nad_masters's Full Review: Altec Lansing FX2020 Expressionist Classic
While strolling the speaker isle at a local Staples, I checked out some of their speakers as I find myself doing whenever I'm left alone in a store that sells them. My eye was first caught by the Altec Lansing FX2020 design, as it was unique. They look like cans that was stuck through a piece of square cardboard from a distance (low lighting, located at the bottom shelf). I brought it up, and it looked much more elegant than what I initially mistook for recycle materials!
My ears, of course, were drawn to the Cyber Acoustics sitting nearby, but I had to take a go at these as well. My eyes were trying to convice my ears to give it a chance.
Altec Lansing FX2020 The Altec Lansing does have this unique design, so I found myself first hunting for controls. Where's the power button? How about volume?
Thankfully, I didn't have to look too long. The volume controls are buttons that are covered in rubber and located on the top of the right speaker. The power button is also covered in rubber, but is located at the rear of the same speaker. I find that an odd place to put it, but considering the overall odd design, I thought "power on the rear? Why not." I think VW and Apple owners (and zee Germans) would love it.
The "cardboard" I saw from afar was actually clear plastic with "Altec" embossed on the top. This make the speaker seem to float in the air. The cans are just that it seems: two cylindrical plastic cans with speaker drivers in them. A single one for each side, actually. No tweeter, and no subwoofer, and both are covered in a thin cloth for grill.
They really look industrialized, and may fit a modern styled desk (like those with glass top and thin silvery legs).
Because of this, the controls had to be hidden, as do the auxillary line-in and headphone jacks. Those are also located in the rear of the right speaker.
The cables are permanently attached, so there are no connectors to worry about. Usually this is the method that cheapo speakers go, but considering the $80 price, I was surprised that Altec decided to go this route. The only wire that is removable is the power, which goes to an AC adapter brick that doesn't look as elegant as the speaker it powers.
Performance Sadly, my eyes tricked my ears. They look nice, but without a subwoofer, they lack very much in the low range.
However, not all is bad. If you listen to a lot of non-bassy music, the highs and mids get reproduced very well! Might I even say "accurately". I am shocked because the FX2020 uses a single full-range driver to do all this!
However, as you get to a higher volume, the highs peter out, and you are left with muddy mids. This is expected since there are no dedicated tweeters. There is no low frequencies from a subwoofer to cover up the muddy mids either, leaving me somewhat disappointed .
The volume controls step up/down pretty drastically, too. I really wish it was more granular, giving the listener more control over the level.
Conveniences Design over function is this speaker's mantra, as is evidenced by the power switch in the rear. Also, the auxiliary line-in and headphone jacks as well. However, like most speakers, plugging in a headphone will mute the speakers, while plugging in, say... an iPod to the line-in cuts the main source.
However, having to pick up the right speaker to turn it off, or even plug things in is a drag.
Upshot At this price, I'd have to say no. I'm sure there are purists out there who are looking for a 2.0 stereo speaker system, but if they really are that much of a purist, they wouldn't subject themselves to this mediocrity. Plus, the price isn't exactly reasonable either unless you are buying it to match your furniture.
One of Altec Lansings smallest new computer audio systems, the Expressionist Classic is also one of its most serious performers. Its stylish design of...More at Apple Store
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.