Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus

We don’t often review speaker systems that don’t include a dock for iPhone or iPod. But at the same time we know that most iPhone and iPod users have the same (or more) content in iTunes on their computer, and most stock computer speakers leave something to be desired when it comes to movie or music playback.



Among the more promising sub-$100 computer speaker systems to come along in awhile, at least based on specs, is Altec Lansing’s brand new Expressionist Plus. The subwoofer is about six inches tall and ten inches wide at its base, shaped like a lampshade but featuring reflective black acrylic material (similar to the back surface of an iPhone) that makes it look sleeker than any lampshade you’ve seen. The tweeters each have their own metal frame stand, making them look like something out of a Pixar movie.



Of course styling is a matter personal of taste, and what really counts is what they sound like. Suffice it to say that this is the best sounding sub-$100 three piece system I’ve ever heard. You can turn it loud enough to literally make the walls shake without noticeable distortion in the audio, and then you realize it can be turned even louder. But it sounds plenty good at soft settings as well. Overall they deliver a crisp immersive sound that makes the three pieces sound like they’re a lot further apart than they really are.



Peeves? The knob to adjust the subwoofer volume is on the sub itself, kind of a pain to reach if you’ve placed the sub on the floor beneath your desk. The tweeter stands take up a little more room on the desktop than they probably should. And of course you’ve got to buy into the unconventional styling. But if do, then these speakers are a great option for playing music and especially watching movies on your computer.