I like the futuristic look of the Soundsticks IIs, but I think the Altecs would be a better sounding system. To me 1" driver and full-range for the Soundsticks shouldn't be in the same sentence. All they're saying is all four speakers get the same input, no xover in the satellite.

I think the Altec's two-way satellite and Isobarik twin 5.25" (push-pull) sub would provide better more controlled sound. The power is about the same, but the Altecs go lower. Since Harmon doesn't give the tolerance of their freq. resp. spec, it's hard to tell if there's a freq hole between the sat and sub. At least Altec gives theirs as -10db for their freq limits. Still neither spec provides a clue to how smooth the freq. resp. is.

To me Harmon went with the WOW factor with their design. Looks good, but I don't think the food processor sub, or speaker array sats will sound as good. I haven't heard either, but from the specs this would be my guess.