I suppose I’d best describe their computer speakers 
> I’ve seen and quite frankly they’re the best I’ve ever seen.
>
> they too - like the B MM1 - plug into a USB port though they do have Aux-In 
> and the top of the line model also has DLNA streaming capabilities if you 
> want that sort of thing.
>
> These speakers are actually.. well.. small wooden bookshelf speakers but with 
> a huge different.
>
> Each has its own power supply so you’re going to need to AC outlets, 1 outlet 
> for each speaker.
>
> They connect together with a plug-in lead so that’s the simple stuff out of 
> the way.
>
> Where these speakers get mighty good is in the form of adjustment and 
> tweaking, yep like with your Hi-fi speakers you can tweak the sound of the 
> speaker drivers so that they match the acoustic conditions of your room.
>
> Overkill you say? Well just try listening to them, adjust them and hear the 
> difference.
>
>
>> On 21 Jan 2016, at 5:44 AM, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I 
>> heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have 
>> the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there.
>>
>> Mary
>>
>>
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
>
>
>
>
>

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Singing Sparrow]

do you have a web site that we may read up on these speakers and how 
about a sound sample?


On 1/20/2016 4:08 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Since I’ve mentioned Kef I suppose I’d best describe their computer speakers 
I’ve seen and quite frankly they’re the best I’ve ever seen.

they too - like the B MM1 - plug into a USB port though they do have Aux-In 
and the top of the line model also has DLNA streaming capabilities if you want that 
sort of thing.

These speakers are actually.. well.. small wooden bookshelf speakers but with a 
huge different.

Each has its own power supply so you’re going to need to AC outlets, 1 outlet 
for each speaker.

They connect together with a plug-in lead so that’s the simple stuff out of the 
way.

Where these speakers get mighty good is in the form of adjustment and tweaking, 
yep like with your Hi-fi speakers you can tweak the sound of the speaker 
drivers so that they match the acoustic conditions of your room.

Overkill you say? Well just try listening to them, adjust them and hear the 
difference.



On 21 Jan 2016, at 5:44 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:

I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there.

Mary



**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Dane Trethowan]

Only my observations for what they're worth.

I Had a pair and I wasn't too impressed to be honest, they're okay but 
nothing earth shattering.


I suppose that's because I set a high bar when it comes to my music 
listening as I want to enjoy it.


If you can wait a little longer and save a little more then perhaps you 
might look at some computer Desktop speakers that will really knock your 
socks off and show your ears the true quality of your music and there 
are quite some incredible pairs to choose from such as those from Keff - 
can't remember the model number now - and of coruse the B M1's which 
are still available.


Both these sets have their own Sound Cards in them if you like to think 
of it that way so they just plug into the power and your computers USb 
port ready for Windows to find them, they do have Aux-In for older 
systems or for other devices.


Both the sets from Kef and B are strictly 2 channel units though one 
could be forgiven for thinking that you have a 30 inch sub-wooffer 
connected to your computer.




On 20/01/2016 6:08 PM, André van Deventer wrote:

Hi all

I'm in the market for a good quality set of desktop speakers This is strictly 
for listening to music - definitely not a surround sound  system!

One of the systems I am looking at is the Harmen Carden Soundsticks III.  Does 
anyone have this system and what are your thoughts?  I realize that something 
like sound quality is a personal opinion but I am curious to hear what people 
say.  I'm interesting in a set that will give you what would be considered 
audiofile sound.

Regards

André


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**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Dane Trethowan]

Having owned a pair I found that they were dishonest with the way they 
sounded, more like the sort of simulated sound one might get through a 
very cheap surround-sound system and this didn't surprise me as the 
Sound Sticks are indeed a 2.1 system relying on DSP technology anyway to 
drive some tiny elements apart from the sub-woofer itself, your typical 
kind of 2.1 computer speakers in other words.


In my opinion music listeners deserve far better than that.

I didn't like the construction either, quality of plastic was very cheap 
but then again these speakers are exactly that, they're not all that 
expensive - or at least when I bought a pair they weren't.




On 21/01/2016 5:44 AM, Mary Otten wrote:

I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there.

Mary




--

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

RE: harmen carden sound sticks II

[André van Deventer]

Dane

I'm trying to find a local supplier for the Bowers and Wilkens mm-1 also.  
Having some difficulty though.



