
Altec Lansing
Computer Speaker System
User Guide ACS295
IMPORTANT
If you experience any difficulties with your computer
speaker system, please call us. It may be a simple
problem that we can help you solve right over the
phone. Call our customer service number for assistance
before returning the speakers to your retailer.
Thank You.
1-800-ALTEC-88

IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product‘s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Risque de choc electrique — Ne pas ouvrir
CAUTION: TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the appliance.
Read Instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should be read
before the appliance is operated.
Retain Instructions — The operating instructions should be retained for
future reference.
Heed Warning — All warnings on the appliance and in the operating
instructions should be adhered to.
Follow Instructions — All operating and use instructions should be followed.
Water and Moisture — The appliance should not be used near water – for
example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet
basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.
Outdoor Use — Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
Location — The appliance should be installed in a stable location.
Ventilation — The appliance should be situated so that its location or position
does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the appliance
should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block
the ventilation openings; or placed in a built-in installation, such as a
closed bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the
ventilation openings.
Heat — The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.
Power Sources — The appliance should be connected to a power supply
only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on
the appliance.
Power-Cord Protection — Power-supply cords should be routed so that they
are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against
them. Pay particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the appliance.
Grounding or Polarization — The precautions that should be taken so that the
grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.
Cleaning — The appliance should be cleaned only with a polishing cloth or a
soft dry cloth. Never clean with furniture wax, benzine, insecticides or other
volatile liquids since they may corrode the cabinet.
Non-Use Periods — The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged
from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.
Object and Liquid Entry — Care should be taken so that objects do not fall
and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
Damage Requiring Service — The appliance should be serviced by qualified
service personnel when:
• The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged.
• Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance.
• The appliance has been exposed to rain.
• The appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked
change in performance.
• The appliance has been dropped or the enclosure damaged.
Servicing — The user should not attempt to service the appliance. Servicing
should be referred to qualified service personnel or returned to the dealer or
call the Altec Lansing service line for assistance.
3

4
Connecting the Power Cord
AC Wall Socket
Long slot is neutral
(ground) side.
La Longue
borne est
la côté neutre (terre).
Insert the wide
blade into the
ground side slot.
Inserer la lame plus
large dons la borne
la plus large.
CAUTION: To prevent electric shock do not use this
(polarized) plug with an extension cord, receptacle or
other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to
prevent blade exposure.
ATTENTION: Pour prevenir les chocs electriques ne pas
utiliser cette fiche polarisee avec un prolongateur,
une prise de courant ou une autre sortie de courant,
sauf si les lames peuvent etre inserees a fond sans en
laisser aucune partie a decouvert.
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

5
The FCC Wants You to Know
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
a) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
b) Increase the separation between the equipment
and receiver.
c) Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
d) Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
FCC Warning
Modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user authority to operate
the equipment under FCC Rules.

6
Introduction
Welcome to the extraordinary world of Altec Lansing
high fidelity sound.
Designed like no other speaker system in the world, the
patented Altec Lansing Speaker System lets you hear
digital audio sound with your computer. You can plug
these computer speaker systems into a PC audio card
and vastly enhance any business presentation,
training, education or advertising, music or video
production with the same level of controlled audio
quality you are used to hearing from a music CD. These
speaker systems can be used with any multimedia
home computer, CD player or video interactive game
to provide a total intelligent audio solution which is
practical and affordable.
Description
The ACS295 is an amplified stereo speaker system
featuring a subwoofer for extended low frequency
response. The system is especially designed for
multimedia computer near field monitoring. Two
audio inputs (1) and (2) allow mixing of computer
audio signals with other sources of sound. A patented
control circuit automatically boosts bass at low volume
to maintain musical sound realism.
Electronic controls adjust system volume, bass and
treble. The subwoofer has a separate volume control
for blending the subwoofer level with the satellites to
the listeners preference.
The satellite speakers are magnetically shielded and
can be placed close to the monitor without disturbing
images.
Subwoofer frequencies are non-directional, therefore
the subwoofer does not have to be placed in any
particular relationship to the satellite speakers. Placing
the subwoofer on the floor close to a wall or corner of
a room or under a desk gives excellent results The
subwoofer speaker is not magnetically shielded and
should not be placed close to the monitor.
When the ACS295 is not used with a Multimedia
Computer, it can serve as an amplified speaker system
for CD players, cassette players and various
video/audio sources with excellent results.

7
Back View of ACS295 Components Showing Connection Between Units
Do not insert the AC power plug into the wall outlet until all
connections are made as shown in figure 1.
• Before making connections, notice that the DIN
connector plug, the stereo plug and the speaker
mono plug are color-coded to prevent errors. This
color coding corresponds to connectors found on the
rear of the subwoofer, right speaker and computer.
• When connecting the red color-coded DIN
connector into the SPKR OUT receptacle color-coded
red on the subwoofer, notice that the DIN connector
has an arrow. The arrow should face up to make a
proper connection. Press the connector firmly into the
receptacle to make sure it is fully seated.
• The speaker mono plug colored white is inserted into
the jack marked SPKR color-coded in white on the
right satellite speaker.
• Insert the stereo plug colored green into the audio
jack (input 1) color coded in green. Insert the plug on
the other end of the stereo cable into the computer
audio output. The ACS295 is now operational.

