Home > Consumer Reviews > Harman Kardon ISUB2000 isub Subwoofer (Mac Only)

Normally I dismiss the teenage mentality that requires subwoofers to punch up its daily hip-hop diet. But the striking appearance, exacting technology, and rapidly dropping price of the Harmon Kardon iSub spoke above my misgivings.

Six months later I couldn't be happier with my purchase. This is not a woofer that blows you away the instant you hook it up; rather it grows on you, much like sophisticated music.

I love the total absence of any controls or switches, which reminds me of the audiophile purists who would never think of equalizing, altering, or doctoring the sounds on their vinyl records. And the sound is so pure and translucent--much like the unit's appearance--that it doesn't call attention to itself. In fact, I often wonder if the thing is working--until I disconnect it. It's contribution is subtle but significant.

One small warning: the unit comes with a bulky, heavy power supply that needs to be factored into decor and installation schemes.

I bought the iSub directly from Amazon about a month ago and I am well pleased with its performance as well as the service from Amazon. The addition of lower frequency sound, along with my Apple Pro speakers, makes listening a vastly richer experience and that brings up a real problem: the vendor who is presently selling the iSub on Amazon, JandR, has come up with a richer price that bears no relationship with reality, charging a c-note. The manufacturer's own web site shows a list price of $$$for the iSub. I realize that Amazon can't always provide a deep discount on all merchandise, but the JandR pricing is a rip-off. http://www.harman-multimedia.com/shop_list.html?cart=HK1_1040673842218740&id1=1

No complaints about the sound or looks here. Both are of course amazing. My one problem with the iSub however is it's USB interface. Because of this, certain things do not work as expected. Pluging in headphones will not mute the subwoofer, and neither will pressing the mute button on the keyboard. To turn off the iSub I have to unplug it, or go specifically mute it in the system preferences. This is extremely annoying to me, as I often hit the mute button to answer phone calls, and plug in headphones so I can continue listening to music when my roommates are studying or going to bed.

The problem is listed in apples support webpage as this:
Symptom : You connect headphones to your computer, but the iSub speaker's volume does not mute as you may expect.
Solution : The iSub is a subwoofer-type speaker designed to be used in conjunction with a pair of speakers. Your computer does not distinguish between analog headphones and analog speakers when you connect either to the computer's analog sound output port. Therefore it is the correct behavior for the iSub not to be muted. The iSub is muted if you connect USB headphones. Alternatively, disconnect the iSub when you do not wish to hear it.

I own the PowerMac Dual 867 running 10.2.4. My iSub is working alongside the apple pro speakers. If this problem may annoy you as well I would suggest looking at the JBL Creature Speakers.

Harman Kardon is selling this item for 25% less on its own website! buy it there!

This is a great-sounding woofer and too attractive to leave on the floor. The sound coming from it completes the sound spectrum from the Apple Pro speakers you should already have had.

However, be aware of the price. If you go to either the Apple web site or the Harman Kardon web site you will find the list price. For some strange reason JandR wishes to charge substantially more....