Altec Lansing FX3020 SoundBar

Rob Williams · 10-17-2007, 10:54 PM

Altec Lansing grabbed some attention at the 2007 CES with their PT7031 and PT8051 'Powered Theater' speakers, which created a virtual surround sound field around the listener. Their new FX3020 SoundBar features a similar concept – but does it deliver?

You can read Rory's full review here and discuss it here.

07-04-2008, 11:43 PM

CONNECTED WITH I-POD, BAD SOUND

08-21-2008, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

CONNECTED WITH I-POD, BAD SOUND

Ipod's suck, their out is not properly amped, any music going into a speaker system from an ipod would sound terrible. get yourself a proper mp3 player like a creative zen and talk again. And it also might sound bad due to the fact that the fx3020 soundbar isn't heavily aped either.

Rory Buszka · 08-22-2008, 10:00 PM

In my review, I did note the FX3020 SoundBar to posess a dynamically-compressed sound that wasn't particularly engaging. However, something similar could be said of most two-piece PC speakers, which are what the SoundBar is meant to compete with. At the very least, the SoundBar an interesting example of what can be accomplished with DSP to 'virtually' shift the apparent source of sounds and create the impression of stereo ambience, but at the end of the day the SoundBar was meant to save desk space, not to challenge more expensive sound systems in sound quality.

12-01-2008, 06:59 PM

Your review was excellent and helped me with my buying decision. Thanks for your opinion on this item!

FMaz008 · 02-20-2009, 10:17 PM

Hi ! Thanks for the nice review !

I still have a question:

I have a vertical free space of only 8cm. On the review picture, I've seen the screws. Is it possible to remove the Rack ?

If so:
- How high the speaker become ?
- Does putting the unit directly on the floor block some air trap or something ?
- Does the unit look great even without the rack ?

Thanks alot !

kevin · 01-29-2011, 01:47 PM

Hello! i was reading your 2007 article on the altec lansing fx3020 soundbar and wondering if i could use it as a "center channel speaker". there's a deal on ebay for one of these way under 100bucks which is what the cheapest price is for a discrete center channel. i need the speaker to pick up on vocals. any thoughts? thanks

Kougar · 01-31-2011, 05:00 AM

Hey Kevin. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work, but I'm a little surprised that there aren't better alternatives available for the price?

Rob ought to know as he's more of a sound guy, I'll make sure he spots your post.

10-17-2007, 10:54 PM	#1
Rob Williams Editor-in-Chief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlantic Canada Posts: 13,231	Altec Lansing FX3020 SoundBar Altec Lansing grabbed some attention at the 2007 CES with their PT7031 and PT8051 'Powered Theater' speakers, which created a virtual surround sound field around the listener. Their new FX3020 SoundBar features a similar concept – but does it deliver? You can read Rory's full review here and discuss it here. __________________ Intel Core i7-990X EE @ 3.43GHz, GIGABYTE X58A-UD5, Kingston 12GB DDR3-1333, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 2GB Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB SSD, WD VR 1TB, WD 2TB, Seagate 2TB, LG BD-ROM, ASUS DVD-RW, Corsair 1000HX, Corsair H60 Cooler Corsair 800D, Dell 2408WFP 24", ASUS Xonar Essence STX, Gentoo (KDE 4.10, 3.7 Kernel) "Take care to get what you like, or you will be forced to like what you get!" - H.P. Baxxter <Toad772> I don't always drink alcohol, but when I do, I take it too far.

07-04-2008, 11:43 PM	#2
Unregistered Guest Poster Posts: n/a	BAD SOUND CONNECTED WITH I-POD, BAD SOUND

08-22-2008, 10:00 PM	#4
Rory Buszka Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 388	In my review, I did note the FX3020 SoundBar to posess a dynamically-compressed sound that wasn't particularly engaging. However, something similar could be said of most two-piece PC speakers, which are what the SoundBar is meant to compete with. At the very least, the SoundBar an interesting example of what can be accomplished with DSP to 'virtually' shift the apparent source of sounds and create the impression of stereo ambience, but at the end of the day the SoundBar was meant to save desk space, not to challenge more expensive sound systems in sound quality. __________________ Best Regards, Rory Buszka

12-01-2008, 06:59 PM	#5
Paul in LA Guest Poster Posts: n/a	Thanks Your review was excellent and helped me with my buying decision. Thanks for your opinion on this item!

02-20-2009, 10:17 PM	#6
FMaz008 Obliviot Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1	Removing the rack Hi ! Thanks for the nice review ! I still have a question: I have a vertical free space of only 8cm. On the review picture, I've seen the screws. Is it possible to remove the Rack ? If so: - How high the speaker become ? - Does putting the unit directly on the floor block some air trap or something ? - Does the unit look great even without the rack ? Thanks alot !

01-29-2011, 01:47 PM	#7
kevin Obliviot Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1	Hello! i was reading your 2007 article on the altec lansing fx3020 soundbar and wondering if i could use it as a "center channel speaker". there's a deal on ebay for one of these way under 100bucks which is what the cheapest price is for a discrete center channel. i need the speaker to pick up on vocals. any thoughts? thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Altec Lansing FX4021	Rob Williams	Reviews and Articles	39	08-21-2008 04:47 AM
Altec Lansing PT6021	Rob Williams	Reviews and Articles	14	12-03-2007 11:27 PM
Altec Lansing AHP524 Headphones	Rob Williams	Reviews and Articles	1	05-10-2007 11:22 AM
Altec Lansing Ahs502i?	Shadow_1	Audio	13	10-18-2006 10:47 PM
Discuss: Altec Lansing XT1 Notebook Speakers	Rob Williams	Reviews and Articles	12	10-02-2005 03:42 PM