-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 20 January 2016 08:33 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

Only my observations for what they're worth.

I Had a pair and I wasn't too impressed to be honest, they're okay but nothing 
earth shattering.

I suppose that's because I set a high bar when it comes to my music listening 
as I want to enjoy it.

If you can wait a little longer and save a little more then perhaps you might 
look at some computer Desktop speakers that will really knock your socks off 
and show your ears the true quality of your music and there are quite some 
incredible pairs to choose from such as those from Keff - can't remember the 
model number now - and of coruse the B M1's which are still available.

Both these sets have their own Sound Cards in them if you like to think of it 
that way so they just plug into the power and your computers USb port ready for 
Windows to find them, they do have Aux-In for older systems or for other 
devices.

Both the sets from Kef and B are strictly 2 channel units though one could be 
forgiven for thinking that you have a 30 inch sub-wooffer connected to your 
computer.



On 20/01/2016 6:08 PM, André van Deventer wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I'm in the market for a good quality set of desktop speakers This is strictly 
> for listening to music - definitely not a surround sound  system!
>
> One of the systems I am looking at is the Harmen Carden Soundsticks III.  
> Does anyone have this system and what are your thoughts?  I realize that 
> something like sound quality is a personal opinion but I am curious to hear 
> what people say.  I'm interesting in a set that will give you what would be 
> considered audiofile sound.
>
> Regards
>
> André
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
>
>

--

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves




---
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Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Dane Trethowan]

Yep, wondered how you'd go in S.A.

Silly question I'm sure but have you consulted Google?



On 21/01/2016 6:40 AM, André van Deventer wrote:

Dane

I'm trying to find a local supplier for the Bowers and Wilkens mm-1 also.  
Having some difficulty though.



-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 20 January 2016 08:33 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

Only my observations for what they're worth.

I Had a pair and I wasn't too impressed to be honest, they're okay but nothing 
earth shattering.

I suppose that's because I set a high bar when it comes to my music listening 
as I want to enjoy it.

If you can wait a little longer and save a little more then perhaps you might look 
at some computer Desktop speakers that will really knock your socks off and show 
your ears the true quality of your music and there are quite some incredible pairs 
to choose from such as those from Keff - can't remember the model number now - and 
of coruse the B M1's which are still available.

Both these sets have their own Sound Cards in them if you like to think of it 
that way so they just plug into the power and your computers USb port ready for 
Windows to find them, they do have Aux-In for older systems or for other 
devices.

Both the sets from Kef and B are strictly 2 channel units though one could be 
forgiven for thinking that you have a 30 inch sub-wooffer connected to your 
computer.



On 20/01/2016 6:08 PM, André van Deventer wrote:

Hi all

I'm in the market for a good quality set of desktop speakers This is strictly 
for listening to music - definitely not a surround sound  system!

One of the systems I am looking at is the Harmen Carden Soundsticks III.  Does 
anyone have this system and what are your thoughts?  I realize that something 
like sound quality is a personal opinion but I am curious to hear what people 
say.  I'm interesting in a set that will give you what would be considered 
audiofile sound.

Regards

André


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus





--

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Anders Holmberg]

Hi!
Haven’t heard of that brand.
Sorry for my ignorance.
/A
> 20 jan. 2016 kl. 19:44 skrev Mary Otten :
> 
> I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
> heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
> the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there. 
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[covici]

So how much do those Kef or the mm-1's actually cost?

Dane Trethowan  wrote:

> Since I’ve mentioned Kef I suppose I’d best describe their computer speakers 
> I’ve seen and quite frankly they’re the best I’ve ever seen.
> 
> they too - like the B MM1 - plug into a USB port though they do have Aux-In 
> and the top of the line model also has DLNA streaming capabilities if you 
> want that sort of thing.
> 
> These speakers are actually.. well.. small wooden bookshelf speakers but with 
> a huge different.
> 
> Each has its own power supply so you’re going to need to AC outlets, 1 outlet 
> for each speaker.
> 
> They connect together with a plug-in lead so that’s the simple stuff out of 
> the way.
> 
> Where these speakers get mighty good is in the form of adjustment and 
> tweaking, yep like with your Hi-fi speakers you can tweak the sound of the 
> speaker drivers so that they match the acoustic conditions of your room.
> 
> Overkill you say? Well just try listening to them, adjust them and hear the 
> difference.
> 
> 
> > On 21 Jan 2016, at 5:44 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> > 
> > I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
> > heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
> > the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there. 
> > 
> > Mary
> > 
> > 
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Your life is like a penny.  You're going to lose it.  The question is:
How do
you spend it?

