If you're looking for an audio setup in a budget-to-medium range, you would definitely get a host of options. However, not every setup available is worth the moolah. Before zeroing down on one, there are many aspects, such as bass output, treble, Bluetooth and device compatibility amongst others which need attention.
The stakes go high when you're looking out for a 2.1 channel sound system. The relay between the main unit and the speakers needs to be top notch. Without this, the system is actually another addition to the paraphernalia kept in your house. Also, the wiring infrastructure in your house too should complement the setup.
American manufacturer Altec Lansing has an array of devices on offer in this range. One of them being Claw 2.1 which was launched recently, along with Circus 2.1, Enceintes 2.1, Lozenge 2.1, and Zine 2.0 variants. We spent some time with the device, and here's our detailed review.
Design:
The form factor of the device resembles any other budget 2.1 speaker system, with slight modifications. The five-inch central unit pretty much houses all the action. It rests on four protruding legs unlike other units. At the center of the unit, is placed the primary woofer, the outer rim of which is made of plastic, with an inner metal rim.
The upper part of the unit has a more or less wooden make with a solid plastic base. The company branding strip is placed right below the outer rim of the woofer. Coming to the lower half of the unit, a digital display sits at the centre along with volume buttons on either side. This display also has an LED light which acts as a power indicator. An infrared sensor sits on top of this display for an easy integration with the remote control unit.
On the underside of the plastic base, is where the 'surprise' is. It houses a secondary sub-woofer pointing in the direction of the base. This 'down-firing' addition is what adds the extra zing to the Lansing. The sub-woofer will be discussed in detail in the next section of this review. At the back of this solid-plastic base lies the circuitry. It consists of a switch on/off button, a 12V DC in port for power source, a 3.5mm output port for plugging in the two speakers, a microphone and headphone port each, and a power input.
Next we come to the two three-inch speaker modules. An interesting part about these modules is that since they are detachable, they can be plugged into the central unit through the output port as well as to any other output port on a smartphone, tablet, or a laptop which would turn it into computer speakers as well. The form factor of these modules resemble a claw, and hence the nomenclature. The metal-plated modules rest on claw shaped stands which make them look classy, as well as providing the perfect balance to the heavier emitters on top.
A remote control has been provided with the system for a wire-free usage. Coming to other specifications, the unit also offers users the option to connect with a Bluetooth-enabled device. The power output stands at 5W x 2 + 15W, taking the maximum power to 25W. It has a bandwidth frequency range of 60Hz to 20KHz with an impedance of 4 Ohms. The main input adaptor is of AC 230V/50Hz capacity, while the output DC is of 12V 1125mA.
Performance:
Opening the device out of the box, one would get the look and feel of a premium device. By virtue of its solid build quality, the Claw 2.1 offers an apt audio ensemble loud enough to make fill up your room with its powerful vibrations. While playing sounds at the highest volume, the reverberations are strong enough to shake light-weight glass items.
By virtue of the two woofers - the front facing primary woofer and the down facing auxiliary sub-woofer -- the sound emitted emulates the kind exhibited with established brands in the same category such as JBL, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon among others. Since the unit provides the option to detach the two speakers and play them separately, it acts as a dual-system. However, one should know that if the speaker are played separately, the bass quality reduces significantly since then the dual-bass output totally goes out of action.
Thought the unit is Bluetooth compatible, it did take us some time to pair it with a Bluetooth-enabled device. However on a successful connection, there is no compromise on sound quality. According to one's hearing capacity, the volume level is adjustable, though during our review we found that the bass output works best at higher volumes.
As far as the circuitry is concerned, plugging the correct jack in the correct port is of utmost importance. The user manual does help in reducing the knowledge gap. It is highly recommended that for getting the optimum output the central unit and speakers be placed equidistant to each other. Since the wire cords for the speakers are a bit short, they cannot be spaced out as usually done with other surround sound systems. This renders the system as an apt accessory for laptops, smartphones and mini-work stations.
The remote connectivity is decent. However, unlike others in fray, for it to function properly, the remote has to be in a direct parallel range with the infrared port. The display on the central unit shows the volume levels and Bluetooth pairing status. For best results, it is advisable that the entire unit be kept on a solid mount rather than a softer one since the sub-woofer would be left with little or no space to function.
