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Hello everyone,

I just received a set of Alienware ALX 5.1 speakers by Klipsch from my lovely wife for my birthday gift. I must say, I've been surprised by the quality of stuff from Alienware before, but these speakers knocked my socks off.



You didn't believe me, did you...?

Anyway, I've had two Klipsch 4.1 systems for a long time now, bought them with my first two systems that were purchased in 1999, and 2000. I bought the first set and system for myself, but then my wife and I ended up fighting over seat time, so I gave her that system and bought another. She thought I was being nice, but by taking the second system, I got newer hardware...

PWNED!!!

I've been very happy with the quality, performance and longevity of the Klipsch speaker sets, so though I've seen other companies like logitech and Creative put out bigger and better products, I stick with what I know. At one point a few years back, Klipsch improved their control pods for the 4.1 systems, and I wrote them and asked if I could purchase a couple to replace the ones on my old systems. The response was to send me two new control pods with instructions for installation free of charge. They didn't even ask me to pay shipping!

I like a company that stands behind their product, and Klipsch is aces in my book.

I was going to just buy a set of the Klipsch 5.1 Ultra's that Alienware had for $349, but when I saw the price of the ALX system drop from $899 to $699 I figured what the heck, it's only money.

Let's get the technical stuff out of the way first. Alienware's website says...




Alienware® ALX 5.1 Home Theater System by Klipsch

With the Alienware ALX 5.1 Home Theater System by Klipsch, you’ll never have to settle for merely decent audio – you’ll only enjoy the best. Delivering rich, clear acoustics from versatile and stylish speakers that perfectly complement a powerful subwoofer, the 500-watt ALX 5.1 Home Theater System will satisfy even the highest expectations for sonic excellence.

The ALX 5.1 Home Theater System features two-way, magnetically shielded RSX-3 and RCX-3 speakers that utilize 3.5-inch aluminum woofers and 0.75-inch titanium-dome compression drivers. By dramatically reducing resonance, these speakers provide robust bass that extends low enough to operate comfortably with the latest A/V preamp/processors and receiver crossovers. Cutting-edge network components and expert wiring provide further sonic clarity for ALX 5.1 Home Theater System users.

The highly advanced ALX 5.1 Home Theater System subwoofer provides more total output, lower distortion, and deeper bass extension than previous-generation subwoofers. To ensure high output, linear bass response, the subwoofer features dual 8-inch, side-firing woofers and convex driver dust caps.



ALX 5.1 Speaker Features

Reference-quality speakers in 5.1 surround sound provide outstanding clarity and dynamic range.

Innovative horn tweeter technology delivers cleaner audio with less distortion.

Sleek silver speakers offer flexible options for placement within a room.

Powerful subwoofer supplies more total output and deeper bass extension.

Backed by the illustrious tradition of Klipsch, the leader in high-performance speakers.


Reference-Quality Speakers

The ALX 5.1 Speakers Powered by Klipsch feature true reference-quality speakers that immerse you in full 5.1 surround sound. The ALX speakers give you maximum clarity and dynamic range for everything from whispers to explosions to add a new dimension of realism to all your favorite movies and games. They also come loaded with industry-leading network components and cutting-edge internal wiring.


Advanced Horn Technology

As the ONLY PC speaker system to use reference speakers with breakthrough horn tweeter technology, the ALX 5.1 Speakers Powered by Klipsch provide cleaner audio with less distortion for enjoying detailed performances just as the game makers, musicians and filmmakers intended. ALX speakers reproduce all sound ranges equally, allowing you to enjoy clearer, more detailed audio while listening to music or playing games, as well as making dialogue more intelligible while watching TV or a movie.


Versatility and Style

Showcasing a sleek silver finish and stylish design, the speakers fit seamlessly into any environment while offering flexible options for placement within a room. The speakers feature integrated pedestal stands with ball joints that allow them to be adjusted in practically any direction for optimum listening pleasure. Keyholes are included on the underside of the stand base for effortless wall or ceiling mounting.


Powerful Subwoofer

Representing a dramatic improvement over previous-generation subwoofers, the ALX 5.1 Speaker System subwoofer enhances the listening experience by delivering more total output, lower distortion, and deeper bass extension. The subwoofer features dual 8-inch, side-firing woofers and convex driver dust caps that ensure high output, linear bass response.


