Reviewed: August 5, 2002
Reviewed by: Mark Smith
Manufacturer
Altec Lansing
Type: Speakers
System: PC/Home Audio
Rating: 9.0
Features
MSRP: $99.95
During my yearly trek to the E3 show in LA I visit hundreds of booths and see thousands of new and upcoming products. While software makes up a majority of the items I get to see, there are the occasional hardware manufactures displaying the latest in technology. Altec Lansing was one of the hardware vendors I had the privilege of visiting this year, and not only did they offer one of the nicest and most inviting booths at the show, they also had an amazing collection of new speakers for both home audio and PC.
The Model 251 was one of the numerous speaker systems on display, but due to the overwhelming ambient noise on the show floor it was nearly impossible to hear, let alone appreciate this amazing 6-piece speaker system. Only after I was able to install these speakers on my review PC was I able to enjoy some of the best PC audio I have ever heard.
I’ve always been picky when it comes to my audio products. I have the home theater rig with DTS and Dolby Digital with the THX certified speakers. I refuse to go to a theater that doesn’t have digital sound. Sound is a very important part of just about all of my hobbies, so when I purchased my first gaming system back in 1994 I researched my speaker choice very carefully before choosing the Altec Lansing ACS500. At the time, these were the highest quality speakers you could buy and even included a Dolby Pro-Logic decoder built into the speakers. These speakers have followed me for the past eight years, being hooked up to over a dozen different systems each time I upgraded my computer. It was almost an emotional experience, as I unplugged these speakers for what I would soon learn would be the last time.
The Model 251 is a 5.1 system – the 5 being the five satellite speakers and the .1 being the subwoofer. The speakers are all smaller than you would expect for the power and quality that they deliver. These speakers feature a smart design with a stylish charcoal and simulated brushed aluminum finish that will compliment any desktop without monopolizing valuable surface space. The satellites are magnetically shielded so you can place the front speakers right next to your monitor without any distortion. The center channel can go on top of your monitor and is actually the recommended location while the subwoofer tucks neatly under your desk.
From the time of opening this box of carefully packed, individually wrapped speakers to listening to my first audio CD, about 12 minutes had lapsed. Installation is really that easy thanks to the color-coding of the cables and the speaker jacks, plus the extremely “friendly”, but virtually unnecessary, Quick Connect Card. An 8-year old could hook these speakers up.
While these speakers feature support for 6 discreet channels, the number of audio channels you will be able to hear is totally up to your sound card. If you have a newer 5.1 sound card then you will be able to match each individual connection (front, rear, center) from your sound card to the hard-wired input cable of the subwoofer. If you are hooking up an older sound card, audio device, or a video game console (using the included audio-splitter/converter) you may only have support for two or four channels.
A convenient mode selector allows you to choose the channel mix appropriate for your audio setup. Even if you have to settle for a 2/4 channel mix, these speakers sound crystal clear and surround you in glorious digital music and sound. The 251 audio processor can optionally mix a virtual center channel if your card doesn't support one, and the 150Hz crossover separates the low frequency sounds, routing them through the powerful 5.25” subwoofer.
Controls are conveniently located on the front-right speaker and include a power button and individual volume controls for center, surround, and a master volume control. There is also a separate volume control for the sub located on the back of the unit. Since all of the mixing is done in the subwoofer unit this speaker connects to the sub with a special remote control interface connector.
I tested these speakers with everything I had in my audio arsenal. I played CD's, MP3's, and DVD's and they all sounded great. The 2/4 channel mode does a great job of surrounding you with sound, even when the rear channels are just mimicking the front. The subwoofer generated some serious bass, moving enough air under my desk that I could feel it through my pant leg.
The true test of these speakers was when I started playing some of my newer games that supported the surround or EAX features of my Audigy sound card. Games like Soldier of Fortune II, Sum of all Fears, and NASCAR Racing 2002 became entirely new experiences. The 3D effects added a spatial quality to these games that really put me "in the game". These subtle nuances actually enhanced the gameplay by allowing me to use my ears as well as my eyes. I could now hear enemies approaching from the rear by the cracking of a twig in the right-rear speaker, or hear that stockcar bearing down on my left side trying to pass.
Of course, all of these sound effects and the quality in which you will hear them are dependent on the sound card in your system. Suffice to say that if you have a multi-channel audio card then the 251 speakers are definitely the right speakers to show that card off.
My only complaint with the Model 251 is the length of the connecting cables for the rear speakers. My gaming area is approximately 12’x12’, and it took considerable effort to carefully run the cables to the wall behind me. In the end, I was able to put the speakers in their ideal positions for maximum surround effect but there was not an inch to be spared – in fact the cable was stretched tighter than I liked.
From the moment you pull that top piece of packing foam out of the box you can tell these are some high quality speakers that will last you a lifetime. The Model 251 speakers look great and sound incredible. Priced at only $99, you aren’t going to find anything that sounds as good as this system for the money.