Altec Lansing FX6021 Multimedia Speakers

18 SEPT 2004

Altec Lansing FX6021 Multimedia Speakers

There are tons of multimedia stereo speaker systems available in the market to choose from. Stereo multimedia speakers generally refer to either just two satellite speakers or two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. Although consumers can choose from other speaker configurations such as 4.1 or 5.1 channel speaker systems, most stereo speaker buyers either just want decent sound coming from their computer or just find more than two satellite speakers unnecessary to them. Altec Lansing has released a product that seems to be in its own niche. With a MSRP of $299.99 according to Altec Lansing's website, Altec Lansing has released the FX6021 speakers. These multimedia speakers consist of two satellite speakers and a subwoofer.

One might wonder why would someone want to pay nearly $300 dollars for these speakers when they consider other products such as Logitech's Z-5300 or even Z-680 speakers. At $300, I would expect near audiophile quality. This review will be an interesting one because we will find out if the FX6021 has what it takes to deserve to sit near your computer. From my experience, Altec Lansing is known to make high quality multimedia speakers for your computer so I can expect to some degree that these speakers may just be worth it.

Features/Specifications

-InConcert Technology
-Exceptional bass
-Slim Profile
-Wireless and Remote Control Pod
-Auxiliary and Headphone Jack

-Total RMS Power: 75 Watts
-Satellite Speakers 12.5W each (2.5" x 7.5" x 14.4")
-Subwoofer 50W (8.5" x 7.9" x 16")
-Frequency Response: 32Hz-18kHz
-Signal to Noise Ratio: >75dB
-6 1-inch micro drivers

The listed features and specifications look relatively similar to other Altec Lansing products as well as other decent stereo systems offered by other companies. With a total RMS power of 75 Watts, these speakers will be more than enough for most users. With this power, these speakers should have more than enough sound for music, games, and especially when watching movies. The main feature that makes this system different from others and which also is the reason for the high price of the product is the 'InConcert' technology included with these speakers. We will explain more about this technology next.

InConcert Technology

Altec Lansing states "the fusion of pro audio line-array and tri-amp technologies, Altec Lansing's InConcert uses three separate amplifiers to power a total of 12 high-performance, full-range Micro Drivers. A frequency filtering system beams intense, concentrated audio straight out. You've never heard audio like this!" That was one long statement that can easily confuse the normal consumer. According to the statement, this speaker system uses a line-array. A line-array is not entirely new in the speaker world. Just as the word sound, it is composed of multiple speaker drives in a row (line). The interesting thing about this technology is that Altec Lansing claims that there is no volume drop-off.

If you have ever stood in front of normal speakers, have you ever noticed how you seem to hear more subtle sounds when you are closer to the speakers rather than being far away. This can also be applied to the analogy of using headphones. In headphones, the speakers are near contact with your ear. That is why a good pair of headphones sometimes seems more satisfying that listening to speakers sitting on the floor or your desk. With a no volume drop off, it would mean that you would still hear the subtle sounds no matter if you are close are far away from the speakers. That is actually considered revolutionary in the speaker world.

With 6 micro drivers in each speaker, one might wonder what their actual purpose is. There are three different pairs of micro drivers each powered be three separate amps. This is what Altec Lansing calls the tri-amp technology. Each pair of micro drivers job is to focus on a different set of frequencies which they call 'frequency filtering'. The first pair (the two middle drivers) plays the frequencies from 150Hz - 20kHZ. The second pair (one one each side of the middle pair) focuses on the frequencies from 150Hz-6kHz. The last pair (two outer ones on each side) plays the frequencies from 150Hz-1kHz.

Conventionally, speakers project sound in an up and down fashion. This may result in unwanted reverb or echo when the sounds bounce off certain floors and walls. With the InConcert Technology, the sound project outward in a horizontal fashion. This eliminates that kind of reverb and also project clear detailed sound.

Packaging/Contents

The speakers came in the usual Altec Lansing box. This box has a black and blue design. The front of the box shows a clear picture of what the speakers look like while indicating that it is a 2.1 channel speaker system. It also quickly shows the different types of uses that you can use it for such as a TV. When opening the box, I was greeted with the usual foam packaging. When taking the carton out, you could immediately see all the cables and components of the satellite speakers neatly in place. The package of course included the subwoofer and the satellites. The wires in the box include the wires to connect all the speakers as well as the wire to connect to your computer. There is also a wired and wireless remote control. A small CR2025 lithium battery was included for use with the remote. It's the battery that is round and thin about the size of a nickel. An installation manual is also included or you can look at the quick installation setup instructions at the flaps of the box.

The Satellite Speakers

The satellite speakers are quite unique compared to most speakers I've seen. They are very slim considering that they hold 6 different micro drivers. Because there are that many micro drivers, the speakers stand rather tall to accommodate the different drivers in a line array. Each satellite speaker came disassembled into two pieces: the main speaker and the base. The main satellite speakers have a wire protruding from it to be connected to the subwoofer. When first lifting the base, I found it to be rather heavy. This is what I expected to be able to keep the tall satellite speakers in place. A good base will avoid unnecessary speaker vibrations that may affect the sound. The base is attached to the main speaker by just securing it to the holes behind the main speaker. The speaker sits naturally at a slight angle. If necessary it can be tilted so that the speaker sits perpendicular to the base. The base has four small rubber pads to prevent it from slipping around on a flat surface. One thing I would like to note is that the wire neatly tucks into the base. In other words, there is a small trench in the base for the wire to protrude from the back rather than the front.

