Altec Lansing AVS500 4.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Black)

This is a 4.1 surround system, meaning four main drivers and then a sub. It's really easy to install, comes all colorful with what goes where. The nice thing i like about these as opposed to some other speakers i looked at were the rear satelites' cables. Though this system comes pre-wire (meaning you can't upgrade to higher quality wiring) the plugs into the sub are standard RCA/AV ends that have easily accepted my extensions. The Sub provides a switch to allow these speakers to move between 4.1 surround and 2.1 stereo, fore those programs which don't support surround (like WinAmp). I have used these speakers for gaming, DVD playback (which works great) and PS2/Gamecube/X-box gaming. With a few converters (cheap) it can be tansfered into AV capable for your consoles. And this system works well with a thunder file i use to test speakers, it knocked something off my shelf when i tested it.

Downsides... prewired. Well this isn't a problem but if you want to upgrade to a better quality wire then you're out of luck. But then again if you had the money to push for higher quality wire you would probably get a better speaker system than this one. The rear satilites have a constant white noise that moves through them, a neat inovation that keeps the speakers warm and so they don't go stale. But this noise has been getting louder and louder, to the point where i don't use the satilites unless i have to. This noise is only noticable if you have a moment of quiet, a whisper will drown out the noise, but it has been getting louder, i don't know how much louder it will get. The system also has a problem with 5.1 surround in that it has yet to give me surround sound with 5.1 setups. Even though it's 4.1 surround, only missing the center driver, it doesn't like 5.1 programing at all and often i return it to 2.1 stereo mode so i can hear. The sound quality is very good but it can get easily distorted if you have too much or like to push speakers.

So bottom line? These are great speakers for those on a budget or those who aren't really "into" speakers and gaming and such. They are more of an upgrade from your average speaker. If you are into gaming heavily or into speakers then you obviously know not to get these. If you're just looking for some cheap, nice quality speakers, then give these here a good listen. For something a little more you can try the Altec Lansing 5100. I wouldn't recommend these for big gamers, even those on a budget, but they work well otherwise.


Good speaker for its price.   August 27, 2002
7 out of 12 found this review helpful

I got this speaker for about 3 months and pleased with it, it provides good surround and it lound enough for my small room. The speaker shape is rather obsolate, but over all it just fine for me. Settlelite cords are long enough to placed across my room, the draw back is the settlelites cannot mouthed to the wall so you can just put it on the table or shelves. This set is relatively easy to set up and all will done within 5 mins. Over all I'm pleased with what I've paid for.


The sound is great, but...   February 8, 2003
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

...Their biggest flaw is that when you turn them off, the 4 satelite speakers remain turned on! If you put your ear close enough you can hear the slight hiss. Am I supposed to unplug the AC adapter every time I want to turn them off??!
Otherwise, the bass is thick and massive
The satelite speakers produce crisp and clear sound, and the noise level in them is absolutely acceptable.
The volume level is more than enough and without distortions.
If you don't want to spend too much on speakers - get these, they are worth every dollar.


vbzzzz   September 7, 2003
oneirn (toronto, ontario)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

In a nutshell: crummy. Subwoofer: 0/5. Satellites: 3/5.

The subwoofer resonates right in the middle of the bass band, you'd think they'd have done some testing on the box acoustics. I'm surprised it doesn't jump around like an old 15" paper speaker.

All four satellite speakers have silly little runners on the bottom with a wire between - a big wire on the right front, so it doesn't sit level nor stay where you want. I ended up hanging them upside-down like bats.

The subwoofer level control has a bad taper. Keep turning, but it doesn't get much softer after 1/4, until the point at which it shuts off completely.

The power is on all the time, even with the switch turned off. "Make this connection last" is right.. but unplug the wallwart first.

The satellites are tight, even though they seem insubstantial. The package would be a 4/5 if the subwoofer didn't have those nasty harmonics.


Great set of speakers for the price   October 14, 2004
Justin Lloyd (Moscow, ID)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

For the price, you really can't beat this set of speakers. The sound quality is excellent and the bass punches out the low notes quite well. I honestly can't say I've ever heard such an "inexpensive" set of speakers put out the crisp, clear sound that these do.
There are a few quirks that come with the manufacturing, such as the wires being too short for the rears. (I just put on extensions and it took care of that problem), but the speakers are also too light for the wires and the wires weight will toss the speakers around pretty well or make them sit crooked.
Look past that, and they're the best bang for the buck as far as speakers go.