TwoCables

You can also find some on eBay from very reputable sellers. I recommend performing various searches on eBay, including some simple criteria like "promedia 2.1". Searching eBay for "Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 preamp panel" might limit your search results too much.

I'm not sure I'd say that you're expecting too much out of it, but it's that what you want is far more than the ProMedia 2.1 can deliver. As a personal computer speaker system, it's everything that you've read about. As a room-shaker, it's worthless.

I think a part of the problem is, you want far more out of this speaker system than it's designed for. I mean, it's a personal computer speaker system. It's not designed for making stuff in your room rattle. It's designed for being awesome within your personal space, while you're at your computer. It's not intended to shake a room, or even fill one up. If you want something that will make stuff in your room rattle, then the ProMedia 2.1 system needs to be replaced with something much more powerful, and you will need an 8" or 10" subwoofer - and you will also need a few hundred watts. Think about it: the driver in the ProMedia 2.1's subwoofer cabinet is only 6.5", and the power that's driving it is only 130W maximum.. That's really not much when you consider what you want out of it (like, you personally). However, when you use this system as intended, it's crazy how awesome it is. It just can't be beat for its intended use. Another part of the problem is, you have the 'Subwoofer' level turned up way too high. It should be at the white mark, or close to it. That's the level where you get closest to the intended level of low end that was meant to be heard on the recording that you're listening to. It's a THX thing. I don't know how to explain it. I just know what Klipsch says, and they recommend using the white spot as a starting point. Keep in mind though that turning the 'Subwoofer' level up doesn't increase the bass, it just makes the subwoofer a little louder. If you want more bass, then you need to use Graphic Equalization or you need to find and turn the 'Bass' level up in Windows. Y'know what I'm saying? Of course, knowing what you really want, you're going to need a much more powerful speaker system. The rattling sound is air turbulence in the port due to pushing the subwoofer beyond its limits (the sound is called "chuffing"). This is 100% normal and it can happen to any ported subwoofer if you push one hard enough. When you use the ProMedia 2.1 system in the way that it was INTENDED to be used, you end up seeing that its subwoofer is indeed insanely powerful. However, when you want to rattle stuff in your room, you're asking way too much of it. You'll never be able to get room-shaking performance out of this speaker system because it's simply not designed for it. To get room-shaking performance, you need a system that can be used in a big room with lots of people in it. You can't get room-shaking performance out of a personal speaker system. So, I recommend turning the 'Subwoofer' level back down to the white mark, turn the Main Volume up to around 50-75%, and then do all of your volume adjusting in Windows or whatever computer you have. Just enjoy this speaker system in the way it was intended to be used. That's really all I'm saying.

I don't know if it's too late, but the original ProMedia 2.1 system is superior to what Klipsch is making now. Here's an original that's in nearly-mint condition for $149.95: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Computer-Speakers-PC-Subwoofer-Speaker-Set-/371095485307?hash=item566703bb7b:g:mxwAAOSwajVUPaoW I've heard that the originals have superior sound on the stock wires. Plus, you can replace the stock wires (which is highly recommended for the best sound possible from the satellites). You can't do that with the new ones that Klipsch is making today. The only problem that I have with this eBay listing is, the shipping is $49.06 (that's what I'm seeing anyway). Maybe you can work out a deal with this seller because that makes the total price become nearly $200! It's still kinda worth it though, to be honest. You can keep scouring eBay for originals by just finding ProMedia 2.1 systems that have the plug-in satellite speakers (where the speaker wires plug into the backs of the satellites). At the moment, this is the only one I'm finding on eBay, and fortunately it's in GREAT condition! As I understand it, the originals have a superior amplifier and subwoofer too. Edit: I might have found a better deal: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-Computer-Speakers-/272052734391?hash=item3f579b49b7:g:f2UAAOSwv-NWUJ68 $105.95 shipped! Judging from the 1st of the two photos, I'm not seeing any speaker wire behind the left satellite, which would indicate that these are the plug-in satellites which would indicate that this is an original ProMedia 2.1 system. Ask the seller first though.

I still haven't done anything yet; my ProMedia 2.1's subwoofer is still sitting on my neatly-folded bath towel. I do need to create a permanent solution though, one that isn't any taller than about 2" (for reasons that I can explain later). I have two reasons for a permanent solution, the first one being the most important: ESD transfer into my computer through the subwoofer. Seriously. Somehow, this subwoofer sitting directly on my carpet seems to have been causing all sorts of electrostatic problems even though it's plugged into a properly-grounded outlet. When the air is extra dry and if I have nothing but socks on my feet and I accidentally rub them too much on my chair mat, I usually get that "Device Disconnect" sound in Windows and I've even seen my mouse turn off briefly. I'm also getting strange and unwanted behaviors in the X-Fi Console Launcher, problems that most people would attribute to a very buggy driver or system instability due to overclocking (I overclocked my i5-2500K to 4.5 GHz). However, with my subwoofer on my neatly-folded bath towel, this is no longer a problem! Sound. The sound of my low-end has improved a little bit. It's not a huge or massive difference, but it's enough that I am appreciating it and noticing it. I'll even forget that it's improved and then suddenly be reminded when I hear low-end in a new way from something I know very well (like favorite music or a favorite movie). However, eliminating the ESD problem is a far more important reason to me to keep my subwoofer decoupled from my carpet. All I have to do is get my lazy butt in gear and find a permanent solution! Up until I decoupled my subwoofer from my carpeted floor (using my neatly-folded bath towel), I thought the culprit of the ESD was my chair mat. After all, it's one of those nylon or acrylic chair mats. I even did a little bit of shopping around for an anti-static chair mat, but thankfully I never made any purchases. So far, I cannot create any static like I was once able to. I even have a metal floor lamp next to me that I always used for grounding myself with because of this problem, and every time I grounded myself I would get a small shock - but it never helped anyway. Thanks to decoupling my subwoofer though, I can't do that anymore, not even if I intentionally try to create static with my socks. So, somehow the ProMedia 2.1's MDF cabinet is very conductive and was creating all sorts of ESD in my carpet and in my chair mat. Who knew?!

Thank you, Chad!

https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/159498-best-product-for-decoupling-subwoofer-from-a-carpeted-floor/ No matter what, I can't see this thread anymore because of a database drive error. However, I can view any other thread without any problems.

So, I just learned that the Auralex SubDude II exists because someone asked about it on another forum that I frequent, so I decided to simulate the SubDude II by putting my subwoofer (ProMedia 2.1) on top of a neatly-folded plush bath towel, and all I can say is that I wish I had known about decoupling it from the floor YEARS ago. Not only am I already hearing an improvement, but I can finally sit in a reclined position with my feet resting comfortably on the floor next to my subwoofer without being annoyed by the vibrating carpet and floor! I have high-pile carpet too, so you'd think that would have been enough - but apparently my subwoofer was totally coupled to my carpet and floor. Of course, I don't want it sitting on top of a bath towel. lol So what I'm asking is, should I get the SubDude II? Or is there something that's equal or better for the same price or less that I should get? Of course, I'd like to be a better fit for the ProMedia 2.1 sub than a 15" x 15" square if possible.

You may need a proper driver for the sound card that works in Windows 10. So, I recommend using Daniel_K's X-Fi Series Support Pack 3.7: http://forums.creative.com/showthread.php?t=720562 Download: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4veZnyFbxW4OGgyRjlIV3NMaGM

Wait, it only started happening since you installed Windows 10? Do you have a microphone connected? Actually, does it happen before you even turn the computer on or before Windows even has a chance to start up?

I have a couple of questions first: in the wiring diagram where it says, "2 tinned wire cables", is it talking about the speaker connectors on the amplifier (on the back of the subwoofer)? If so, then are your satellite speakers the kind that have a jack on the back of the speakers for the speaker wire to plug into instead of a permanently-connected wire? If so, then you will need to either find those speaker wires, or buy new ones. You can find original replacements on eBay, or you can buy these, which are better: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Premium-Gold-16ga-Speaker-wires-Cables-Professional-4-1-/262009880338?hash=item3d01017f12 I don't know why the seller is listing these as "4.1". lol Anyway, these are quite superior to the stock wires. The stock wires are made from cheap aluminum and are very thin (22 gauge, I think). These better ones are copper and have MANY more strands in each jacket. The ends of these wires are tinned too which is nice. These wires should enable you to get the absolute best possible performance that the ProMedia 2.1 satellites are capable of (the stock wires are actually a bottleneck, believe it or not). Aside from that, the only way to connect the ProMedia 2.1 system to any source is with that cable that comes out of the control pod that has a 1/8" stereo connector on the end of it. Of course, you can use an adapter so that the 1/8" stereo connector can plug into the red and white RCA jacks. Any 1/8th stereo (or "mini stereo") to RCA adapter will work of course, just as long as it's not a broken adapter!

There are videos on YouTube showing how to clean and fix the volume knob problem, but matts6887 I don't think it will help you. I'm just kind of passing through and helping Max and Gary.

eBay. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/158104-klipsch-thx-speakers-with-subwoofer-not-playing-certain-sounds/#entry1900573

You're welcome! I would bet that the negative connector for the left channel is the culprit because that wire isn't able to go in all the way. I'm not an expert on this stuff though so I wouldn't know. I mean, prior to seeing your thread here, I would have thought that this insertion was enough for a solid connection! However, we have a weak left channel here, so the negative connector for the left channel has to be the problem. The wire insertion looks fine for the left channel's positive connector though. Fortunately, there are people on eBay selling this wire connector unit, but I wouldn't know how to replace it. Here's a quick example of a listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Speaker-Connector-Module-/321800030333?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aecc6c87d Now, it looks like it would be a quick and easy replacement (unplug the old one and plug the new one in), but I have no way to know if it would truly be that easy. I will say though that removing the amplifier is fairly easy. Mine seemed to be stuck to the subwoofer cabinet though after I removed all the screws along the edge (it's just a big square hole that the amplifier is in). So, be prepared for having to pry it off. I would try to avoid touching the amp's parts inside though because those capacitors could still have some charge in them! You might be able to drain those caps by toggling the power switch on and off after unplugging the amp from the wall, if it even has a power switch. Some don't (it's really not needed, to be honest). Anyway, here are some more listings for this wire connector, but they're all for around $30: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-Promedia-2-1-Subwoofer-Part-Speaker-Wire-Connector-Terminal-Module-/231614345360?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ed4a7090 http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Satellite-Speaker-Connector-Plug-In-/261767814127?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf293dbef http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Speaker-speaker-Plug-Only-110v-/271845869767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4b46c8c7 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Speaker-Connector-Module-USED-FREE-SHIPPING-/191564977062?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9a2993a6 (I think this seller stole the main photo from the first listing that I linked above that's for $14.95 - the one with the URL ending in "item4aecc6c87d", you gotta watch out for that on eBay) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Speaker-speaker-Plug-Only-110v-/251374858309?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a871bf045 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Speaker-speaker-Plug-Only-110v-240v-/261647575926?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ceb692b76 They're all the same, even though some of these listings might make you believe otherwise. lol Your job is to buy from the seller you think you can trust the most while also spending the least amount of money. Alternatively of course, you can just keep trying to get the left channel's wires to connect properly. Who knows: you might be able to do it if you keep messing with it. While you're messing with it though, try to keep the wires from fraying: keep the ends twisted into a nice stiff pin-like structure. You don't want to lose too many strands! This is the best that I can do.

I'd just like to chime in on what I do. First, I have a Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, so that is a big plus. My speaker system is just the ProMedia 2.1, but I use EQ for almost everything. For general use, like just my handful of Windows feedback sounds and YouTube or other internet videos, I use Creative's Graphic Equalizer which is found in the Console Launcher - and I use the Entertainment Mode because I also use and enjoy the Crystlaizer and a couple of other simple enhancements. I use Winamp 5.666 build 3516 for music, particularly (and only) retail music CDs. For that, I switch to Audio Creation Mode in the X-Fi Console Launcher (with Bit-Matched Playback enabled) and I use Winamp's built-in Graphic Equalizer without any other enhancements. I like it to be as pure as possible. I also use the Maiko WASAPI Plug-in for exclusive mode. I use WinDVD Pro 11 for retail DVD playback (no Blu-rays for me yet), and I use Audio Creation Mode for this as well and I actually DON'T use any Graphic EQ for my movies because I have discovered that they all have a beautiful sound without any. I've come to learn the reason why I don't need any Graphic EQ is due to a much higher standard for sound in the movie industry. That pretty much sums it up for me. If you want specifics on what frequencies I adjust and what levels they're adjusted to, then I can detail that too.

Do you have the ProMedias connected to a computer?

That guitar riff is all in the left channel, so it sounds to me like you might not have the cable plugged all the way in to your computer. Either that, or there's something wrong with the speakers, like maybe the 5-pin DIN cable isn't quite perfectly inserted on the amplifier. Or maybe the left satellite is dying (it could even be the fuse inside of it going out on you). Or maybe you have somehow moved the left/right slider too far to the right in your control panel, like in the Windows control panel or the control panel for your onboard audio or your sound card or whatever you have. So, when I'm listening to it, the impression that I'm getting is, you're hearing a lot less Left Channel than you are Right Channel - yet oddly the sound level must be even between the two satellites as though it's Mono or else you'd be commenting on that too. I guess another possibiility is the cable is plugged in to the wrong jack on your computer. I have the ProMedia 2.1 system as well, if that matters. Oh I forgot to ask: when did this start happening?

hehe nah, I may have exaggerated the description a little in order to help describe the sound. It's a scene in Superman Returns.

Thank you, but I'm 100% sure because it was established in this thread by others. They corrected me and showed me that it's just chuffing and it's normal for this subwoofer. Prior to making this post, I did not know about the word "chuffing". I'm serious (and I'm 36 years old for cryin' out loud). This is the first time that I have ever heard this sound before in my entire life, so I thought that something was rattling or vibrating inside, but it's just chuffing. It is indeed exactly as you described, but never hearing this sound before (in my entire life) and not knowing what chuffing is, I thought it was just a strange rattling sound instead. I didn't know about air turbulence in these things or anything like that. As I stated, the only reason why I am just now noticing is, the movie that caused me to hear it is very new to my collection and it just so happens to be producing a huge amount of very deep low end in a sudden burst without any highs or mids to mask the chuffing (in the scene, it's a massive deep underwater explosion viewed from a distance above water). None of my other movies have such sound effects. So, this didn't just start happening out of nowhere. The problem is simply that I want more than this subwoofer can deliver cleanly without chuffing. For ~$150 though, I can't complain. I have learned that when I hear chuffing, I simply reduce the Subwoofer level a little bit. Fortunately, the point where the chuffing gets eliminated doesn't require me to turn it down to unpleasantly low levels. So, the reason why you don't think it's chuffing is, you needed more information. However, this information has already been posted in this thread. As a Klipsch Employee though, I imagine that your available forum time is limited and you're probably busy with other things, so it's all good. So yeah, I have spent a ton of time and energy on figuring out that nothing is rattling, that this is just chuffing.

No, the chuffing is so far unfixable. I think that it's just a case of me wanting more out of my subwoofer than it can handle, even though the chuffing is the only problem. I mean, there's no subwoofer driver distortion or anything, just chuffing. If it weren't for the chuffing, then this would be an even MORE impressive sound system. I mean, if I ignore the chuffing (if I pretend that it's not happening) and only listen to the low-end that's being produced and the QUALITY of that low-end, then wow - it's very impressive and very much in my chest and gut. I love it. Unfortunately though, I can't get rid of the chuffing. Fortunately, there aren't many things I listen to or watch that make my subwoofer chuff. After reading about subwoofer cabinet design, I'd probably need to build my own cabinet with a straight tube with a more aggressive flange on the outside (like a horn). Of course, at that point, I'd be better off just building my own system. So, I've decided to live with it and understand that when I hear it, I'm just at the limits of my subwoofer cabinet. So at those times, I just turn the Subwoofer level down until it stops. Fortunately, I never have to turn it down so low that the low-end is too low. However, I would obviously prefer to keep the level up for a more powerful sound, but hey - it's not a $1,000 system either!

This speaker system is intended to be left on 24/7. If you turn it on and off every single day, then it will either die prematurely on you, or start giving you other problems. The only time it should be turned off is if you won't be using it for an extended period of time - such as a 1+ week vacation. The LED bothered me too, so I covered it in electrical tape.

It's not possible, no.

I'm getting somewhere! I made it worse. I put 4 thin strips of tape across the top of the tube parallel to each other spaced fairly evenly apart, each about 3-4mm wide. So, now I know for sure that it's the air turbulence. All I have to do now is figure out how to get it to stop. I might try loosely stuffing a some kind of a thin cloth in from the outside. I'm betting that it's due to the bend in the tube. Edit: Just to learn, I stuffed my cotton cloth in the port that is like a very thin dish rag and while I had some success, I also ended up with less low-end. This is getting interesting, but also disappionting because it seems that I might not be able to do anything about it. In other words, I'm learning that this subwoofer is not capable of producing what I want for low-end! ha At least it's better than my Altec Lansing VS4121 speaker system!

I did that on day 1 of discovering this issue, but I could not reproduce it no matter what low frequency I tried - even at volumes louder than when the sound occurs in these movie scenes I've heard it in.

How would knowing the frequency help? I'm not going to reduce frequencies that I enjoy hearing/feeling just to eliminate the chuffing. I've read that chuffing is caused by air turbulence in the tube, and so I'm trying to break up the air as it enters the tube so that the turbulence is reduced.