Altec Lansing GT-5051R
Ameya Dalvi, Jun 03, 2005 1010 hrs IST
What do you hate about a 5.1 channel speaker system?
Feature rich, good wide stereo effect, tight bass, RCA and aux inputs
Surround effect not all that good, average highs, expensive
What is that one thing you hate about any 5.1 channel speaker system? The mess that the cables create, of course. And the cables for the rear satellites, to be more precise. A handful of manufacturers have tried to address this issue through various pseudo 5.1 channel speaker designs but in vain. Now Altec Lansing wants to give it a try through their GT-5051R model. Let's find out if they succeed.
The Altec Lansing GT-5051R is a 3.1 channel...no, a pseudo 5.1 channel speaker system meaning that it tries to emulate the 5.1 channel output using just 3 satellites and a subwoofer. So how exactly does that work or is supposed to work? It is simple. The front channels and the centre channel are supposed to do exactly what they do in a true 5.1 channel setup. However in this case, the front speakers don't just have the usual front firing drivers but a pair of them one facing the front and the other placed on top of it at an angle facing the sides. These two side firing dipoles are the surround or rear channels. The sound from these speakers is meant to reflect off the side walls and reach the listener and giving him a surround sound effect. However there lies the catch.
For an ideal surround sound experience, the front left and right channels need to be at least six to eight feet apart (as is the case with any stereo speaker set). The left and the right channels should be equidistant from the respective sidewalls and listener should be located somewhere close to the centre of the room. Again, the size of the room also plays a major part in the setup. Man, that's too much of a fuss, even more than wires can ever create. But in spite of all these adjustments, does it give an output comparable to true 5.1 channel speakers? The answer is No.
Before we proceed to the performance, let's quickly take a look at the technical specifications of these speakers. The centre channel is fitted with a 3" full range driver while the other two satellites have a 3" front firing full range driver each along with 3" dipole driver for surround. Each of the front, centre and surround speakers have a power rating of 10 Watts RMS while the front firing 5.25" long-throw subwoofer is empowered with 30 Watts RMS. Thus the system has a total output power of 80 Watts RMS. In terms of Sound Pressure Level (SPL) it stands at 106 dB. It supports an overall frequency response of 40 Hz to 20 KHz.
The controls for adjusting the various volume levels are present on the right satellite. A headphone jack is also present. The volume control is a typical Altec Lansing-like with buttons to select the master, surround, centre and subwoofer volume and a single jog dial to increase or decrease it. The volume level can be a gauged using the 5 blue LEDs placed around the dial. It looks damn cool. There is also a slim cordless remote control that lets you access all these features. The back of the subwoofer had the connectors for all the inputs and outputs along with an RCA input, Auxiliary In and a 2/4/6 channel switch.
USER COMMENTS
I have got GT 5051R and recently developed a problem .It's not switching on.can anyone tell me the service centre in bangalore of the same.
by saahil, Banglaore, on Oct 28, 2007 06:21 PM, Report abuse Reply
The Speaker System Looks Great. Nice Article.
by ManiKanth Athya, Guntur, on Jul 06, 2005 02:40 AM, Report abuse Reply
by T.R.Athya, Bhopal, on Oct 26, 2007 10:53 PM, Report abuse
Please tell me the best sound system for my compaq presrio v2000 laptop from altec lansing which provide me a diff. identity in my gang of doctors and relax my mind after a heavy work load and your store in chandigarh.
by Dr Raman, Yamuna nagar, on Oct 23, 2007 03:15 PM, Report abuse Reply
Can anybody tell me that what type of speakers will fit me best if i want 2 hav a great sound clearity , bass , and wants to rock my society and my frnds? will the home theaters can be adjusted on the pcs? what type of adjustments are needed? plz reply, whosoever can ?
by hemant, bhiwani, on Sep 18, 2007 09:16 AM, Report abuse Reply
is there any service station at ahmedabad ....gujarat (INDIA )
by ANIL CHAUHAN, AHMEDABAD, on Dec 22, 2006 09:50 PM, Report abuse Reply
i have creative 5.1 speaker. Is this 3.1 best as 5.1?
by Arun, Navi Mumbai, on Sep 07, 2006 03:26 PM, Report abuse Reply
how good is the creative 5.1 speaker? Also can i install in a home theatre system NOT in computer?
by Shiv Kumar, Mumbai, on Oct 08, 2006 11:18 PM, Report abuse
pls send the price for delhi/jaipur
by dharmendra, delhi/jaipur, on Aug 20, 2006 08:42 PM, Report abuse Reply
by anand, goa, on Aug 30, 2006 11:51 PM, Report abuse
by rohit, delhi, on Aug 25, 2006 12:23 AM, Report abuse Reply
Many folks here think Bose is good. In case you havn't heard he saying - "No Highs, no Lows - Must be a Bose". I'm not saying Bose is the biggest crap out there, but it surely is the biggest Media Hyped Crap. Audiofeil, Symphony, Odyssey, Red Rock, AAD, Gallo Acoustics, Druid, Almarro, Paradigm.. are just a few name that are MUCH better than this hyped Bose... hell, I souldn't ven be comparing these hing end systems to the shitty Bose.. just wrote this 'coz many think Bose the final word in audio when its not even worth the begining :-).. no offense.
by pIxIe, US, on Jul 29, 2005 01:28 PM, Report abuse Reply
Those who make themselves look better only by hurling accusations and abuse at others are no less shitty.You should be confident of your product and that's what counts at the end.Not everyone is lucky,especially with speaker systems,you may or may not get the optimum value for your money with any given brand for that matter just because no two speakers could be manufactured same.Technical imperfections cannot be emulated and they do make a difference in the performance of the final product.Only a connoisseur will know the difference which unfortunately most aren't.That's why the "shitty" posting of yours?
by Dramuz, Jaipur, on Apr 15, 2006 08:08 PM, Report abuse
Plz send me the price and watt...in rms
by Bibhuti, Gurgaon, on Mar 24, 2006 05:57 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Yogesh, trichy, on Feb 19, 2006 03:38 PM, Report abuse Reply
The price has come down to 8K and it's the best choice for those who doesn't want to install the rear speakers
by Bacs, kochi, on Dec 05, 2005 02:49 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Vishal Goel, Panipat, on Nov 26, 2005 06:46 PM, Report abuse Reply
MAn I have Crative Speakers. Thatz tHe best Digital Music Speaker I ahev a 2.1 and it asewomw. it csot me around 2000 rs
by Umar, Mumbai, on Jun 13, 2005 10:47 PM, Report abuse Reply
LOSER. Creative's 2.1 is for kids. buy the 5.1 Ahhhh!!! now we're talking!!
by Dhruv, Blore, on Nov 05, 2005 03:01 PM, Report abuse
Hi, I heard about Microtek 4.1 surround sound systems. How good/bad are they?
by Rintu, Bangalore, on Aug 09, 2005 12:31 PM, Report abuse Reply
by samkau, surat, on Oct 25, 2005 09:34 PM, Report abuse
hey can u tell me mumbai delaer and contact no of thhis dealer who can give me this speaker.my no is 9870432794
by jagrut, kalyan(w), on Aug 06, 2005 05:28 PM, Report abuse Reply
This forum SUCKS.. can't type lengthy opinions... I don't know if these bumbs think they save space by limiting text opinions ....
by Cerebral_Mamba, Bangalore, on Jul 29, 2005 01:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
Bose uses the same technique : direct/reflective speakers. But it has a DSP loaded control module and automatic calibration and of course, the R&D of Bose :P
by Arun Krishnan, Trivandrum, on Jun 04, 2005 09:59 AM, Report abuse Reply
In case you havn't heard he saying - "No Highs, no Lows - Must be a Bose". I'm not saying Bose is the biggest crap out there, but it surely is the biggest Media Hyped Crap. Audiofeil, Symphony, Odyssey, Red Rock, AAD, Gallo Acoustics, Druid, Almarro, Paradigm.. are just a few name that are MUCH better than this hyped Bose... hell, I souldn't ven be comparing these hing end systems to the shitty Bose.. just wrote this 'coz many think Bose the final word in audio when its not even worth the begining :-).. no offense
by HeadPhile, US, on Jul 29, 2005 01:21 PM, Report abuse
does it have any mounting facility and what is the price of the above system.
by amit v, mumbai, on Jul 12, 2005 11:54 AM, Report abuse Reply
Highly impressive, but does it have any mounting facility. And what about its Price for 5.1.
by Yogesh Chandran, Mumbai, on Jun 20, 2005 11:32 AM, Report abuse Reply
by JamesBond, 007, on Jun 05, 2005 11:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
hey andheri dude! keep up the god work...
by Jo.THAN, Mumbai, on Jun 05, 2005 11:01 PM, Report abuse Reply
by acs1207, KANNUR, on Jun 05, 2005 12:38 AM, Report abuse Reply
by Amit Dumbre, Thane, on Jun 04, 2005 02:49 PM, Report abuse Reply
Hey dude nice article. Hope you post more of such articles on wich such research is done unlike many others out here.
by kidrock, navi mumbai, on Jun 04, 2005 09:20 AM, Report abuse Reply
I was actually looking forward to buy this one really..... but now I think I'll rather persue my dad to give me his Bose system.. :D At least that won't cost me 9 grand and give less value.
by Alien, Z13-c, on Jun 04, 2005 02:45 AM, Report abuse Reply
Damn...so much for feeling better that you get somewhat similar sound from 3.1??? And if you have a 5.1 speaker set it will have cables ..so..why worry?? The main problem I think is lower power(RMS) and sometime "Booming" woofer. I think saving up and going for Creative 7.1 set once for all makes sense as you can enjoy all type of games and movies with it fully. But then again not every one is in that position so it becomes personal choice.
by Champion, Mumbai, on Jun 04, 2005 12:19 AM, Report abuse Reply
great article, well researched, justified judgements, exactly what one would expect from a pro like Ameya. Just a suggestion , offer the website link.
by AMISH KOTHARI, MUMBAI, on Jun 04, 2005 12:00 AM, Report abuse Reply
great article, well researched, justified judgements, exactly what one would expect from a pro like Ameya. Just a suggestion , offer the website link.
by AMISH KOTHARI, MUMBAI, on Jun 03, 2005 11:58 PM, Report abuse Reply
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i want optical or coaxieal in 5.1 home theater speakers of 6000 wats
by viyakir, chennai, on Sep 04, 2008 02:42 PM, Report abuse Reply