"PLEASE! TURN DOWN THE VOLUME"
Written: Jul 17 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Don't have to spend a lot to get decent sound quality
Cons: The cords could be longer to allow for variety of placement needs
The Bottom Line: Considering the price, you get good quality sound and easy set up and use. Not for the person who wants the best sound system and can afford it.
|
|
|
| gp4evr's Full Review: Altec Lansing ACS 33 Computer Speakers |
Not long after we began using our computer for listening to various radio stations around the country and playing our mp3 files, we decided the speakers that came with the computer were not meeting our needs.
Although we burn our own cd's and play them on our home stereo system, a lot of time is spent at the computer and it is convenient to play music files from there.
We wanted to upgrade to a better speaker system and found a nice little set at our local Sams Club. The Altec Lansing ACS33 speaker system has been designed for digital audio sound for multimedia Computers, although it can also be used as an amplified speaker system for CD and cassette players and other video & audio equipment.
This amplified speaker system also has a subwoofer which automatically boosts the bass at low volume. The satellite speakers can be placed next to your video display if desired since they are magnetically shielded and will not cause any color distortion. The subwoofer, however, is not magnetically shielded and should be placed away from the computer monitor. The sound from the subwoofer is non-directional and doesn't need to be right next to the speakers. According to the directions, "Placing the subwoofer on the floor close to a wall or corner of a room provides maximum bass efficiency."
The directions that come with the system are easy to understand and the setup is simple. The connections are color coded so you know which connector they are refering to. You simply plug the red connector from the speaker into the speaker input on the back of the subwoofer. Then you plug the green connection, which is the audio input, into the computer audio output. Lastly, plug the power supply cord into a wall outlet (or a power strip if you use one) and you are done.
We don't have a lot of space in our computer armoire so we put the speakers by the monitor and the subwoofer we located lower down on a partially enclosed shelf. This works fine for us, but if you wanted to separate your satellite speakers out more than 60 inches you better look for another system.
Since this system is designed to be a part of your computers sound system and not your main home sound system this is probably why there is not more length allocated to the cords.
If you have lots of room where your computer is set up and want to spread this system out, you will find that you are limited by the length of the cords. The length of the cord to the subwoofer is approx 75 inches.
One of the speakers has a power indicator light and a volume control. You can turn the volume control counterclockwise to lower the volume & turn the speakers off or clockwise to turn the power on and increase the volume. Any other adjustments to treble, bass or tone can be made on the computer screen using the computers master volume control.
My kids love to increase the subwoofers power by turning on the bass boost on the master volume control. The computer armoire literally vibrates when they do this.
I consider quick access to the volume control on the speaker a necessity in our house. It is quick and easy to reach over and turn off or lower the volume if the telephone rings or my angels are rockin and rollin too loud for my comfort.
I am not an audio expert, but I think the sound quality is very good (granted I am getting older and maybe my hearing isn't as acute as it once was).
I demonstrated this system to my brother in law who likes to listen to music on his computer while he works. He went out and bought the same system within three days. He used to play in a band and has many musical friends who have commented on how good the sound was on his computer since installing this speaker system.
This system would never replace our home stereo system, but it is quality sound listening to music on our computer. Consider also that we only paid $30 for it! I think it provides quality for the money.
The only other drawback besides the length of the cords might be if you like to play your computer speakers VERY LOUDLY. When the volume is turned up really high, there is some sound distortion (The sound doesn't seem to be as crisp). Of course, if you want a little motherly advice, you probably shouldn't have your volume that high to avoid damage to your hearing. I am constantly telling my kids, "PLEASE!, TURN DOWN THE VOLUME."
I have included the specifications for those of you to whom this technical information is important :).
OVERALL
Total Audio Power.............25 watts
THD...........................less than 0.8%@1 watt, 1kHz
Input Sensitivity.............300MV for full output
Input Impedance...............greater than 10K ohms
Frequency Response............greater than 0Hz - 18kHz
SATELLITES
Speakers (per satellite)......One 3inch
Audio Power...................5watts per channel
Frequency Response............250Hz - 18kHz
S/N Ratio.....................greater than 65 dB
SUBWOOFER
Speaker.......................one 4inch long throw
Audio Power...................15 watts
Frequency Response............70Hz - 250Hz
POWER REQUIREMENTS
USA/CANADA....................120 volts 60HzAC
Max Power Consumption.........50 watts
UL/CUL (CSA) CE approved
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
gp4evr
|
|
Member: Sue Kiddy
Location: Florida
Reviews written: 48
Trusted by: 23 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.