Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom... (Labtec Spin 70 speakers)

Member Name: benniash

Product:	Labtec Spin 70 speakers
Date:	13/02/04 (154 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent value, good quality, stylish

Disadvantages: One colour

Over the last year I?ve started to use my computer more and more, with both work and ciao and the like. Despite having a CD-Rom drive I always played CD?s on my Hi-fi and it wasn?t till I moved it downstairs for a bit that I considered using my computer, as like most computers these days it came with software to play CD?s. Since then I haven?t stopped using it and also now save on batteries by listening to the radio through the Internet whilst I work rather than from my radio as well. Don?t ask why I didn?t think of this before!!

So having received very basic speakers with my computer I decided to see what was available in the market to improve the sound levels. Now I?m not the sort of person who has their music blaring out, largely due to the fact that most of the things I am doing on my computer involves concentrating in one form or another. Therefore after visiting several computer retailers I decided upon the Labtec Spin 70.

Labtec are not a household name like many of the brands I came across, but several of my friends have them and after hearing them in use in the shop I decided that they offered the best value. Labtec have in fact been around for over twenty years and also manufacture other peripherals such as keyboards and mice.

One of the key factors in the purchasing decision for me was the colour. These speakers only come in the white surround, but matched my computer and wouldn?t look out of place. They stand around eight inches high and four inches wide so are not too big. They are also very light so it wouldn?t be a problem mounting them on a wall.

When I got home they were easy to set up, with a cable simply plugging straight into the back of the computer. Being plug and play you don?t have to download any software or install anything. Using them was just as easy. On the front of one of the speakers are two dials, an on/off switch and a 3D surround button. The first dial is for volume, although this can also be cont
rolled through the software package on the computer as well. The second is for toning to get the balance between the two speakers to the level that you want it. The buttons are of a decent size and easy to use. The second speaker has no buttons on it so make sure that when you set them you put the one with the buttons in closest reach to where you sit. The speaker also has connections for headphones and a microphone, neither of which I use but might be handy for future use.

The most important thing though is that the sound is excellent. It is a big improvement on my old speakers although remember that the quality of your sound card will also influence the output.

At just £14.99 for the two I?d definitely recommend these to someone who simply listens to the radio or the odd CD through their PC. They are easy to use and set up so would be perfect for computer users at any level. They are compatible with all modern computers as they all have the same socket connections. They look stylish enough and for the price represent excellent value compared to the more well known brands. The one downside is that they only come in one colour, although I suggest looking at other products in the company?s range as I?m sure you?ll find something to your taste and needs.

Usually I try to include the spec within the review but thought it would be easier to list the details here. Many of the things were irrelevant to me as I just wanted to listen to music, but maybe they will be more helpful to the more technically minded of you out there!!

Output Power / Channel - 3D Sound
Output Power / Total - Integrated
Max Speakers Qty - 55 - 20000 Hz
Speaker(s) - 6 Watt
Controls- 12 Watt
Expansion / Connectivity - 2 x right / left channel - 6 Watt
Port(s) Total (Free) / Connector Type - Treble, bass, volume left, volume right
Power - Bass & treble control

For more information: www.labtec.com

Summary: