“”The T3 uses airSOUND® single-point-stereo technology to power the personal stereo aura.”
Holy crap, that sounds friggin’ magical. What new age witch must I barter with to acquire this sacred talisman? What tragic curse does it bear? More importantly, how much closer to musical godhood will I be with this newfangled aura of Pure Stereo?
In all honesty, the aura thing is actually pretty cool.
The Orbitsound T3 is a wired accessory that very simply plays music from whatever you plug it into – phone, laptop, iPod, you name it. It’s biggest selling feature is the aforementioned airSOUND, which can be pretty impressive when it evades a veritable minefield of caveats.
The Short Version
T3 Portable Battery Powered Stereo Speaker
By Orbitsound (£49.00, roughly $77.40 US)
Overall –
Specifications
- 8 watts total audio power to airSOUND® loudspeaker array in super-portable enclosure.
- Audio input by 3.5mm stereo jack socket.
- Green LED shows when unit is on.
- Red LED shows when unit is on charge.
- Lanyard supplied with quick release clip and magnetic clasp.
- Unit dimensions 102mm X 60mm X 19mm (22mm at maximum). (“Big as a cell phone”, my eye. -ed.)
- Weight 115gms.
- Power, Lithium-Ion battery 1000mA-hour 3.7V
- Battery charge life approx. 10 hours normal use.
- Charger, mains power charger and cable supplied. Charge can be by mains charger or from computer USB port.
- Charge time approx 2 hours.
- Shipping dimensions: 200mmX150mmX60mm
- Shipping weight. 200gms
Pros
- airSOUND effect is pretty cool
- Fuller sound than speakerphone
Cons
- Finnicky positioning
- No volume control
- Impractical
Verdict
The T3’s portability is stunted by size, practicality of hanging a speaker around your neck, and irritating everyone in your vicinity. Its surroundsound-esque quality is pretty nifty when it’s working, but changing your position in relation to it can quickly diminish the quality. For an iPod this could be a handy accessory on occasion, but unnecessary for anyone who’s cool with headphones.
Yeah, it sounds grim. Check out the hatefest on page 2!