Altec Lansing 5100 5.1 Computer Speakers (6-Speaker, Black)

by Altec Lansing

Product Details

Product Manual [422kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 22 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 19 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006B9T5
• Item model number: 5100 5.1
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for serious PC gamers and entertainment lovers, Altec Lansing's Model 5100 multimedia speaker system offers powerful, high-quality stereo and surround sound for games, movies, and music. The 5100 comprises four satellites (front and rear left/right), a center speaker for crystal-clear voice reproduction, and a front-firing subwoofer employing two 4-inch long-throw woofers. The satellites and the center speaker each contain two 1-inch neodymium micro drivers, while the subwoofer delivers tremendous low-frequency response (40 to 180 Hz). With a total system power of 73 watts RMS (at 10 percent THD), the 5100 system is ready to rock.

Gamers and audio/video lovers don't limit themselves to PC use, and neither does the 5100. The versatile system's stereo analog minijack (.125-inch) input also supports CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, video gaming systems, televisions, portable stereos, or any other device with a stereo analog output. Video gaming systems require the supplied AAC1 adapter. A "center mix" switch ensures virtual surround sound by delivering sound to all satellite speakers, including the center channel, regardless of the audio source.

To optimize the 5100 output for specific forms of entertainment, the system offers three different listening modes: 5.1 mode, which works with 6-channel sound cards to create intense movie sound that puts you in the middle of the action; 4.1 mode, which was designed for true 4-channel gaming with individual left/right and front and rear sound for the ultimate PC game environment (the center speaker mixes sound from both the left and right front channels, while the subwoofer mixes all four channels); and finally Stereo x2, which creates an ideal configuration for music listening by delivering left/right stereo signals to both front and rear satellites. The center speaker and subwoofer mix sound from both the left and right channels.

The center speaker includes a removable cast-alloy stand with monitor grip that allows placement atop a PC monitor if desired; all other satellites offer matching cast-alloy stands, while the subwoofer is enclosed in an attractive solid-wood cabinet.

Broadening the 5100's appeal is its handheld digital remote, which operates all system functions. Power on/off, mode selector (Stereo x2, 4.1, 5.1), volume controls (master, center, rear), treble, and bass can all be manipulated easily from the controller. A .125-inch headphone jack is included for private listening.

What's in the Box
Five satellite speakers, one subwoofer, an AAC1 Y adapter cable, QCC, and a user's manual.

Product Description

5.1-channel

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, December 17, 2002

By 

Jabberwock (Dallas, Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing 5100 5.1 Computer Speakers (6-Speaker, Black) (Personal Computers)

I just received these speakers, they are great. They sound like audiophile speakers and the control is great. I love how they look and what they are made of. They are not loud enough for parties but great for wathcing dvds, playing games and listening to music.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More disappointed than pleased..., January 17, 2004

By 

P. Ferdinand "pumkin54" (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Altec Lansing 5100 5.1 Computer Speakers (6-Speaker, Black) (Personal Computers)

I purchased these speakers back in September 2003. I had previously owned the Altec Lansing ATP3 3-Piece Speaker System and was immensely pleased with it. I wanted to upgrade, go surround-sound, and add more speakers for larger sound. Since I'd had good experience with Altec Lansing before, I chose them again over Logitech and Creative, and expected good quality from them.

My first gripe: too much bass. The subwoofer is overpowering. These speakers come with the ability to adjust both treble and bass. I have the bass set all the way to zero. I also set my bass through the Windows sound settings all the way to zero. I adjusted my media player equalizer the best I could to eliminate bass. The bass is still overpowering, to the point where, unless I am sitting directly in front of the central speaker, that is all I hear. I can hear/feel it all the way in my bathroom. It detracts from my audio enjoyment, as well as worries me that I'm disturbing my roommate and neighbors. The speaker volume has 5 points (with 'ticks' in between). I cannot play my speakers over 3, or the bass becomes floor-shaking. It seems that the default bass setting (ie 3 out of 5) should be an average bass output, while 0 should make it barely there and 5 should give it this intense bass that I'm getting now. This is the main reason I'm giving these 3/5 stars.

My second gripe is: distortion. At around volume 3, I will begin experiencing distortion. The audio begins to vibrate and warble just slightly, but it's enough to be noticeable and distracting. An audiophile (which I'm not) would be very unpleased, I think. Also, these speakers come with three 'sound schemes': Stereo x 2, 4.1 Gaming, and 5.1. Most noticeably when I'm in Stereo x 2, but also in 5.1 if my equalizer isn't set at default (ie. +0dB across the board), I will get ticks and squeaks during audio playback. Sometimes this doesn't happen, sometimes it happens constantly throughout a song, unless I turn the volume down. I haven't figured out if this might depend on the recording quality/volume of the mp3.

Overall, they have good sound, if kept at low volumes. But they don't seem to sound any better than a 2.1 system would, and they're definitely not of the quality I expect from a set of 130 dollar speakers. My recommendation: pass them up for something different. I really am more disappointed than pleased with these speakers. The bass really bothers me and, because of that, I'm probably gonna be looking for another speaker set sometime soon, unfortunately.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Performance & Affordability, February 18, 2003

By 

"dampship" (Cortlandt Manor, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing 5100 5.1 Computer Speakers (6-Speaker, Black) (Personal Computers)

I'm running these speakers alongside a Creative SoundBlaster Live! audio card and only begin to notice distortion when listening at volume levels exceeding 80%. If you like to BLAST! your speakers, these are not for you. However, if you listen at reasonable volume levels the theater sound will blow you away! Alot of sound for a small price.