Altec Lansing VS3251 VS3251

Thank you for purchasing this Altec Lansing product. For generations, Altec

Lansing has been ﬁrst in audio innovation. Today, our line of powered speakers

has received more performance awards than any other brand. In all kinds of

environments, in every price range, Altec Lansing offers sound of distinction —

giving even the most demanding customers the audio enjoyment they seek. Just

listen to this!

Box Contents

• Five speakers with removable stands

• One subwoofer

•Infrared pod

•Wireless remote

• 2 AAA (LR 03) batteries

•Color-coded 3.5mm stereo cables

•User’s guide and quick connect card

Placing Speakers

Subwoofer

All stereo-encoded information is heard through the satellite speakers. The

subwoofer contains no stereo imaging, and its sound is non-directional. As a

result, the subwoofer doesn’t have to be placed in any particular relationship to

the satellites. However, placing the subwoofer on the ﬂoor close to a wall or

room corner provides better bass efﬁciency and optimum sound.

Warning: The subwoofer is not magnetically shielded. As such, it SHOULD be

placed at least 2 feet (0.6m) from TVs, computer monitors, computer hard drives

or any other magnetic media (e.g., ﬂoppy disks, Zip disks, computer or audio

tapes, etc.).

Front Satellite Speakers

Arrange the front satellite speakers to suit your listening tastes — from right

next to the monitor to as far apart as the speaker cords allow. Use the key hole

on the back of each speaker if you choose to mount them on the wall.

Center Speaker

Place the center speaker either on top or below the center of the monitor. Use

the key holes on the back of the center speaker if you choose to mount it on

the wall.

Rear Satellite Speakers

The rear satellite speakers should be placed slightly behind you, or as far back as

the cords allow. Use the key hole on the back of each speaker if you choose to

mount them on the wall.

For optimum sound, all satellites should be placed at or slightly above ear level,

and in an arrangement that offers the most satisfying results.

Note: The satellite speakers ARE magnetically shielded and can be placed close to

video displays such as TVs and computer monitors without distorting the image.

Infrared Eye

The infrared “eye” can be placed anywhere on your desktop where it will be

able to “see” the wireless remote. The “eye” will recognize commands from the

wireless remote from up to 26' (8 m) away.

Making Connections

Warning: Do not insert the speaker system’s power plug into a wall outlet

until all connections are made. Also, turn off audio source (i.e., your PC, MP3

player, Sony PlayStation, etc.) before connecting the outputs to the speaker

system’s inputs.

To ensure ﬁrst-time operation as expected, please carefully follow the connection

sequences described below in the order indicated.

Speaker System

To connect each satellite to the subwoofer, use the FRONT LEFT (front left),

FRONT RIGHT (front right), REAR LEFT (rear left), REAR RIGHT (rear right) and

CENTER (center) identiﬁers on the back of each satellite to connect them to the

appropriate output on the back of the subwoofer. To make the connection,

depress the color-coded spring-clip on the back of the subwoofer and insert the

color-coded wire, and depress the black spring clip and insert black wire.

Inputs

Various connection schemes between your audio source and the speaker system

are available. Determine if you’ll be setting up the speaker system for PC

audio/PC gaming, DVD playback, console gaming or with portable audio devices

(such as MP3 or portable CD players), then skip to the appropriate section.

PC Audio/PC Gaming/DVD Playback

Sound cards designed for PC gaming or DVD playback have unique audio

outputs. Typically, the outputs will be marked as “front output,” “rear output”

and “LFE/center output.” In some cases, slightly different terminology may be

used. The sound card’s documentation should help you determine which outputs

to use with your speaker system.

6-Channel/5.1 Sound Card with analog outputs

• Locate the green, black, and orange cables.

•Insert one end of the green, black, and orange cables into the computer

soundcard’s green, black, and orange outputs. Plug the other end of the

green, black, and orange cables into the back of the subwoofer, as follows:

•Plug the green cable into the input marked “Front Right/Left”

•Plug the black cable into the input marked “Rear Right/Left”

•Plug the orange cable into the input marked “Subwoofer/Center.”

2-Channel/Stereo Sound Cards|

• Locate the green cable.

• Insert one end of the green cable into the computer’s stereo (green) output,

and the other end into the input marked AUX on the subwoofer.

Console Gaming

(Requires the use of the Console Gaming Y-Adapter, which is not included. This

adapter can be purchased at www.alteclansing.com.)

Most console game systems feature dual-RCA outputs. To connect your speakers,

follow the steps below:

• Locate or purchase a Console Gaming Y-Adapter with a lime green 3.5 mm

stereo jack on one end and two RCA jacks on the other — one red and

one white.

• Locate the red and white RCA plugs on the end of the cable connected to the

back of your console gaming system. Connect them to the matching red and

white RCA jacks on the Console Gaming Y-Adapter.

• Locate the green cable included with this system.

• Insert one end of the green cable into the Console Gaming Y-adapter lime

green 3.5mm stereo jack, and the other end into the input marked AUX on

the subwoofer.

Portable Audio Devices (MP3, Portable CD Players, etc.)