SPEAKERS LOOK AS GOOD AS THEY SOUND
It's pretty much common sense that quality products make an
experience better. Everyone in a plane gets there but first class
makes the trip more comfortable. Any car gets you there but it's
nicer in a Mercedes. And that mindset certainly applies to
computers. Yes you can buy a nice system that will get the job done
but spending a little more on your peripherals will definitely
enrich your computing experience.
There are two main places to add some extra dollars for a first
class computing encounter. It all begins with your eyes. I'm talking
about the object at which you'll be constantly looking, namely the
screen. My advice is to throw as much cash at this as you can stand.
Because if it's bigger, flatter, sharper and brighter, you're going
to be much more happier. Mine's currently a 22 inch, wide-screen
display and I'm thinking about going to a 30 inch model. I can't
wait.
The second is all about your ears. I'll bet that if I were to
look at your computer right now, I'd see that you have a pair of El
Cheapo 6-ounce plastic speakers that probably came with your
computer. And I'll bet you're shrugging your shoulders right now and
thinking "So? They sound good enough to me." In fact, I'll bet that
you probably keep the volume turned off because you've convinced
yourself that sound on your computer really isn't that important. Is
this sounding familiar? Would you for even a moment consider using
those crummy little speakers on your home stereo system? Of course
you wouldn't and neither should you have them on your PC. Having a
quality set of speakers will find you once again turning up the
volume playing those mp3 files, listening to streaming audio on the
Internet and enjoying the audio-video experience that is your
computer.
 There
are many quality computer speakers available but I'd like to suggest
you give a listen to a set from Altec Lansing (www.alteclansing.com).
The company has been around since the 1920s and is a recognized
leader in the speaker industry. Their top-of-the-line computer model
is their FX6021 ($299.95). Consisting of two stereo speakers and a
subwoofer, this rich-sounding system is ideal for playing music and
games, watching movies and just about any other sound your computer
is capable of producing.
The two stereo speakers are only one inch thick, 2.5 inches wide
and stand a little over 14 inches tall. Both contain a total of 12
full-range micro driver speakers. A frequency filtering system beams
the audio straight out so that you feel the sound coming right at
you without it being reflected from the floor or ceiling. The
subwoofer speaker will rumble the floor beneath you if you so
desire.
The other important feature of these speakers isn't audible but
rather visual. They really look great and you'll be placing them
right alongside that new big screen we were just talking about.
Adding to its looks and sound is the included Control Pod that lets
you regulate the bass, treble and master volume levels indicated by
a row of little glowing blue LED indicators. And you don't have to
be standing next to the pod since you can regulate it via the
included wireless remote control.
One other feature makes this system stand out in a crowd. Altec
Lansing had the foresight to include an auxiliary input jack so that
you can connect two different audio sources at the same time. That
lets me connect both my computer and my mini-disc player and allows
me to transfer the audio directly from the player into the computer.
I can even monitoring the audio directly from the player at the same
time. The system also has a headphone jack for private listening.
Your computer more than likely represents a sizeable investment
and trying to skimp on the screen and speakers is tantamount to
putting bicycle tires on a Ferrari. Biting the bullet a little
harder will make you a lot happier every time the computer turns on.
www.alteclansing.com |
