It took eight years of almost constant 24/7/365 use — but I did it — I killed my beloved Logitech Z-2300 THX Sound System and I was in dismay for a few days as I tried to wrap my head around the loss of a fantastic way to listen to anything and everything online and in my life.

After doing some quick internet research, I decided to go a different way and try a new company and system. I’ve always appreciated the keen scientific aesthetic of the Harman/Kardon SoundSticks series. The whole speaker contraption looks like a spaceship and I was curious if cool design was able to triumph together with a healthy technical spec.

Here’s the official PR Blurp from the company website:

Praised for its stunning design, the harman kardon SoundSticks II speakers and subwoofer system became a milestone in harman kardon history when it became part of the permanent collection at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Improving on its famous sibling’s pop-culture appeal, the SoundSticks III system is all that and much more.

As a three-piece, 2.1-channel multimedia sound system, SoundSticks III brings a new level of excitement to music, games and movies to your home – with its exceptional sound clarity, enhanced color scheme and bare minimum of wiring. Beyond its eye-catching appeal, SoundSticks III continues to be incredibly capable – with 40 watts of dazzling amplification, a down-firing powered subwoofer, eight full-range transducers and compatibility with all sorts of multimedia devices. As the sublime sequel to a prized performer, SoundSticks III is performance art at its finest.

I am thrilled to report that after only a few days with the SoundSticks III system, I am wholly delighted and I don’t miss my Logitech setup at all.  The sound presence of the Harmam/Kardon system is room-filling without being obnoxiously loud or bassy and thumpy.  There is a natural air to the quality of sound produced from the speakers and I find that refreshing and healthy.

The price of the system was also right.  I found the SoundSticks III online for around $140.00USD delivered and that is a great value for the bargain.

I have a couple of things I miss from my previous system.  I like a dedicated volume dial that I can place right next to my keyboard.  I like an on-off button within easy reach.  I want to be able to control the bass response from my desktop.  As the Harman/Kardon SoundSticks III stand, I have to try to control volume on one of the sticks with just the right touch, or I’m blown out or gone silent; I have to go under my desk to the subwoofer and turn the system on and off and also adjust the bass volume.

I’m sure the SoundSticks engineers know that once you have set up your system for optimal response in bass and volume, you’ll likely never need to touch any of it again — and that’s true for professionally recorded sound — but we live in an age of amateur media avengers and that means wild variations in wild sound and recorded events.  I find myself always adjusting volume and bass in order to properly hear what is being presented throughout the day. I’m spending too much time under my desk!

Other than for those few niggles, I like the SoundSticks a lot.  The look of the entire system is comprehensive and just plain cool.  The ultimate test of viability will happen eight years from now as I learn if these Harman/Kardon speakers have the guts and the brilliance to live up to their Logitech predecessor.