The LCS-2414 satellite units are incredibly small - ideal if desk space is at a premium. The wood-constructed sub-woofer box is also compact as its driver is a relatively small 8cm unit. The on-off switch and power on indicator light reside on the top of the sub-woofer box, which is less ideal than their desktop positioning on the ACS45.1s. Bass volume is not independently adjustable. The single volume control is a wheel on the right hand satellite unit. There is one more cable to manage with the LCS-2414 than the ACS45.1, with three wires sprouting from the right hand satellite unit instead of two for the Altec Lansing unit.

Audibly, the LCS-2414 is a very different kettle of fish to the ACS45.1. There isn't the thumping bass of the Altecs and the level of amplification is clearly lower, so you will need to turn the volume up from the audio source to really annoy the neighbours.

However, those tiny satellite speakers were a revelation. Despite their size, they delivered a surprisingly big, spacious sound with very clear treble. In fact the spaciousness of the sound was slightly to the detriment of the central stereo image, which was a bit indistinct.