Digital Home Thoughts: Altec Lansing Intros GT5051 System - Three Speaker Surround

"Can’t live without surround sound when you’re battling the evil sorcerer in “Zelda: Four Swords” or watching the attack scenes in “Pearl Harbor,” but can’t stomach the thought of cramming five satellite speakers into your computer or TV room to get that wrapped-in-sound effect? Altec Lansing® comes to the rescue with the first-of-its-kind GT5051 5.1 Powered Audio System — a 5.1 surround sound package in a 3.1 configuration that reduces clutter, wires and space challenges by eliminating the need for standalone rear speakers. Each $149.95 (MSRP) system consists of just three satellite speakers and one subwoofer, thanks to a novel front/rear speaker combo design in which each “rear” speaker is permanently attached to a front speaker in a one-piece vertical stack."



The obvious advantages are conservation of space as well as it simplifies setup for those that are not audiophiles. I had seen these speakers last month at the Holiday Spectacular Press Event that we (Janak Parekh and I) had posted on a few weeks ago and they do look like really nice speakers with fairly good surround sound quality. Best of all, they are small - 4″ wide, 4″ deep and 8″ high and can therefore sit on your desk. I have a 4.1 speaker setup for gaming on my desks at home and at work (music and TV/DVD audio comes off of different speakers) and I always have to keep the speakers at the four table corners to try and simulate the surround sound effects. I am guessing that there are several of you that have the same problem.