A product of
Harman/Kardon Multimedia and
Apple Computer, SoundSticks are a
USB-based
audio system for the
Macintosh. The SoundSticks set contains two
satellite speaker units and a
subwoofer unit which doubles as the system's USB controller and
amplifier. All three units are enclosed in clear
polycarbonate plastic to match the styling of the
iMac or
Power Macintosh G4.
The subwoofer unit has a single 6-inch, 20-watt speaker mounted in a curious toroidal housing, and as with most computer subwoofers is intended to be placed under your desk. It connects to your Macintosh's USB port, to the external power adapter, and to the left and right satellite units. Each satellite unit mounts four 1-inch speakers in parallel, totalling 10 watts each. The satellite speakers are very strongly directional, and have hinged bases allowing you to orient them directly at the listener.
The current revision of the SoundSticks system works with the iBook, iMac, PowerBook G4, Power Macintosh G4, and some PowerBook G3 and Power Macintosh G3 models. It requires Mac OS 9.0.4 or higher, and Apple DVD Player 2.x to play DVD audio.
Oh, and they sound quite nice.