I finally saved enough money to get myself a computer, I used to always use the family computer which I used to hog all the time and used to drive me crazy when I was playing a game, or typing an email that I had to get up and find something else to do.

I saved up alot of money, I bought a Compaq SR-1220NX computer, and a Samsung Syncmaster 712n LCD monitor. I spent all my money on computer equipment and had no speakers. I checked my wallet after I paid for my computer and monitor and had almost no money left. I asked the dude at Circuit City if I look at the speakers real quick. I took a look at the speakers that they were selling there and my face turned red from frustration. All the speakers that they sold there were either generic crap that sounded terrible (what I could afford) and then the nice ones were so expensive that I could not afford. I said to myself, I'll just get my computer stuff here, bring it home, and then go back out later and look for speakers that I can afford.

Later that day I decided to check to check staples for computer speakers, I walked in and looked at the speakers on display, they were all expensive, and there were not that many. The shelf next to the speakers that were on display had some really nice speakers, I saw 1 box of Altec Lansing 221 speakers on the shelf for $23. I grabbed the box and happily opened my wallet and paid $23 and walked out the door.

On the way home I kept looking at the box saying, "I can't believe that I got a pair of Altec Lansings with a subwoofer for only $23" a few months before I bought them they were $50.

//setting the speakers up// When I opened the box everything was neatly packed in there. The instruction booklet was on the top and all the other stuff. I am the type of person who usually does not need an instruction manual to set up speakers. I removed the speakers from the box which was packed in a thick cardboard type thing, and placed them on the floor. It came with these little stand type things as you see in the picture, that I believe make them a bit higher, but honestly I think I are kind of useless so I did not attach them, my computer desk is high enough so I did not need the stands. I put the sub on the floor (right under my desk) and the satilite speakers next to my monitor. The right speaker has the controls for the volume and the power button on it and is what pretty much controls everything. It is easy to set up, just plug in a few wires, the power cable (connected to the sub), and you are ready to go.

//sound// The sound quality is very decent at low volume levels. The bass is amazingly deep for being such a small subwoofer, and the satilite speakers and extremely clear and sound great unlike some of the other low end 2.1 computer speakers. I've played games using these speakers, watched dvd's (on my computer of course) listened to music (for test purposes only, I already have a stereo to listen to music on) and everything sounds great, even the Windows XP sounds. The problem is that when you turn them up. The subwoofer distorts terribly, they get loud enough for normal use, but don't count on having these loud at all because it will distort. But remember, IT'S A COMPUTER!!! If you want loud sound I would spend more money and get a pair of Bose speakers for $250. Otherwise these are a great choice for a person who need quality sound on there computer, without the need to shake the walls with bass power.

I have experienced one slight issue with these speakers and that is when I have my Linksys to close to the right satilite speaker, I can hear a bit of interference, but I moved the Linksys and have had no interference since.

The speakers are also magnetically sheilded so they won't mess up your monitors picture which would not even be an issue for me as I have an LCD monitor.

After owning the Altec Lansing 221 2.1 speaker system for 2 months now, I have to admit that I have been really impressed. They make my new computer sound great. I would reccomend these speakers to anyone unless you need loud, extremely loud bass.

Good luck with your decision.