There are two pervasive opinions held by most who opt for a pair of computer speakers: the first that because they’re cheap you shouldn’t expect them not to be ugly looking, and the second that since they’re cheap (often under $100), that you shouldn't expect anything from the sound quality.
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Altec Lansing’s expressionist CLASSICs could be the exception on both fronts (with some caveats), even if they do come in at $79 retail. Visually they’re just about as far away from a plastic box as can be imagined; each of the two speakers consisting of a long tube, with a squarish plate of plastic on the front surrounding the grill. When placed down, there’s the impression of a very svelte and attractive shape for bookending on your computer table (just make sure there’s plenty of room behind each speaker of course).
So the sensible approach to reviewing these speakers is to first toss away the perceptions noted above and concentrate on how they sound in use. Now if you’re like me, you’re not using the computer for video or audio intensive uses, but for watching the occasional DVD or video clip from Netflix or Hulu, or playing music in the background while doing other things. Meaning that it’s not your preferred way for watching or listening, just that it’s convenient while doing other things. And I would bet fair money that most, again like me, rarely punch up the volume loud - saving that for when away from the computer like with the home theater or playing music through an amplifier to the speakers.
