Altec Lansing, the makers of impressive and high-performance multimedia speakers are not your average audio gear manufacturer. Over the past few years, Altec Lansing has brought to the market some of the best hard-hitting multimedia speakers you could possibly hope for.
I recently took time to research and understand the Altec Lansing speaker line up much better, and I will share with you what I found interesting about this brand and its growing list of product lines.
As I was on the market for the best computer speakers that can replace my current creative Pebble 2.1 desktop speakers, l took an immediate interest in one computer speaker set from Altec Lansing, VS4121 2.1.
Unless you understand better the type of computer speakers you really need, choosing to go for either Lansing speaker or any other multimedia speaker set might not look like a huge change.
My interest in choosing computer speakers made by Altec Lansing is from the belief of how their similar traits found in both Altec Lansing computer speakers and TV speakers possess could give my video editing setup a leg up to better sound quality. So, why should you look at the Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 computer speaker system?
Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 Computer Speaker System Review
This is Altec Lansing’s newest release. It consists of 2 speakers and one subwoofer. Altec Lansing has not disappointed on this one as you will see in the specifications, design, and performance in the incoming paragraphs below.
Altec Lansing in the past has been known to make good quality sound systems for over a long number of years and this is a well-known brand. It is impressive to see each product Altec Lansing releases leaving up to the expectations.
These computer speakers just like any Altec Lansing computer speakers are of good quality, they are easy to use and they are beautifully packaged.
These speakers are packaged in a nice box design, this time blue. The Altec Lansing VS4121 comes in a corrugated Altec Lansing box as usual without causing any harm. The Altec Lansing box is nicely designed and the speakers are greatly packaged. On the flaps of the box printed is the Quick Start guide.
Specifications
It has sound pressure levels of 97dB. The total continuous power is 31 watts. The front speakers consist of 6watts per channel at 4 ohms at 10% THD at 150 h 20000Hz 2 channels loaded.
The subwoofer demands 19 watts at 4 ohms at 10 percent THD at 20 – 150 Hz single-channel loaded. The system operates at 25Hz to 15kHz which is approximately -10dB.
The signal to noise ratio is at 1 KHZ input which is approximately greater than 73dB. The drivers per satellite are two 28mm full range and one 3 mid bass driver. It has dimensions 8″ (W) x 9.9″ (D) x 13.6″ (H) and the subwoofer driver is one 6.5″ long throw woofer. The subwoofer is magnetically shielded.
As evidenced by these specifications, you can tell that the Altec Lansing VS4121 looks pretty beautiful and good. It has a 6.5″ long-throw subwoofer which provides some impressive bass and the satellites are capable of doing well with the added mid-range speaker and the tweeters are utilized for the highs.
Make sure to keep the subwoofer at least 2m away from any magnetic mediums as this subwoofer is not magnetically shielded. The Altec Lansing VS4121 has a gorgeous look.
In terms of color, it is dark grayish and has that mean and down to business look. The subwoofer is also impressive in terms of balance with its big 6.5″ driver.
Its bass ability is similar to the bass ability of the XA3051. In addition to that, the subwoofer is made out of solid wood and plastic at the front with a woofer grill.
It has a lightweight enclosure as it weighs around nine to ten pounds. There are three color-coded connections at the rear side of the subwoofer to make sure the subwoofer is up and running.
Features
The Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 includes 1 subwoofer, 2 satellites, a manual, quick start guided, console Gaming Y adaptor, and 3.5mm audio cable. The Y adaptor that comes with the Altec Lansing VS4121 enables one to connect to any game console.
The audio cable is made use of by connecting anything like MP3 players. It has a nice bluish/purplish LED and if you have headphones you can use it on this unit as well.
This set of sound systems is unique. The satellites that come with this system are equipped with a unique base/stand and this is no ordinary base.
If you look under the base, you will see three integrated mid-range speakers. The sound of the speakers is driven through the bottom evenly from both sides as the stand has a small slant.
The rest of the satellite is steady on any surface due to the speakers. Two 28mm high range drivers/tweeters are found at the front of the satellite. The Altec Lansing VS4121 solved one of the problems from the 2100s and that is bass and treble controls as they are built on the right satellite.
The dials are of high quality along with the volume control. The Altec Lansing VS4121 computer speakers also come with a purplish LED which adds to the overall finesse.
In addition to that, the Altec Lansing VS4121 also contains a headphone jack which comes in handy at times. The mid-range speaker is integrated on the bottom.
How Do I Connect Altec Lansing Speakers To My Computer?
You can connect Altec Lansing speakers to your computer using a USB port or a 3.5 audio jack. Altec Lansing speakers come with a 3.5 audio cable that can plug into your computer via the 3.5mm port audio jack, connecting one end to the computer speaker and the other into the computer’s audio jack, allowing you to stream media sounds to the speaker sets.
Altec Lansing can also be connected to your laptop using your computer’s USB port to transmit through the speakers via the USB audio port directly. The Altec Lansing speakers use a micro USB connection to plug into the speaker and the standard USB to the computer, acting as your music source.
This is not a tough job as it is mostly as with Altec Lansing products. The color-coded connectors will help you to know where to connect what and how.
How Do I Connect My Altec Speakers To My TV?
Now, as multimedia speakers, Altec Lansing speakers can also be connected to your smart tv and double as your audio output for your TV. But, how does connecting Altec speakers to smart TV work?
