Altec Lansing MIX Digital boombox

Altec Lansing MIX Digital boombox
Reviewed by: Bill Henderson
MIX Boombox Speakers – Altec Lansing iPhone and iPod Speakers and Dock
Price: $299.00 (on sale $225.95)

Do you believe in time travel? When you look at Altec Lansing’s MIX Digital boombox, you may believe time travel is possible, after all. The MIX is one of the biggest, baddest and dare I say unusual looking – for this century anyway -  iPhone/iPod boomboxes ever? Oh, and dare I also say that it just happens to be one of the best-sounding boomboxes available today? Yeah, I dare say it is.

Let‘s talk about this face-only-a-mother-could-love part… This is 80s to the extreme. You can just picture this monster on some guy’s shoulder ticking off everyone within hearing range. Like I said, it’s from another era. However, once my son took a look at this audio time-tripper, he fell in love with it. He thinks this is the coolest boombox he has ever seen, period. So you know, maybe Altec Lansing is on to something that my older (and more ‘sophisticated’) eyes don’t see.

But aside from all that, the MIX kicks serious butt. Even with all the current advances of getting big sound out of smaller and smaller speakers, there is no substitution for sheer mass. And massive this is. At 19.5” wide/7.5” high/9.5” deep the MIX gives you enough room to pack in some serious volume and audio depth. Bass comes out of a 5.25” subwoofer paired with a passive radiator. Just watching these exposed, side-firing subs move air is a hoot. Balanced out with two 3” mid-range drivers and 1” horn tweeters the MIX creates a sound that will fill a large room with clear, powerful sound, no problem.

If the MIX just had these specs, it would be easy to recommend. But there is a lot more to like here. There are three – yes three – ipod inputs. One dock and two AUX ports allow for a mix (get it?) of different tunes from different sources. So any party is not hampered by one person’s tastes.

The MIX can also be truly portable, but it takes a whopping 8 size-D batteries which weigh – what – 10lbs? OK, I’m exaggerating, but it does put an already heavy boombox into weightlifting territory. In fact, you could us it as weights because there are two grab handles at each corner as well as another handle in the middle. There is no excuse if you drop this thing. Also included are the usual iPod dock adapters The dock will charge your iPod during use. And for those other two AUX ports, Altec Lansing supplies the necessary cords. Cool.

The included remote is a little funky. It has a carabiner attached for clipping onto a belt loop or something. I’m not quite sure why. But there is a slot on the MIX to neatly stash it out of the way. The remote’s buttons are programmable and easy to use allowing for four FM station presets.

Just about every iPod and iPhone is supported. ‘Airplane mode’ is not needed if you use an iPhone as it is fully shielded. And the music will pause if you get a phone call. However, this is not a hands-free device. There is no mic.

There is also a sliding bar which protects the iPod/iPhone from falling out of the dock when the MIX is moved or accidently bumped. Clever. The small orange-on-black lighted display tells you what track and artist is playing as well as FM stations if listening to the radio. Sorry talk fans, there is no AM. EQ mode is customizable or you can choose from presets. I preferred the Altec EQ setting. It seemed to be the more balanced of all the EQ choices.

So how does the MIX handle different kinds of music? I began with “The Unknown Soldier” by The Doors. This late 60s anti-war theme features Ray Manzarek’s keyboards vibrating as Jim Morrison’s blood-soaked crooning leads up to a snare drum execution. All the while, church bells chime in the background. I don’t remember hearing that kind of clarity back when the song was originally released. Patrick O’Hearn’s early digital recording “Ancient Dreams”  sparkles with bright highs counter-balanced by booming bass. Everything is distinct and clear sounding. Muddiness is not an issue.

David Bowie’s “Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed” from “Space Oddity” begins with warm 12-string acoustic strumming before sliding into an angry, pounding Bo Diddley beat on electric guitar from hell. This song always sounded much better loud and here it doesn’t disappoint. A real bass-tester is Klaus Schulze’s “Vat Was Dat” from “Are You Sequenced?”. For fun, I tried to crank it up to the distortion point. I never made it. I listened for 5 minutes (the song is over an hour!) at max volume, which is set at 40 and didn’t once hear anything unpleasant. The electronic bass really pushed the subs and while I certainly don’t recommend this volume level for extended listening; in this instance, the subs held and did not distort.

My admiration of the sound the MIX puts out is only marginally offset by its looks. And even that is in the eye of the beholder. So if you are into semi-retro styling, like your music really loud, and have at least two friends with iPods to share, you will fall in love with the Altec Lansing MIX. It’s not cheap, but for the near future, this may be all the sound system you’ll ever need.

Tags: app, Bell, iPhone, OS, review

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