Altec Lansing 5100 : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

Author's product rating:

Sound quality	Excellent
Design	Excellent
Value For Money	Good

Advantages:	Clear Crisp Sound (CCS) and Ultra Stylish
Disadvantages:	Cable is too short

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Morning, Evening afternoon people, This is a review on The ALTEC 5100 5.1 PC SPEAKERS.
I first saw these speakers yesterday (03/07/04) in PcWorld when i was wondering round the store looking at the Gel-Wrist Rest, and the BlueTooth wireless keyboards.
I was drawn immediately to the style and compact size of this 5.1 system. My reason for being in the speaker section is that i will being going to mauritius for about 1 month in August. And for entertainment when i am chilling in my house, drinking beer i would like to have a sepaker system which would be loud yet easy enough for me to take abroad and also drag onto our baclony which is 8 x 20 feet in size.

I had to choose between the I-Trigue L3500 which are also nice and the altec 5100 set.
after spending 20-30mins looking at both sets, i eventually took the altec 5100 set.
Even though they were £10 more expsensive than the Creative Branded ones, Altec Lansing is a better company and actually make their own speakers. Unike creative and logitech who just brand stuff (WHITE LABEL)

The box itself weighs about 10kg or less, and all speakers and wrapped well in plastic bags, and surrounded by polystyrene.
The dimension of the units are as follows;

2.25" W x 2.5" D x 7.3 H Satellite
6.4" W x 1.9" D x 2.6" H Center Speaker

The above satellites have two 1" neodymium micro drivers.

6.5" W x 13.5" D x 12.0 H Subwoofer

Two 4" Long-Throw Woofers

Each item in the box feels like it is well made, and also very strong. Not Platicky Plastiky.

Also included is a Neat looking Controller (wire Unfortunately) But it has the following
'Power On/Off, Mode selctor, Master, Center and Surround Volume...and also bass and treble controls.

I tested the speakers using my Sound card which is the Creative Audigy 2 ZS PLatinum Pro Card with the funky box and remote.

I first tested the speakers using a DVD Film, and adjust the speakers settings individually using the THX set-up software which came with my soundcard.

I even played Counter strike, Rainbow Six and Some Tomb Raider Game also.

And last test was with music RAP, Hip hop, Classical and also Not forgetting UB40 and Stevey Wonder

All i can say is wow wow wow.

The clarity is amazing
The sound never distorts even when you set the vloume to maximum.
Considering the size of the sub, i am amazed at how well it sounds. Clear and thumping bass, maybe not earth shaking bass, but enough for you to enjoy a film, music or even play a game.

At the moment they have been plugged into the downstairs projection tv, using the a single 3.5 cord. I have set the speakers on to a simulated surround effect. The reason for leaving them downstairs is that, i have a THX set-up in my room, and luckily as they are so small, my mum is really bothered about the being stuck onto the walls using a glue gun :D

If you want a cheap set of speakers, with a nice quality sound, these are ones you should consider, The only draw back is that unless you have a 5.1 Surround card or decoder using them will have to be done, using the simulated effect, like i have it set up in my house on the projection tv.

I hope this helps peoeple, but personally check out othersite for reviews also as the will go more in depth.

Oh yeah be-warned if you have little kids (i have a little borther) They will be attracted to the shiny Satellite speakers and will wanna poke their finger into the speaker. I luckily stopped him from doing that.

Hope this review helped. I am still learning to write em :P