same as below

same as below

Argh, for some reason audioreview must not like the arrow keys...so most of what I typed got left out.

This review is for ADA885.

I'd just like to say a couple things in response to comments other people have made.

++++As I said, unfortunately the subwoofer stopped working after about a month - I didn't notice for ages although there didn't seem to be much bass, the other speakers still work - but I've disconnected them pending sorting out repair/replacement.+++++

There WAS a problem with these speakers manufactured until a certain date (May, 2000 sounds about right). That problem has been fixed, however.

++++Ever tried to get anything out of Dell - even buying from them is near to impossible.++++

Anyone who knows anything about Dell knows this is entirely false. Dell probably has the best reputation of any major computer manufacturer out there as far as service goes. I had to get these speakers replaced twice (before the line was finally fixed). Both times I corresponded with Dell via email. Both times I had a brand new set of speakers within a few days.

++++overstock.com++++

Do NOT buy these speakers from anyone besides Dell. Chances are that they will be the OLD, BAD speakers. No one besides Dell is even authorized to sell these speakers.

They look pretty.

Besides looks, that's about all they do= look good. The sub doesn't work for.......!!

The sub woofer amplifier blew up after about a month. Altec does not support there customers in repair and don't even provide schematics. If anyone has any information on what size resistor R12 is, I'd greatly appreciate it. 3 capacitors, two resistors, and severely burned inductors on initial inspection of subwoofer board pn:ADA885A_5_1.MAX .

Similar Products Used:

ACS48

Good sound quality, powerful, integrated design, easy to install and use, Dolby decoder

Base is not perfect, muddy. Warranty from Dell is only 30 days, no support from Altec

This review is for ADA885. I used it for 1 week. It is really heavy: 40 lb, subwoofer is very big, satillite also big. Mine is manufactured in China, it looks fine. Sound quality basically is good. This speaker gives real, natural sound. So, you really need a good sound source to drive it. Unlike Creative cambridge which makes high frequence sound 'sweet' and unreal. ADA885's subwoofer is 8 inch and 60w powered, but, unfortunately, the sound is 'desappointing', it is a little bit muddy.

Waching movie, the sound is great! The THX mark worths. I'v watched 'Driven', 'Top Gun' ... Great sound! Laud, clear and base rich. Sure dolby decoder did good job too.

I saw many reviews from other websites also stated the subwoofer burned after 1 month. Seems this is a common problem. There is a code followed by serial code on the buttom of subwoofer: 'Rev A00'. I am not sure what this mean, just guess this means a revision number. Hope problem has been fixed in this revision.

Similar Products Used:

Creative PCWorks, Altec ACS33

Good sound

Cannot handle serious amounts of Bass

Altec Lansing ADA 885 bought from Dell computer Corp in a package.

Sound was great while they lasted - about a month. Then the subwoofer amp blew up.

They are very easy to set up - you DO need to understand what is and what is NOT capable of feeding Dolby Digital to them, because although they can auto-detect Dolby Digital input, if it is not there then they don't make the best logical choice, so you will need to over-ride it via the remote control (which is easy enough to do).

They cannot cope with bass-rich content - they distort. If you've heard a decent transmission-line performing bass you'll know bass distortion when you hear it!

They are fine for most applications especially movies, but modern rock, rap and other bass-rich music can give the subwoofer a hard time.

Subjectively, the sound is very pleasing indeed (when they work ! :-) ), although the subwoofer was a tad obvious about where it lived when sitting back watching a movie - you could tell that the bass was coming from under the desk, not behind you.

The area for the sweetest sound was good - you don't have to jiggle the satellite speakers about too much to get a good sound - although it is prudent to separate the front speakers a fair way, preferably equidistant from the monitor and at the same height as each other.

As I said, unfortunately the subwoofer stopped working after about a month - I didn't notice for ages although there didn't seem to be much bass, the other speakers still work - but I've disconnected them pending sorting out repair/replacement.

On the down side, Altec Lansing don't support their products, but they're quite happy to talk to you if you like. You need to go back to your vendor. Ever tried to get anything out of Dell - even buying from them is near to impossible.

Dell ignored all emails, and I'm having to take legal action against them to get them to honour their apparently worthless warranty.

Nice while they worked, but they didn't for long.

I see I'm not the first person to have this model go wrong, then a replacement set of this model go wrong.

This is an area of weakness not found in most companies so I feel that it is time Altec Lansing took a good hard look at their customer service section - at the moment it appears to be populated by people who can tell you how to do things with the speakers while they're still working, but can then only appologise and say that "it isn't company policy to actually supply any service backup for the products we make".

Not overly impressed really - I'm surprised Lucasarts THX accredited this model given it's apparent tendency to blow up.

If you feel lucky - give them a try - you might get a set that works. If they do they are very good, but don't pay too much - just in case!

Great sounds good setup

Terrible quality

I bought the altec lansing 885's from overstock.com (refurbished) the speakers sounded great but 3 days before the warranty ended the speakers broke. After getting a return number and $47 and 3 weeks later. I got another pair those never worked. There quality sucks I wish I never bought those things I should have bought the klipsch pro media in the first place. I would not recommend them to anybody

Impresive Bass, detachable speakers for either 2 point or 4 point setup, and obviousley a remote!!! dirt cheap

no 3d sound for a system this powerful, oversized sub that is in the way of my feet right now...

definately the speakers to buy if you enjoy DVD watching or Music listening the Dolby chip gives near perfect sound with DVDs. You can get more powerful speakers with the Klipsh Promedia but at twice the price and half the audio quality. Klipsh tend to overkill some sounds effectively shadowing out certain sounds and pitches with an overly powerful sub. Unless you live on video games get the ada 880. They wont give you 3d sound but the better 885 model supports 4 channel stereo and 3d sound for games while the 880 only do 4 channel sound when the dolby prologic chip is running not to mention that the 885's are 50% louder than the 880's. The Cambridge FPS 2000 provide adequate sound and 3D sound which lack in the 880's but do not compare in volume, richness of sound and bass power. I live in Canada and therefore know the virtues of buying on the internet to avoid our overpriced stores. In stores here the 880's sell for 400 $can and on the internet you can find them for 120$ to 150$ US currency wich make them about 250 $can Ahhh vive l'internet.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsh Promedia V2.400, Cambridge FPS 2000

Full remote control, strong bass, clear highs, and power, power, power!

Price and actually finding a location that retails these bad boys.

I have to say that these are by far this is the best dolby digital THX speaker system produced for the home pc user. I have tried everything under the sun that has a good rating, and these blow them all away. I use them for dvd's and mp3's, and sound quality is better than most home theatre systems. The dolby digital is absolutely amazing when watching dvd's, but this system is not limited to just that. The bass is rich and deep, and remains crisp even at high volumes. The highs are crystal clear at nearly all volume levels, and distortion is almost non existant.

I was told to try the Cambridge system, and I have to admit, it sounded good. Then I moved to the Lansings, and I couldn't believe this system was made for pc.

I upgraded to the 885 system when I ordered my computer through dell, and I knew I would be happy with what I got. I didn't find them hard to use or set up, but I have been fooling around with pc speakers for years. If you are looking for a system to impress your friends, this is the one!

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge