Nothing is perfect, and the ProMedias certainly have their faults. Static and hiss are pretty much the number one problem most people have. You see a lot of complaining about it in the forums but that's only because only people with problems usually go to the forums anyway. Klipsch tech support is extremely helpful and you usually get your problem solved within 24 hours or so. I'm not sure if it's really a problem or not, but the preamp on the sub can get very hot after heavy use. I consulted the forums and everyone said it was normal since there was a 400 watt amp in there. Oh well, at least the amp can warm my footsies during the winter :).

Despite some minor problems the ProMedias have been selling like hot cakes. There was even a bad shortage late spring to mid summer with the ProMedias where you had to get on a waiting list for weeks before you could order your set. Those days are long gone though, and now Klipsch is even offering free shipping on their website, and some authorized dealers have free shipping too. The ProMedias have also begun to pop up at your local electronics store so availability shouldn't be an issue anymore.

Even though the ProMedias are a year old, the price hasn't changed a bit. The only thing is that you can get free shipping now from Klipsch itself or free overnight from Outpost.com. So what do you get for $249? You get 4 speakers, 1 of the best subs out there, and certification that this system can deliver theatre quality sound. It truly delivers excellent performance in music, games, and DVD movies. The closest competitors to the ProMedias are priced higher and some aren't even as good. And if you are familiar with other Klipsch speakers, you know they don't make low quality products. The ProMedias may not have all the features that the new speakers have, but they still put out the best sound you can buy for $249. If you want much better, you'll have to spend a lot more money.

As with any piece of hardware, the Klipsch ProMedias aren't for everyone. Some people will want the full 5.1 speakers and Dolby Digital support. There are definitely other systems out there that can provide those needs. However, they might be priced as competitively and perform as well in all areas as the ProMedias. Here are few examples:

• VideoLogic Sirocco Crossfire 4.1 Speaker System - $449
• Altec Lansing ADA880 - $300 (available for around $120 on Pricewatch)
• Midiland S4-8200 - $299
• Boston Acoustics BA4800 - $199 (available for around $160)

These are just a few of the systems out there competing with the ProMedias. Since I don't have these speaker systems on hand to test, I don't really know first hand how they compare to the ProMedias. From the 4 I mention here, the VideoLogic and Boston Acoustics models also lack Dolby Digital support. The other two have their own digital decoders. It's really up to you to determine what you want. There are other more expensive digital systems out there from VideoLogic and Boston Acoustics, as well as other companies. It all depends on your tastes really. Since stores like CompUSA and Best Buy have them now, you can test them against the other speakers there and see which ones you like better.