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Altec Lansing MX5021 90-Watt Powered RMS 3-Piece Speaker Set | List Price: $179.99
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Brand: Altec Lansing
Binding: Electronics
Features: - 3-piece speaker system for PCs, gaming consoles, portable DVD players, and more
- THX-certified cinema-quality sound
- 1 subwoofer (50 watts) and 2 satellites (20 watts each)
- Control pod for adjusting volume, bass, and treble on your desktop
- Headphone jack
Very good, but one big problem (and two small ones) [Posted on 2006-06-03]
I was very impressed with these speakers when I got them with my new 20" iMac for Christmas (I got the white version to match). It is very robust, with a sub and each speaker having two mid-range drivers and a tweater. Plenty of power, unless you want to annoy the neighbors or rattle the furniture, or are hard of hearing. I like the desktop console it comes with, where you can adjust the bass and treble from your desk instead of having to get down on the ground to adjust the bass on the sub, and the little remote is nice. The console also has a headphone port, which is very convenient. The speaker wall mounts are also a nice touch.
After having them a few months, however, I noticed that my left speaker would cut in and out. Eventually I realized it was the 3.5mm cable that connects from the computer to the back of the sub. Whenever I would wiggle the connection of that cable to the sub, it had a lot of room to wiggle around inside the socket and the sound cut in and out. I tried it with a different, very well made, cable and it did the same thing. So it must have been the socket itself. It was just too big for the cable. This would have been a big problem, but on the desktop console that I previously mentioned, there is an auxiliary port for sound input. So if you have this problem just plug the 3.5mm cable into there. It is a better-made socket. The cable won't wiggle around.
If there was no auxiliary port, this system would have received a much, much lower score, but it saves the day.
As for the small problems. The mesh grills that cover the speakers had big patches of what appeared to be yellowish stains (remember, I got the white version). It might have just be faded or something. They are easier to see in daylight. This problem is easily solvable, because you can easily detach these grills. It will sound a little better with them detached, and, in my opinion, have a sleeker look.
If you want to stand these on your desk, I wouldn't get them. They tilt a little inward and topple over easily. However, with the included wall mounts you can attach them to the wall very easily. Use a leveler and put them about ear level.
Great, with a good sound card [Posted on 2006-06-27]
I bought these speakers based on other reviews here. The hiss is annoying like others have mentioned. No excuse for that really. Makes for a neat mini-stereo with the wireless remote. Both the satellites and sub are quite large. But they do belt out pretty loud sound. Bass and treble controls are not like typical ones, as they tend to cut the treble sharply across the whole higher frequency range, instead of rolling off gently. sound thin. These went from mediocre to great when I ditched the onboard sound and installed a Audigy 2 sound card. Much smoother and less harsh. Nice if you don't need multi channel.
Fantastic, Loud, Crisp and Clear [Posted on 2006-09-06]
Excellent speakers for the computer, amazing low and and power to burn.
Clear sounds and an audio education [Posted on 2006-09-18]
Altec Lansing MX5021: THX, 90W RMS (total continuous power), 20W per satellite with tweeters and 2 midrange drivers, 50W subwoofer
I primarily use my PC for gaming and music.
I chose the MX5021's, because:
a) each satellite has 3 separate driver-speakers (2 mid-range units and a tweeter), which means clearly produced high and mid-range notes
b) the sub-woofer is rated for a decent frequency range
c) I really like the black colour scheme
I was amazed at how big the sub is, even though I'd read this in other reviews too. The sats are as lightweight as many PC speakers are. Due to their height, they can be easily knocked over, which I wasn't very happy with. Why not add in a little extra plastic in the base to weigh them down?
I keep the wired control-pod on the desk by my keyboard, so I see little reason to need the remote. Still, it is a nice touch which I was glad to see in the package.
There is a hissing sound that comes from the speakers when not playing sound, as raised by other users. The satellites produce a hiss which is quite noticeable when your ear is closer than 1m from them. I've yet to be bothered by this after a week's daily listening though. The hiss disappears when the speakers are turned off on the control pod.
The sub-woofer produces a soft hum that is audible when your head is less than 1m from it. This sound remains even when switched off, so I expect that this is related to the power-supply or the built-in amplifier. Again, I'm not disturbed by this.
These are wonderful speakers, producing far better sound than I've ever heard on a PC. I've discovered how well-matched satellites are to the sub, given that it seems as if the bass sounds seem to originate from them rather than the actual source. I've also experienced how the overall sound seems to be coming from my screen directly in front of me, rather than from the left and right positions. This may be a stereo "sweet-spot" effect, which is amazing too.
I'm very pleased with these speakers and I hope they'll last me for a number of years.
Altec Lansing MX5021 90-Watt Powered RMS 3-Piece Speaker Set [Posted on 2006-11-16]
Easy to install and sounds great!!!
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