Product Description

Audio technology is really making big strides, and it's obvious here. The Altec Lansing VS2421 is an incredibly compact, value-priced system that gets its powerful, full-spectrum sound from custom-engineered, dual 2.5" speakers, plus a thin yet powerful 5.25" subwoofer that fits easily under your desk. The system's size is ideal for small spaces - and you can even mount the satellites on your wall. Controls are right on the front of the speaker. A handy headphone jack is right nearby, and thanks to a microphone built into the right satellite, you can use the VS2421 for internet communications. Wired controller offers easy fingertip control of volume, treble, and mute functions. Bass control is right on the subwoofer. Total continuous power - 28 Watts RMS / Peak power - 56 Watts / Sound pressure level (SPL) - 98 dB Front Speakers - 7 Watts/channel @ 8 ohms @10% THD @ 180 Hz - 20 kHz 2 Channels Loaded Subwoofer - 14 Watts @ 8 ohms @ 10% THD @ 35 - 180 Hz Single Channel Loaded - System response - 35 Hz - 20Khz (-10 dB) / Signal to Noise ratio @ 1 Khz input - >80 dB Drivers (per satellite) - One 2.5 full range driver and one 2.5 passive radiator Satellite Speaker Dimensions (WxDxH) - 3.5 x 3.6 x 8.8 inches (89 x 92 x 222 mm ) / Drivers (per Satellite) - One 2.5 full range driver Subwoofer Dimensions (WxDxH) - 11.7 x 5.6 x 9.3 inches (298 x 143 x 237 mm) /Subwoofer Driver - One 5.25 driver Altec Lansing 1-Year Limited USA warranty

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17102 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Altec Lansing
• Model: VS2421
• Format: CD
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 13.40" h x 10.30" w x 11.00" l, 7.85 pounds

Features

• Custom-engineered full-range 2.5-inch ported speakers deliver clean, full-spectrum sound with outstanding accuracy
• Slim 5.25-inch speaker that shakes the room without taking up a lot of room
• Built-in microphone for internet communication
• Small footprint, wall-mountable design
• Headphone, iPod, MP3 player jack

Manufacturer Description
Audio technology is really making big strides, and it's obvious here. The Altec Lansing VS2421 is an incredibly compact, value-priced system that gets its powerful, full-spectrum sound from custom-engineered, dual 2.5-inch speakers, plus a thin yet powerful 5.25-inch subwoofer that fits easily under your desk. The system's size is ideal for small spaces -- and you can even mount the satellites on your wall. Controls are right on the front of the speaker. A handy headphone jack is right nearby, and thanks to a microphone built into the right satellite, you can use the VS2421 for internet communications. And there's even a secondary input jack that lets you connect your MP3 or CD player while still linked to your PC.

Features include:

• High-quality stereo: Custom-engineered full-range 2.5-inch ported speakers deliver clean, full-spectrum sound with outstanding accuracy.
• Space-saving subwoofer: Delivers remarkably big sound from a slim 5.25-inch speaker that shakes the room without taking up a lot of room under your desk.
• Built-in microphone: Gives you talk-back capabilities for Internet communications (VoIP) and interactive gaming. Features automatic feedback cancellation.
• Small footprint: Compact satellite speaker design leaves plenty of room on your desktop.
• Wall-mountable design: Simply remove the base and use the keyhole on the back of each satellite speaker.
• Ultra-convenient controls: Wired controller offers easy fingertip control of volume, treble, and mute functions. Bass control is right on the subwoofer.
• iPod/MP3 Player Jack: Connect your iPod, MP3 player, or CD player at the same time as your computer.
• Headphone Jack for private listening.

Customer Reviews

Impressive
I'm an audiophile, I listen critically to every nuance of music and enjoy faithful reproduction of it. That said, I'm quite surprised that these speakers actually create a decent image in a nearfield setup. Voices are palpable and details are presented nicely.

I've certainly heard worse for 10 times the price, that's for sure. The sub is rich and full and easily overpowers the satellites. It's not overly boomy, maybe a little 'wooly' but nice. Just keep it turned down to a third or fourth on the sub's volume control.

I'm thinking with some break-in the sats may dig a little deeper and the whole system will integrate a little better. My only criticism at this point is there is a bit of a mid-bass dip... or a hole between the midrange and deep bass... And again, I'm hoping this fills in as the speakers move more freely after more use.

I'm very impressed with this little system at any volume. It gets plenty loud for my office and you can really rock out if you want to... And it sounds good at low volume too! I'd suggest a simple placement, with satellites left and right of the monitor and do whatever you have room to do with the sub.

This system comes with a volume control that includes main volume, treble control, and a microphone in one easy-to-use unit. The main volume knob is nice and big with a light so it's easy to find and adjust quickly if the phone rings.

I haven't tried the microphone yet but my system did not come with the microphone cable (nor did it come with any instructions). You'll need a male-to-male headphone-type cable to connect the main controller and mic to the PC.

Great system for the price, highly recommended.

Good sound - but some issues
Very good sound for the price and size. I went to a store and did a side-by-side sound check of this system vs. the similarly priced Logitech x-230 (both have good sound for under $40). While both were decent, the Altec Lansing VS2421 was slightly more crisp and true, but the sound diff between the two is not huge and the Logitech is slightly louder at 32 Watts vs. 28 Watts RMS. The Altec Lansing has independent subwoofer and treble levels, while the Logitech only has a subwoofer level adjustment. Finally - the Altec Lansing has more input / output options from the remote (mic out, aux in for ipod, and a wired remote that you can put near your keyboard). Due to the slightly better sound and the interface advantages, I bought this system over the Logitech, but need to return it for a few reasons: 1. - this unit experiences lots of wireless interference. I should have realized this because while I was standing in front of the display wall which contained about 15 types of PC speakers all powered on - I began to hear lots of buzzing from this unit only. I had my blackberry with me, which was probably the culprit. Oddly none of the other units seemed to be reacting - just this one. 2. I planned on putting the satellite speakers alongside my monitor and placing the subwoofer next to my desk. There is about 6ft of cord length from the remote to the PC (just fine) and about 6ft of cord length from the remote to the subwoofer (also fine). This means that the subwoofer can effectively be about 12ft from the PC. The issue is that there is only about 3 - 4 feet of cord length from the satellite speakers to the subwoofer, and each must connect independently. This made it impossible for me to locate the subwoofer anywhere but directly under my desk in order to plug in the sats. This is where the big design difference comes into play between the Logitech x-230 and the Altec Lansing VS2421: The Altec Lansing has a slightly bigger subwoofer leaving less room for under the desk installation and also has a completely unprotected speaker skin which you are very likely to damage by kicking if you place it under your desk. The Logitech subwoofer has a nicely protected speaker with a strong metal mesh grate that you can kick all you want without damaging the sensitive speaker skin. Due to the unprotected sub-speaker and the RF interference - I'll be exchanging this for the Logitech. Too bad because I preferred the sound of this unit as well as the remote interface.

Best bang for your buck
This speaker system is great. You may be doubting it because of its cheap price, but it really does deliver. PROS: Low distortion on high volumes, the bass is not boomy like other systems (bass is tight instead), cool look and free mic. CONS: the mic could be better and the satellite speakers could be smaller. ALL IN ALL: a great buy. I have no regrets.