u in miri now? I'm staying in sarawak too.. but not Miri ler.. maybe need ur suggestion to replace the cable connecting the sats to the sub of the MX5021..

Don't you guys think recent ATP3's feels a bit 'cheap'? both sound and material wise..

I mean recent batches ler..

I think MX5021 is being phased out in the US market.. check the US website, they still list it, but it stated there as 'outdated'...

hopefully it's still available here.. want to get MX5021 soon... real soon.. like tomorrow..

Confirmed one unit.. should be arriving around the middle of January...

The FX6021 'successor' model is PT6021.. from specs, it has a lower power rating than the FX6021.. and I'd remember it is listed under professional audio section some time ago...

*edit*
found the official PT6021 page..
http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=PT6021

The 'professional audio' version SLS6221 page is here..
http://www.altecpro.com/products/powered/index.htm

strangely, they both look similar and have similar specs...

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Jan 3 2007, 07:01 PM

Finally got my own MX5021.. will write a mini review later..

BTW.. anyone knows how to remove the cloth grille on the sats and the sub?

I'd try it when I'm free.. But I think i'll be leaving it on most of the times because dust might stain the drivers and the surface.. plus I don't want my friends poking the drivers out of the sudden..

Okay.. my initial comments on the MX5021.. just after a few hours of usage..

First impressions of the speakers to me was how big and impressive the whole set looks, although it wasn't that big if u really measure it.. maybe I just wasn't used to seeing big speakers or probably it was placed next to other dwarf-lings..

Placement of the sub isn't what you call a wall hugging setup already.. it's a few feet from the walls, but still at near-corner position.. sats are placed around 3 feet apart, and 3 feet from me..

Onto test drive.. using my own Acer TravelMate 3202XCi laptop.. currently still using the onboard AC'97 for testing purposes.. due to my weekend break from school.. the speaker will be paired with PSC805 real soon..

Played a few MP3's, FLAC and CDs.. techno/electronic music sounds different on the Altec when compared to my old Edifier X600 boomer.. the bass is more taut/tight.. but I can get used to that.. But some tracks does sounds nicer and have a more controlled bass compared to X600 bass (I know it's unfair to judge by these two, but that's what I've had before MX5021.. ) while some tracks the lower end seems to be less noticable and the mids/highs are just sharp.. nice, but can be annoying after long period of listening.

Tried some oldies CDs.. they just sound clear and nice.. with emphasis on the vocals.. can't really comment much coz they're oldies.. and they sound they sounded just like what it should sound.. (whatever that means..)

Rock songs seems to be a little too harsh on the MX5021.. some of the softer snares seems recessed into the background (maybe recording error?)..

All in all, I'd prefer to have the treble turn a little less than half of the max.. and bass at the level 3-4.. but turned up to 5 when I need the oomph..
The bass produced gives more low end thump than a hum.. and with so much power under the hood, I didn't notice it was already so loud (can hear the bass and vocals clearly outside my room and downstairs) that my ears started to get a little painful just with 2-3/5 volume levels.. (Windows settings at ~50%)..

and the sound stage is really nice.. compared to X600.. and watched an episode of DVD-quality Happy Feet, the bass doesn't kick in in places that X600 starts to hum.. but in scenes like the part where mumble was alone and attacked by the seals (was that a seal? ), the low thumps are really nice.. and vocals are very clear.. almost too sharp (initially with the treble turned a little too high) that I still had to leave the treble not more than 3 steps..

Will continue using it for a while and unite it with PSC805 soon

more comments coming soon..

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Jan 28 2007, 01:13 AM

I knew about the whole 'burn in' habit of most speaker enthusiast.. been there, done that.. so I'd agree burning in does gives it a 'more complete' sound..

so i'm planning to play it as usual first.. maybe turn up the volume a bit for some head banging session.. see if the bass and treble is more 'relaxed'..

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Jan 28 2007, 01:26 AM

Got it in Sarawak.. A black coloured unit.. retail pricing here is around RM600 for MX5021.. really expensive due to the transportation fees added in... But I've got mine a little bit cheaper..

I really admire the looks.. and the sound is still a little iffy at the moment.. need to give it some time to burn in..

Dunno how to explain.. hehe.. something that i'm not used to.. probably because of too much listening to my old Edifier X600 set..

Overall is a good set.. the bass is similar to the old ACS45.1 system.. a very low end thump (maybe the result of low crossover point) but is more defined and more 'accurate' ..



plus the mids and treble are good.. still in the process of burning in..

Seems like the price had been hiked a little compared to last year..

Little Dot 2+? I thought it's an headphone amp?

In my opinion, you should pair it to an amp that has more midrange and treble warmth since MX5021 has a little too much treble and mids emphasis to my taste.. so it's more listen-able all-rounder..

Probably I'm just not used to speakers emphasising on mids and treble..

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Jan 28 2007, 10:20 PM

sorry to budge into the conversation between u two..

but in my opinion, everyone has their own taste of speakers.. I realise it when I got my own MX5021.. for example.. some might love MX5021 because it has strong mids and highs and a taut bass.. while some like Logitech/Klipsch for its 'rounder' boomier bass reproduction.. so everyone have their own definition of 'best speaker'..

For me, there's no point of up-mixing a stereo source for 5.1 playback right? so if what you do is listening to music, a 2.1 set would be sufficient.. getting a 5.1 setup (together with the cable mess) is only worth if you're serious in surround movies and gaming..

Heck, for movies that's downloaded from BT sites, they're good enough for 2.1 sets already...

Logitech speakers usually incorporate the so called 'phase plug' technology into their full range drivers, which are supposed to be something similar to a tweeter, but I don't think it's as effective as an actual tweeter though..

Altec MX5021 and CS21.. and Aego M (some people recommend it for its excellent mid-treble range sounds) could be under your consideration.. MX5021 and CS21 has more 'punch' that you want I suppose..

Awards? from who? they're more like reviews (and maybe awards) and recommendations for a specific model rather than for the whole company..

I think the price has been hiked up this year.. retail around Sarawak is something around RM6xx++..

2 models? 2 colours have lar.. Usual one is black.. MX5021.. white one is called MX5021-WHT..

lAh0s have the white version while I have the black one.. from comparison, the only obvious difference is 1. the colour, and 2. the sub on the white coloured one doesn't come with a cloth grille while the black version comes with a cloth grille..

---

Added on February 7, 2007, 1:07 amits bass reproduction is different from, for example, Klipsch GMX or Logitech Z-xxx.. it's tighter, more thump and less hum..

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Feb 7 2007, 01:07 AM

Either colour gets stained easily.. by fingerprints and dust of course.. the sats are covered with a glossy finish.. so it's a fingerprint magnet..

Never heard FX4021 personally, but many said it's much inferior to the MX5021..

Specificication wise, MX5021 pwns FX4021..

FX4021's sub is in isobaric configuration.. which (according to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobaric_speakers) delivers the same amount of frequency response with a smaller volume of enclosure space.. but many said it's not that effective.. design flaw maybe?

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Feb 8 2007, 05:55 PM

no wonder some tracks sounded weird.. maybe some burn-in might "cure" this problem a little..

I'd agree there's a considerable amount of hiss emitted form the tweeter, especially listened from less than 1 meter distance.. I wonder where you get the information that changing cable can help with the hiss?

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Feb 8 2007, 06:12 PM