Acoustin Energy Aego 2.1 vs Harman Kardon Soundsticks II

Dharok · 14 Dec 2008 at 22:45

Hey guys. I've been reading on another very large forum, that perhaps these Harman Kardon Soundsticks are a better option for sound quality when compared to the Acoustic Energy Aegos.

I just wanted to know, is it a case of the fact that because Overclockers stock the Acoustic Energy's that they get all the rave reviews here on the forum?

Personally, I'm really unsure now of what to spend my money on. So I bring the question to you, has anyone heard both these 2.1 sets, and would possibly rate one better than the other? They both seem to fall into the same price category.

Sure, the Harman Kardon's are pretty dam ugly. But who cares if they deliver better performance of sound quality?

Eddie · 14 Dec 2008 at 23:19

Personally, I've only heard the AE ones out of the two so I cannot comment on how they stack up against one another. But I do know that the AE ones are very good for the money, so the HK ones would have to be exceptional to better them.

The AE ones are, like you say, recommended a lot round these parts and everyone who gets them loves them and is more than happy. I'm sure it's nothing to do with whether OcUK stock them or not as the rules state we can discuss any hardware we like as long as we do not link to any competitor.

A quick Google says that both sets are around the £100 mark, so equally priced. The HK ones are indeed ugly (imo) but I suppose that is irrelevant when judging which of the two produces the better sound.

It certainly would be interesting to find out which of the two is the better.

yantorsen · 14 Dec 2008 at 23:34

Having heard both, and as I own the AE Aego Ms, I'd say the Aego's are better.

VaderDSL · 14 Dec 2008 at 23:58

I'd concur, the Aegos have it slightly. But I'd buy the Aegos purely on I hate the looks of the HKs.

yantorsen · 15 Dec 2008 at 02:27

VaderDSL said:
I'd concur, the Aegos have it slightly. But I'd buy the Aegos purely on I hate the looks of the HKs.

In all fairness the Aego's are hardly stunners in the looks department. I actually think the Harman Kardon Soundsticks IIs look really cool.

me227 · 15 Dec 2008 at 03:28

I've only heard the M's as i've got them and they sound good. Just had a look at the other ones and God they're ugly.

simisker · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:27

If I remember rightly, people were singing the praises of Aegos on here before OcUK started stocking them.

It's the reason I bought an Aego P5 system

a1ex2001 · 15 Dec 2008 at 12:58

The Aego systems are outstanding for the money and are easily on of the best sounding sub sat setups I've hear with music. I also love the looks and the quality feel.

EverybodyelsE · 16 Dec 2008 at 00:04

If you can afford it get the Blue Sky EXO system. I use the Media Desk 5.1 for work and it's EPIC!

Although I should mention these are meant for professional audio purposes.

kidloco · 16 Dec 2008 at 11:19

EverybodyelsE said:
If you can afford it get the Blue Sky EXO system. I use the Media Desk 5.1 for work and it's EPIC!

Although I should mention these are meant for professional audio purposes.

more than double the price though :confused:

For the cash I dont think the little Aegos can be beat

EverybodyelsE · 16 Dec 2008 at 13:38

kidloco said:
more than double the price though

For the cash I dont think the little Aegos can be beat

Well I used to work in a hi-fi/home cinema specialist store and I can tell you that for the price you can't go wrong with the Aego M 2.1 system. They're surprisingly punchy for such small speakers. I would recommend them. Just don't put them, or any speaker, in a corner! Make an 'aaahh' sound with your voice and move your head into a corner and you'll hear what I mean

yantorsen · 16 Dec 2008 at 18:18

EverybodyelsE said:
Just don't put them, or any speaker, in a corner! Make an 'aaahh' sound with your voice and move your head into a corner and you'll hear what I mean

Eh? Just tried and nothing happened?

Eddie · 16 Dec 2008 at 20:00

yantorsen said:
Eh? Just tried and nothing happened?

I think EverybodyelsE is talking about how the sound bounces around when a speaker is placed in a corner, you usually end up with excessive ammounts of bass (bass boom) more than anything else.

yantorsen · 16 Dec 2008 at 20:17

shoot1st said:
I think EverybodyelsE is talking about how the sound bounces around when a speaker is placed in a corner, you usually end up with excessive ammounts of bass (bass boom) more than anything else.

Does he mean the sub? Because the sats realy arent that powerful...

Eddie · 16 Dec 2008 at 20:41

I think EverybodyelsE is referring to the system as a whole because he says "I would recommend them. Just don't put them, or any speaker, in a corner!"

EverybodyelsE · 16 Dec 2008 at 22:31

shoot1st said:
I think EverybodyelsE is talking about how the sound bounces around when a speaker is placed in a corner, you usually end up with excessive ammounts of bass (bass boom) more than anything else.

That's it. Placing speakers in corners make them sound boxy and boomy. It sounds terrible! It's the reason why speaker companies like Mission have a section in their manuals giving the best placement for their products such as distance from the walls, height, slight tilting towards the listener and distance between the left and right speaker. Subs are slightly different in that they produce a mostly undirectional sound so you can place them where suits you best.

VaderDSL · 16 Dec 2008 at 22:34

EverybodyelsE said:
That's it. Placing speakers in corners make them sound boxy and boomy. It sounds terrible! It's the reason why speaker companies like Mission have a section in their manuals giving the best placement for their products such as distance from the walls, height, slight tilting towards the listener and distance between the left and right speaker. Subs are slightly different in that they produce a mostly undirectional sound so you can place them where suits you best.

Aaahhhhhhh ... shamefully moves speakers out of the corner of the room

Dharok · 16 Dec 2008 at 22:35

Thankyou very much for all the feedback guys. I think I am going to go with the Acoustic Aego's on this one. A little worried perhaps about the power the satellites can deliver but I've heard enough feedback now to realise that the quality of these little things must be of a high standard.

EverybodyelsE · 16 Dec 2008 at 22:41

Dharok said:
Thankyou very much for all the feedback guys. I think I am going to go with the Acoustic Aego's on this one. A little worried perhaps about the power the satellites can deliver but I've heard enough feedback now to realise that the quality of these little things must be of a high standard.

They're actually quite good for their size those little speakers. They're built well and you'll be surprised by how heavy the satallites are!

Eddie · 16 Dec 2008 at 23:28

VaderDSL said:
Aaahhhhhhh ... shamefully moves speakers out of the corner of the room

Dharok said:
Thankyou very much for all the feedback guys. I think I am going to go with the Acoustic Aego's on this one. A little worried perhaps about the power the satellites can deliver but I've heard enough feedback now to realise that the quality of these little things must be of a high standard.

I remember the first time I heard the AEs in a hi-fi shop, I was convinced there was some other speakers hidden somewhere producing the sound

I think you'll be ok as everyone who gets them always says they punch above their weight. The truth is, that, for the money I haven't heard anything better.

Once you've got them and given them the once over, post back to say how you find them.