Altec Lansing T515 Desktop Speakers

Despite the explosion of stereo Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, there aren't many compact, affordable Bluetooth speaker systems. One recent arrival, the Altec Lansing T515, has a lot going for it, including good sound quality and an innovative detachable headset unit.
 
The T515 is an unobtrusive (7.5 x 3 x 2.4 inches) black speaker set that will take up very little space on your desk; it's also small enough to squeeze into your carry-on (with the included carrying case). Once you sync your phone with the T515, you can play music or answer calls through the speakers. You can also remove the headset unit and attach the included earbuds for making calls and listening to music in private.
 
The top of the T515 houses the power button and the volume controls. The headset unit has its own power button and volume buttons, plus a tiny play/pause button surrounded by a slightly larger rocker button with rewind and fast-forward controls. Pairing our test phones with the T515 was a straightforward process. You just press and hold the play button on the headset unit when it's docked until you hear a beeping sound, then follow the instructions on your phone.
 
Note that the headset unit's playback controls work only when the device is docked. However, you can use your phone as a remote control for changing tracks. You should also be able to control the volume remotely with your cell, although we experienced mixed results: The Samsung BlackJack and T-Mobile Dash adjusted the volume on the T515 successfully, but the Samsung Sync did not.
 
There are two ways to power these speakers: with the included AC adapter or with the four included AAA batteries. The headset unit charges while docked or via your notebook using the bundled USB cable. We especially appreciated the included stereo cable for attaching an iPod or other audio device, adding to the T515's versatility.
 
On our tests, tunes sounded quite good at moderate volumes, with a surprising amount of punch, given the T515's small size. We noticed some distortion as we cranked the volume all the way up, but overall we were impressed. The headset unit was less impressive; it worked about 20 feet or so from the speakers, but the sound often cut out while we were moving and even while standing still unless we were right next to the speakers.
 
If you're going to use the T515 for making calls, we recommend sticking with the headset unit and earphones. One caller said he heard a little feedback when we used the speakers, and the other caller had a lot of trouble understanding us.
 
You definitely wouldn't want to use these speakers when hosting a party, but in a bedroom or office, the Altec Lansing T515 does the trick. It provides plenty of volume; it's easy to set up; and the headset unit sweetens the deal by enabling users to make calls and listen to music on the go.
 

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