Price Paid:  $75.00 from ebay.com

Summary:
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE OTHER "LESS FAVORABLE COMMENTS. If you can find and buy a pair of these speakers...DO IT. They are perfect balance of form and function.

Strengths:
SOUND and SIZE

Weaknesses:
NONE...Once again Sony proves to be the best!

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:
Firs these are really Compact amd easy to place anywhere, so if you are lazy, or have a a small room, they are perfect. The system has a total power output of 80 Watts RMS, which is enough for moivie watching but dont expect to use this as a big party sound system. The sound quality is really good, espacially if you can connect to a DVD through digital coax. The system gives out a nice channel separation and soounds that are suppose to sound deffertly (like form the rear) really do, and the surroung felling is almost as good as my Sony Prologic system. The only real minuses that I saw in this systme were that it had no DTS decoding (not really important now, but in a year or 2...). The system has no center speaker, the front Stereo (L R) chanells create a phantom center that sounds good, but still... Also, to really enjoy the system you will have to be right in the middle of it (could be a prblem if you watch movies with you family). I got this system for $100 shiped, and it is now hooked up to my PC (I decide that my $2000 dollar Sony System is still better), but if you just got a DVD and want Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and are on a budget, you should strat searching for 1 (they are no longer manufacured).

Strengths:
Compact, cheap, biult in Dolby Digital Decoder.

Weaknesses:
not very powerfull, no DTS decoding, hard to find this days.

Similar Products Used:
Sony 800 WATT Dolby ProLogic Home Theater System, ADA104.

Summary:
At $79 as an open box buy from Circuit City, how can you go wrong? I hooked this baby up to my PC using the analog connector. Sounds great and is a better value than many speakers available for the PC. In addition, it can handle AC-3 out from a DVD decoder for Dolby Digital 5.1 It does not handle quad analog sound like that from A3D or Soundblaster live. Also, I don't thing the digital DIN connector from the SB Live will work well if at all with these speakers.

Strengths:
Excellent value on an entry level system.

Weaknesses:
No real surround speakers -- not even an option.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Summary:
This speaker set is the perfect item for those people who do not want to go out and buy an entire system, but still want to take advantage of the Dolby Digital 5:1 sound. I, also, was able to get this unit for under $100 from Onsale. For those on a budget, you cannot get a better deal. All you need is a dvd player and it hooks up directly to the speakers, no separate receiver needed.

Don't let the price tag fool you. You have to try them out for yourself.

Strengths:
Great Value

Summary:
I got the ADA105 from Onsale.com as a brand new unit for $71 + $30 s/h (the package weighs 42 lbs.). Naturally, I wanted to get a complete set of a home theater system (wanted the Yamaha RX-V795 + Energy Take 5 w/ XL:10 subs) but due to budget constraints I have to wait a little bit (gotta get a 27" TV first :-) ).... When I came across this unit, I found that there is really little info on it. But I figure for $100 -- what the heck, it must be better than my TV speakers right? Plus, I get to experience Dolby Digital a little ... And when I get my Yamaha/ Energy system, I can always connect these speakers to my PC.
This unit retails $399 at Altec-Lansing's online store. It will also play in Dolby Surround and stereo mode as well.

The package came with all the necessary wiring (one digital coax -- it's actually really thin so I might replace it w/ a Monster Digital Coax -- and one analog RCA connectors), the subwoofer (40W w/ 8" driver), and the set-top speaker. The set-top speaker is in one unit but has four 3" full range drivers. The DD decoder itself is built in to the subwoofer. The set-top is then connected to the sub via a proprietary cable. It took me less than 10 minutes to put the entire thing on. I have the Toshiba 2109 DVD player.

Well, I must say, the sound is much better than expected ...

My impression:
The channel separation is surprisingly good. I can hear dialogs much better and can actually hear the surround effect [Chapter 3 on Tomorrow Never Dies - the airplane sequence- sounded incredible!) quite clearly. The Subwoofer feels punchy and does a great job in adding the appropriate ambiance to the movie. A slight hiss is noted when muted, but that is to be expected ... And this thing is definitely loud for my small apartment. I don't have to crank it up much before the sub would rattle my floor an windows.

I think that, from a beginner's point of view, I had an excellent deal. I don't think I would ever pay $400 for this but at $100 it's clearly a steal. The other 'cheap' speakers I was considering was the Sony SAVA-7 which Crutchfield is selling for $130 but it doesn't have the Dolby Digital Decoder. And yes, it beats my TV speakers hands down :-)...