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Mark Muschett compares the Klipsch ProMedia to the Videologic Sirocco Crossfire |
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Klipsch ProMedia v.2-400 vs Videologic Sirocco Crossfire Mark Muschett - Last updated April 4, 2000
Overview Update:Klipsh has officially stopped production of the original v.2-400 and has shifted to an updated 4.1 system that uses the updated crossover network found in their new 2.1 system and the new CP-1 pre-amp they are selling seperately to v.2-400 users for $50 along with a new price of $300. The new crossover network offers significantly better midrange, the major flaw of the original v.2-400 system. The CP-1 pre-amp that are included in the new system offers the following features:
It's worth noting that upgrading the original v.2-400 with the new CP-1 preamp will NOT upgrade the crossover network. That is the midrange will not be improved. We have yet to test the new ProMedia 4.1 system so we don't know it will be on par with the Crossfire. End of update  Last summer, Klipsch, L.L.C., a leading
manufacturer of loudspeakers for professional and home entertainment applications, announced that
they had joined with Compaq Computer, to introduce the first THX® Certified
speaker system for multimedia applications in the form of the ProMedia V.2-400.
The speakers were a smash hit before anyone ever laid ears on them. This was due to
the allure of THX, even though it's the much less stringent multimedia speaker version of
the certification, and an even now unmatched 400 watts RMS. If the specifications were not
enough to make PC owners salivate, the ProMedia’s price was the icing that pulling in
those playing hard to get with its amazing list price of $249.95 for the first THX
certified 4.1 multimedia speaker system.
 As the first reviews started
to hit the web the excitement continued to build. Review after review, both web and print,
heaped praise onto the ProMedias. Systems from Boston Acoustics (Media Theatre), Diamond
Audio / MidiLand (S2-4100) and Videologic’s (original Sirocco) all did their share of
pushing the envelope and paved the way for the ProMedia. Klipsch entered the market at a
perfect time. While there were a couple of good quality 4.1 systems on the market, there
was nothing great and with the acceptance and growth of four channel sound cards, the
masses were clamoring for more. Klipsch, without a doubt, delivered that something more
and in the process set a whole new standard of excellence for four speaker systems. This
was done not just for bringing excellent quality to the market but also for doing it at an
affordable price.
The system was actually out around the same time as the ProMedia, but was initially only available in Europe, just as the ProMedia is currently only available in North America. Klipsch has indicated that a 230 volt model is in the plans but at this time its only in North America where the dilemma of ProMedia vs. Crossfire will be of immediate concern. In our review Mikael Hagén declared that "the bottom line is that the Sirocco Crossfire is not only the most feature rich 4-speaker system in the PC market it also offers excellent sound quality at as loud volume you ever need and it has really no flaws." . It has been available for sometime in Europe for £200 (around US$318) and will enter the US market for $449 on May 1st at Digitheatre.com. That list price is certainly an eye catcher given that its much higher than any of the other 4-speaker systems in the North American PC market including the Klipsch ProMedia. That price premium is actually not that great in the UK with a Crossfire street price of £170 or around $272 but the Crossfire is built in the UK and is rather heavy so it all adds up to much higher shipping costs to get them to North America rather than the more traditional shipping from Asia. If you have read our reviews of both system you will know that while I had never heard the Crossfire and Mikael had never heard the ProMedia, we had both heard the DTT2500 and we both had sound level meters and common test procedures. Armed with those tools we did our best to offer many facts and impressions to help you make the mental comparison yourself but still the questions poured in. Given that you are reading this article, its likely that you’re asking yourself some of those same questions. When Videologic heard of our dilemma and the dilemma of our readers they were quick to offer to send me a review unit. Thankfully, I had also become very attached to the Klipsch ProMedias so still had them thereby setting the stage for this comparison article. Klipsch was also kind enough to send us one of the new gain modified preamps that are shipping in all new ProMedia units. In this article we will attempt to answer all of the questions we have been hearing so with no further adieu, lets move to the comparison. For more information including our original impressions of both systems you should check out the full reviews. Before I go on I will warn that I will dissect these two systems at a greater level of detail than is typical of our reviews in order to determine if the Sirocco Crossfire is actually worth the extra cash.So on to detailed specifications.
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Speaker Reviews Altec Lansing ADA880 Dolby Digital Cambridge SoundWorks FPS2000 digital Cambridge SoundWorks 2.1 Digital Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater 5.1 DTT2500 Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater 5.1 DTT3500 Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D Diamond Audio Technology ProMedia 3205 Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Initial Review Logitech SoundMan Xtrusio DSR-100 Philips MMS305 4.1 Initial Review Yamaha TSS1 Dolby Digital / DTS 5.1 Sirocco Crossfire vs ProMedia v.2-400 Evergreen RumbleFX force feedback headphones Jazz Speakers DE-005/DE-006 Digital Audio Decoders Boostaroo Headphone Amplifier / Splitter |
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For this feature, the other name you should have taken note of was
Videologic. When the 
The Sirocco original was a 2.1 system
with a list price of $329 in a market, which at the time considered $200 to be expensive
so gamers looking for four-speaker glory either had to look aside or shell out some very
serious cash. This helps to explain some of the commotion that the announcement and
subsequent release of the ProMedias created. However, even as the Sirocco originals were
being reviewed, Videologic was whispering in the ears of reviewers. "Do you like this
system? Just wait till you check out our 4.1 system!" That system is 
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