Klipsch, the Speaker Brand of Choice

The ALX 5.1 Speakers Powered by Klipsch are the latest addition to the award-winning tradition of the Klipsch brand name. As one of the pioneering speaker companies, Klipsch is universally known for delivering ultradynamic sound systems for homes, computers, professional cinemas, and commercial venues. Klipsch is praised throughout the industry for being a leading innovator in the reproduction of powerful, detailed sound.

With the Alienware ALX 5.1 Home Theater System by Klipsch, you’ll never have to settle for merely decent audio – you’ll only enjoy the best. Delivering rich, clear acoustics from versatile and stylish speakers that perfectly complement a powerful subwoofer, the 500-watt ALX 5.1 Home Theater System will satisfy even the highest expectations for sonic excellence.

The ALX 5.1 Home Theater System features two-way, magnetically shielded RSX-3 and RCX-3 speakers that utilize 3.5-inch aluminum woofers and 0.75-inch titanium-dome compression drivers. By dramatically reducing resonance, these speakers provide robust bass that extends low enough to operate comfortably with the latest A/V preamp/processors and receiver crossovers. Cutting-edge network components and expert wiring provide further sonic clarity for ALX 5.1 Home Theater System users.

The highly advanced ALX 5.1 Home Theater System subwoofer provides more total output, lower distortion, and deeper bass extension than previous-generation subwoofers. To ensure high output, linear bass response, the subwoofer features dual 8-inch, side-firing woofers and convex driver dust caps.

Alienware® ALX 5.1 Home Theater System by Klipsch

Specifications:

Frequency Response = 25Hz-20kHz (total system)

Max. Acoustic Output = 115dB peak

Amplifier Headroom = 500 Watts total <0.5% THD + N Typical

Headphone Section = 200mW Max into 300 ohms, 450mW max into 50 ohms

Satellite (w/ bracket) = 8.5" H x 4.2" W x 4.5" D

System Weight = 47.74 lbs.

Satellites (each) = 2lbs.

Control Tower = 1lbs.



Okay, I can hear you all now saying, "But Hammer, why are your legs so hairy?" Well, that has nothing to do with the speakers, so I'm going to ignore you and continue...

My wife wanted to order the speakers and surprise me, but she also knows how picky I am about my computers and peripherals, so she gave me a card on by birthday saying I was getting the ALX speakers, but she didn't order them to make sure they were the ones I wanted.

Judyblue: "Happy birthday Hammer, you magnificent hunk of man. Do you want ALX speakers for your birthday?"

Hammerhead: "Yes I want ALX speakers for my birthday. And I want some cheesy poofs and chocolate doughnut pancake surprise too."

We got on the horn shortly after my birthday and ordered the speakers from a very nice and pretty lady that works for Alienware. All the ladies that work for Alienware are pretty. Seriously. Even some of the men are pretty, but I don't want to talk about AW-Steve, because he doesn't return my calls since "the incident"...

I also ordered a memory flash drive and a Sennheiser headset. The ordering process was painless, and since I didn't have to pay for them, that part was painless too. A few days later the tracking information said my boxes were on a truck on the way to my humble abode for delivery.

I was pretty anxious waiting for FedEx to arrive, but I had to go to the bathroom, and naturally as soon as I sat on the throne, I heard someone milling around outside. When I finally got out there, I saw a very confused delivery guy with a tiny brown box.

"You Hammerhead?", the guy asked.

"Yes", I said.

Then we stared at each other for a while and he asked for my autograph. I asked how he knew of me, and if the FedEx guys thought I was famous too, but he just said he has to get my signature and wasn't getting paid enough to put up with my mouth...

He then said he had another box for me in the truck, which he conveniently left parked at the street about 300 feet from where we were standing. Thinking I'd help him out, I walked to the truck with him, and told him I'd just carry the box back myself.

What a mistake. I swear the truck lifted about an inch after he rolled the box out of the back with a thud. The speakers and packaging weigh about 60 pounds, and the box was big enough that it was really awkward to carry, in fact it was more awkward than the word awkward looks. By the time I got back to the house I was beat.

I opened the box and was amazed by the packaging. Basically it was a solid lump of plastic foam with holes in it the size of the components. Everything was wrapped in nice silver bags with a fancy Klipsch sticker holding them closed.

Everything in the box was much more solid than I'd expected, and heavy. This is good though when dealing with audio equipment, as the bigger the magnets, the more powerful the speakers.