Use of Top Panel Controls on Right Satellite Speakers (See Figure 2)
• ON/OFF SWITCH: To turn the unit on, press the
POWER switch. A yellow indicator next to the switch will
glow to show the power is on. Press the switch again to
turn the power off.
• MASTER ROTARY LEVEL CONTROL: The rotary master
level control operates in two modes. Whenever the
BASS or TREBLE function is selected, the volume level of
that function can be adjusted up or down by the
rotary control. Once each function is adjusted to the
desired level, the mode of operation reverts to the
rotary control after a short period. The rotary control
then performs as a master LEVEL control adjusting the
volume of all speakers simultaneously.
•TREBLE/BASS CONTROLS: To raise or lower treble or
bass response, press the switch next to each mode
selector, a green indicator will glow to show the
function is operational. Turn the ROTARY control
clockwise to increase response and counter-clockwise
to decrease response. Once the level is set, the
indicator next to the function will turn off after a short
period. Each function can be turned off quickly by
pressing the function button a second time. To reset
the Treble and Bass controls to their factory, preset
(flat) position depress and hold the corresponding
button for a period of approximately three seconds.
The green indicator will go out denoting the control
has been reset. Once the green indicator is off, the
master level control becomes operational.
Figure 2

9
Placement of Speakers
All stereo information is heard from the satellite
speakers. The subwoofer contains no stereo
information and its sound is non-directional. As a result,
the subwoofer does not necessarily have to be placed
in any particular relationship to the satellites. Placing
the subwoofer on the floor close to a wall or corner of
a room provides maximum bass efficiency. The
subwoofer is not magnetically shielded and should not
be placed near video displays.
The satellite speakers are magnetically shielded and
can be placed close to the computer monitor without
distorting the video image. Best stereo effect is
obtained by placing the speakers as far apart as
practical.
How to Enhance Presentations with Dialogue
A CD player or other audio source can be plugged
into the unused INPUT. Mixing of the computer audio
output with another audio source can be
accomplished by using the volume control or ON/OFF
switch on the second audio source. A typical
example may be as follows:
A lecturer may want to interject dialogue into a
multimedia presentation. If the lecturer has a wireless
FM microphone system the output of the microphone
receiver can be connected to the unused input on the
ACS295. When the lecturer wishes to make a
comment, he either turns on the microphone switch to
speak or he can raise or lower the microphone
volume control to mix his voice with the computer
audio program. Any other audio device can operate
in the same manner.

ACS295 Specifications
Satellites
Drivers One 3 inch full range
One 1 inch tweeter
Satellite Power 7 Watts RMS (Per Channel)
THD <0.8% @ 1 Watt @ 1kHz
Treble Control ±9dB @ 7kHz (3dB Steps)
Bass Control ±9dB @ 150Hz (3dB Steps)
Subwoofer
Driver One 6 inch long throw
Subwoofer Power 20 Watts RMS
THD <0.8% @ 1 Watt @ 100Hz
Power Requirements
USA/CANADA Model 120 Volts 60Hz AC
United Kingdom Model 240 Volts 50Hz AC
European Model 230 Volts 50Hz AC
MAX Power Consumption 120 Watts
UL/CUL/CE Approved
System
Frequency Response 35Hz – 20kHz
Input Impedance >10k Ohms
Input Sensitivity 500mV for full output
Signal-to-Noise Ratio >65dB
Crossover Frequency
(Subwoofer) 150Hz
Fuse Type* 1 AMP 250V
“Slow Blow” (5x20mm size)
*Before replacing fuse remove AC power plug from the
wall outlet. To replace fuse, twist fuse cap
counterclockwise with a standard flat head screwdriver.
The fuse cap is spring loaded and will “pop” out.
NOTE: IF THE FUSE NEEDS REPLACEMENT USE A 250 VOLT,
1 AMP “SLOW BLOW” 5 X 20MM UL/CSA APPROVED TYPE.

Three Year Limited Warranty
Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc. warrants to the end user
that all of its computer speaker systems are free from
defects in material and workmanship in the course of
normal and reasonable use for a term of three years
from the date of purchase.
This warranty is the exclusive and only warranty in effect
relative to Altec Lansing computer speaker systems and
any other warranties, either expressed or implied, are
invalid. Neither Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc. nor any
authorized Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc. reseller is
responsible for any incidental damages incurred in the
use of the speakers. (This limitation of incidental or
consequential damage is not applicable where
prohibited.)
Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc. obligation under this
warranty does not apply to any defect, malfunction or
failure as a result of misuse, abuse, improper installation,
use with faulty or improper equipment or the use of the
computer speaker systems with any equipment for
which they were not intended.
The terms of this warranty apply only to computer
speaker systems when such speakers are returned to the
respective authorized Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc.
reseller where they were purchased.
Under the terms of this warranty the original consumer
purchaser has certain legal rights and may have other
rights which vary worldwide.
©1997 Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc., Milford, PA 18337