The Altec 45.2 is one of the lower-prices 3-piece speaker systems, yet they sound very good for their price. I regularly listen to music with them while working.

SETUP: The system comes with a diagram showing how to connect the various wires...but I think it make the setup seem more complicated than it really is. Basically, you plus the left speaker into the right speaker, and plug the right speaker into the subwoofer, and the plug the subwoofer into the computer and the power outlet. Overall it's pretty simple.

SOUND: As I said before, the Altecs sound great for their price. However, I found the satellites to have a somewhat flat sound (e.x. not full)...it sounds much better if you can adjust the treble and bass (even the mids) using software. The sound is also not exceedingly clean. The range wasn't bad...mids sounded "comfortable" though somewhat muddy, and certain highs sounded as if they were fading out pass the range limit of the satellites, but most music will do find in terms of range. The subwoofer is the best part of the system. The bass is pretty deep and full, and its volume can be adjusted to suit your taste. Overall, these are good sounding speakers, definitely great for its price, but its not going to blow you away.

SOFTWARE: Speakers don't usually come with software, and this one is no exception.

CONTROLS: There are just two buttons on the right satellite: volume up and volume down. To turn on the system, you hold down one of the buttons, press the other one and release, and release the first button you pressed.
Why can't they just put in a power button? The volume control is digital, and the response isn't particularly linear. I wish there were at least a power button, then maybe a rotary volume control might be better. Missing is a treble control, which I think would help the satellites a lot. On the back of the subwoofer is a dial for bass volume (pretty much a bass control). It's preferable that this control is hidden on the back of the subwoofer at the bottom. Don't bother with headphones, there isn't a headphone jack.

SPACE: The satellites are relatively compact; i just wished that they had little rubber feet to keep them form moving when they are bumped by accident. The subwoofer is not exactly small...you might have to make some space for it. Remember that bass is omnidirectional, meaning that the bass travels in all directions. However, the placement of the subwoofer will affect how the bass sounds, so the place where you think the subwoofer will fit perfectly might not give you the best sounding bass.