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Welcome to the extraordinary world of Altec Lansing high-fidelity
sound. The 251 system features five satellites and a subwoofer, and is
specially designed for PC music/PC gaming and DVD movie playback.
Used with computers that have 6-channel/5.1, 4-channel gaming or 2-
channel/stereo sound cards, the 251 allows you to hear music, games
and movies in Dolby Digital, DTS or multi-channel modes.
With 90 watts of total system power, it delivers quality performance
from MP3 players, CD players, cassette players, DVD players, gaming
consoles, and other audio/video sources.
Box Contents
• 5 Satellites
• Subwoofer
• AAC1 Y-adapter
• Manual
• QCC
Placing Speakers
SUBWOOFER
All stereo-encoded information is heard through the satellite speakers.
The subwoofer contains no stereo imaging, and its sound is non-
directional. As a result, the subwoofer doesn’t have to be placed in any
particular relationship to the satellites. However, placing the
subwoofer on the floor close to a wall or room corner provides better
bass efficiency and optimum sound.
Warning: The subwoofer is not magnetically shielded. As such, it
SHOULD be placed at least 2 feet (0.6m) from TVs, computer monitors,
computer hard drives or any other magnetic media (e.g. floppy disks,
Zip disks, computer or audio tapes, etc.).
SATELLITE SPEAKERS
Arrange the front satellites to suit your listening tastes—from right
next to the monitor to as far apart as the speaker cords allow. The rear
satellites should be placed slightly behind you, or as far back as the
cords allow. The same principle applies to wall-mounted rear speakers.
Place the center satellite either on top or below the center of the
monitor.
For optimum sound, all satellites should be placed at or slightly above
ear level, and in an arrangement that offers the most satisfying results.
Note: The satellite speakers ARE magnetically shielded and can be
placed close to video displays such as TVs and computer monitors
without distorting the image.
Making Connections
WARNING:
Do not insert the speaker system’s power plug into an AC outlet until
all connections are made. Also, turn off audio source (i.e., your PC,
MP3 player, Sony PlayStation, etc.) before connecting the outputs to
the 251 system’s inputs.
To ensure first-time operation as expected, carefully follow the
connection sequences described below in the order indicated for your
particular application. Setup is fast and easy: Simply connect the audio
source inputs and the satellite speakers to the rear of the subwoofer.
SATELLITE SPEAKERS
The satellite speakers must be connected to the subwoofer. To make set-
up easy, the input jacks on the subwoofer are color-coded to the jacks on
the subwoofer cables.
The RIGHT FRONT jack is an orange mini-DIN connector, connected to the
right satellite, which is different from the other jacks.
Notice that the DIN plug has an arrow. For easy insertion of the DIN
connector, the arrow on the connector must face up.
INPUTS
Various connection schemes between your audio source and the 251
are available. Determine if you’ll be setting up the speaker system for
PC audio/PC gaming, DVD playback, console gaming or with portable
audio devices (such as MP3 or portable CD players), then skip to the
appropriate section.
PC AUDIO/PC GAMING/DVD PLAYBACK
Sound cards designed for PC gaming or DVD playback have unique
audio outputs. Typically, the outputs will be marked as “front output,”
“rear output” and “LFE/center output.” In some cases, slightly different
terminology may be used. The sound card’s documentation should help
you determine which outputs to use with your speaker system.
6-CHANNEL/5.1 SOUND CARDS
1. Locate the cable with green, black and yellow 3.5 mm stereo plugs that
is connected to the rear of the subwoofer.
2. Remove the protective covers from the black and yellow plugs, which
are connected to the rear of the subwoofer.
3. Insert the black, green and yellow input plugs into the computer
soundcard’s black, green and yellow outputs. Be sure that the switch on
the rear of the subwoofer is in the 6-channel position.
4-CHANNEL GAMING SOUND CARDS
1. Locate the cable with green, black and yellow 3.5 mm stereo plugs that
is connected to the rear of the subwoofer.
2. Remove the protective cover from the black plug, which is connected to
the rear of the subwoofer.
3. Insert the black and green input plugs into the computer soundcard’s
black and green output. Be sure the switch on the rear of the
subwoofer is in the 2/4-channel position.
2-CHANNEL/STEREO SOUND CARDS
1. Locate the cable with green, black and yellow 3.5 mm stereo plugs that
is connected to the rear of the subwoofer.
2. Insert the green input plug, which is connected to the rear of the
subwoofer, into the computer stereo (green) output. Be sure the switch
on the rear of the subwoofer is in the 2/4-channel position.
CONSOLE GAMING
Most console game systems feature dual-RCA outputs. Popular console
systems manufacturers include Sony™, Microsoft™, Nintendo™ and
Sega™. To connect your speakers, follow the steps below:
1. Make sure your console gaming system is turned off.
2. Locate the AAC1 Y-adapter included with your 251 speaker system. The
AAC1 Y-adapter has a green 3.5 mm stereo jack on one end and two
RCA jacks on the other—one red and one white.
3. Locate the red and white RCA plugs on the end of the cable connected
to the back of your console gaming system. Connect them to the
matching red and white RCA jacks on the AAC1 Y-adapter.
4. Locate the cable with green, black and yellow 3.5 mm stereo plugs that
is connected to the rear of the subwoofer.
5. Insert the green plug on this cable into the lime green jack on the AAC1
Y-adapter.
6. Be sure that the switch on the rear of the subwoofer is in the 2/4
channel position.
PORTABLE AUDIO DEVICES (MP3, PORTABLE CD PLAYERS, ETC.)
1. Locate the cable with green, black and yellow 3.5 mm stereo plugs that
is connected to the rear of the subwoofer.
2.
Insert the green plug into the headphone jack on your portable audio device.
Be sure the switch on the rear of the subwoofer is in the 2/4-channel position.
2
6 -Piece Amplified
Speaker System
WELCOME
251
Headphones
To use headphones with the system, plug them into the labeled
jack on the front of the right satellite. When headphones are
connected, all satellites and the subwoofer are muted.
Powering On
1. After all other connections are made, plug the power cord (on the
back of subwoofer) into an AC wall socket. The speaker system is
now ready to operate.
2. Turn on the audio source.
3. Turn on the Altec Lansing 251 speaker system by pushing the On/Off
button located on the front of the right satellite . A green LED will
light next to the button when the power is ON.
Note: To avoid hearing a popping sound when you turn on your Altec
Lansing speaker system, always turn on your audio source first.
MASTER VOLUME
The volume knob on the front of the right satellite is the master
volume control for the speaker system. Turn the knob clockwise to
increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.
SURROUND VOLUME CONTROL
The SURROUND control varies the volume of the left and right
surround speakers. Adjust this control as necessary to create the
optimum sound.The Surround Volume Control operates in the same
manner even on computers that only have stereo outputs.
CENTER VOLUME CONTROL
The CENTER control varies the volume of the center speaker. Adjust
this speaker as necessary to achieve a balanced sound.
SUBWOOFER LEVEL
The Subwoofer Level is located on the back of the subwoofer. Rotating
this control clockwise increases the bass while rotating the control
counter-clockwise decreases the bass. Blend the subwoofer output with
that of the satellites to set the correct volume.
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
Total System Power: 90 Watts (45 Watts RMS)
Frequency Response: 35 Hz - 18 kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio @ 1 kHz input
:> 70 dB
Crossover Frequency: 150 Hz
System THD (distortion): < 0.50 % THD @ -10 dB full-
scale input voltage
Input Impedance: 10k ohms
SATELLITE AMPLIFIED SPEAKERS
Drivers (per satellite): One 3" full-range driver
SUBWOOFER
Speaker Drivers: One 5.25 " long-throw woofer
POWER REQUIREMENTS
USA/Canada/and applicable 120 V AC @ 60 Hz
Latin American countries:
Europe/United Kingdom; 230 V AC @ 50 Hz
applicable Asian countries;
Argentina, Chile and Uruguay:
ETL / cETL / CE / NOM / IRAM Approved
The answers to most setup and performance questions can be found in
the Troubleshooting guide. You can also consult the FAQs in the
customer support section of our Web site at www.alteclansing.com. If
you still can’t find the information you need, please call our customer
service team for assistance before returning the speakers to your
retailer under their return policy.
Customer service is available 7 days a week for your convenience. Our
business hours are:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight EST
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
1-800-ALTEC-88 (1-800-258-3288)
Email: csupport@alteclansing.com
For the most up-to-date information, be sure to check our Web site at
www.alteclansing.com.
© 2002 Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc.
Designed and engineered in the USA and manufactured in our ISO9002
certified factory. United States Patents 4429181 and 4625328 plus other
patents pending.
System Specifications
3