Altec Lansing SoundBar Speaker System Review

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by Sarah Meyer

In September, Altec Lansing released five new speaker systems made specifically for hottest technologies: mobile phones, MP3 players and laptops.

One of these was the SoundBar speaker system.  Made to help clear desk space while improving the audio quality on your computer, the SoundBar looks amazing.  But we were curious to see how the SoundBar would work with a notebook, when it seemed to be geared towards a standard desktop.  Can it be used interchangeably?

Soundbar Specifications:

• Speaker type: 2+1 system
• Drivers (per satellite): Two 2&quot; full range drivers and one 2&quot; passive radiator
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 93 dB
• Dimensions: 14.7&quot; (W) x 3.4&quot; (D) x 4.4&quot; (H)
• PC system requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista; Audio out port (headphone port)
• Connections: Powered, Auxiliary input for media devices
• Warranty: one-year limited warranty
• Included in the box: Altec Lansing Soundbar with two 2&quot; precision-engineered speakers and a large bass pressure driver; AC power cable; Two in/out cables; quick connect card; limited hardware warranty.

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Design and Build

The Altec Lansing SoundBar is designed to be a solution to the clutter on your desk while giving the listener &quot;immersive sound.&quot;  It is a one-piece speaker system that can fit easily under a flat-screen monitor or behind a notebook.

The SoundBar is a compact, good-looking system.  Only 4.4&quot; tall and 3.4&quot; deep, it can fit almost anywhere without being a pain.  There are only two cords; a power cord that plugs into the back of the system and an audio in/out cable that comes in two different sizes to help with &quot;wire management.&quot;

The system stands on two plastic &quot;legs&quot; that have a rubber panel on the bottom to keep the SoundBar from sliding, even on a slick surface.  It has a sleek design that fades from the front to the back, making it seem even smaller and less obtrusive. 

The power on/off and volume control knob is located on the front of the speaker system.  By turning the knob to the right, you can increase the volume.  Push the knob in, and the mute the noise.  Turn the knob to the left and you turn the system off. Above the knob is a thin stripe that glows a blue-violet color when the system is on (The knob also makes a clicking noise when turned on or off).

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On the side of the SoundBar, there is an auxiliary input for attaching media devices and a headphone jack to make the music, or movie for one.  The Audio In port and the DC IN 5v port are located on the back

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Audio Quality

The AudioHub is a 2+1 speaker system that “maximizes performance and clarity with two 2” precision-engineered speakers and a large bass pressure driver.  In other words, there is no subwoofer unlike the typical 2.1 speaker system.  Instead, there is a third speaker that has been modified to focus on the bass levels. 

Altec Lansing says it makes up for the lack of a subwoofer with their patented XdB technology.  There is really no mention of what the XdB technology is, or how it works, other than it “enhances the bass.”  So I guess you have to take their word on it.

The audio quality was a huge improvement over my Dell’s built-in speaker system, although that’s not saying much.  In all seriousness though, the audio quality on the SoundBar was great.  At 93 dBs, or maximum volume, the music was just barely distorted.  Just a tad lower, at 91 dBs, the music was still extremely loud but clear.   

I also watched a television show online on my Dell notebook with the SoundBar hooked up and the sound quality was as good as my TV.  The sound was clear and crisp, and there was no distortion that I often get with my standard Dell notebook speakers.

Using the SoundBar is simple.  Plug the AC power cord in, and attach the Audio in/out cable.  Since most notebooks don’t have Audio Out ports, or at least my Dell Latitude D620 doesn’t, I had to plug the Audio cable into the headphone jack (This wasn’t a huge deal since there is another headphone jack on the SoundBar). 

There’s no software and the system worked with Windows XP and Vista.  No adjustments necessary, as soon as you turn it on, it’s ready to go. 

Conclusion

The SoundBar speaker system is a great addition to any computer that is lacking in sound/speaker quality.  The unit is simple to use and doesn’t clutter up workspace. It may be geared towards desktops but I loved using it with my notebook at home. It’s not great for traveling since you need an electrical outlet to power the system, but it’s portable. I fit the SoundBar easily in the bag I carry my notebook.

If you want to enhance the sound quality on your desktop replacement notebook, or even your desktop computer, and want a system that is simple to use, the Altec Lansing SoundBar fits the bill.

Pros:

• One-piece, multi-functional unit
• Little distortion even at maximum volume
• Simple to use, no software
• Reasonable pricing

Cons:

• Geared towards desktops
• Only one-year limited warranty
• No &quot;traditional&quot; subwoofer

Pricing and Availability

The Altec Lansing SoundBar Speaker system is priced at $99.95 and will be available for purchase on the Altec Lansing website and at Best Buy starting sometime in October 2007. 

 

So how did you position it in respect to the laptop? Behind it? Did the sound get obstructed by the screen?
Try with the lid closed, and with the lid open and tell us if you hear a difference. Thanks.

 

Logitec has USB speaker/hub that looks like this, and Sony has speaker that looks like this as well, this form factor must be getting popular.

I wouldn't say the lack of traditional sub is a con - PC speakers with these so-called "sub" always have non-existent mid (which, undoubtedly, is killed by bass), and sickeningly loud "bass" that is not musical at all (although I bet they make good torturing device!). That being said - with only pair of two midrange drivers and one lower-mid/bass driver, I doubt it can compete PC speakers like Klipsch Promedia Ultra 2.0 or Philips MMS321. These are more expensive than this Altec-Lancing, but not that much expensive. Of course, the ease of setup and the fact that it doesn't clutter the desk with all these cords is the prime attraction of this speaker...

I do think this device can really use the ability to run from battery, though.

 

Nobody should be asking for "audiophile" sound out of computer speakers. If you wanted to do some serious listening, i'd recommend going with headphones. Personnally i have a Stax headphone setup setting next to my computer that has costed me a bit more than 3000$, and it sounds great but it just isn't comfortable when you try to work with a clamp on your head, and the glasses just make it worst. Anyways when you work, what you want is just background music, so any decent crappy computer speakers will do, sound wise. These guys understood that, we don't need complicated setups with wires running everywhere between the seven piece setup. Simple one piece solutions like this are going in the right way. Just that the price, 100$ is just too much... (that's coming from a guy who blew his budgets on a 3000$ headphone setup)

 

Hi! The speaker sound wasn't different with the laptop closed versus open. Obviously, if you push the speakers directly against the back of the laptop there might be a slight difference but would be really hard since the SoundBar design fades back. Also, I had my notebook on a dock so the speakers were about three inches away from the back to being with; so it limited the "muffled sound" issue.

Does that help at all?

Also, I agree that it would be nice if the SoundBar could run without having to be connected to an electrical outlet. But on the Altec Lansing website they feature the SoundBar in a "home office," or what I took to mean, with a desktop computer.

 

Thanks, that's what i wanted to know. I too have a dock and intended to use it behind.
If it was made for laptop, running off usb would have been nice, but you lose the versatility of the minijack that can run off anything. And it probably would have cost more, for the integrated DAC.