PC Speaker problems! ACS48

Sharky Forums


Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: PC Speaker problems! ACS48

  1. #1
    Goldfish dander21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    St. Paul, MN USA
    Posts
    62

    Unhappy PC Speaker problems! ACS48

    Hello folks!

    I have some Altec Lansing ACS 48 speakers that stopped working out of the blue and I am at a loss as how to fix them.... 2.1 speaker setup, the two satellites run through the sub. My satellites have no power and the sub fuse is not blown! The tech support said it may be an AC adapter in the sub, but just second guessing with everyone here.

    Also, what are the best speakers available for less than $100? Tight budget and I am reaching for advice here.

    Thanks in advance folks!

  2. #2
    Resident Audiophile XP1800's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Posts
    8,612
    What kind of sound card do you have? Also, what will you use them for the most: gaming, movies, MP3's, ect...

    I got my Creative Labs 51. 5200's for $70 at newegg, and I haven't had any problems

  3. #3
    Hammerhead Shark vrao81's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    surrounded by n00bs...
    Posts
    2,039
    That's too bad the altec acs48 was one of the best speaker systems altec ever came out with
    If you want to stick with a 2.1 system I would suggest the monsoon planarmedia 14.

  4. #4
    Goldfish dander21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    St. Paul, MN USA
    Posts
    62
    I appreciate the feedback.

    I noticed no ideas on fixing the 48ACS's though? Any ideas out there? And if they are goners, are they worth anything or are they headed for a landfill?

    Thank you for the alternative speakers since it is looking like I will need to replace these....

  5. #5
    Sushi
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    1

    good old Altec ACS 48

    hi i have the same problem ,one channel died on my acs 48 (been using it for 6 years) the problem is that today´s system lack tweeters.
    I hate Logitech because even they most expensive monsters do not have tweeters !!! how can this be!!!
    Somebody please explain how can a tweeterless speaker system be THX certified?? . Please don´t tell my they use phaseplugs ,since a phaseplug is in no way a substitute for a tweeter, in fact using phaseplugs causes a loss on highs!!!
    Google phaseplugs and learn(they are just a passive space filler on the center of the cone).they don´t move--they don´t make any sound)
    A good system must have tweeters!! period
    Logitech cut the crap now!!
    Altec please reissue the ACS 48 now !!!
    Anybody has or knows where to find a repair schematic or diagram for the acs 48?? since i can´t find anything on the web.
    thank you.

  6. #6
    Mako Shark Nater's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Crawfordsville Indiana
    Posts
    3,206
    Axiom Audio's Audiobytes are awesome speakers for a PC. They're about the only 'for PC' speakers that I'd consider buying short of Dynaudio's hideously expensive MC15/MC250 setup.
    Q6600 @ 3.6GHz (Tuniq Tower 120) - DFI Lanparty LT P35-T2R - 8GB Corsair DDR2-800 - eVGA GTX 275 SC - SoundBlaster X-Fi - Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB - Seagate 7200.10 750GB (2) - Western Digital 1.5TB Green (2) - Western Digital 2TB Green - WINDy-Soldam MT-Pro 1700 - Antec Signature 850W- HP LP2475W (H-IPS) - Samsung 204B (TN) - Alienware Ozma 7 Headphones - Windows 7 Ultimate

  7. #7
    Expensive Sushi
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    10
    Quote Originally Posted by dander21
    Hello folks!

    I have some Altec Lansing ACS 48 speakers that stopped working out of the blue and I am at a loss as how to fix them.... 2.1 speaker setup, the two satellites run through the sub. My satellites have no power and the sub fuse is not blown! The tech support said it may be an AC adapter in the sub, but just second guessing with everyone here.

    Also, what are the best speakers available for less than $100? Tight budget and I am reaching for advice here.

    Thanks in advance folks!

    Altec Lansing VS4121 Powered Audio System its only $64.38 or Altec Lansing FX4021 2.1 Powered Audio Speaker System just $83.22 it sound is so cool and boom boom check it now.
    Seal Beach & Fountain Valley.

  8. #8
    Catfish Callahan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Charleston, SC
    Posts
    202
    The web is usually a great way to help solve problems like this but in this case it was a bust. I did a search and came upon this thread since I have the same problem now as the OP. I have the ACS48 speakers on our family PC and they have been great for 7 years...then they just died. No power and the sub fuse is not blown. Sure I could go out and buy new speakers but I would rather bring these back to life if the problem is something simple. Any other ideas out there before I add to our local landfill?
    ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus
    Intel E6750 Dual-Core CPU
    Zalman CNPS9500 92mm
    Thermaltake Soprano Case
    OCZ GameXStream 600w PSU
    400GB Seagate Barracuda HD
    3GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 SDRAM
    EVGA 8800GTS 512MB (G92)
    20X Lite-On 20X DVD/CD Burner (SATA) Lightscribe Drive
    18X SONY-NEC OPTIARC DVD/CD Burner (SATA)
    ViewSonic VX922 2ms 19" LCD Monitor
    Klipsch Promedia 2.1
    VISTA Home Premium 32-BIT

  9. #9
    Mako Shark
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    3,277
    I don't want to insult anyone's intelligence but I have a set of old Altec Lansing 2.1's. Did you try turning up the volume? If the power goes off mine automatically set themselves to zero volume so they appear to be dead.

  10. #10
    Catfish Callahan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Charleston, SC
    Posts
    202
    Quote Originally Posted by drdoom
    I don't want to insult anyone's intelligence but I have a set of old Altec Lansing 2.1's. Did you try turning up the volume? If the power goes off mine automatically set themselves to zero volume so they appear to be dead.
    Tried that first thing...nothing. No lights...no volume (holding down the volume up button). No crackle, no pop. Dead.

