|
Altec
Lansing ACS56
Specifications
Driver (per satellite): One 3 inch full range driver
Driver (subwoofer): One 6.5 inch long throw woofer
Frequency Response: 30Hz – 18kHz
Satellite Power: 35 Watts
Subwoofer Power: 35 Watts
Input Impedence: >10k ohms
S/N Ratio: >65dB Built in
Power Supply Included
UL/CUL/CE
approved
Overview
The ACS56 Power
Cube speakers represent Altec Lansing's latest foray into the quickly
expanding 4:1 PC speaker market. Although this market is dominated by the
Klipsch Promedia V.2-400s and the Sirocco Logic Crossfires on the high
end, Altec Lansing has managed to create the most impressive offering for
the $100-$150 range. It's only direct competitors are Altec Lansing's own
ACS54, which offers lower wattage and a diminutive 4-inch sub, and the
Creative Labs FPS2000s, which offer lower quality, control, and power all
around. The ACS56s are powered by a 70-watt amplifier inside the sub,
giving 8.75 watts to each satellite, and 35 for the sub woofer. The 6 1/2
inch sub woofer is contained in a sturdy wood and metal cabinet, while the
3-inch satellites are housed in small plastic enclosures, about 3 1/2
inches square. While not quite providing the volume of systems costing
over twice as much, the ACS56's are nothing short of amazing for the
price.
Introduction
I opened the box
containing the Altec Lansing ACS56 speakers expecting both high quality
and high performance, and I was not disappointed. These speakers are far
and away the best I have ever heard; barring dedicated home entertainment
systems. The high quality and meticulous care that Altec Lansing puts into
its speaker designs was evident even with the packaging. In addition to
being surrounded by a layer of thick layer of Styrofoam, the sats are
packaged in individual plastic bags, containing little envelopes of a
moisture-absorbing chemical. The sats themselves are encased in carbon
fiber-like black plastic, with the front two placed on crows-feet, which
elevate them and also angle them upwards a little bit. The rear surrounds
are identical to those of the ACS54's and rest on small hips that angle
them upward. Not serving any purpose, but adding a bit to the appearance
are little Altec Lansing nameplates on the metal grills of each satellite.
The heavyweight sub woofer, weighing ten or fifteen pounds, is the real
star of this system. Encased in wood, this sturdy setup consists of a 6
1/2 inch ported, long-throw sub, which is angled at the floor. The sub
enclosure also contains the power supply, freeing the user of having to
plug a huge power brick into an already full power strip. Another
additional feature was the inclusion of a digital in jack and cable, which
can be connected to most soundcards, barring some additions of the Sound
Blaster Live! series. My soundcard does not have a digital out, so I could
not test it, but I have heard that it slightly increases the sound quality
of the front channel.
Controls
Another area in which the ACS56 speakers excel
is in the simple but effective controls. On the bottom of the front right
satellite are Mode, Bass, and Treble buttons, as well as a volume knob and
an on/off switch at the rear of the base. The mode button switches between
the stereo and surround sound gaming mode. When the mode button is held
down, the LEDs over the volume knob begin to blink, and the volume control
can be used to adjust the volume of the surrounds. Likewise, when the bass
or treble buttons are depressed, the volume knob can be used to adjust
these properties. The treble and bass selection keys are a blessing on
these speakers, because treble controls are usually not included on
speakers at all, and because the bass volume is usually on the rear side
of the sub, and so rather difficult to adjust.
Page two |
