Plain box-style speakers seem to be a thing of the past. Who wants a square when you can have speakers designed like any beautiful shape in the world, including the beveled cut of a solitare diamond. Hercules now offers a pair of USB computer speakers that look like just that: large, beautiful, black diamonds. The Hercules XPS Diamond speakers ($40) have a glamorous beveled design with a shiny black lacquer and translucent stand. The unique design mimics a perfectly cut diamond, with its point at the back of the speaker and the front emitting sound. The speakers are fully USB powered and only 3.5 inches in diameter each, making them a good option for portable sound wherever you need it. A miniature wired remote lets you control volume and the included velvet pouch (with separate compartments) keeps your speakers protected and scratch-free. While we can’t say anything about the sound quality of these puppies, they sure would look good next to our shiny silver Macbooks.
DT
Kelly Montgomery is a magazine journalism graduate from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications. Before joining the team at Digital Trends, she wrote for publications including Oregon Bride Magazine, BestNewBands.com, and The Register-Guard. She was also a staff member of the University of Oregon's award-winning student publication, Flux. An admitted shopaholic who loves reading personal style blogs, Kelly is also a lover of lomography, traveling to strange places, late-night baking, music festivals, and graphic design. She makes a pretty mean mix CD, too.
Looks and sounds great. No deep “bumping” bass.
PROS
No separate power adapter
Pretty loud output if needed
No distortions, clear sound
Stable in full frequency range
Remote controls system sound level (the PC) and vice versa
Clever cabling: 1 cable to each speaker and a 1 from the PC that splits
CONS
No possibility to connect a headphone
Little bass, however an equaliser can compensate for this partly
Can only be used on PC as the USB is needed for sound and power
I was looking for tiny speakers for home, mainly for background music during work. In sight so not too large. The set is symmetrical and looks pretty. Really small and the transparent base and shiny sides facet (diamond) resemble colour of the environment.
Symmetrical: from USB runs (thick) cable first to the remote control (60 cm) and then to a junction (again 60 cm) than. the junction turn run 2 smaller wires to the speakers. Left and right are almost indistinguishable, the Hercules brand on the foot should be outwards. Otherwise you notice it in your first game!