You can connect Altec speakers to your TV using HDMI cable, Optical to Optical Cable, or AUX to RCA cables. The best way to connect your Altec Lansing speakers to a smart TV is by using an HDMI cable to ARC; you will find it located at the back of the main speaker. All you have to do is Plugin your HDMI cable into the smart TV’s HDMI port and run it into the back of the Altec Lansing main speaker HDMI audio port.
AUX to RCA Cable Connection: Your Altec Lansing speakers also provide an option for connecting your multimedia speaker to your tv using Aux to RCA cables that are provided for you to pair up your tv using color-coded RCA cables. Most legacy TVs have an Aux to RCA panel located at the back of the tv where you can plug in to connect your speakers to the tv.
Optical Cable Connection: If your smart tv has an optical port, you can use an optical to optical cable to connect your Lansing speakers to your tv. The Optical to optical cable and HDMI cable connection are the best and easier way to connect your Altec Lansing speakers to more than one audio source like your smart tv and the computer without hassle.
How Do I Connect My Speakers And Subwoofer To My Computer?
Morden computers using HDMI cables use the HDMI audio port to connect your Altec Lansing subwoofer to your computer, while the pair of speakers connect to the woofer.
However, if you are using an old desktop PC, there is an AUX to RCA pannel at the back where you also have the 3.5mm audio jack to plug in the sound cable with green connectors into the Lansing computer speaker’s subwoofer or the primary front speaker out port on the back of the computer.
Altenatively, you can Plug in an audio adapter to allow the converter to interface your legacy PC with the Altec Lansing subwooferusing the provided cable to plug into the color-coded audio port(green port ) on the subwoofer. Your rear speaker audio cable are then connected to your woofer that is connected to the back of the computer.
Performance
When using the Altec Lansing VS4121, you will notice that little hissing and background noise is made when powered without any source and also upon testing your CD collection.
You can try and play your CD collection and all you can appreciate is how the Altec Lansing VS4121 performs. You will notice how the sound quality is excellent and very clear.
You will also enjoy how lively and rich it is. The subwoofer produces inspiring sound quality. The bass is just accurate and top of its game. You are given that definite punch in the gut which was even with the dials in the middle and it’s by default.
Of course, it has to be mentioned that there is still room to improve the bass and for the treble to even stay more clear. Once you try to ramp up the bass levels, the subwoofer explodes with power, and the ground is shaken. Air can be felt pumping out violently at the front of the subwoofer.
Very well and very clear performance is attained from the satellites. If you bring to hold up the mid-range speaker near your ear when your music’s volume is high, you will experience some distortion but the way sound is separated from the ground up by the mid-range, you will not even notice any distortion and you will experience perfect sound.
In order to install the Altec Lansing VS4121 to play your console games, it is easy to accomplish. You make use of your Y adaptor and you connect the red and white audio cables connections to the adaptors and then you connect the 3.5mm audio cable to the end of the adaptor then to your auxiliary port at the rear of the subwoofer.
Altec Lansing Computer Speakers Troubleshooting: Why Is My Altec Lansing Speaker Not Working?
The majority of failure to power up are as a result of broken power buttons to your Altec Lansing computer speakers that may lead to not working. Though very rare, poor connection or lack of it also can cause your computer speakers not to work.
You must therefore make sure that the power adapter of your Altec Lansing woofer is correctly plugged in on to a working powersource, and the adapter is also connect to the main speaker woofer.
If the speakers you are using are portable speakers requiring to charge, make sure they have enough charge in them otherwise the reason the speakers may still not be working is due to exhausted charge or when the adapter is not properly plugged in, regardless of charging time. But most common issues with Altec Lansing speakers not working is caused by the power button being faulty.
Do Altec Lansing Computer Speakers Need Drivers For Windows 10?
Altec Lansing computer speakers do no require downloading any drivers on to your computer for the speakers to work. However, if your audio driver on your computer needs updating, then you will need to download the relevant audio driver for windows 10 for any multimedia speakers to work on your computer.
You will most likely need to download realtek audio drivers, and these drivers are not related with Altec Lansing speakers, rather your computer needs them kept up to date to allow your computer soundcard onboard your computer to stream media files and audio properly. To successfully resolve any audio issues on your windows 10 with computer speakers, you would have to configure your audio drivers inside your computer’s control panel.
How Do I Access My Audio Drivers In Windows 10?
There are four simple steps to follow when troubleshooting your audio drivers when the computer speakers are not working.
- In step1: Power up your computer and navigate to the lower left corner of your laptop or computer monitor screen to locate the search box on the taskbar. Inside the search box go ahead and type in the word”device manager” and go ahead to select it from the search results returned once you hit enter.
- In step 2: Locate and select the arrow next to Sound, then video and click the game controllers to expand the utility menu.
- In ste3: go ahead and Right-click the listing for your sound card or audio device, to expose properties.
- In step4: Go a head and choose the Driver tab, then select Roll Back Driver. And there you have it! Your audio drivers are all set to handle any computer speakers and all of the audio issues with audio not working will resolve correctly.
Conclusion
The Altec Lansing VS4121 is a very good system of speakers that clearly represents how many computer speakers are made by Altec Lansing. With Altec Lansing speakers its not just about what the labels say about wattage you get out of your multimedia speakers but how the clarity of sound and your room ambiance when you put the Altec Lansing VS4121 to work.
These speakers are by far the best 2.1 speakers you can come across of and they deserve a 9 out of 10 scores. The sound quality produced is just way fantastic. The sound quality you get from the Altec Lansing is rich, and impeccable to listen to. From the thumping bass, balanced trebles and clarity of sound all helps in delivering excellent sound quality you need.