The satellites are bigger than I'd expected. I was also surprised to find the speakers had silver grills on them, as all the pictures on Alienware's website had the grills taken off to show off the internals. I took some pictures of them next to the old Klipsch 4.1 satellites for comparison.



Front view with grills.




Front view minus grills. The older Klipsch speakers (black) had tabs that fit into little holes in the speaker to hold the grill in place. The new ALX speakers have little magnets positioned over the hex-head screws that hold everything together, so they go on and come off like magic. I'm not sure what the cones are made of in the older system, but the new speakers have large aluminum cones on the bottom for midrange, and a titanium diaphram in the top horn for high range.



Side view comparison. You can see the difference in design and construction. I always like the 4.1 system for their simplicity of design, but the new speakers are very slick. They make the 4.1 system look like, oh I don't know, a six year old speaker system that cost less money or something...



This is a rear view of the satellites. This view shows some big differences in design and construction. The ALX speakers have separate screw type posts for the wiring, the old system had a single mini-plug interface. The ALX satellites have an opening so pressure doesn't fight the cones ability to move freely, and you can see the bases are very different. The old system has a flat piece of metal bent to make the feet, the ALX system has a heavy duty metal base with a metal swivel joint for adjustability.



This is the center channel satellite with the grill removed. You can see the little magnets in the grill piece that line up with the hex-head screws in the chassis of the speaker to hold it in place. This speaker sits on top of the monitor and provides the center channel for dialogue with 5.1 dolby for movies.



This is a close up of the metal swivel joint that allows a complete range of adjustment for the speakers so you can aim them any way you'd like. The little post screw in front of the swivel ball can be adjusted once you get the speakers at the right angle through the base. It's basically a set-screw that fits into the channel to hold the speakers in the position you want once you get them positioned to your liking. You'll also notice another channel 180 degrees from the one the screw is pointed to. This is so you can swivel the speakers all the way around for wall mounting.



This is a sideways picture demonstrating how you'd position the speakers if you wall mounted them.




This is a shot from under the base. You can see that they've included an allen wrench in each satellite including the center channel speaker for adjusting the retaining post I mentioned earlier. You can also see the heavy metal mounting plate for wall mounting the speakers. There's a center piece that comes out for the wiring if you mount the speakers on the wall, so you can run the wires through the base and into the wall. Very slick.




Included in the box is a nice big black envelope with the manual, and also a hard cardboard piece that is a template for mounting the speakers. It has little cut outs for the screw holes, and a level built in to make sure you mount the things level. Again, very slick and convenient.




This is a picture of the control unit. The large dial on the right is the volume control, and the readout shows the output in decibels from 0 to 80 for the satellites. The speakers are capable of 115 decibels, but the control unit is limited to 80 decibels output. I generally use them somewhere between 35 and 45, but I've had them up to 80. It's plenty loud, and there is absolutely no distortion at that volume.

There is a headphone jack, and an audio input jack on the face of the control unit. The audio input allows you to plug in any powered audio device and play it through the system. cd players and mp3 players work great.

With the headphone jack, if you hit the power button just one click quickly, the control unit automatically shuts off the speakers, and sets the audio output to two channel for the headphones automatically from 5.1 so you don't have to fiddle with the audio properties. The indicator flashes 'HP' when it's changing to headphones, and all the controls retain their settings for headphone or speakers separately. That way you can tune the sound for your headphones including volume, and it'll stay that way until you use it again even if you change all the settings for the speakers.

In addition, there are separate buttons to adjust the center channel volume independently, the rear speakers independently, and the subwoofer as well. This way you can tune the system easily for the room and whatever media you happen to be listening to at the moment.




Well, I think you can see why these speakers are so danged heavy. This is a picture of the ALX 5.1 subwoofer next to the subwoofer from my 4.1 system. There is a jack on the new subwoofer that will allow me to daisy chain more subwoofers to the main unit for additional boom, but it's hard to imagine it would ever be needed. This thing literally shakes the house without any distortion, or rattling, just a huge lung emptying low frequency thud or rumble. It's awesome baby...




This is a picture of the back of the two subwoofers. You can see the 5.1 inputs, the green, black and orange wires, and the large opening for air flow at the bottom. There is also five dual wire connections for the four satellites, and the center channel. The control unit also plugs into this beast, and it's all plugged into the wall socket. I was going to plug the other subwoofer into the big unit, but it's really not necessary. Instead, I'll be adding the old 4.1 system to the tv in the bedroom with one of my old hydraulic towers to power it.


