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Topic: Need replacement satellite speakers (Read 10322 times) previous topic - next topic
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Need replacement satellite speakers

Hey guys, a couple days ago, one of my satellite speakers for my Altec Lansing FX4021 blew out, and I haven't been able to figure out how to disassemble it to fix it. Although the actual satellites weren't that great, the subwoofer is fantastic, so I'm trying to find replacement speakers that can plug into the subwoofer through the RCA connectors.

So far, I haven't had much luck. The only options I can seem to find are M-Audio AV20 / AV30 and the Bose Companion 2, but both are out of my price range (<$50) and the AV30 is massive. The size and look of the Bose Companion 2s are the kind of replacements I'm looking for, but I'd rather have a great mid and high range than a strong bass from the satellites. The satellites were also powered off the RCA connectors, so if an extra power plug can be avoided, that'd be great, but it's not necessary.

As for what I'll be using them for, mostly gaming and casual listening, since I use my Sennheiser HD 280 pro headphones for editing audio.


Any help is greatly appreciated.

Need replacement satellite speakers

Reply #1 –
I can't make a personal recommendation, but Parts Express[/color] has a few speakers in your price range.

Quote
The satellites were also powered off the RCA connectors, so if an extra power plug can be avoided, that'd be great, but it's not necessary.
Any regular "passive" speakers should be fine.  The amplifier is (probably) built-into the subwoofer cabinet.  Regular passive speakers connect with 2 wires (like your RCA connector), and they don't need a power supply.

Most speakers won't have an RCA connection.  If you need an RCA connection at the amplifier (subwoofer) end, you'll need to make your own cables, or you can buy an RCA cable and cut it in half.

Another option would be to buy some powered "2.0" computer speakers, connect both your existing sub and the new speakers to the computer with a Y-adapter, and leave the RCA connections un-connected.

Or, you could buy a new 2.1 system, set-aside the new sub, and use the new satellite speakers with your old sub.  (If the new system doesn't have RCA connections, you might have to use an adapter or cut some wires.)

I should mention that it's generally a bad idea to randomly mix & match speakers that might have different crossover points & different sensitivity, etc.  But with your limited budget, and given the fact that you like your subwoofer, it might be the best option.

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Most computer speakers are "powered" or "active".  (They have a built-in amplifier.)  Most "regular" stereo speakers are passive and they use the amplifier built-into a receiver (or they are connected to a power amp or integrated amp, etc.).

Studio monitors can be either pasive or active.

Most home-theater subwoofers are powered/active, but the satellite/surround speakers are usually passive and driven by the receiver.

P.S.
Quote
Hey guys, a couple days ago, one of my satellite speakers for my Altec Lansing FX4021 blew out...
I assume you swapped the left & right speakers to confirm that it's really the speaker and not the amplifier, or a bad connection/cable somewhere...  It would be a shame to buy new speakers and still have the same problem!

Need replacement satellite speakers

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
I can't make a personal recommendation, but Parts Express[/color] has a few speakers in your price range.

Quote
The satellites were also powered off the RCA connectors, so if an extra power plug can be avoided, that'd be great, but it's not necessary.
Any regular "passive" speakers should be fine.  The amplifier is (probably) built-into the subwoofer cabinet.  Regular passive speakers connect with 2 wires (like your RCA connector), and they don't need a power supply.

Most speakers won't have an RCA connection.  If you need an RCA connection at the amplifier (subwoofer) end, you'll need to make your own cables, or you can buy an RCA cable and cut it in half.

Another option would be to buy some powered "2.0" computer speakers, connect both your existing sub and the new speakers to the computer with a Y-adapter, and leave the RCA connections un-connected.

Or, you could buy a new 2.1 system, set-aside the new sub, and use the new satellite speakers with your old sub.  (If the new system doesn't have RCA connections, you might have to use an adapter or cut some wires.)

I should mention that it's generally a bad idea to randomly mix & match speakers that might have different crossover points & different sensitivity, etc.  But with your limited budget, and given the fact that you like your subwoofer, it might be the best option.

---------------------
Most computer speakers are "powered" or "active".  (They have a built-in amplifier.)  Most "regular" stereo speakers are passive and they use the amplifier built-into a receiver (or they are connected to a power amp or integrated amp, etc.).

Studio monitors can be either pasive or active.

Most home-theater subwoofers are powered/active, but the satellite/surround speakers are usually passive and driven by the receiver.

P.S.
Quote
Hey guys, a couple days ago, one of my satellite speakers for my Altec Lansing FX4021 blew out...
I assume you swapped the left & right speakers to confirm that it's really the speaker and not the amplifier, or a bad connection/cable somewhere...  It would be a shame to buy new speakers and still have the same problem!


Thanks for the help. After looking for passive speakers, I haven't had much luck on finding ones I like, let alone ones with the same range as these satellites. The only ones I can find with RCA connections are active, and every 2.0 speaker set out there crosses over into the sub's range.

It seems like everything is pointing towards just getting some replacement 2.1 speakers, or finding some odd way to get this one satellite speaker fixed. Sucks that one blown cone can ruin an entire system.

Need replacement satellite speakers

Reply #3 –
Looks like those satellite speaker should come apart and you can replace the driver.  You will probably need a putty knife to pry the cabinets apart and you will probably need to glue them back together.  I'd open them up, measure the speaker and look at parts express (www.partsexpress.com) for replacement drivers of the same size.  I'd replace both left and right at the same time.  An added bonus is that the replacement drivers will most likely sound better than the originals.  Just from looking at pics of the Altecs, the cones 'look' to be aluminum:  http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.c...tnumber=264-807

"You can fight without ever winning, but never win without a fight."  Neil Peart  'Resist'

Need replacement satellite speakers

Reply #4 –
Quote
The only ones I can find with RCA connections are active...
Right.  Most speakers have terminals (of some kind) that connect to "bare" wires.  So, like I said, you'll have to make your own cables or buy some RCA cables and cut them up.    Or, you can cut-up the cables from you old speakers.


Quote
...and every 2.0 speaker set out there crosses over into the sub's range.
That's not a problem.  The subwoofer/amplifier has a crossover built-in and there shouldn't be any low frequencies coming out of those RCA connectors.

Re: Need replacement satellite speakers

Reply #5 –
Just for those who might attempt to repair the same speaker (Altek Lansing FX 4021 Satellite Speaker)

Simply pry away the front grille. If you are careful with this, you will be able to fold it back in afterward.
Then you can just unscrew 6 Phillips screws and open up the speaker to replace one of the cones.

Unfortunately, I only found this out after trying to pry open the seams (assuming they were glued, like the top and bottom ornamentation). In doing so, I destroyed the casing, which is extremely well built (no doubt contributing to the terrific sound of the system)

Better luck to the next person :)