View source for SoundSticks

{{Short description|Multimedia speakers by Harman Kardon}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = SoundSticks
| logo =
| logo_size =
| image = File:I'm Not Dead Yet (15854977111).jpg
| caption = SoundSticks and iSub
| developer = [[Harman Kardon]]<br>[[Apple Inc.]] (original model)
| manufacturer = Harman Kardon
| release date  = {{Start date|1999|10}} (iSub)<br>{{Start date|2000|07|23}} (original)
| type = [[Computer speakers|Multimedia speakers]]
| MSRP = {{US$}}99 (iSub)<br>{{US$}}199 (SoundSticks I, II, III)<br>{{US$}}269 (SoundSticks Wireless)<br>{{US$}}299 (SoundSticks 4)
| power =
| dimensions = {{convert|10 x 2|in|mm|abbr=on}} (satellite speakers)<br>{{convert|16 x 16|in|mm|abbr=on}} (iSub)
| sound = 4 drivers per satellite, attached woofer
| weight = {{convert|1.5|lb|kg|abbr=on}} (satellite speakers each)<br>{{convert|4|lb|kg|abbr=on}} (iSub)
| related =
| connectivity = [[USB|USB audio]] (original)<br>[[Phone connector (audio)|3.5mm jack]] (SoundSticks II and newer)<br>[[Bluetooth]] (SoundSticks Wireless, 4)
| website = {{URL|https://www.harmankardon.com/computer-speakers/SOUNDSTICKS+III.html}}
| releasedate =
}}
'''SoundSticks''' are [[Computer speakers|multimedia speakers]] sold by [[Harman Kardon]], originally co-developed with [[Apple Inc.]] They were released in July 2000. They are a [[Stereophonic sound|2.1]] system with a pair of satellite speakers and a [[subwoofer]] called the '''iSub''', which was originally available first in October 1999 as a standalone product. They were designed by [[Jony Ive]] and have received numerous accolades for their [[industrial design]]. Harman Kardon released updated versions in 2004, 2009, 2012 and 2020.
==Development==
Harman Kardon's partnership with Apple dates back to 1999 when they provided Odyssey stereo speakers built into the [[iMac G3]]. In October 1999, Apple CEO [[Steve Jobs]] announced the iSub, a 6-inch [[subwoofer]] that connected over [[USB]] and was only compatible with slot-loading iMacs G3s and PowerPC Macs with [[Apple speakers#Apple Pro Speakers|Apple Pro Speakers]], not working on the later [[Mac transition to Intel processors|Intel-based]] Macs.<ref>{{Citation|title=Harman Kardon iSub (Apple USB Subwoofer) {{!}} IMNC|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO7xoZRWv54|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> Apple introduced a software implementation to adjust the frequency range of the iMac's internal speakers so they would not overlap with the iSub, which increased the iMac's maximum volume as the speakers no longer had to produce deep bass.<ref name="lowendmac">{{Cite web|url=https://lowendmac.com/2001/harmankardon-compatibility-guide/|title=Harman/Kardon Mac Compatibility Guide|date=2001-05-31|website=Low End Mac|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-08}}</ref> The iSub retailed for $99.<ref>{{Citation|title=Poma Ads: Special Event Cupertino (1999) 3/6|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xabph0ur9U|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07}}. Event occurs at 7:31.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tidbits.com/1999/10/11/jobs-splits-imac-line-over-digital-video/|title=Jobs Splits iMac Line over Digital Video|date=1999-10-11|website=TidBITS|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref> It was designed by [[Jony Ive]], and used clear plastic to match the aesthetic of Apple's product line at the time. Ive said he designed it like a [[wind instrument]] so "sound could flow freely."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/jony-ive-is-leaving-apple-15-of-his-most-iconic-products-and-designs/|title=Jony Ive's 15 most iconic Apple products and designs|last=La|first=Lynn|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/soundsticks-wireless-review-apple-isub-elegant-powerful-ever-wireless-another-story-1121705|title=SoundSticks Wireless Review: The 'Apple iSub' Is As Elegant And Powerful As Ever, But 'Wireless' Is Another Story|date=2013-03-12|website=International Business Times|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>
Harman Kardon and Apple next designed SoundSticks, a 2.1 system with a new revision of the iSub, which were introduced at the July 2000 [[Macworld/iWorld|Macworld]] expo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/mac-stravaganza-apple-new-product-line-polished-article-1.883854|title=MAC- stravaganza Apple's new product line is more polished than ever|last=Allbritton|first=Chris|website=nydailynews.com|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title= Harman Kardon History| url= http://eu.harmankardon.com/science-of-sound-history-eu.html| access-date= 2015-02-25| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://archive.today/20150227022258/http://eu.harmankardon.com/science-of-sound-history-eu.html| archive-date= 2015-02-27}}</ref> [[Apple, Inc.|Apple]] led the industrial design and mechanical engineering to have them fit into its product family. The satellite speakers used Odyssey speakers similar to those in the iMac G3 and feature four [[Electrodynamic speaker driver|drivers]]. Plug-and-play support for SoundSticks was added in [[Mac OS 9|Mac OS 9.0.4]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1015772/soundsticks.html|title=SoundSticks|date=2000-11-01|website=Macworld|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref> SoundSticks were available along with the similarly designed [[Apple speakers#Apple Pro Speakers|Pro Speakers]], which were also designed by Harman Kardon in collaboration with Apple, but were branded as an Apple product.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://9to5mac.com/2018/03/19/forgotten-history-obscure-apple-accessories/|title=Revisiting the forgotten history of obscure Apple accessories|last=Steeber|first=Michael|date=2018-03-19|website=9to5Mac|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>
SoundSticks II were released in 2004, adding capacitive volume control buttons and a 3.5mm mini-jack input, replacing the previous USB input.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/harman-kardon-soundsticks-ii-review/|title=Harman/Kardon SoundSticks II review: Harman/Kardon SoundSticks II|last=Gideon|first=Tim|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref> SoundSticks III were released in 2009 and changed the styling slightly using black highlights, instead of green and blue of the original SoundSticks and the SoundSticks II, and changed the color of the LED in the iSub to white.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashgear.com/harmon-kardon-soundsticks-iii-minor-update-to-design-classics-1594011/|title=Harmon Kardon Soundsticks III: minor update to design classics|date=2010-07-15|website=SlashGear|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref><ref>[http://www.harmankardon.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=SOUNDSTICKS3AM SoundSticks page] Retrieved on 2011-08-11 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805103915/http://www.harmankardon.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=SOUNDSTICKS3AM |date=August 5, 2011 }}</ref> An updated version of SoundSticks III with [[Bluetooth]] connectivity, dubbed SoundSticks Wireless, was introduced in 2012.<ref>[http://www.harmankardon.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=SOUNDSTICKS3AM SoundSticks page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404192918/https://www.wired.com/2013/08/hardly-wireless-hardly-worth-it/ |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Review: Harman Kardon SoundSticks Wireless }}</ref> Harman Kardon also carried over the iSub's design for their line of Aura all-in-one speakers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/review/325386/harman-kardon-aura|title=Harman Kardon Aura|last=Greenwald|first=Will|date=July 14, 2014 |website=PCMag|language=en|access-date=2019-10-13}}</ref> In 2020, Harman Kardon released SoundSticks 4 which marked the product's first major external redesign. The satellite speakers have white translucent plastic drivers and redesigned stands, while the subwoofer is domed and has a thinner profile and a rippled surface design.<ref>[https://news.harman.com/releases/harman-kardon-celebrates-20-years-of-iconic-speaker-design-with-the-soundsticks-4 news.harman.com, 2020-01-06, ''Harman Kardon Celebrates 20 Years of Iconic Speaker Design with the SoundSticks 4''], retrieved 2020-09-02.</ref><ref name="forbes-2020">[https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2020/01/07/harman-announces-the-fourth-generation-soundsticks-at-ces/ forbes.com 2020-01-07, Harman Announces The Fourth Generation SoundSticks At CES], retrieved 2020-09-02.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 Review|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/harman-kardon-soundsticks-4|access-date=2020-10-31|website=PCMAG|language=en}}</ref>
Apple retailed SoundSticks as late as 2015 but has since removed them from their store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://store.apple.com/us/accessories/all-accessories/speakers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330235035/http://store.apple.com/us/accessories/all-accessories/speakers|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-03-30|title=Speakers - All Accessories - Apple Store (U.S.)|date=2015-03-30|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref> They are still sold by Harman Kardon.
