I had given up the idea of using PC speakers on my desk. There's just not enough space. So I contented myself with using a cheap Taotronics soundbar or headphones. But then I tried the Klipsch ProMedia Heritage 2.1 multimedia speaker system and boy, do I feel tempted to redo my desk setup (and decor) to accommodate these retro-looking, impressive-sounding speakers.

The first thing you'll notice about these Klipsch speakers is its retro design. It's part of the audio brand's Heritage line. They all have an old-school flair with the solid wood construction and fabric mesh grille. No cheap plastic here. You can pick between walnut and black ash colours — my review set is walnut. The satellites and especially the subwoofer have a good heft to them. I would have liked a volume dial on one of the satellites for convenience, but that would probably spoil the look. I also liked that the satellites are connected to the subwoofer using speaker wire. It's easy to buy longer ones if required. The included wires are sufficiently long for a desk setup, but I can definitely see this speaker system being used with a TV.

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Despite its old-school appearance, the Klipsch ProMedia Heritage is modern where it counts. Input sources include Bluetooth and USB-A. It also has a handy remote control that lets you adjust the speaker volume as well as the intensity of the subwoofer. You can also turn off the single LED status indicator on the subwoofer and switch between input sources using the remote. A night mode button switches off the subwoofer for a less intense and quieter sound. This remote control, though, uses infrared, so you'll have to point it in the general direction of the subwoofer. It can also be difficult to make out the LED status indicator since you'll want to place the subwoofer on the floor.

The Klipsch sounds warm and detailed. The sound seems to emanate from the middle aka your screen, even though the satellites are at the sides. The bass is a tight rumbly presence that adds so much depth to the sound. While you can turn off the subwoofer via night mode, I wouldn't do it as the satellites alone sound thin and hollow. The lack of bass and the diminished mids are significant. Instead, I recommend adjusting the subwoofer's intensity using the remote to get that right balance. But this can be tricky as there isn't a default subwoofer setting to revert to. Note that the speakers go into standby mode (connected via Bluetooth) if you haven't used them in a while. Another grouse: The Klipsch Connect mobile app doesn't support the ProMedia currently. While the app detects the speakers and tries to connect to them, it doesn't actually succeed.

At S$499, the Klipsch ProMedia Heritage 2.1 speakers are more expensive than you'd expect from a 2.1 PC speakers system. But it offers better sound, especially the bass, than most, while its retro aesthetics has its charms. You can get it from the official Klipsch store on Lazada or from distributor TC Acoustic.

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Note: Review unit provided by Klipsch.