    I pulled the sub apart Saturday and saw nothing visibly wrong with the circuit board or the red wire connections. Also pulled apart the speaker with the built in control unit and didn't see anything obviously wrong with it either.

    It's a shame. I'm sure it would cost more to fix than to buy another 2.1 speaker system. Oh well...more landfill material I guess.
    ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus
    Intel E6750 Dual-Core CPU
    Zalman CNPS9500 92mm
    Thermaltake Soprano Case
    OCZ GameXStream 600w PSU
    400GB Seagate Barracuda HD
    3GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 SDRAM
    EVGA 8800GTS 512MB (G92)
    20X Lite-On 20X DVD/CD Burner (SATA) Lightscribe Drive
    18X SONY-NEC OPTIARC DVD/CD Burner (SATA)
    ViewSonic VX922 2ms 19" LCD Monitor
    Klipsch Promedia 2.1
    VISTA Home Premium 32-BIT

  11. #11
    Sushi
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    2
    Okay, I have a basic fix for this guys, This is my first post - and may very well be the ONLY post I put on the board, but I loved my ACS48's so much, I was bound and determined to fix them.

    My background in HAM radio came in hand, because this required some micro-soldering.

    Turns out the DIN plug (looks like a PS/2 plug) that plugs the satellite speakers into the sub is a common failure point on these awesome speakers. I've had man since they FIRST came out and NOTHING has come even close to the sound quality the produce, so I was bound and determined to fix them.

    A little retro-engineering revealed this:

    the plug itself is a mini-DIN, 6 pine plug available at www.mouser.com, just search for it and check the data files for the one that looks close to ensure you order the right one. the direct link is here:

    http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...ey806-KMDAX-5P

    make sure to check the data sheet to order the right pin configuration. Once you receive your new plug, fire up your soldering iron and cut the old plug off the end of your speakers.

    The wiring goes like this - looking INTO the plug



    simple solder the wires to the new plug, close it up and give it a try. I'm listening to my speakers right now after this fix!

    Good luck!

  12. #12
    Hammerhead Shark bugspop1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,131
    What about something like this to fix your problem:
    http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3875402

    You can most likely pick one up at Wal-Mart, Meijers, Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc...
    It doesn't have to be the one I posted. If you take the speakers to Radio Shack they can and will help you to get the right adapter andtip for your speakers. If they are a good (RS) store they will even test it for you before you leave the store to make sure the power adapter is the problem. I'm betting if the fuse isn't blown as you stated, that Power Adapter has gone bad! I've had many power adapters go bad, so it does happen!
    Last edited by bugspop1; 11-10-2009 at 11:32 PM.
    CoolerMaster Cosoms Full Tower
    Enermax Revolution 1050w PSU (Modular Cabling)
    AMD PhenomII X4 [email protected] Black Edition
    Asus M4A79 Deluxe
    4x2GB G.Skill DDR2 1066 PC2 8500
    2x1TB Seagate Hard Drives
    2xLite-On DVD-RW Smarterase/Lightscribe
    XFX nVidia GeForce 285 GTX 1GB
    26" Westinghouse Monitor
    Logitech Webcam 9000 Pro
    Logitech MX 5500 Combo
    Logitech z-640 5.1 Surround Sound
    Windows 10 Professional 64bit
    Brother MFC-9440cn AIO
    Brother MFC-845cw AIO
    Brother QL-570 Label Printer

  13. #13
    Sushi
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    2
    First, let me apologize for all the TERRIBLE spelling goofs in my last post. I was in a hurry to get this posted and get into a meeting... should have taken my time.

    I hope no one it confused on anything, if you are, let me know.

    bugspop1: The ACS48 speakers don't use a wall-cube type adapter like what you've shown, they use a standard 110v wall plug since it has a powered sub woofer. I, too, have used RS in the past to replace wall-cubes, but in the case that solution isn't an option.

  14. #14
    Hammerhead Shark bugspop1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,131
    Sorry, I tried to pull up a picture of the speakers but couldn't find a decent photo let alone one of the wires.

    I did read a few things last night after I posted. Looks as though many people have had this happen to them with these speakers. Didn't find any solutions to fixing them! Most of the problems seemed to be with the Satellite Speakers and not the Sub. Sorry again!
    CoolerMaster Cosoms Full Tower
    Enermax Revolution 1050w PSU (Modular Cabling)
    AMD PhenomII X4 [email protected] Black Edition
    Asus M4A79 Deluxe
    4x2GB G.Skill DDR2 1066 PC2 8500
    2x1TB Seagate Hard Drives
    2xLite-On DVD-RW Smarterase/Lightscribe
    XFX nVidia GeForce 285 GTX 1GB
    26" Westinghouse Monitor
    Logitech Webcam 9000 Pro
    Logitech MX 5500 Combo
    Logitech z-640 5.1 Surround Sound
    Windows 10 Professional 64bit
    Brother MFC-9440cn AIO
    Brother MFC-845cw AIO
    Brother QL-570 Label Printer

  15. #15
    Sushi
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1
    Thanks for the info!! I've followed all of the steps but I'm not having any luck with the two black wires that need a good home.

    I've tried connecting each one at a time to the exterior of the DIN plug but still no luck powering them up. I've checked the fuse and it tests good. Any ideas?

    Thanks!


    Quote Originally Posted by vshortt View Post
    First, let me apologize for all the TERRIBLE spelling goofs in my last post. I was in a hurry to get this posted and get into a meeting... should have taken my time.

    I hope no one it confused on anything, if you are, let me know.

    bugspop1: The ACS48 speakers don't use a wall-cube type adapter like what you've shown, they use a standard 110v wall plug since it has a powered sub woofer. I, too, have used RS in the past to replace wall-cubes, but in the case that solution isn't an option.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •