Altec Lansing FX5051 (speaker system - For PC - wired)

I brought Altec Lansing FX50501 model, I was happy with Altec just 6 months. After 6 months I got problem with volume control cable than went to Rashi Peripherals, Chennai. Service people make ready the cable somewhat manageable manner. Again 7 months after again same problem which I can't able to manage i.e. power control not get switched on, again I went to Rashi Peripherals they said unable to repair the cable, than I asked for the new one they said stock not available than I asked them to suggest some alternative because my music system not get switched on they said no option to make ready my system due to unavailability stocks in this model. I am wondering how authorised service dealer for Altec Lansing give like this irresponsible reply to the customer.
Now my music system is useless. Guys, my humble suggestion is please don't go for Altec Lansing model because their no support for service. You can get better models in India.

These Speakers are great except for the fact that if you turn up the volume by one level, it gets alot louder. Would've been better if the volume control had more precision. I have to use the iTunes volume control for fine tuning.

Other than that, these speakers are great, especially for the price i got them for.

I've had these speakers for almost 1 year now, and they have recently started to produce crackling noises, the cause of which probably lies with the USB audio synthesizer, but this durability flaw is the least of its problems.

The Altec Lansing FX5051 has some serious problems when it comes to sound reproduction -- the sound has no "warmth," and the output potential of these speakers is very low. When you turn the volume up, the scalability is not bad but the same hollow sound persists. The bass is only good when it's quiet, otherwise it gets much too fuzzy for any serious music listening.

The manufacturing of these speakers is simply horrid. The speakers are easily tipped over on their weak bases, and the exterior truly feels like the cheap plastic it's made of. The control pod is the worst designed such contraption I've ever seen in a speaker system, and I've had quite a few -- this is due to its short, thick wire that tends to pull the pod completely off the desk even though it has rubber pads for traction. The functionality of the control pod is intermittent -- you might press the on/off button expecting it to perform the corresponding action, but often it takes multiple mashings to get the job done. On a Windows system (this doesn't even work properly with sound drivers on Linux, but it does on a Mac), once the computer is in standby mode, you actually cannot turn off the speakers by pressing the button -- you have to wake up the computer to have that option enabled. How annoying! Is a functional on/off switch too much to ask?

Another major annoyance with this system is the constant, audible hiss that all speakers produce. As long as the system is on (even with the volume at 0), the hiss will be noticeable and may drive you crazy if your brain doesn't like ignoring constant ambient irritation. If you want to go to sleep with speakers in your room, you must remember to shut them off before you log out, lest the hissing induce snake-themed nightmares. Fortunately, I could usually tune it out, but this coupled with the rest of its problems left me no choice but to literally throw it in a dumpster yesterday morning.

My primary use for speaker systems is listening to music, and let me tell you -- if you absolutely must have a surround sound system in this price range, check out the Logitech Z5500/Z5300 series, I've experienced those for a year and they are much more powerful and crisp, and don't suffer from the same manufacturing flaws.

However, my highest recommendation in this price range goes to the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system, which produces (coupled with a decent sound card), a truly melodious sound. It's slightly cheaper than the FX5051 and infinitely better in sound quality -- I would give up 5.1 surround to listen to music on these any day. Alas, if you are a gamer, 5.1 is probably the route you will take, but if you game only casually and are a serious music listener, do not hesitate to purchase the Klipsch speakers. You will not be disappointed.