Price Paid:  $20.00 from Super K-mart

Summary:
This is the AVS300 system for computers or portable advices. It's awesome. I paid 20 dollars for it, and I can't see how you could get any better sound for that low amount of money.

Strengths:
The low price The great sound The sub

Weaknesses:
Glitches once every 20 hours or for some reason.

Price Paid:  $40.00

Summary:
First of all, I'm not sure which 3-piece ATs the rest of you are referring to since this category is titled simply "AT 3-piece Speaker System." The speakers I have are the ACS33, which I think are the starting point for AT's 3-piece multimedia systems. I gather from the context of some of your reviews that you are referring to a different model than mine, but let me offer my views on this "low rung" model because you may have similar views about Altec Lansing in general.

I bought these at one of those bargain places for about $40 sort of as a stop-gap until I had done some more research and decided what speakers I was really going to buy. It turns out, these are the speakers that I like after looking at several brands in the same price range.

The strings are very stringy, you can hear the "wood" of the grand piano in a well produced jazz recording, and if you like The Chemical Brothers, then you're in for a mind bending desktop experience with these speakers. The woofer and the satellites blend out a well balanced midrange. To sum, these speakers turned out to be much more than "they'll do until I get some real speakers."

I guess the biggest drawback is the fact that on this model there is no volume control for the bass. However, this can be dealt with if you adjust the placement of the woofer. I have mine under my desk about a foot from the wall and it seems to balance pretty well.

I would recommend these speakers to someone who would really enjoys music and requires desktop speakers that are more than just adequate. I had heard good things about Altec Lansing, but I was really surprised by these speakers for the price I paid.

Strengths:
Flat, great for detailed listening

Weaknesses:
Bass is a little out of control

Similar Products Used:
Harman Kardon, Midi, Atlantic Technology

Price Paid:  $250.00 from A catalog

Summary:
one thing should be understood, this is just my room system. this isn't what i really listen to all the time. for that, i've got some monitors with 15" JBL woofers and 800hz Altec Horns runnin off two mcintosh amps. anyway, i'm not reviewing them right now. these altecs are nice for like, a tabletop system, or even computer speakers, they're great when u have company and want to put some music on, but can even crank out some stuff to annoy your neighbors, highly reccomended for anyone who wants balanced bass and treb at a low price.

Strengths:
Great Bass and Treb. The top end is great and they don't distort too much at high volumes, you can easily crank 'em to 80% with no distortion. Amazing for little speakers, they'll easily knock down some pictures.

Weaknesses:
not good if u've got weak floor boards. the mid-range could be a little stronger.

Similar Products Used:
bose 3 piece, some higher-end labtecs.

Price Paid:  $70.00 from Dumoulin Électronique

Summary:
Sub just enough powerful to disturb your neighbors. Small speaker. Easy volume setting. Good construction quality. Really impressive for speakers of that size !
Better price <--> quality ratio possible.

Strengths:
Clear sound, neat high freq

Weaknesses:
They will probably blow your ear drums if you like music :)

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch, Labtec

Summary:
The subwoofer hits hard without bottoming out or ever blowing it , i listen to it full blast and it still sounds great.The two sattellite speakers on it sound wonderful, they have room filling sound.

Strengths:
The subwoofer hits hard without bottoming out or ever blowing it , i listen to it full blast and it still sounds great.

Weaknesses:
There are no buttons to turn the bass and treble up.

Similar Products Used:
None