Altec Lansing ATP3W 2.1 Speakers

Note: This is a relocation of a review posted (long) before Epinions added the Altec Lansing ATP-3 to the database. Originally published June 18, 2000. -BI

Not surprisingly, speakers were the first computer accessory to break the beige cube mold. High-end home stereo speakers have for years been as much about style as substance, and their makers brought a sense of design along when they moved into the PC market. Last year Monsoon debuted the flat-panel style and now Altec Lansing brings another look to midrange computer speakers with the new ATP-3 series.

It's heresy in some circles to put style over performance when talking about audio equipment but the look of ATP-3's demands comment. The satellites look like an exclamation point with the dot removed, set on a semi-circular base. It's a fresh departure from the generic cube look and more practical than the space-consuming flat panels.

Like the Monsoon's these are speakers you won't want to hide behind you monitor. But also like the Monsoon's that's not a good idea even if you did. Each satellite contains two 28mm tweeters and a bottom-firing three inch "mid-bass" speaker, which I'm guessing is marketing speak for a midrange driver. With six watts of power on each side there's not a lot of power to begin with and the tiny speakers don't help. When the ATP-3 satellites are mounted front and center they produce acceptable midrange and treble, with noticeable if not outstanding separation. But if placed behind any obstruction the bass overpowers the satellites and the sound quality takes a big hit. If you don't have the desk space to keep your speakers out front the cubes are still your best bet for quality sound.

The 18 watt bass unit also differs from most of the competition. It uses a bottom-firing driver like the satellites and I'm at a loss to explain why. If it's placed on a hard surface there is the potential for better sound distribution. But hardwood floors are pretty rare compared to carpet, which would absorb much of the sound. My desk has a platform for placing the subwoofer so I didn't have a problem. But if you have need to place your subwoofer on deep shag carpet you should think twice about the ATP-3's.

I threw two of my favorite speaker-torturing CD's at the ATP-3's and came away fairly impressed. When the speakers were properly set the sound clarity and definition exceeded the Boston Acoustic BA-635's I was replacing on the Leaving Las Vegas soundtrack and the acoustic guitars on Steve Goodman's No Big Surprise sounded full if lacking in warmth. On both CD's spoken passages fell slightly between the cracks and the bass didn't have clarity to match it's strong presence. Game music and sound effects ripped off these speakers. To get to a bottom line on sound quality the ATP-3's perform admirably with big sounds but stumble on subtlety. Not badly enough to not recommend the ATP-3's because I don't expect $100 speakers to perform like models costing three times as much. For the money these speakers perform as well as any I've heard in their price class.

Altec deserves kudos for including bass and treble controls on the right satellite along with a volume control. But how much more would it have cost to include a headphone jack? (Memo to all speaker makers: This is a big deal.)

Few computer accessories prove the adage about getting what you pay for more than speakers. If you have the money to drop on the Cambridge DTT-2500 or Klipsch Pro Media 400's you shouldn't give these Altec's a thought, the difference is night and day. But if things like food and electricity force you to look a little lower on the food chain you should include the Altec Lansing ATP-3's on your list. They work almost as good as they look, which isn't too bad at all.


-Brian Igo