Altec Lansing XA3021 2.1 Speakers (3-Speaker, Black & Silver)

by Altec Lansing

Product Details

Product Manual [154kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 13 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068IGO
• Item model number: XA3021
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring 27 watts of total system power, these retro-styled computer speakers will dramatically improve the sound of your gaming, TV, and movies. With a deep-bass ported subwoofer, clear mid-range, and a crisp high-end frequency response, these speakers are easy to connect to your TV, video gaming system, DVD player, or VCR and provide a quick start up. They also sport handy, dual headphone jacks, so two people can enjoy the action without disturbing their neighbors or sleeping friends.

The unit also provides an EQ mode selector with three separate equalization modes for an optimal sound experience, including: TV mode, which adds bass appropriate for TV and movie viewing, Gaming Mode for extra thumps, bumps and booms, and if you can't get enough of that, there's Max-Bass Mode, which provides "wall-shaking sound". Also provided are a wired remote, with power on/off, master volume, and EQ mode selector, an auxiliary input jack for connection to two unique sources (say, a PlayStation and MP3 player) simultaneously. Altec Lansing also shields the satellites for interference-free use near TV sets and video monitors, and provides color-coded cables for easy installation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good speakers, but bad accessory cords, August 9, 2004

By 

James (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing XA3021 2.1 Speakers (3-Speaker, Black & Silver) (Personal Computers)

Warning: These speakers are marketed as speakers for your TV, PlayStation, or DVD player -- not your computer. They have RCA inputs; they want you to use the enclosed RCA cable to connect the audio outputs from your TV/PlayStation/DVD directly to the speakers. This would be great in a dorm room or bedroom setting where you may not already have a stereo receiver and want better sound than what your TV is giving you.

If your computer is anything like mine, you will need to get a different cord, in a "Y" shape, where the "top" of the "Y" are 2 RCA male connectors (these plug into the speakers), and the "bottom" of the "Y" is a single male headphone jack connector (this plugs into your computer). You can get one of these cable at just about any electronics store for a few bucks, but it would have been nice to have had it included out-of-the-box. I was bummed to open the box and realize that I couldn't enjoy the speakers right away. :-(

All that being said, the speakers have good sound quality. I am using them in my office, and they generally sound good. However, since I am in an office, I normally keep them at a pretty low volume, and at low volumes, they sound a little weak. Once I turn up the volume a touch, they sound really good. I'm not sure that any speakers could offer me high fidelity at very low volumes, though.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable for the price!, September 30, 2003

By 

PL "PL" (San Ramon, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing XA3021 2.1 Speakers (3-Speaker, Black & Silver) (Personal Computers)

These are cool speakers. I bought them for my kids' computer (you will need to purchase a cable to connect these speakers to your computer). Here's the lowdown:
Pros:
*Sound great.
*Inexpensive.
*Funky looking - cool.
*Wired volume control has two headphone ports.
*Comes with cables to connect to TV or video game console.
Cons:
Does not come with a cable to connect to computer - NOT a big deal though (for a couple of bucks you can buy one and connect these speakers to a MP3 player, computer, portable CD, radio etc.)
Very impressed!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Altec Lansing Rocks!, August 25, 2003

By 

S Lopez (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altec Lansing XA3021 2.1 Speakers (3-Speaker, Black & Silver) (Personal Computers)

Before Altec Lansing PC speakers were available, people buying a computer would almost always get a pair of white unknown boxes that was packaged with their PCs labeled or marketed as "multi-media stereo speakers", which (I'm sure everyone would agree with me) sounds like a tin can with a chord.

Altec Lansing did everyone a favor by targeting the PC market and creating real multi-media speakers, I have been a big fan eversince. I probably have bought over 4 Altec Lansing speakers and this model the XA3021 is by far the best I've had. Nothing in the same price range can offer you crystal clear audio with a heavy thumping deep bass range. Whether you're listening to Jazz, Classical or Rock, playing explosive heart stopping games, or simply enjoying your favorite DVD movie, you will surely enjoy the experience and I bet at one point you'll smile and say.. "XA3021, I love you!"

The somewhat unexpected, retro design reminds you of microphones from the early days of radio, but at the same time, the green graphics gives you that high-tech feel that seems to scream "I'm from the future! now where is your leader!". The sub-woofer is menacing and looks like an atomic bomb waiting to explode at your command!

Now what are you gonna do ? I thought so, don't forget to get one for your Dad too!