Altec Lansing FX2020 Expressionist Classic Speakers for PC and MP3 Players (Black)

by Altec Lansing

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.4 x 12.6 inches ; 4.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001IZYV3S
• Item model number: FX2020
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 1, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Get the most out of your digital audio with the Altec Lansing FX2020 Expressionist Classic Speakers. Made for computers and digital audio players, these compact and powerful stereo speakers fill the room with big sound. The speakers' unique design gives them a distinctive look and a small footprint, which means you'll have plenty of space on your desk or coffee table for your other peripherals.

The small, attractive speakers provide satisfying full-spectrum audio. View larger.

Controls are located directly on the speaker and an AUX IN jack lets you connect portable CD and MP3 players.

Perfect for PCs and Portables
An included 3.5-milimeter audio cable makes the FX2020 Expressionist speakers easy to add to any computer or digital music player that has an audio output. You can even use the speakers with your CD player or personal DVD player for sound that everyone can enjoy. An added auxiliary input makes it easy to connect a peripheral device without having to unplug the Expressionist Classic speakers from your computer.

Small Size that Packs Big Sound
Each speaker measures just 5.0 x 5.0 x 6.5 inches (HxWxD), but don't let the compact size fool you--these speakers deliver big sound. The three-inch drivers are precision engineered to deliver full-spectrum audio, so your music and soundtracks will have real-life sound. Backing up each speaker are 7.5 watts of continuous power, so you'll be able to clearly hear everything and still have plenty of room left on your volume knob.

A Unique Look to Complement Your System
Every element of these speakers is designed to serve a purpose and to look good doing its job. The speakers have a sleek frame, with round, black cabinets that house the drivers. Encasing each speaker is a clear, square panel that also acts as a support. The final look is elegant without being overstated, so the Expressionist Classic speakers blend in well wherever you decide to use them. And since they are compact, they'll leave plenty of room on your desk, workspace, or in your entertainment center for all of your other gadgets.

Easy-Access Controls for Quick Adjustments
Once you've added the Expressionist Classic speakers to your laptop or desktop system, you can control everything from the convenient power and volume buttons located right on the speakers. Power down the speakers when you need a little quiet for work, or crank up the volume when it's time to unwind.

The FX2020 Expressionist Classic speakers draw power from any home outlet. An AC power adapter is included.

The FX2020 speaker system is covered by a one-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Altec Lansing FX2020 Expressionist Classic speaker system, 3.5-milimeter audio cable, power adapter, user's guide, and quick-connect guide

Product Description

One of Altec Lansing's smallest new PC audio systems is also one of its most serious performers. The Expressionist Classic is stylishly designed with unique cylindrical cabinets to house its carefully selected 3-inch drivers. This compact, visually intriguing system is up to the most demanding audio challenges you give it - videos, games, music, movies, webcasts, podcasts and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Looks aren't everything, February 25, 2009

By 

Deanokat (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Altec Lansing FX2020 Expressionist Classic Speakers for PC and MP3 Players (Black) (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

I was a bit skeptical about these speakers right from the start because of their lack of a sub-woofer. But because they are made by Altec Lansing, whose products I've had pretty good luck with in the past, I reserved a bit of hope that the sound would be better than just decent. Well, it turns out that my hopes were a little too high...just like the tone of the sound coming out of these speakers.

The design of these speakers is pretty cool. Definitely not your run of the mill computer/MP3 speakers, which is a plus. That being said, I think these speakers take up way too much space depth-wise for what you get sound-wise. The bottom line is that the tone coming out of these speakers is over the top on the high end. There just isn't much bass at all. With no sub-woofer and single drivers, this comes as no real surprise. I guess I was just hoping for better sound from an Altec Lansing product. There are no tone controls on the speakers, either. So what you hear is what you get, unless you try to manipulate the tone using your computer's sound controls.

Whether hooked up to a computer or MP3 player, the sound you get from these speakers is never going to be anything more than just decent. If you want good bass response, you're going to be out of luck. If you want to play your music at reasonably high volume, you're going to be out of luck. If, on the other hand, you just want to play music at a relatively low volume level--say, maybe for background music--the sound might be good enough for you. But with so many other options out there, including 2.1 speaker systems for around the same price (check out some of the Logitech systems), I'm not sure why you would want to invest in these speakers; unless you're just very enamored with their appearance. Just remember: looks aren't everything.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular sound, May 11, 2009

By 

Shelley Gammon "Geek" (Kaufman, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Altec Lansing FX2020 Expressionist Classic Speakers for PC and MP3 Players (Black) (Personal Computers)

I am so impressed with the power and sound from these little speakers. No subwoofer, but you'd swear there was one in the room. I got these as a replacement for my iMac speakers after my Bose Companion III system bit the dust. I had one of those Gone with the Wind moments... you know, "As God is my witness, I will never spend $300 for speakers that die in 2 years ever again!" Despite the cost, I did enjoy my old Bose speakers, but I'm not spending that kind of money again when their warranty is only good for a year and these little power houses come w/ a two year warranty if you fill out their registration info. Yet I digress. I'm accustomed to having the Bose subwoofer and the two small satellite speakers - but for the money - you can't beat these Altec Lansing FX2020 speakers with a stick.

I turned up iTunes all the way, then the volume on the computer up all the way, then the volume setting on the speakers at maximum - and I got zero rattle - just crisp sound with a dynamic range. No tinny sound - sounds great.

I judged the speakers on appearance - wrongly assuming that the big plastic plates would rattle and buzz on my desk - I was wrong. They help to direct the sound and the sound is like butter. Just awesome.