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Harman Kardon Soundsticks.png|Harman Kardon Soundsticks and iSub
File:Harman Kardon iSub.jpg|Top view of an iSub
</gallery>
==Reception==
SoundSticks won an [[Industrial Design Excellence Awards|Industrial Design Excellence Award]] in 2000<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.idsa.org/idea/idea2000/G7712.htm | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20031207230918/http://www.idsa.org/idea/idea2000/G7712.htm | archive-date= 2003-12-07 | title= iSub: Gold, Consumer Products | publisher= Industrial Designers Society of America | access-date= 6 December 2014}}</ref> and were featured on the cover of [[I.D. (magazine)|''I.D.'' magazine]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tatacliq.com/que/brand-know-harman-kardon/|title=All You Need To Know About Harman Kardon Before You Buy Those Speakers|date=2018-02-15|website=Que Mag|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>
Reviews for SoundSticks were generally positive. In 2001 ''The Mac Observer'' reported "the sound is crystal clear without audible distortion" and produced strong results for music and movies, but criticized the price as being higher than comparable or superior systems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macobserver.com/newreviews/2001/20010126soundsticks/soundsticks.shtml|title=The Mac Observer - Review - SoundSticks, Crystal Clear And Crystal Looking|website=www.macobserver.com|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> In 2002, [[CNET]] rated them four stars, praising the easy setup, design, and audio quality, but criticized the lack of physical controls and the limited support for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-based computers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/harman-kardon-soundsticks-review/|title=Harman Kardon SoundSticks review: Harman Kardon SoundSticks|last=Steinberg|first=Gene|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> A 2011 review was also positive, but criticized the lack of a headphone input and noted the iSub LED could not be turned off without turning off the entire system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/harman-kardon-soundsticks-iii-review/|title=Harman Kardon SoundSticks III review: Harman Kardon SoundSticks III|last=Yu|first=Justin|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref>
A 2019 retrospective by ''[[Forbes]]'' praised them as having "a classic piece of kit that's stood the test of time and is as good today as when it was introduced" and "still have the look of an iconic industrial design, almost two decades on", and noted their current retail price was lower than when they launched almost 20 years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2019/04/09/harman-kardon-soundsticks-are-still-the-ideal-apple-mac-partner-some-two-decades-on/|title=Harman Kardon Soundsticks Are Still The Ideal Apple Mac Partner Some Two Decades On|last=Sparrow|first=Mark|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> A review by ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' from August 2013 was mixed, rating them 5 out of 10 points, praising the design and the sound but criticizing the placement of the controls and the Bluetooth reliability.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/08/hardly-wireless-hardly-worth-it/|title=Review: Harman Kardon SoundSticks Wireless|last=Bellamy|first=Seamus|date=2013-08-28|work=Wired|access-date=2019-10-07|issn=1059-1028}}</ref>
==Appearances in media and as artwork==
In 2013, the [[Museum of Modern Art]] in Manhattan added an iSub to its collection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/these-beautiful-speakers-are-your-jony-ive-designed-mom-5981517|title=These Beautiful Speakers Are Your Jony-Ive-Designed-MoMA-Approved Deal of the Day|last=Leswing|first=Kif|website=Gizmodo|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>
SoundSticks were prominently featured in the 2013 film ''[[Begin Again (film)|Begin Again]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://brandsandfilms.com/2014/10/product-placement-in-pictures-begin-again/|title=Product placement in pictures: Begin Again|date=2014-10-06|website=Brands & Films|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>
Along with other Apple products, an iSub and SoundSticks can be seen in season 1 episode 2 of The Feed.{{Clarify|reason=Which?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feed|date=September 2022}}
== See also ==
* [[Apple speakers]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.harmankardon.com/computer-speakers/SOUNDSTICKS+III.html}}
{{Apple hardware since 1998}}
{{Apple Inc. hardware}}
[[Category:Bluetooth speakers]]
[[Category:Loudspeakers]]
[[Category:Macintosh peripherals]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1999]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2000]]