Verdict:
Altec Lansing has done a commendable job in maximising the audio output with the addition of the auxiliary subwoofer. This aspect alone lets it score over competition by a good margin. Music played at the highest volume seldom basses out. At the price point it sports (Rs 8,190), the Claw 2.1 can definitely be categorised as a must-buy for those who wish to set up a mini sound-cloud in their own zone. Go, get clawed.
The stakes go high when you're looking out for a 2.1 channel sound system. The relay between the main unit and the speakers needs to be top notch. Without this, the system is actually another addition to the paraphernalia kept in your house. Also, the wiring infrastructure in your house too should complement the setup.
American manufacturer Altec Lansing has an array of devices on offer in this range. One of them being Claw 2.1 which was launched recently, along with Circus 2.1, Enceintes 2.1, Lozenge 2.1, and Zine 2.0 variants. We spent some time with the device, and here's our detailed review.
The form factor of the device resembles any other budget 2.1 speaker system, with slight modifications. The five-inch central unit pretty much houses all the action. It rests on four protruding legs unlike other units. At the center of the unit, is placed the primary woofer, the outer rim of which is made of plastic, with an inner metal rim.
The upper part of the unit has a more or less wooden make with a solid plastic base. The company branding strip is placed right below the outer rim of the woofer. Coming to the lower half of the unit, a digital display sits at the centre along with volume buttons on either side. This display also has an LED light which acts as a power indicator. An infrared sensor sits on top of this display for an easy integration with the remote control unit.
Next we come to the two three-inch speaker modules. An interesting part about these modules is that since they are detachable, they can be plugged into the central unit through the output port as well as to any other output port on a smartphone, tablet, or a laptop which would turn it into computer speakers as well. The form factor of these modules resemble a claw, and hence the nomenclature. The metal-plated modules rest on claw shaped stands which make them look classy, as well as providing the perfect balance to the heavier emitters on top.
A remote control has been provided with the system for a wire-free usage. Coming to other specifications, the unit also offers users the option to connect with a Bluetooth-enabled device. The power output stands at 5W x 2 + 15W, taking the maximum power to 25W. It has a bandwidth frequency range of 60Hz to 20KHz with an impedance of 4 Ohms. The main input adaptor is of AC 230V/50Hz capacity, while the output DC is of 12V 1125mA.
Performance:
Opening the device out of the box, one would get the look and feel of a premium device. By virtue of its solid build quality, the Claw 2.1 offers an apt audio ensemble loud enough to make fill up your room with its powerful vibrations. While playing sounds at the highest volume, the reverberations are strong enough to shake light-weight glass items.
By virtue of the two woofers - the front facing primary woofer and the down facing auxiliary sub-woofer -- the sound emitted emulates the kind exhibited with established brands in the same category such as JBL, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon among others. Since the unit provides the option to detach the two speakers and play them separately, it acts as a dual-system. However, one should know that if the speaker are played separately, the bass quality reduces significantly since then the dual-bass output totally goes out of action.
Thought the unit is Bluetooth compatible, it did take us some time to pair it with a Bluetooth-enabled device. However on a successful connection, there is no compromise on sound quality. According to one's hearing capacity, the volume level is adjustable, though during our review we found that the bass output works best at higher volumes.
As far as the circuitry is concerned, plugging the correct jack in the correct port is of utmost importance. The user manual does help in reducing the knowledge gap. It is highly recommended that for getting the optimum output the central unit and speakers be placed equidistant to each other. Since the wire cords for the speakers are a bit short, they cannot be spaced out as usually done with other surround sound systems. This renders the system as an apt accessory for laptops, smartphones and mini-work stations.
The remote connectivity is decent. However, unlike others in fray, for it to function properly, the remote has to be in a direct parallel range with the infrared port. The display on the central unit shows the volume levels and Bluetooth pairing status. For best results, it is advisable that the entire unit be kept on a solid mount rather than a softer one since the sub-woofer would be left with little or no space to function.
Verdict:
Altec Lansing has done a commendable job in maximising the audio output with the addition of the auxiliary subwoofer. This aspect alone lets it score over competition by a good margin. Music played at the highest volume seldom basses out. At the price point it sports (Rs 8,190), the Claw 2.1 can definitely be categorised as a must-buy for those who wish to set up a mini sound-cloud in their own zone. Go, get clawed.
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