I listened to both spoken word, pop and rock on my computer... the sound is spectacular.

So - why the less than perfect review? Here are things I would change:

1. the big rectangular plastic/lucite plates should be made out of some material that has no static. These things are fur, dust and hair magnets. I have dogs and dust. Literally within minutes of use, I had a bunch of dog hair sticking to the sides of the speaker and now I have finger prints all over the translucent plates.

2. The power button is in an awkward spot. You've gotta grope to the back of the right speaker to hit the power button, which is nearly flush with the back, so you really have to look at the back of the unit - you can't necessarily find it by feel.

3. The volume settings are in a weird spot. Right behind the translucent plate, you're gonna get your hand grease on there w/ hand and finger prints groping for the volume controls.

4. The speakers are connected to each other permanently, not via an aux. cable - so if you need these further than 3 feet apart, you're out of luck. I had wanted to do some cable management around my desk, but it's not really possible - you can't snake a cable through small gaps in your desk w/ these big speakers attached permanently to the cables.

These shortcomings notwithstanding, these are fabulous sounding speakers at a very reasonable price. I'm of the opinion that you get what you pay for. I also own a pair of Bose Companion II speakers as well as a pair of JBL Duets. The JBL Duets sound fair for the price and are certainly adequate. I am utilizing AirTunes via Apple's Airport Express Base Stations throughout the house, w/ different speaker sets plugged into the different routers. It almost breaks my tongue to say this - but these rival my Bose Companion II speakers in sound quality.

These are a little cumbersome for travel in comparison to my Bose Companion II speakers - but these are the ones I'm using directly connected to my computer, because they are frankly the best sounding ones in the house.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (3.5 stars) What you see is (mostly) what you get, March 19, 2009

By 

Snap, Crackle and Pop (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Altec Lansing FX2020 Expressionist Classic Speakers for PC and MP3 Players (Black) (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

THE QUICK TAKE: If you like the design, and need a 2.0 desktop speaker system, these are a good option at current (2011) prices.

FULL REVIEW:

Altec Lansing has been making self-powered speaker systems (the amplifier is built in) for as long as anyone, and they are very good at it. The speakers work well for their intended use, with effective and efficient amplifiers and drivers, and are built with solid quality.

These speakers are pretty much exactly what you should expect. For what it is, it's a good system, but will likely appeal to those who want a two speaker desktop system with limited bass and an industrial style.

So what you see is what you get. With one big exception - the [original, now removed] Amazon pictures seem to show a clear front panel. It's really a dark transparent gray / black. See the Altec Lansing website for lots of better images. I like the dark color more than I would clear, though. The speakers actually look better in person - for example, the silver ring around the speaker has a nice knurled detail that adds to the industrial look.

Also, the actual dimensions of the front plate are about 6-3/8" high by 5-3/8" wide. (Though since it's angled back, the height of a speaker is really about 6".) It's even wrong on the Altec Lansing site. The front plate seems bigger than it needs to be (though in theory it's possible there are acoustic reasons for the size, it may serve as a "baffle"). In any case, they are probably bigger than you'll think, so get out a ruler and try to imagine the size.

DESIGN: This design does offer the market a new option, and not just in how they look: most speakers are taller than they are deep, while these are deeper (6.5") and not so tall. So if that works for your setup, these are one of the only options. Otherwise, the design speaks for itself - either you'll like the industrial chic look, with the prominent Altec logo, or you won't. A buyer can easily decide that for themselves, so there's not much point in reviewing how they look.

LIMITED BASS: It should also be pretty clear what this isn't - a system with real bass. These are small speaker drivers (3") in small enclosures (6" deep by 4" diameter), and there's no bass speaker. That kind of driver and cabinet combination just won't produce bass. So this system is suitable mostly for those who don't want the "subwoofer" underfoot beneath their desk, or who can't have that in their setup (due to co-workers or sleeping children nearby). There's no point in reviewing this as if it should have had more bass, as some do - it's a 2.0 system, with small drivers and cabinets. The lack of bass shouldn't surprise anyone.

By the way, as with almost all such speaker systems, the specifications (other than the dimensions!) are mostly meaningless. They are measured at such a wide sound range and high distortion level that they aren't helpful. The frequency range they give of 100hz-20khz is over a rather meaningless wide range of sound level. Similarly, they 7.5 watts per channel is only delivered at an unacceptably high distortion level, 10%. (Though they deserve credit for including that more complete information, as many makers do not include complete enough specs to mean anything.) So evaluate these with your ears, not your eyes. That said, for a 2.0 speaker system that you'll be listening to at close range, they are powerful enough and sound good. If you want a system that you'll listen to from across the room, you may want to consider something else.

It's good that they have an auxiliary input for other audio sources. Though personally I'd find an earphone jack useful, it's a shame there isn't one.

It's also a shame that the two speakers are hard-wired to each other, it's easy to imagine someone needing to snake the cable through a shelf or desk area.

So, if you like the design and the price, and need a 2.0 desktop speaker system, these are a good option at the current discounts from list price.

UPDATE (2010-03): There's not a lot I'd add to the review, my early impressions haven't changed, with one small update: I haven't found the location of the On / Off switch and volume controls to be a problem in my setup (on the desk), but some might. I do, however, really appreciate having a separate on/off switch and volume control - I don't have to re-set the volume every time I turn it on or off. People who never turn them off might not appreciate it, but others will.

Sound quality is detailed but a bit hollow sounding. Not surprising for speakers of this type, maybe it's the very lightweight enclosures.