Video: Klipsch ProMedia Lumina computer music system

Hi, I'm JR, and today we're going to spend some quality time with the Klipsch ProMedia Lumina. The Lumina is a brand-new update to a Klipsch classic that dates back to the late '90s. The company's original ProMedia was one of the best-selling and best-rated desktop speaker systems ever. This modern revision delivers the high-quality sound you'd expect from Klipsch, plus some cool new twists. Let's start by digging into the basics. The ProMedia Lumina is a 2.1-channel sound system. That means it comes with three components: two satellite desktop speakers and a subwoofer. It's a complete powered system, meaning it has its own built-in self-amplification, so there's no need for a separate amp or receiver. You still need to plug it into an AC outlet, of course. The main power line connects to the back of the subwoofer where a built-in 100-watt amplifier is housed. That amp drives the whole system. Power and signal are then sent to the satellite speakers from the sub via a pair of dedicated speaker cables, and two clips on the back of the sub help keep those cables locked in place for a tidy setup. Let's take a look at these little guys. Each one has a 3-inch mid-range driver, and a 1-inch Mylar soft-dome tweeter. That tweeter is integrated into what Klipsch calls a Micro Tractrix horn, a compact version of Klipsch's famous horn technology. This design is an essential ingredient of Klipsch's distinctive house sound. They've been using similar designs in their speakers going all the way back to their very first product in 1946. The horn shape increases the tweeter's efficiency, helping these relatively small speakers deliver dynamic sound with crisp, detailed highs and very low distortion. The satellite speakers have angled stands that can be adjusted from 0 to 18°. This can help you point the speakers directly at your listening position, whether you're sitting at level with the speakers or positioned higher up. We found this especially useful for setups with a variable or a standing desk. If you circle around to the back, you'll see they also have sizable integrated LEDs. These LEDs put out a soft, diffused glow for adding some customizable mood lighting to your work or play space. We'll chat more about those in a sec. For now, let's slide back down to the third piece of our ensemble. Nothing fills out your low frequencies like a dedicated subwoofer. Fortunately, there's no need to go hunting for a matching sub. There's already one in the box. The Lumina's sub features a 6-and-1/2-inch side-firing woofer housed in a super-slim cabinet that takes up minimal floor space. That cabinet has what we call a bass reflex, or ported design. This increases bass output, and because the port is front-firing in this case, you can tuck the back of the sub right up against the wall without worrying about muddying up your bass. In our test drives, we found that this sleek-looking sub delivers ample bass impact for a system this size. The back of the subwoofer also has the USB-C port you can use to connect the Lumina to your PC. Once you're plugged in, most PCs will just automatically recognize the new audio device in a few seconds. The Lumina will then play whatever audio is coming from your PC, whether that's music streaming from an online service like Spotify, or the soundtrack of a video game you're playing on Steam. That same USB port can be used to play music files straight from a flash drive without even connecting to your PC. The Lumina also has Bluetooth 5.3 built in, letting you wirelessly stream music directly from your smartphone or other compatible device. Plus, there's a 3.5-mm auxiliary input right above the USB port. This lets you pass analog audio from another source the old-fashioned way. Speaking of connections, there are a couple on the back of the satellite speakers as well. Each satellite is marked with an L or an R to help you identify which speaker should be left or right, accordingly. On the left speaker, there's another USB-C port for charging an external device like most modern smartphones. On the right speaker, there's a 3.5-mm auxiliary output. This lets you pass your audio signals through the Lumina to a pair of headphones. You can control the Lumina a few different ways. You can download the free Klipsch Control desktop app to your PC. At this time, there's no Klipsch Control app for Mac. There's also the free Klipsch Control mobile app, which you can download on your phone to control the system via Bluetooth. Both apps let you tweak your EQ settings and customize the system's built-in lighting. There are also manual controls on the system itself. There's a gain knob on the sub, as well as volume buttons on the right satellite speaker. A multi-select button between the volume buttons lets you cycle between lighting modes. Keep in mind that there are a few advanced functions you'll only be able to access from the desktop app. We've mentioned the LEDs on the back of the satellite speakers a few times now, so let's go ahead and take a closer look at those. You can switch between several lighting options: rainbow, breathe, static, aurora, music react, screen react, and dynamic lighting. You can also just disable the LEDs entirely. Rainbow will automatically switch between different colors of the spectrum at regular intervals. Breathe slowly cycles between glowing brighter and fading out. You select the color which you'd like to cycle. Similarly, you pick a color for static which keeps the same color up constantly. Aurora imitates the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights by sparkling with multiple colors at once. Music react takes cues from the music you're playing, dynamically changing colors and pulsing to match the sound. The advanced screen react lighting mode is only available via the Klipsch Control desktop app, and makes the LEDs change colors to correspond with what's playing on your monitor. This is an especially neat trick for movie lovers or gamers looking to boost their immersion. The last mode is dynamic lighting, which works with the Windows feature of the same name. This lets you control and sync the Lumina's lighting with other accessories connected to your PC, like a keyboard or mouse, all directly from your Windows settings. You can access all the lighting modes we've mentioned, except for screen react and dynamic lighting, via the Klipsch Connect mobile app or the mobile select button on the left satellite speaker. Holding the button switches between modes, and a quick press adjusts brightness. You can also tinker with your brightness and other settings from both the mobile and the desktop app. So, let's wrap up. Who is the Klipsch ProMedia Lumina for? This system's rich sound and clear detail is a solid pick for anyone who spends lots of time in front of their computer. Looking to rock your favorite tunes in the background while doing office work or writing an essay for class? Bingo. Want to really bring your next gaming session to life? The Lumina has you covered. You can even set up the Lumina just for music as a desktop listening system, and never bothering to connect it to a computer at all. There's also a ton of value packed into the Lumina. A lot of setups might ask you to pick up a separate sub if you want strong bass, or require an amp or receiver to drive it. No such requirement here. Everything you need is in the box, and the system's built-in LEDs are just plain cool. We really enjoyed playing around with the different lighting modes. Whether you're just looking for a little ambiance, or want reactive lighting to match what you're watching or playing, these LEDs add some welcome fun factor to your sound system. If you have any questions about the Klipsch ProMedia Lumina powered speaker systems in general, or any of the cool gear we carry, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're more than happy to help. And remember, anything you buy from us comes with the support of a team of techs for the lifetime of the product. So, if you're mid setup and need a little guidance, we've got your back.