8. Altec Lansing 251, Continued

With a retail price of $99.95US (€129), Altec Lansing has not positioned the 251 as a competitor with top-of-the range models, but aims to vie with the Inspire 5300 and 6700 (currently only available in Europe) in the market for 5.1/ 6.1 entry-level speakers. The result is pretty conclusive. The satellites produce sound that is in the pure Altec tradition, not unlike that of the traditional ACS 48 or ACS 45.1 stereo systems. The trebles are not fantastic, because they soon become saturated, but they remain respectable nevertheless. The mediums are clearly audible and sharp, improving on the weakness of the trebles when the 251 speakers are pushed to the limit. To come back to the trebles, it is amusing to notice that their saturation point is, to some extent, reminiscent of that of certain tube amplifiers, especially those for the electric guitar. Thus the trebles soon become distorted from their optimum precision and fidelity point, but they have a certain warmth that distinguishes the 251 from other systems in this price range. The bass is very good even though it is a pity that the cabinet that houses them is not more impressive and ought to have supplied the big sound that is representative of speakers of this brand. The lower frequencies are quite well-reproduced, but are percussive rather than deep. The general balance is acceptable and the stereo image satisfactory for listening to MP3s or game-playing. The 251s are recommended for gamers who want to benefit from 5.1 without getting into debt. Their very percussive sound and the quality of their positioning will be greatly appreciated. As for watching DVDs, the result is average, especially as a result of the slight coloration of the sound of the bass notes, which can sometimes be a little feeble. Despite all this, the 251 system is a success and represents the best value for the money in this comparative test. Fans of Altec Lansing who want to stick with the brand can get additional quality and power if they opt for the venerable 641s.