Desktop speakers are excellent if you want a pair of speakers that don’t take up too much space on your desk while still providing enough power. Also, they are quite affordable since they are fairly simplistic in design and connectivity. The Bose Companion 2 and the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 are two of the more popular desktop speakers today even though they have been in the market for a very long time now. The former is a 2.0 system while the latter has a 2.1 configuration. Which one should you buy? We compare the two to help you decide.
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Bose Companion 2 vs Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Comparison Chart
| Model | Bose Companion 2 | Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 |
| Amazon product | Amazon product | |
| Price | Amazon product | Amazon product |
| Subwoofer Size | N/A | 9.5 x 9.8 x 10.2 inches 6.5-inch |
| Satellite Dimensions | 7.5 x 3.1 x 5.9 inches | 8.5 x 4.2 x 5.67 inches |
| Controls | Volume | Detachable control pod System volume Subwoofer volume |
| Input | 2x 3.5mm analog | 2x 3.5mm analog Bluetooth (Bluetooth version) |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
Design
The two speakers have a compact design, but the Bose Companion 2 takes up less space than the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1.
Since the Bose Companion 2 is a 2.0 speaker set, it doesn’t come with its own subwoofer. Because of this, it takes up way less space than the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 and it is more suitable for those with limited space for speakers. On the other hand, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 comes with a hefty subwoofer that measures 9.5 x 9.8 x 10.2 inches, along with two satellite speakers that are also fairly large, at least compared to the Bose Companion 2.
Looks-wise, these two speakers have a somewhat outdated aesthetic which is understandable since they have been in the market for a long time. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 was released way back in the 2000s while the Bose Companion 2 was released mid 2013. They have unassuming designs that will look good on any desk since they don’t call any attention to themselves.
Connectivity and Controls
The Bose Companion 2 and the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 have the same number of analog ports.
When it comes to connectivity, the two speakers have two 3.5mm analog inputs and a headphone jack. On the Bose Companion 2, all the controls and ports can be found on the right satellite while the Klipsch has a detachable control pod that you can place anywhere on your desk.
The right satellite speaker of the Bose Companion 2 has the volume control and headphone jack at the front, and at the back, there’s the DC power in, left speaker connector and two 3.5mm analog inputs.
On the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, you can find the subwoofer volume and main volume on the control pod. The control pod also houses its 3.5mm analog input and headphone jack. As mentioned earlier, the control pod can be placed anywhere on your desk, as well as at the bottom of either left or right satellite speaker. As a side note, there’s an updated version of the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 that now comes with Bluetooth connectivity.
Audio Quality
Since it is a 2.1 system, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 has a more balanced overall sound than the Bose Companion 2.
In this comparison between a 2.0 and a 2.1 sound system, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 wins easily when it comes to audio quality. Having a subwoofer adds a tight and defined low frequency response and this makes listening to the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 more enjoyable. The satellites are capable of delivering clean and detailed mid-range and high frequency sound as well.
On the other hand, the Bose Companion 2 can get loud, but the overall sound is a bit dark and veiled, due to the speakers’ underemphasized treble frequency. There is an emphasis on the bass but since these speakers are small, the result is a bit muddy. The good thing about this pair of speakers is that the mid sounds good. When watching movies, dialogue and speech are clear. When listening to music, the vocals shine. Overall, the sound is good, but some may not like it.
Verdict
The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 sounds better than the Bose Companion 2.
Amazon productYou should get the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 if you want the better set of desktop speakers. It is capable of delivering a more balanced sound and a more enjoyable listening experience than the Bose Companion 2. You’ll have a better time gaming, listening to music and watching movies with the Klipsch. The Bose Companion 2 is not a terrible speaker, but when compared to the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, it just doesn’t sound as good.
FAQs
When it comes to sound quality, Klipsch is considered better than Bose, despite the latter being more popular.
No, it is not possible to add a subwoofer to the Bose Companion 2 speakers.
There are two versions of the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 and one of them has a built-in Bluetooth receiver.
No, you can only use it with a wired 3.5mm audio cable.