Altec Lansing Audio Players & Recorders - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

Normally these low end system components depend on each other and cannot be interchanged with components from other system. So if one of the components (subwoofer or right control satellite speaker) breaks or gets lost the whole system is unusable...I was in the same situation. Got a subwoofer from VS4121 without original satellite speakers. I acquired satellite speakers from Altec Lansing 251 which used same connectors but the internal wiring was different and incompatible. Speakers are also glued together so it is impossible to open without damaging it. Obviously there is no service documentation anywhere..But if you like electronics you can try to make something based on the information below:Altec Lansing VS4121 connector pinout:Take the male connector (from right satellite speaker) and number pins in first row from left to right as 1-3, pins in the second row as 4-7, pins in the bottom row as 8-9 and the circle enclosure as 0. Then:0 - Ground 1 - Speaker Right2 - Treble (seems just like voltage control but may need to be confirmed: Min=0V; Max=voltage from Volume control Pin 9)3 - Head Set Right4 - Bass signal (not sure what the exact original design is as I have not opened the speaker) But seems like they use 50K potentiometer and some sort of RC low pass filter configuration. When potentiometer is set to Min it is shorted with ground. When set to Max it is taking signal from Right and Left Head Set (pins 3 and 5) combined through some larger resistors and low pass filter. 5 - Headset Left 6 - Ground for Headset (grounds 0 and 6 seems to be connected in the subwofer but within the right satellite speaker they seem to be isolated with separate leads to sub)7 - Power ON/OFF. When OFF or headset jack plugged then 0V. When ON and headset jack unplugged then 5V8 - 5V Power in9 - Volume (min=0V; max=5V). It seems they use 50K potentiometer but probably anything >10k should work.At minimum for standalone subwoofer you will need to implement:- Power On/Off (switch between pins 8,7)- Volume control 50k potentiometer (probably anything between 10k and 50k will do) between pin 7 and 0 with variable output to pin 9- Bass control - join two resistors R (I used 7k) and call this join point A. Attach other ends of the resistors to pins 3 and 5 respectively. Attach 50k potentiometer (I used 10k) between point A and ground 0. Attach Variable pin of the potentiometer to pin 4 (Bass input signal). Attach capacitor C between Pin 4 and Ground pin 0 (I used Electrolytic 1uF with negative end to ground) . Resistor R and capacitor C should make simple passive low pass filter (Google for formula) that should short any frequency higher than 80-120Hz to ground and feed frequencies lower than 80-120Hz to pin 4.PS: I managed to hack 251 control satellite speaker to somewhat work with VS4121 Subwoofer but that is another subject. All electronic parts were salvaged from old broken TV so total cost was $0 but took several days of tinkering for speakers that I could buy used for $10-20 :)

Dell (Altec Lansing) A425 Subwoofer PinoutsThis is a standard female DB-9 serial port.Here are the pinouts.Pin 1 = Left Speaker Out +Pin 2 = Left Speaker Out - (Common Ground)Pin 3 = Left Line In +Pin 4 = Right Line In +Pin 5 = Left/Right line In - (Common Ground)Pin 6 = Right Speaker Out +Pin 7 = Right Speaker Out - (Common Ground)Pin 8 = Power APin 9 = Power BJumper (short) Power A to B to turn on.If you want a volume control you need to put one on the inputs. You will buy buy a stereo volume control or potentiometer.Here is some info on how to do this.http://g4tv.com/screensavers/features/43665/Pump-Up-The-Volume.htmlCheers!

As mentioned above, a blown 2200 uF capacitor will cause that buzz. This is from my Altec VS4621. The buzz would be in the sub, then shift to the speakers if connected. I didn't examine the buzz all that long because it's loud af, but you can see the right capacitor is blown and open. IMO it's worth repairing, the caps are about 2 dollars per batch (20), plus time. You can watch plenty of videos on it, or bring some dollars to most repair shops.

Remove 8 screws, soak seam plastic with WD40 or lubricant. It takes some tapping work with a long flat metal along edges of seam all the way around. Have a schematic? Mice got into one I have and rusted away several small resistors on the ACS31 circuit board. I need an image of the values/schematic!

Question moved from Blue Computers to Altec Lansing. 'Blue RAY'? or 'Blue TOOTH'? Blue Ray is a digital video format. https://www.google.com/search?q=AL+4005 https://www.fixya.com/support/r26362721-pairing_bluetooth_devices ..

Did you get a solution of this problem? I am also facing the problem.

Hello there
First things first
1) check cable for bad connectivity or dust. clean .
2) your board or volume control may be damage, or dust inside clean carefully ( if you can) with air spray for computers.
3) I hate to tell, .....change your speakers, may be is bad IC on board for speakers.
good luck

these should help or contact them direct https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/100624/short-circuit-or-disconnect-to-bypass-a-compressor http://www.kk4ice.com/?p=570 https://www.google.com/search?q=Altec+lansing+atp3+control+board+schematics ..

Pardon my question; but what do you mean everything works fine? Have you attempted to attach the speaker system to an other device, such as a Receiver, DVD player, TV, etc? First check and see if the System works on other electronics and if it is working, then you go back to your computer and start from there; and I assume "everything works fine" could be the computer. The Altec is one of the best systems out there and their quality superior. It is rare to get a new Altec in a defective state as they do a great job on quality control.

Check any wiring coming or going to the subwoofer. It sounds like it could be a loose connection.  Is there a LFE or bass boost knob on your subwoofer? Does turning that up/down cause the crackling (if it exists). If so, you could use some tuner cleaner to clean the contacts on the potentiometer knob.

If the crackling is on the subwoofer only, it might be damaged from bottoming out.  See if you can remove the baffle or grille covering the woofer and inspect for visual problems. You can also try to lighly push in and out on the subwoofer to hear if it makes any scraping sounds. If so, it is definitely damaged and the driver will have to be replaced.

Mike

hello can you repair my speakers if its possible 1997 Altec Lansing AC41 (Gateway 2000) please they is no power in my speaker if you want to contact with me in facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100025743036737

You do have a problem as the system is controlled by the right-hand speaker. I would suggest you somehow buy an ADA885 system where the main amp/subwoofer has blown, then you will have a complete system.

Front bezel is glued to the frame . To remove it use piece of wood around the bezel and tap it with hamer around it (it should come off)

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Time to throw them away. They used to be a good company, but they aren't any longer. I have had two pairs go bad. My replacement hissed when the power was off. Altec Lansing were not interested that they were live when switched off. All switching off did was was cut the source input. I gave them away and bought Bowers and Wilkins MM1. By far the best speakers I have ever owned.

Bowers & Wilkins MM-1

https://www.bowerswilkins.com > default > files

PDF Digital Signal Processing There's an art to producing a big sound from small speakers. And we've mastered it, thanks to a clever ..

Very unlikely. They are not a good speaker company any longer. They have inbuilt power supply and amplifier board.

There seems to be a lot of issues with it! The used to be a great speaker company, but that all stopped about 10 years ago. https://www.google.com/search?q=altec+lansing+mx6021+power+supply

https://imgur.com/gallery/qDaw4