Hey there, audio lovers! Kristen here, your personal guide to all things stylish sound. If you‘re looking to upgrade your audio setup this year, you‘ve probably got one pressing question on your mind: is Altec Lansing still a legit choice?
I totally get it. With so many flashy new headphones and speakers flooding your social feeds, it‘s easy to sleep on the audio OGs. But as a lifelong audiophile and shameless tech geek, I‘m here to tell you: don‘t count Altec Lansing out just yet!
For over 80 years, Altec Lansing has been a true pioneer in the world of audio engineering. From designing sound systems for Woodstock and the Olympics to making the first-ever computer speakers, this brand has seriously deep roots.
But I know what you‘re thinking. That‘s ancient history, right? What has Altec done for us lately? Well dear reader, buckle up, because I‘m about to take you on a deep dive into Altec Lansing‘s mind-blowing speaker and headphone lineup for 2023.
We‘re talking waterproof earbuds that stay put through your sweatiest workouts. Bluetooth party speakers with crazy LED light shows. Sleek noise-canceling headphones that drown out the world. And that‘s just the start.
I‘ll give you my honest hot takes on which Altec Lansing products are worth your hard-earned cash – and which ones you can probably skip. Along the way, I‘ll sprinkle in some juicy insider info on Altec‘s latest innovations and how they stack up to the competition.
So whether you‘re a loyal Altec fan from way back or just now discovering this iconic audio brand, I promise you‘re in for a wild ride. Grab your favorite pair of headphones, crank that volume, and let‘s get into it!
Altec Lansing‘s Epic Audio Legacy
Before we talk about Altec Lansing‘s products, we gotta talk about their unbelievable backstory. Seriously, this company has been slaying the audio game since before your grandparents were born.
It all started way back in 1927, when motion pictures first got sound and needed some seriously cutting-edge speakers. Altec was there, providing the tech that brought "talkies" to theaters across the country.
Fast forward a couple decades to the birth of rock and roll. In 1969, Altec Lansing‘s "Voice of the Theater" speakers powered the legendary Woodstock festival. That‘s right – every note of Hendrix‘s face-melting guitar solos blasted through Altec gear!
From there, Altec Lansing just kept on innovating. They created the first compression driver, the first coaxial loudspeaker, and custom systems for epic venues like the Hollywood Bowl. Even NASA mission control used Altec for the moon landing. Talk about some pretty major "one small step for man" energy.
While Altec Lansing made their name in pro audio, the 1990s saw them breaking into computer speakers big time. Their partnership with Apple produced the OG multimedia speakers, plus sound cards bundled with tons of PCs. If you had a family desktop back then, chances are it came with some Altec.
So yeah, when you rock a pair of Altec Lansing headphones or blast your playlist on their speakers, you‘re plugging into almost a century of audio ingenuity. Wild, right?
But high-key, that‘s what I love about this brand. They‘re not just chasing trends or dropping celebrity collabs. Altec Lansing has always been about pushing boundaries and pioneering new ways to bring music to the people.
Now that you‘re up to speed on Altec‘s mind-boggling legacy, let‘s fast-forward to the present day. What are they cooking up in 2023, and more importantly – do YOU need it in your life? Time to find out.
Altec Lansing Product Overview
Real talk: Altec Lansing makes a dizzying amount of audio gear. But don‘t stress, because I‘m about to break down all their top products in plain English. No confusing spec sheets or audiophile jargon, I pinky promise.
Let‘s kick things off with Altec Lansing‘s headphone selection. If you‘re perpetually WFH like moi, the Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ ANC headphones are an instant add-to-cart. Picture this: plush, pillowy earcups gently hugging your head while smart mics cancel out your loud-talking Zoom mates. Bliss!
I put the Comfort Q+ to the test on a recent flight, and let me tell you, these babies delivered. The noise cancellation was next level, transforming my cramped middle seat into a peaceful private listening suite. And the sound? Chef‘s kiss.
For true wireless earbuds, you can‘t go wrong with the Altec Lansing Nano Pods. They‘re serving major AirPod vibes at half the price. The sleek charging case keeps you powered up on the go, and the touch controls are straight-up sorcery. Audiophiles will appreciate the balanced sound and punchy bass.
If you‘re a hardcore gym rat, allow me to introduce you to your new BFFs: the Altec Lansing Glow Run Earbuds. The wrap-around hooks keep them anchored during your most intense burpee sets, while the waterproofing laughs in the face of your sweatiest HIIT sessions. Oh, and did I mention they LIGHT UP for nighttime jogs? Too freaking cool.
Okay, let‘s talk Altec Lansing speakers. If you want to be that hero who rolls up to the function with a massive Bluetooth boombox, the Altec Lansing Xpedition 850 is your guy. This beast has a built-in LED light show that transforms your kitchen into an instant Vegas club – minus the overpriced bottle service.
Packing 420 (heh) watts of power, the Xpedition 850 is loud enough to annoy your uptight neighbors several doors down. But thanks to the IP67 waterproofing, even their most aggressive Super Soaker attacks can‘t shut this party down.
On the more portable end of the spectrum, the Altec Lansing Mini LifeJacket Jolt is perfect for beach days, pool hangs, or strapping to your bike handlebars. This rugged little speaker is dustproof, waterproof, and even floats if you drop it in the deep end after one too many spicy margaritas (I would never…).
Of course, Altec Lansing also offers a slew of home theater speakers and soundbars to level up your Netflix marathons. But in the interest of time (and my poor, overworked fingers), I‘ll spare you the full rundown.
Just know that whether you‘re looking for room-shaking surround sound or a simple TV audio boost, Altec Lansing‘s got an option for you. Okay, I think I‘ve held your attention long enough. Let‘s get to the juicy part: how does Altec hold up in 2023?
Altec Lansing vs. The Competition
Make no mistake: the portable audio space is a straight-up bloodbath these days. You can‘t scroll through TikTok for 30 seconds without stumbling on a new D2C brand hawking sleek earbuds or influencer-bait speakers.
So where does a legacy player like Altec Lansing fit into this cutthroat landscape? Are they still dropping innovative gear that can hang with the cool kids? In this section, I‘m putting Altec‘s top products head-to-head with the buzziest competitors of 2023.
Let‘s start with the Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ ANC headphones. At $130, they‘re priced to compete with the likes of the Sony WH-CH710N and the Soundcore Life Q30. Having personally put all three through their paces, I‘m giving Altec the edge in a few key areas.
First off, comfort. The Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ live up to their name with the plushest earcups I‘ve ever had the pleasure of parking my ears in. Seriously, wearing these is like getting a hug directly on your head. Major points for the ultra-squishy headband too.
Battery life is another big win for Altec. The Comfort Q+ clock in at 30 hours of playtime, edging out Sony at 25 hours and tying Soundcore. That‘s more than enough juice to last you through a full day of WFH, a cross-country flight, and even a bonus Bridgerton binge.
As for sound quality, the Comfort Q+ serve up shockingly good audio for the price. The 40mm drivers deliver crisp, detailed sound across all genres, with satisfying bass that doesn‘t muddy up the mix. The noise cancellation is solid too, though I‘ll admit Sony still has a slight lead in ANC tech.
All in all, I‘d say the Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ are a killer value for anyone seeking comfy, long-lasting headphones under $150. They‘re not necessarily the sexiest or most hyped option out there, but they quietly crush it on the essentials.
Moving on to true wireless earbuds, the Altec Lansing Nano Pods are up against some stiff competition from the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Jabra. But at just $60, they‘re an appealing AirPods alternative for the budget-conscious.
Design-wise, the Nano Pods take obvious cues from Apple with the stemmed buds and flip-top charging case. But hey, if it ain‘t broke, right? The case is impressively slim and pocketable, with a soft-touch finish that‘s mercifully fingerprint-resistant.
The earbuds themselves are supremely lightweight and low-profile, to the point where I often forget I‘m wearing them. And thanks to the array of eartips in the box, most folks should be able to find a comfortable, secure fit (shoutout to my fellow tiny-eared friends).
So how do the Nano Pods perform in the real world? Pretty dang well, in my experience. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is rock-solid, with no annoying dropouts or stutters. Touch controls are responsive, if a bit limited compared to pricier buds.
Sound quality is where the Nano Pods really shine, though. The 6mm drivers pump out full, dynamic audio with a surprisingly wide soundstage for the compact size. You‘re not getting galaxy-brain features like spatial audio or customizable EQ, but the default tuning is pleasantly balanced across the board.
Battery life clocks in at a respectable 5 hours per charge, with another 17 hours in the case. That‘s not industry-leading by any stretch, but it‘s on par with the original AirPods and plenty for most folks‘ daily needs. All told, the Altec Lansing Nano Pods are a fantastic starter set of earbuds that nail the essentials.
Who Should Buy Altec Lansing Audio Gear?
We‘ve covered a whole lot of ground in this monster review, so let‘s bring it on home. At the end of the day, who is Altec Lansing really for in 2023?
Based on my hands-on testing and general audio geekery, I see Altec‘s gear being a slam dunk for a few key groups:
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Budget-conscious audiophiles. If you appreciate high-quality sound but can‘t stomach the sticker shock of brands like Bose and Sennheiser, Altec Lansing delivers the sonic goods at a much gentler price point.
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Active adventurers. From the waterproof Nano Pods to the indestructible Lifejacket speakers, Altec has a ton of killer options for folks who like to take their tunes on the go. Beach bums, gym fiends, and extreme sports addicts, take note!
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Retro enthusiasts. Look, there‘s just something undeniably cool about rocking a brand with as much audio history as Altec Lansing. If you get a kick out of vintage gear and old-school engineering, you‘ll love nerding out over Altec‘s storied legacy.
On the flip side, Altec Lansing might not be the move if you‘re looking for the absolute bleeding edge of audio tech. Brands like Sony and Bose are still pushing boundaries with intelligent ANC, spatial audio, and other wild new features you won‘t find in Altec‘s current lineup.
There‘s also something to be said for the sheer street cred and cultural cachet of a brand like Beats or Apple. While Altec makes objectively great products, they don‘t necessarily have the same "it factor" as the buzzier names in the audio game.
At the end of the day, choosing the right audio gear is an intensely personal decision that comes down to your individual needs, budget, and straight-up vibes. There‘s no universally perfect brand out there – trust me, I‘ve looked!
But if you‘re seeking reliable, great-sounding gear that won‘t decimate your bank account, I truly believe Altec Lansing is still one of the best options on the market in 2023. Their rich audio heritage, rugged build quality, and wallet-friendly prices are a tough combo to beat.
Final Thoughts on Altec Lansing
Congratulations, dear reader – you‘ve officially reached the end of this behemoth Altec Lansing review! Thanks for sticking it out with me through all the geeky audio chatter and Gen-Z slang. You‘re a real one.
So, what‘s the final word on Altec Lansing? In my not-so-humble opinion, this legendary audio brand is still very much a contender in 2023. With over 80 years of boundary-pushing sound innovation under their belt, Altec knows how to craft products that look, feel, and sound like pure quality.
No, they‘re not the flashiest or most hyped name on the block. You probably won‘t see many TikTok stars flexing Altec Lansing gear in their "outfit of the day" posts. But that‘s kind of what I love about this brand – they‘re in it for the music, not the clout.
Whether you‘re a penny-pinching audiophile, a globe-trotting adventurer, or a plain old headphone junkie like moi, I‘m confident Altec Lansing has something in their deep lineup to tickle your fancy. And at these prices, you can upgrade your audio life without eating ramen for a month.
Of course, don‘t just take my word for it – I‘m just one music-obsessed weirdo with a keyboard. The only way to know for sure if Altec Lansing vibes with your needs is to test out their gear for yourself.
Luckily, most of their products are available with free Prime shipping on Amazon, and Altec offers a generous return policy if you‘re not completely stoked with your purchase. In other words, you‘ve got nothing to lose (except maybe your hearing if you crank that volume too high).
So go forth, my audio-loving amigo. Browse the Altec Lansing selections I‘ve linked throughout this guide, take a chance on a sexy new pair of headphones or speakers, and prepare for eargasms galore.
And if anyone gives you flack for not rocking the freshest hypebeast brands? Just smile, nod, and blast "Foxy Lady" at max volume to assert your dominance. Trust me, Hendrix sounds better on Altec anyway.
Until next time, my dudes. Stay savvy, keep it stylish, and never stop jamming.
Peace, love, and insane Bluetooth range,
Kristen
