- True multichannel audio
- Audio Management software
- On-screen control
- Integrated volume control
- Uses USB port (with Windows 98) or standard 3.5 millimeter stereo audio output
Product Details
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Product Description
Amazon.com Review
Wait until you feast your ears on the Altec Lansing Digital PowerCube system! This mighty three-piece speaker system delivers booming bass and crisp, clear tones for multimedia computer applications such as gaming, watching DVDs, and listening to music. If you're willing to shell out the extra cash, these speakers don't disappoint.
The system is a snap to set up. Even without a manual, we were able to get the system up and running in less than 10 minutes. The two satellite speakers connect directly into the color-coded jacks on the back of the subwoofer, which we then plugged into our sound card. After connecting the power line and the USB cable (we tested it using Windows 98), we powered up the system and were ready to go. The software booted up immediately and installed without any flaws.
We positioned the subwoofer on the floor under our desk and the satellites on either side of the monitor. Since the satellites are magnetically shielded, positioning them near the monitor will not cause distortion. The controls on the satellites offer easy access to volume and subwoofer controls; however, treble, bass, and other controls are located within the Audio Management software, which you can use only if you have a USB connection. Another thoughtful addition is a headphone jack located on the satellite.
We cranked the speakers up to full volume to test the clarity of the bass. Although some distortion was present, you won't detect it unless you listen to these speakers at full volume. Watching DVDs was a beautiful experience with the PowerCube system. Effects seemed to come from each side, with a full spectrum of sound. Gaming was also heightened with the PowerCube system, and we were delighted with the array of sound effects that often go undetected with less powerful computer speakers.
There is only one danger with the PowerCube system: once you hear it, you'll never want to go back.
Pros:
- Full, rich sound for any application
- Magnetically shielded satellites
- Easy setup
Cons:
- Can only access Audio Management software with Windows 98 and USB port
Product Description
Prologic five speaker system, parented side-firing speakers, Digital Power Cube;s Audio Management Software. Satellite dimensions:4x3.5x7 inches, 2.4 lbs; sub: 9.375x7.5x11.75, 12.53 lbs
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Somewhat tricky to use with audio cards,
This review is from: Altec Lansing ADA305 PowerCube Computer Speakers (3-Speaker) (Personal Computers)
As others have pointed out, these speakers are very high on the WOW scale. The quality of their sound is unequalled by all but the very highest end systems. They will transform game playing into a truly immersive experience. Watching DVDs will produce better sound for you individually than in most seats at the theatre. But in a way, these speakers are TOO good. They don't require an audio card because they connect via USB, and therefore come with their own audio management software. This, Altec claims, is a positive boon. There's no need, they say, to buy a separate audio card if you own their speakers. Unfortunately, this selling point, while truthful, belies market realities. Almost every computer sold today already comes with an audio card of some kind. So, if, as would seem natural, you install these speakers by plugging into the USB ports you'll create an odd and frustrating anomoly in Windows. Windows will believe you have two audio controllers: the Altec Lansing speakers and your audio card. This can be frustrating if playing games, because, despite the quality of these speakers, you probably do want the sound to go through the advanced drivers on your audio card. But Windows will typically give preference to whatever device was added most recently. So if you were used to having the sound pumped through your audio card before you got the speakers, the act of plugging in the USB cables alone will automatically cut your audio card out of the loop. The upshot: goodbye Aureal--or whatever your preferred audio accelerator was. So how can you get these speakers to work with your Soundblaster Live or other audio card? Easy. Unplug the USB connection. Better still, never connect them that way in the first place. It's a simple fix, but it makes no intuitive sense and is only barely mentioned in the manual. Altec Lansing went to such trouble to market the USB connectivity of the product; it's more than a little ironic that most users don't really WANT to connect it that way. Also, do take heed of the very OS-specific nature of the product. It will ONLY run on a Windows 98 machine. Not 3.1, not 95, probably not 2000 (though you should contact Altec Lansing for confirmation on that), ONLY 98. Don't even bother thinking that you can somehow create a workaround. If you don't have Windows 98, don't complain when you have to send them back. All this aside, though, this is a serious audio system for your computer. At the price, you won't find anything better.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This speaker system will blow your mind, even as an audiophi,
By Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Altec Lansing ADA880R Dolby Digital System Computer Speakers (Personal Computers)
Don't misunderstand me, these speakers at this price range is what I am talking about, but let me say, that this is the only show in town. I bought the predecessor to these the Altec ADA880. Same configuration, but with 80 watts rms, instead of the now 120 that comes with the R. Now let me tell you about the speakers. You get an 8" sub that reminds you of a velodyne. If you are looking for an even better sub, you can spend 500 for a velodyne sub, but this Altec with the 8" sub reminds you of that kind of sound. The bass goes so deep, you won't believe it. It is far better than most peoples home stereo, and that is remarkable in the computer format. It comes with 4 speakers plus the sub. The two front speakers are two way with a mid and tweeter, and the rear speakers are a single cone. The highs are crisp. If you are into the high efficiency sound, this is the winning ticket. Mate this up with a computer with a good sound card. I have an inexpensive DVD player installed in my computer, and I added the Real Magic Hollywood Plus DVD Decoder card. What a match. It has the digital output that plugs right into the Altec system. So you get true 5.1 Dolby surround, that is auto detected in the Altec system. The Real Magic card also has the S-Video output, so you can switch it to TV output, and get better resolution than, and listen to this, any DVD player on the market today, at any price. So a 50 dollar DVD player, mated to a 50 dollar Real Magic Hollywood Plus DVD Decoder card, and mating that to the Altec ADA880R, and you have a DVD experience that is unmatched in the industry. I know the doubters will not believe what I just said. Check it out at RealMagic.com site. I was listening to Jurassic Park, and I felt like the crickets were all around me. When the subwoofer kicks in, people get quiet. Unbelievable levels at this price point. Now let's talk about the cons: The distortion rating on this unit is about 1%. True super hi fi specs have distortion ratings that begin at .05%. Does it sound distorted, no, but to a true audiophile, it is not the same as a 5 grand system. If you hear the ADA 880R you would say, what am I talking about, I don't hear any distortion, so I am talking about the tweaking edge, not the body. I have a lot of very expensive gear, like a Velodyne 15" sub, with a separate 400 watt RMS amp, 1800 retail. It shakes the house, I also have the Velodyne Concert Theater series 12" sub rated at 400 watts max, and 140 watts RMS, 500 retail. That is an amazing sub for the money, and zero distortion all the way down to 20 cycles. (Most subs don't even give you 20 cycles, let alone distortion free) Even with all of that, when I took the ADA 880 out of the box, plugged it in, and turned off the surround, and played it in straight stereo, I ordered 5 more of them, (they were greatly discounting them with the release of the ADA880-R) so that I would have sound in all of the rooms with a computer in them. That is how much it blew my mind. It comes with a remote control, that not only controls volume, but also controls, treble, bass, stereo, surround, center, mute, and on off. I stopped by the local radio shack, and bought a three way audio input box for 20 bucks, and then hooked the TV, VCR, and computer up to it. Just like having a full blown multi input receiver. Before buying a home stereo system, listen to the Altec. Make sure you turn the surround off, set it to straight stereo (a feature that most home receivers don't even have) turn the treble and the bass up, put in a high quality CD original recording, and stand back. You probably think I'm a newbie, excited about his latest toy. When you hear this system, you will become one too. Nothing else in this price range, will even come close, and I would say that most systems in the 1000 dollar price range, would have a hard time keeping up. I listened to $275 dollar stand alone subs, and they did not hold a candle to this Altec, and it comes with amplifier, preamp, and 4 speakers, and remote, all included. Check it out yourself. It will blow your mind, even your audiophile friend will be impressed.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
kick ass speakers of the millenium,
By
This review is from: Altec Lansing ADA305 PowerCube Computer Speakers (3-Speaker) (Personal Computers)
I recently ordered a brand new dell, and I ordered this speakers to come with my new system. As an avid MP3 collector, I was waiting for speakers that would sound like my stereo. These do all that and better! You just set the powerful subwoofer in the ground and keep it out of the way, and you set up the surround sound speakers right next to your monitor. They take up very little space, and they are oh so easy to hook up! Please, do yourself a favor, and if you are buying a new computer, GET these speakers. You won't be disappointed - I guarantee it.
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