 John Covici
 cov...@ccs.covici.com

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Dane Trethowan]

I don’t know in american dollars though the Kef’s are somewhat more expensive 
than the B’s but having said that Kef may have a few different models now, 
they had two when I looked last year.


> On 21 Jan 2016, at 9:28 AM, cov...@ccs.covici.com wrote:
> 
> So how much do those Kef or the mm-1's actually cost?
> 
> Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
>> Since I’ve mentioned Kef I suppose I’d best describe their computer speakers 
>> I’ve seen and quite frankly they’re the best I’ve ever seen.
>> 
>> they too - like the B MM1 - plug into a USB port though they do have 
>> Aux-In and the top of the line model also has DLNA streaming capabilities if 
>> you want that sort of thing.
>> 
>> These speakers are actually.. well.. small wooden bookshelf speakers but 
>> with a huge different.
>> 
>> Each has its own power supply so you’re going to need to AC outlets, 1 
>> outlet for each speaker.
>> 
>> They connect together with a plug-in lead so that’s the simple stuff out of 
>> the way.
>> 
>> Where these speakers get mighty good is in the form of adjustment and 
>> tweaking, yep like with your Hi-fi speakers you can tweak the sound of the 
>> speaker drivers so that they match the acoustic conditions of your room.
>> 
>> Overkill you say? Well just try listening to them, adjust them and hear the 
>> difference.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 21 Jan 2016, at 5:44 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
>>> 
>>> I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
>>> heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
>>> the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there. 
>>> 
>>> Mary
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> **
>> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
>> halfwits in this world behind.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> -- 
> Your life is like a penny.  You're going to lose it.  The question is:
> How do
> you spend it?
> 
> John Covici
> cov...@ccs.covici.com
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Dane Trethowan]

Kef is a very well known brand of loudspeaker and they - like B, Ruark and a 
handful of other speaker manufactures - have branched into the computer speaker 
market which is just as well because so many computer speakers are just so dull 
and ordinary so the market needed a little specialist help .

> On 21 Jan 2016, at 8:49 AM, Anders Holmberg  wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> Haven’t heard of that brand.
> Sorry for my ignorance.
> /A
>> 20 jan. 2016 kl. 19:44 skrev Mary Otten :
>> 
>> I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
>> heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
>> the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there. 
>> 
>> Mary
>> 
>> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Dane Trethowan]

Since I’ve mentioned Kef I suppose I’d best describe their computer speakers 
I’ve seen and quite frankly they’re the best I’ve ever seen.

they too - like the B MM1 - plug into a USB port though they do have Aux-In 
and the top of the line model also has DLNA streaming capabilities if you want 
that sort of thing.

These speakers are actually.. well.. small wooden bookshelf speakers but with a 
huge different.

Each has its own power supply so you’re going to need to AC outlets, 1 outlet 
for each speaker.

They connect together with a plug-in lead so that’s the simple stuff out of the 
way.

Where these speakers get mighty good is in the form of adjustment and tweaking, 
yep like with your Hi-fi speakers you can tweak the sound of the speaker 
drivers so that they match the acoustic conditions of your room.

Overkill you say? Well just try listening to them, adjust them and hear the 
difference.


> On 21 Jan 2016, at 5:44 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> 
> I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
> heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
> the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there. 
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: harmen carden sound sticks II

[Mary Otten]

I've never owned any Kefs, but I've always liked them a lot when I
heard them. Didn't know they made computer speakers. If I didn't have
the M1s, I'd definitely be looking there. 

Mary

harmen carden sound sticks II

[André van Deventer]

Hi all

I'm in the market for a good quality set of desktop speakers This is strictly 
for listening to music - definitely not a surround sound  system!

One of the systems I am looking at is the Harmen Carden Soundsticks III.  Does 
anyone have this system and what are your thoughts?  I realize that something 
like sound quality is a personal opinion but I am curious to hear what people 
say.  I'm interesting in a set that will give you what would be considered 
audiofile sound.

Regards

André


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