Since these speakers arrived, I installed them and connected them to my Creative Audigy 2 Platinum sound card in my latest desktop system. I've listened to many of my mp3's, and the difference in sound is astounding. I would have been hard pressed to believe they'd make such a difference as I've enjoyed the 4.1's so long, and they too are excellent speakers, but these are in a totally different league.

First thing I listened to was Earth, Wind and Fire, "Can't Hide Love" and "Dancing in September". Awesome horns...

Then I played WAR's "Low Rider" and I swear I can tell where the guy is hitting the cowbell. Remember kids, you can never have enough cow bell.

Even at low volume, the subwoofer puts out very pure bass. I don't really know how to describe the difference, but it's the cleanest bass response I've ever heard. When turned up there is some rattling, but it's not the sub, it's my house... The satellites are very refined and lack the "harshness" a few audiophiles complain about regarding Klipsch speaker systems. Even with mp3 files, I'm hearing instruments and subtleties I've never heard before either through the old speakers, or through my Sennheiser HD 570 headphones that are reknowned for accurate reproduction of sounds.

cd's sound absolutely wonderful. The range of adjustments with the equalizer, SRS, EAX and surround mixer, and bass crossover really make a big difference with this speaker system. They seem very adjustable and sensitive to input.

I have one audio dvd and it's outrageous, I'll be buying more. It feels like I'm literally standing on stage in front of the orchestra, and is almost an overload of sounds and instruments making it difficult for my brain to keep up with all that's going on. This system is easily on par with my Kenwood home stereo with Cerwin Vega speakers depending on what you play through them.

And finally, last night I played my THX surround dvd of Alien, and nearly shat myself.

Even playing games like BF2 and CS:S have radically changed. While these games don't support 5.1 sound, the system reverts to 4 speakers and the sub, but are very accurate and make it easy to tell where someone is by the sound of them reloading, or by their footsteps even in a carpeted hallway. Now I'll always know where the guy that's about to kill me is coming from.

The 4.1 system I have used for years is definitely no slouch, especially when mated with a decent sound card, but these speakers are simply superb, especially when you consider the price compared to what I've spent on audio equipment in the past.

This is truly a spectacular package put together by Klipsch for Alienware, and if the ALX system as a whole is anything like these speakers, I will be buying an ALX system in the future.

I'm gobsmacked, and I highly recommend these speakers to anyone that wants the ultimate in PC speakers. Alienware and Klipsch both get an A+ for this effort.

I've also just ordered a new headset from Turtle Beach, a true 5.1 surround headset with four separate speakers in each ear pod... I'll be reviewing them in the near future, so watch this space...

Now that's what I call a Review! Nice Job, Hammerhead.

(I didn't notice the hairy legs til you pointed them out - I was more impressed with the white wide-wale cordouroy pants!

I wonder what walking around the living room in them cordouroys would sound like on the speakers...

*Hammerhead wonders if velcro will stick the microphone to his crotch for some cordouroy clad thigh rubbing sound sampling*

**Hammerhead then wonders if he'd get in trouble for asking strange women to speak into the mic**

***Hammerhead needs to go to bed and sleep it off***

Sweet!

Awesome review buddy

Very nice, thorough review Hammer. They look like they are really well built from your upclose pictures...and that bit about Klipsch sending you free control pods for you older systems, I like companies that try to make the customer feel #1.

and yes you can never have too much cowbell...

Very nice review. I myself have the same old system you have, the 4.1 by Klipsh and I love it. I still need to pick up a nice set of headphones, but the speakers have done me well thus far. I think my next system I will go all out like this, top of the line everything.

Enjoy them

Nice review HammerHead, both entertaining and informative

-Mark

wow very nice Hammer!...I think I just wet my self...again

w00t!!

nice review

Is there a Toslink input on the sub? I am still trying to figure out what speakers I am going to connect to my HTPC.

that was one well thought out , thorough, entertaining , and comprehensive a review that I have ever seen ...... nice pants ....

I dunno what a Toslink input is...

Just checked it, and it has an "SWS Link"... Is that the same or similar? It looks like an RCA cable input.

Ah, so Toslink is an optical link?

No, it doesn't have one of those on the sub. I've got those on my audigy 2 platinum break out box, but I'm not really sure what they're for...