3DsoundSurge Reviews: Labtec LCS-2514

Important Info:

Speakers By : Labtec
Price : $80 MSLP
Power Output: (31 watts RMS total)
Subwoofer: 15 watts RMS
Satellites: 4 watts RMS x 4
Frequency Response: 40Hz - 20kHz

Minimum/Recommended System Requirements

Sound card or other audio device with 4 or 4.1 analog channel outputs.

Reviewer PC:

Mikael
- Win98SE/Windows2000
- Duron 750
- 256MB PC100 ram
- GeForce DDR
- 6.4 GB Quantum SE
- Sound Blaster Live

Features:

Discrete 4-Channel Inputs: Designed to maximize audio for standard or newer 4-channel sound cards.

Exclusive M3D Matrix Surround: Provides realistic surround sound with standard stereo sound cards and all material recorded in stereo.

Real-Time Dynamic Bass Equalization (patent pending): Actively adjusts sound for optimum bass with minimal distortion at every listening level.

Separate front and rear volume controls on satellite: Provides convenience and ease of use.

Floor-mounted wood-enclosed 15-watt subwoofer: Produces deep, rich bass.

Max-X™ Driver: High-excursion driver provides greater dynamic range, improved bass and less distortion.

Electronic Crossover: Active electronic circuit directs soundwave frequencies to proper speaker components for crisp, dynamic separation of highs and lows.

Color-coded jacks and plugs: Designed for easy set-up.

Rear satellite wall mount brackets: Saves space, provides flexible mounting options.

Specifications:

Frequency response: 40Hz - 20kHz

Power output: Subwoofer: 15 watts RMS into 4 ohms @ 100Hz less than 10% THD; Satellites: 16 watts RMS (4W + 4W + 4W + 4W) into 4 ohms @ 1kHz less than 10% THD

4" Max-X™ high-excursion subwoofer driver, and (4) 2" shielded Max-X™ satellite drivers

Power adapter: 15V DC 1000mA, UL/CUL or CSA approved

Cord length: 7' front satellites to subwoofer and 12' rear satellites to subwoofer

Labtec is a name familiar to many PC audio users as one of the major players in the multimedia speaker market. Most of their speaker line-up consists of relatively inexpensive 2 and 3-piece system and few of them target the so called hard core gamers offering better midrange than bass for the price. This image has started to change a bit with some of the more recent models offering a fairly powerful subwoofer for the price. One of these systems that target gamers is Labtec’s 4.1 system in the AudioF/X series, the LCS-2514. This $80 SRP system is Labtec’s first entry in the, among gamers, very popular sub $100 4-speaker.

The system comes with 4 identical satellites using 2 inch drivers, a subwoofer using a 4 inch driver, a small power supply and the necessary speaker wires and cables. The total system is driven by only 31 Watts. Other contenders in this arena include the Altec Lansing ACS54, the Cambridge SoundWorks FPS1000 and FPS1500, Logitech’s SoundMan S-30 and MidiLand’s MLi-491. You could also consider the $100 systems like Cambridge SoundWorks FPS1800 and MidiLand’s MLi 490 contenders even though we shouldn’t expect the LCS-2514 to be on par with these.

In this review we set out to test the LCS-2514 in all configurations with a number of sound cards to see how those specs translate to real world performance. We will also compare it to Altec Lansing’s ACS54 and some of the more expensive systems we had access to. I have unfortunately not yet been able to do a direct comparison with MidiLand’s MLi-491, Cambridge SoundWorks FPS1000 or FPS1500 systems but we will be able to give some decibel numbers from the MLi-490 and the FPS1000