The Subwoofer

The subwoofer also stands a bit tall with a narrow base. It is also covered in a silver metallic look. The front has a nice rounded edge. If you look directly at front of the subwoofer, you can vaguely see the large driver at the center. The back of the subwoofer is of most importance. This is where all the connections are made in order for the speaker to work. The subwoofer is a bit smaller than something like Logitech's subwoofer in their Z-5300 speaker system, but hopefully it will sound just as good. An AC plug protrudes from the back which is how the system is powered.

The Wired and Unwired Remote

The speakers will mainly be controlled with the wired remote. The wired remote is the right size and contains the power button and volume control. You can set the overall speaker volume or you can also fiddle with the bass and treble by pressing the appropriate buttons. At the front of the wired remote, there is an infrared port which allows you control the volume through the wireless remote control. The wireless remote control is rather small and uses an odd battery type. I would suspect that one would lose the remote easily if you don't remember where you put it. The odd battery makes it expensive to replace if the battery ever runs out. I would like to see Altec Lansing, make the remote larger and make it use a more standard battery type such as AA or AAA batteries. However, it was still nice of Altec Lansing to provide a battery for the remote to begin with. The wireless remote is your basic remote with volume control. You can also control the treble and bass like the wired remote.

Installation

Installation is quite simple considering that this is only a 2.1 channel setup. Altec Lansing even took a step further by color coding the various wires and putting unique notches in the plugs so that you absolutely cannot mistaken plugging a wire into the wrong plug. All you have to do is plug in the right wires to the back of the subwoofer as well as the wired remote. In order to power the system, there is an AC cord protruding from the subwoofer which you plug into an AC outlet. The speaker is turned on only when the power button is pressed on the wired remote control. Since the back of the satellite speakers indicate whether to place the speakers should go on your left or right, I found the installation very easy to do.

The wires for the speakers were reasonably long enough for a 2.1 channel system. Altec Lansing has provided extension cables if for some reason the cables are not long enough. I would imagine that since these speakers supposedly do not decrease in volume over a distance, you have more flexibility in putting your speakers farther away from your computer.

Sound Quality

When I heard these speakers for the first time when playing one of my favorite songs: Eagles, Hotel California, these speakers were very crisp, clear, and detailed like I have never heard before. But something sounded different with these speakers than all other speakers I have listened to before. When placing two speakers in front of you, you can probably hear directionally that it's coming from those two speakers and can probably estimate the size of the speakers the sound is coming from. With the FX6021, the sound was right on track making it seem like a voice was a front of me, but I had a difficult time pinpointing where the speakers were located. I could also hardly believe that the enormous sound that was coming from the satellite speakers. The sound didn't seem like it was coming from small speakers at all, but just like a concert on a stage. I suspect it has to do with the InConcert technology. It made the sound sound very natural by making it sound more realistic rather than just sound coming from the speakers.

While watching a movie, I first sat in front of my computer with the speakers in action. Then, I started to walk around the room. Normally on ordinary speakers, you will notice that the sounds you hear from speakers sound different in different parts of the room. That has to do with the way speakers project sound. With the InConcert technology in the FX6021, there was minimal loss in sound quality. I could hear the character's dialog just as clear as well as the subtle detail in sounds.

When going through my usual testing in games, music, as well as movies. The only thing I found a bit lacking was the subwoofer. From the size of the subwoofer, I could suspect that it would only be able to product only a certain amount of bass. Having been used to the Logitech Z-5300's, I have to say that the FX6021 doesn't quite have the same 'thump' as the 5300 does. On the other hand, the treble and midrange rivals Logitech's high end speakers such as the Z-5300 and the Z-680. In general, the bass was just enough for most applications, but just isn't able to put out that extra bass that individuals interested in rock, hip-hop, etc might want. I would like to see Altec Lansing improve the subwoofer to give the glory and spectacular sound that this speaker system deserves.

Conclusion

At the price of $299.99 and as a 2.1 speaker configuration, it becomes a bit difficult to categorize who to recommend this for. On one hand, the treble and midrange are excellent in this speaker system that will surely please audiophiles. On the other hand, the subwoofer is slightly lacking. If you have the money and mainly like to listen to music, I would recommend this system to that kind of individual. If you are on a budget and are also looking for quality speakers, there are many other lesser models offered by Altec Lansing that are comparable to this speaker system. Although this system is fairly high priced, probably due to the innovative InConcert technology, I can see a lot of potential for this technology. As the prices drop, I hope to see this technology in more affordable products so that it can dramatically improve lower end speakers. If Altec Lansing can't compromise on that yet, I would recommend them to improve the subwoofer first.

Reviewed by ronald@digitalreviews.net

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