Why would you review a 2.1 sound system for Mac or PC, at least a year after it came out? Well, the answer is quite simple. Two months ago, my 7.1 very f***ing big Ceative SoundSytem became obsolete when I bought a new pc, on which I didn't want to install loads and loads of drivers and additional software. My living room isn't ball room sized, in fact my house isn't even as big as the average living room, so 7.1 monsters – who needs em, really?

I started looking for simple 2.0 sound systems, preferably usb connectible, but soon found out that the quality of sound for these systems is poor. Usb bandwidth is just not broad enough to reach a hi quality. For that you need analog audio cables. So my attention shifted from 2.0 to 2.1 over audio cables. I've read tons of reviews, and just two stood out at last: the Altec Lansing FX4021, and the Harman/Kardon Soundsticks II.

The Altec Lansing corp. produces very high quality audio systems for at home, or on the desk top. The company clearly lacks a couple of strung out Scandinavian designers – their product range looks like it comes straight from former East Germany – but their designers seem to be able to stuff their products full of funny and handy electronical features and remotely controlled devices and buttons.

Harman/Kardon has been known for years for their amplifiers and speakers, bought formally by audio freaks exclusively. Their products were once to expensive, and to advanced. But Harman/Kardon has entered the third millennium for real a few years ago and has now a line of very fine desk top products. The SoundSticks II are a fine example of a product of a company that has the reputation for making quality audio products and knowing how to expend new markets.

The design of the SoundSticks II would look as great in a trendy baber shop, a Sushi restaurant as an art gallery. Or on your desk...

How about the sound?, you ask? Cause that's what matters in the end...

Well, the sound is in two words pretty reasonable, when you're looking for the amplifier and 3-way speakerset in the corners of the room, and find out that there's just this 2.1 sound system. The sound quality is warm like a blanket you get from your mother on a cold rainy day, after she put down the hot milk and chocolate chip cookies. It's as defined as the grill on the Mercedes Benz you spot in your rear view mirror, flashing it's head lights as it tries to overtake you doing 120 mph at least.

Why?, you ask?

The Harman/Kardon Soundsticks II is actually a 5-way speaker set, with a monstrous sub woofer to place under your desk. The clever use of small but numerous speakers makes sure that all sound ranges can be heard clearly and very defined. Check below for more specs:

RMS 40 Watt / channel

10 watt RMS (satellites

20 watt RMS subwoofer

Frequency 44 Hz - 20 kHz

Size satellites 50.8 mm diam. x 254 mm

Size sub woofer 232 mm diam. x 258 mm