UCube Compact USB Digital Loudspeakers

Anyone with an older generation apple cinema display (the ones without built-in speakers) will have a very hard time finding a product to match the anodized aluminum of the monitor.

In terms of aesthetics, these speakers are the closest thing I could find to match apple cinema displays. If you are looking at this product (especially the silver version) you will want to know how close the match is in terms of the anodized aluminum look? Well, it is VERY close although not exact (although you really have to look hard to see the difference very close up)... Other aesthetic issues are the fact that the speaker grills are black, I think they should have chosen white to match the apple cinema displays, apple mice, and other products apple makes for its desktop computers. Lastly, they are 3" x 3" which is actually quite large.

Sound wise I am not an expert, but they sound good. The mid-ranges are best but do not expect any earth shattering bass out of these, they simply won't do it. However, these speakers can get VERY loud, much louder than the built-in speakers of either the displays or laptops. In a small room you can have room-filling decent quality sound (think dorm room, NY apt, etc). If you are looking to add these to your current iMac system or current generation apple cinema display the sound definitely is better and louder, but in my opinion, not $150 better, plus you are adding a black product to a silver and white one. One slightly annoying thing is that there is no headphone jack. I use headphones quite a bit and now not only do I have to still plug my headphones into my computer but I have to go into system preferences (or option-click the volume icon in the menu bar) and manually change the sound output away from the USB speakers to the line-out headphone jack. I find that extra step a tad annoying.

These speakers are great for desktop computers that are connected to an older generation apple cinema display in keeping the "apple look." The sound quality is fine. Are they worth $150? Yes in terms of aesthetics, doubtful in terms of sound quality, but if you are looking at these (and apple products in general) obviously aesthetics matter to you but only you can choose if they are "worth the money." Personally, I love the way the look and am very happy with the purchase. …More

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Speakers I tried and returned: Logitech, Bose, and the more expensive Palo Alto. Speakers I kept: these. Excellent close-up sound, great for spoken word as well as music. Bonus: good looking, small footprint, and no need for external power supply (extra nice for reducing clutter and for travel). Just be sure to put the speakers on the stands before listening, they don't sound right when they're just sitting on the table. The only problem I've had is needing to unplug & replug the USB when the computer's been sleeping, but I've been told that an Apple software update that's already released in beta has fixed this. But really, that's been a small inconvenience and would not dissuade me from recommending these, they're great. …More

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