Whether you're blasting away in Quake III or listening to your favourite CD, adding a third, sub-woofer, speaker to your PC sound system makes a big difference to the richness of the audio experience. Here we evaluate two entry-level three-speaker amplified offerings from highly respected names in the PC audio business - Labtec and Altec Lansing.

Both companies develop, design and manufacture their own driver units and are involved in advanced research for PC audio products, including microphone technology. Labtec supplied us with their new £49.95 LCS-2414 speaker set and Altec Lansing their more expensive £69.95 ACS45.1 set, introduced in the summer. Both have compact, magnetically shielded, satellite stereo speakers designed to be placed on your desk, with the larger and un-shielded sub-woofer recommended for a floor-standing position. That, however, is where the similarity ends. Click the 'NEXT' link below to find out more.