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107 of 107 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As computer speakers and not audiophile stereo equipment..., October 17, 2003
This review is from: Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 Computer Speaker System, 3 piece (Electronics)
... the Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 Speaker System provides a remarkable return on a relatively meager investment. As I write this, I am listening to a 1930s recording of Django Reinhardt and hearing every note and nuance of the music; as well as every cough, click, and pop on the antique recording. A $99 investment is providing a vastly improved computing and listening experience while at my desk. The speaker system comes in a light and compact packing box. The included instructions are rendered completely superfluous by simple and intuitive design - just stick the green wire in the green hole and the tan wire in the tan hole, then turn 'em on and enjoy. Connection to a computer, MP3 player, or the like is via the standard 1/8 inch jack. Additionally, an adapter wire is provided for those wishing to use the speakers in a dual-RCA connector application (e.g. a Sony Playstation). Disappointment will result from inflated expectations. The Altec Lansings are not audiophile speakers. A critical ear will easily detect the sort of coloration common in desktop systems. The midrange is a bit weak; but the downfiring design of the relatively large mid-range cones in the satellites goes a long way towards minimizing this effect. Once the ear becomes accustomed to a slight tinniness, the remarkable clarity of these speakers becomes apparent. The bass module easily does its share - and then some. Tweak the EQ and crank the volume, and you'll have a fine system for gaming or DVD watching at your computer (I can rattle the pens in the cup on my desk if I wish). Build quality appears first-rate, and I have had no reliability problems. Controls are close at hand - if your hand is near the right satellite speaker. Volume, bass, treble, and power are on the front face (see picture, above); and a welcome headphone jack is on the right side of the same speaker. I suppose this system may be viewed as an evolution of the Altec Lansing ATP3LA 3piece speaker system, well-reviewed here at Amazon and available as of this writing for $60. The VS4121 bring a freshened look, the aforementioned headphone jack, and some sonic tweaking to the table. I examined the competing models from JBL, Logitech, and Creative. Bearing in mind that listening tests are so subjective as to be of dubious value, I will say that none matched the Altec Lansings their clarity and openness of sound, or their cozy design values. Creative's I-Trigue came closest; but its design involved a separate wired control unit that I feared would clutter up my desktop. Further, this control was far too light and skittered away from the approaching hand. Within this price range, you can purchase the Altec Lansing VS4121 system confident that you could not have done better in the computer speaker category.
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59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Something to consider ..., April 28, 2004
This review is from: Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 Computer Speaker System, 3 piece (Electronics)
The fair market value of ~$75.00 for these speakers is quite attractive, never-the-less, I returned my set a week after purchase and I will tell you why.1) Sound quality is marginal at best. The highs are only apparent & clear if you turn the bass down to about 15-20% and the treble to about 55-60%. Without this adjustment, the sound is quite muddy and highs are lost to the droning lows. If you listen to these speakers next to Klipsch 2.1's ($140) or Creative's 250D's ($125) you will be amazed at the difference in accuracy and clarity. Now, admittedly, the VS4121's are half the price (roughly) but the difference is well worth the increase in QUALITY sound considering more and more of our entertainment is computer based (for instance - my entire audio collection is on my drive). * Sidenote for your understanding: I listen to a great deal of Electronic which has a wide frequency range. Highs are extremely important. These speakers couldn't keep up. I also had a problem with 1 single track where low's were cutting out all together. 2) The manufacturer warns of a detectable buz or hum from the sub if the a/c current in your home operates @ 60 cycles. This is picked up and transmitted through the sub whether your speakers are connected to an audio source or not. This problem is WITHOUT REMEDY. My house was built in 1998 (relatively new) yet this became an enormous problem, regardless of where I plugged them in. The manual says that it's only detectable at low levels or with no audio source. A track would end and I would hear bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz until the next track began or I shut the speakers off completely. I don't experience this problem with any other speakers (multimedia or otherwise) in my home. 3) For the price (MSRP of $129.00), a remote (wired or wireless) would be a wonderful upgrade. You may not realize but reaching for the satellite to adjust EQ and volume is troublesome especially considering they need adjustment quite frequently. Other than these gripes, the finish of the sub and satellites is quite nice and the audio cables are longer than they were on the old ATP3's which helps with configuration options.
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39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
An alternate point of view..., October 15, 2004
This review is from: Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 Computer Speaker System, 3 piece (Electronics)
I researched these speakers EXTENSIVELY before purchasing them. As is the case here, the vast majority of the user reviews on the various online merchant web sites are all extremely positive. The professional reviews, however, are more accurate. Read on if you want to know why this system is getting RMA-ed.
Most professional reviews that I located viewed this 2.1 speaker system quite favorably, but ALL mentioned one significant fact - the speakers have NO mid-range....and, in my experience, it's true. The idea of a down-firing mid-range on each satellite was sheer genius. The approach allows the speakers to be small and elegant with a stealth mid-range that also provides a low center of gravity so that the sats do not tip over (a common problem for tall and narrow sats). Yes, sheer genius...in the design phase. In practice, the down-firing mids do not work as advertised. The design leaves the mid-range completely empty and you are left with a WAY overly aggressive bass sub and bright, BRIGHT tweeters. No amount of fussing with the bass and treble controls will solve this problem. I constantly found myself reaching for the controls trying to tone down the aggressive bass and the PIERCING tweeters...all to no avail.
Okay, I knew this was going to be a problem when I purchased them...these facts were clear in all the professional reviews. "So what?", I figured. These are not very expensive and they just look so darned good. So I gave them a shot.
They arrived and I was incredibly impressed with their design. The wiring is ingenious (and unobtrusive) and the controls are within easy reach (and that's a good thing because of the aforementioned issues with the sound range)....and yes, they looked FANTASTIC next to my flat panel and small Shuttle cube. So, after I finished fiddling with the knobs, did I decide to keep them? Absolutely no way, and it had nothing to do with the mid-range.
As another reviewer pointed out, the sub emits a constant low frequency signal whenever the speakers are turned on. This is not a defect in one or two pairs...it is a design defect. Altec would have you believe that it is normal and states as much in the user manual, but I have never heard another sub do the same. The noise is not just distracting, it is maddening. The actual problem is that the sub design did not adequately insulate the input power source from the input audio source...so you end up listening to a gut-penetrating version of your house's AC current when you are not putting an audio source through the system.
I leave my speakers on all the time when I am using my computer...regardless of whether or not I am listening to music. In fact, they are on the same power strip and come on automatically. That way, I get to hear all the other windows feedback (beeps, new mail tones, etc.). I found myself constantly turning these speakers off lest I start to go insane from the hum.
BTW, I am not an audiophile and these issues still stood out. The hum was noticed by others the moment that they walked into the room. "What the heck is that?" was a common response.
Without the hum, these are 4 star speakers. No mid-range is an issue, but hey, they look great and are not very expensive. With the hum, however, they are one star at best.
Now where is that UPS man? Today, I have a package for HIM. :)
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