Altec Lansing XA3001 Powered Subwoofer for TV and Gaming

by Altec Lansing

Product Details

Product Manual [138kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 9.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068IGN
• Item model number: XA3001
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Is something missing from your gaming or TV viewing? Bring newfound realism and excitement to your audio/video entertainment while conserving valuable floor space with Altec Lansing's XA3001 powered subwoofer. Its powerful 19 watts (RMS) and deep bass output provide the affordable slam you've been looking for. Don't be fooled by its small, 8 x 8-inch footprint. The XA3001's single 5.25-inch driver and ported (bass-reflex) enclosure deliver subterranean bass rated to hit a room-rattlingly low 20 Hz (3 dB down from reference).

Keep in mind that this is not a traditional home theater subwoofer optimized for the dynamic ".1" output of a 5.1-channel surround system. Altec Lansing's recommended connection method for hookup with your TV lets you use your television's controls to adjust the volume on both the TV and the subwoofer. This connection method has 3 requirements, however: your TV must have RCA-type audio outputs; your TV's speakers must not automatically mute when using those audio outputs; and the TV's outputs must be variable-level outputs controlled by the TV's remote.

Alternately, you can wire the XA3001 inline between your audio source (gaming system, DVD player, VCR, etc.) and your TV. With this hookup, your TV's volume control will not affect the XA3001's output level. Simply run the audio and composite-video output from your source component into the sub's AV input jacks, then use a supplied AV cable to channel the signal from the sub's AV outputs to your TV.

A phase-invert switch simplifies positioning by freeing you to place the speaker in places where it might otherwise be out of phase with your other speakers (that is, the sub's cone would be "pushing" when your speakers' cones are "pulling," or vice-versa). This switch allows you to maximize your bass level by matching the XA3001's polarity with your TV speaker's polarity.

You may mount the sub vertically or horizontally.

What's in the Box
Subwoofer, a 10-foot stereo analog audio/composite-video RCA cable, an AC/DC power adapter, a user's manual, and a quick-connect card.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Under The Wire Gear, November 5, 2003

By 

Michael Bond (San Antonio, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing XA3001 Powered Subwoofer for TV and Gaming (Personal Computers)

Adds some ommph to those sound intensive DVDs. My Sanyo Personal Theater System works with this little jewel. The design is fuctional, the bomb-like shape makes for easy movement. The subwoofer was even better at adding some ommph to rock & hip hop music. Outkast picked up 15 energy levels. Even Bob Wills' country swing got some bounce. . . To summarize, it earns 4 stars for the 30 Watt power performance. Don't expect miracles, it works on a combination of volume & bass sources. It's an affordable & adaptable compromise to a more expensive solution.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very nice, April 6, 2010

By 

Denny (Gainesville, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Altec Lansing XA3001 Powered Subwoofer for TV and Gaming (Personal Computers)

I am very impressed with this. Amazing sound for the price. The only problem was one of the cables that came with the unit was bad, but I had another at home so it all hooked up quickly.

The instructions are marginal if you need them, and some people might if they do not understand how subwoofers work. I ran a stereo mini plug from some powered altec lansing speakers with a subwoofer output to the RCA audio inputs of this unit. This was not in the instructions but works very well.

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice but too boomy for my taste, July 29, 2008

By 

A. Lasu - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Altec Lansing XA3001 Powered Subwoofer for TV and Gaming (Personal Computers)

Bought this to increase the bass on my TV. It works fine. Accepts RCA cables (red/black & white cables) for audio input from your TV. If you turn up the bass volume, it becomes boomy or distorted because dialogue is sent into it. Keep the volume just high enough so that you can feel the bass but no hear dialogue through it. I give it 3 stars because, I erroneously assumed that this being an Altec Lansing, it was going to be an amazing subwoofer but I now realize this is no audiophile sub. Even when using a computer, the bass is distorted at higher volumes.