Altec Lansing Offers Wireless Home Theater

The company's latest speaker systems are designed to complement flat panel TVs with a low profile and wireless design.

Although Altec Lansing is best known today for its ubiquitous line of PC speakers, the company started out making home theater speakers, and still maintains a portfolio of higher-end offerings. It added onto that line Thursday with the announcement of the Powered Theater Series, a wireless surround sound system for flat panel TVs.

The PT8051 system features only a front speaker and a rear speaker, but delivers five separate audio channels like a traditional setup. The units accomplish this with NXT Digital drivers, which use a 8” by 1.5” flat radiating surface that Altec claims covers more room area than traditional cone speakers. If two separate units is still too much bulk, the PT7031 packs five-channel surround into just one box using the same drivers.

The new speakers are designed to keep a low profile and complement the slim TVs they’re paired with. “While digital audio plays a central role in homes today, the majority of systems are difficult to set up, involve a web of wires and lack designs that consumers want to showcase in living spaces,” said Robert Heiblim, senior vice president of marketing for Altec Lansing, in a statement. “Altec Lansing’s new home theater products provide the convenience and simplicity of wireless, without compromising great sound or designs that truly complement home decor.”

Both models will be available in August at major retailers. The PT8051 will sell for $999.95 while the one-piece PT7031 will run for $599.95.