GOTY 2009: Desktop Speakers

Continuing our refreshing course of action this week on Tech2, we have been listing out winners as gadgets of the year in each and every category. The spotlight now is on desktop speakers, the vibrant pulsating marketplace that it is. As usual we have one winner, one runner up and finally a value buy.

Winner: Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra

MOP: Rs. 8000

A clear winner this, Altec Lansing as a brand deserves credit for this Expressionist series of theirs, it's constantly been reinvented and churns out some great speakers for PC. The system conforms to the 2.1 status, thus including 2 satellites, and a subwoofer of leviathan proportions. It's one of the biggest subs we have come across in the PC audio category.This driver is 6.5 inches, and is covered by a heavy black brace that is screwed on tightly.

The satellites too have a similar arrangement for its driver, also they contain a tweeter on the top, thus making them a 2 way configuration with 3” woofers and 1” tweeter. The included control pod’s base is round and conical in its rise, with buttons on the top, and EP (3.5 mm) connectors on the side for headphone and aux in. The max power output is 200 watts, and the max SPL is 106 dB. The rated frequency response is 40Hz- 20KHz.

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The Expressionist as usual went through the regular battery of tests and the first thing I noticed was the bass, presumably due to the size of the sub. I was afraid it might overpower the rest of the frequency response in terms of sound, which it did in just a small quantity. What we have is a heavy and low bass response, but quite tight at that. I was very impressed by the tight bass sound, kickdrums and snares that had punch that makes your face clench like an audiophile moron. Also, the highs and mids were very “present” and quite forward sounding, but not too out of control. The highs had this clarity which was impressive, as it never once flopped into the realm of brittle treble.

Good: