2.1 speaker system - Altec Lansing VS Sony
Written on 5:18 AM by Ashton
If you are looking for a speaker, I will suggest brand Altec Lansing. Because Altec founded 70 years ago, it must had tremendous experience in audio systems. Or I should tell it dedicated the audio sound systems.
From PlayStation gaming console to their Bravia TVs, you might be curious about Sony in your search for the perfect 2.1 audio setup. Though Sony has come to every aspect of electronic products, first thing I will mention that Sony has difficulty on making all kinds of electronic products, which I mean they have to make sure their products run good.
In terms of price, they are evenly matched at $299 per set, but look at their specification, we could see the table below, Sony seems to be good at power output.
Speaker Specifications
| Speaker Model / Specifications | Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra | Sony SRS-DB500 |
|---|---|---|
| Satellite | 3-inch midrange driver, 1-inch neodymium tweeter | 2.5-inch driver |
| Subwoofer | 6.5-inch front-firing, long-throw woofer | 6.2-inch woofer |
| Power Output | Satellite: 66W, Subwoofer: 68W | Satellite: 75W, Subwoofer: 150W |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphones jack | 3.5mm headphones jack |
| Inputs | 3.5mm auxiliary jack with RCA adapter | 3.5mm auxiliary jack, RCA |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) cm | Satellite: 13.5 x 15.6 x 22 Subwoofer: 25 x 38.2 x 40 | Satellite: 9.4 x 13.7 x 19.6 Subwoofer: 22.1 x 44.1 x 40.2 |
| Weight | Entire System: Approximately 10kg | Satellite: 700g each, Subwoofer: 8.5kg |
The Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra is one of the best looking speakers we've seen. The satellites, in particular, are perfectly stylish.
Each of the Expressionist Ultra's satellites houses a single 1-inch tweeter and a 3-inch mid-range driver. In theory, having drivers for each audio spectrum should give it a better sound.
A handy and equally good-looking wired controller pod, which allows users to adjust volume, fine tune bass and treble settings. It also houses the auxiliary and headphones jacks. A string of chasing orange LED lights on the pod. The lights act as indicators when you are trying to adjust the volume, but when you are not , it just chases back and forth.
Connectors for the Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra are found at the bottom rear of the subwoofer.
This is the Sony SRS-DB500 2.1. Despite its considerable price tag, it comes with minimal accessories and actually looks quite ordinary.
Each of the Sony satellite speakers houses a single 2.5-inch driver.
We might don't like that the control to adjust volume, bass and treble at the subwoofer itself as well as the headphone and auxiliary jacks are located on the subwoofer.
Behind the subwoofer you'll find that connectors for the left and right satellites as well as the RCA input. A RCA(Radio Corporation of America) 3.5mm stereo jack is provided, so don't worry.
Overall Final Standings
Overall for these speakers, Altec triumph over Sony. For the performance of Altec, it has better rendition of the mids and highs than Sony.
Each of the Expressionist Ultra's satellites houses a single 1-inch tweeter and a 3-inch mid-range driver. In theory, having drivers for each audio spectrum should give it a better sound.
A handy and equally good-looking wired controller pod, which allows users to adjust volume, fine tune bass and treble settings. It also houses the auxiliary and headphones jacks. A string of chasing orange LED lights on the pod. The lights act as indicators when you are trying to adjust the volume, but when you are not , it just chases back and forth.
Connectors for the Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra are found at the bottom rear of the subwoofer.
This is the Sony SRS-DB500 2.1. Despite its considerable price tag, it comes with minimal accessories and actually looks quite ordinary.
Each of the Sony satellite speakers houses a single 2.5-inch driver.
We might don't like that the control to adjust volume, bass and treble at the subwoofer itself as well as the headphone and auxiliary jacks are located on the subwoofer.
Behind the subwoofer you'll find that connectors for the left and right satellites as well as the RCA input. A RCA(Radio Corporation of America) 3.5mm stereo jack is provided, so don't worry.Overall Final Standings
| Attributes / Speakers | Performance | Physique | Value | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | S$299 |
| Sony SRS-DB500 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | S$299 |
By looking on design and value for money, Altec is the best winner. From an aesthetics standpoint, the Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra can hardly be unblamable. It looks darn good. When placed side by side, the Sony SRS-DB500 looks dull and uninspired.
But what's really disappointing about the Sony SRS-DB500 is its poor design. Not providing a wired remote control pod is bad enough, but to have all the controls on the subwoofer is thoughtlessness on Sony's part. Furthermore, the auxiliary and headphones jacks is placed on the subwoofer. Surely the jacks must be placed on the satellites, this would have made positioning the subwoofer much easier.
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