Labtec LCS 2414 2.1 Speakers
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Similar in Computer Speakers
- Max. Power Output: 5 Watt (RMS)
- Number of Speakers: 2 Speakers + Subwoofer
- Connection Type: Cable
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Perfect upgrade from PC speakers
Pros
sound quality, bass, value, overall effectiveness
Cons
distortion at high volumes
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The best value in affordable PC audio. From games to music to CD creation, they are unmatched by anything out there in the same (and even higher) price range.
When I was in the market for a new set of speakers to replace my $4 PC speakers that came with the system, I really didn't know what I was looking for. But I did know what sounded good to my ears, and that was definitely the Labtec LCS-2414 speaker system. In the year and a half I have owned them they have performed flawlessly in almost every aspect. The only possible shortcoming is at max volume levels, where the distortion is quite noticeable if the bass settings in windows are high.
INSTALLATION
They were a snap to install - it took about 2 minutes from the box to listening to them. First I hooked them up to my home stereo through the headphone jack to see what they would sound like from a real amplifier. They sounded excellent, but that didn't change when they were installed on the computer. Extremely easy to use and set up. They do not use speaker wire, so you just plug in the color coded plugs into their respective spots on the subwoofer and sound card, and you are up and running.
PERFORMANCE
When I was comparing at the store, there was no doubt that these speakers sounded the best. They were on a shelf with a set of Logitech speakers (worst of them all - fuzzy and distorted), a Yamaha system, and a PC Works system. The clarity and depth of sound from the Labtec put the others to shame. My friend went and got a set of PC Works speakers, about $15 cheaper - but they sound it. The bass from the Labtec set is much deeper. With a frequency response down to 40Hz, that is really deep bass! It lacks a ton of power to provide "chest thumping bass", but it really surprised me. They sound much bigger. And it's not just bass - the clarity is what sets them apart. PC audio can come in many forms - from super low-frequency bass to glass shattering high-frequency sounds. That is where the others fail. The quality of the Labtec set in high-frequency levels is excellent - unmatched by any speaker set I have seen. They would not only be good for games and rock music, but demanding classical music as well. The only downfall in performance is if you play them near max volume a lot of the time (extremely loud). If you plan to do this, set the bass settings in windows down to about 25% or less, then it will drastically improve high-volume sound quality. The satellite speakers are impressive, and that's without the sub. When looking at the whole system, it is almost impossible to beat for the price in my opinion.
VERSATILITY
Another slight downfall is the lack of customization of sound. The only adjustment you can make on the speakers is volume - the bass is constant. However, if you are using windows, you can change this under the "advanced menu" in the volume controls menu. Here you can adjust bass and treble to suit your needs, and it works perfectly. I keep the bass at about 85 - 90% and treble at about 75% and it seems to work out well at low to mid volume. Also keep the overall volume of your system sound at no higher than 80%, and use the speaker volume and not system volume to make it louder. This makes the sound much clearer with less distortion.
INSTALLATION
They were a snap to install - it took about 2 minutes from the box to listening to them. First I hooked them up to my home stereo through the headphone jack to see what they would sound like from a real amplifier. They sounded excellent, but that didn't change when they were installed on the computer. Extremely easy to use and set up. They do not use speaker wire, so you just plug in the color coded plugs into their respective spots on the subwoofer and sound card, and you are up and running.
PERFORMANCE
When I was comparing at the store, there was no doubt that these speakers sounded the best. They were on a shelf with a set of Logitech speakers (worst of them all - fuzzy and distorted), a Yamaha system, and a PC Works system. The clarity and depth of sound from the Labtec put the others to shame. My friend went and got a set of PC Works speakers, about $15 cheaper - but they sound it. The bass from the Labtec set is much deeper. With a frequency response down to 40Hz, that is really deep bass! It lacks a ton of power to provide "chest thumping bass", but it really surprised me. They sound much bigger. And it's not just bass - the clarity is what sets them apart. PC audio can come in many forms - from super low-frequency bass to glass shattering high-frequency sounds. That is where the others fail. The quality of the Labtec set in high-frequency levels is excellent - unmatched by any speaker set I have seen. They would not only be good for games and rock music, but demanding classical music as well. The only downfall in performance is if you play them near max volume a lot of the time (extremely loud). If you plan to do this, set the bass settings in windows down to about 25% or less, then it will drastically improve high-volume sound quality. The satellite speakers are impressive, and that's without the sub. When looking at the whole system, it is almost impossible to beat for the price in my opinion.
VERSATILITY
Another slight downfall is the lack of customization of sound. The only adjustment you can make on the speakers is volume - the bass is constant. However, if you are using windows, you can change this under the "advanced menu" in the volume controls menu. Here you can adjust bass and treble to suit your needs, and it works perfectly. I keep the bass at about 85 - 90% and treble at about 75% and it seems to work out well at low to mid volume. Also keep the overall volume of your system sound at no higher than 80%, and use the speaker volume and not system volume to make it louder. This makes the sound much clearer with less distortion.
