Hands-on with the Altec Lansing Orbit-M
By Ben Robinson on Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 7:49 AM PST In Accessories, Reviews
Not so very long ago, I posted up news that Altec Lansing had released their Orbit range, including the -M (which is a 3.5mm jack connected speaker) and the -USB, which is a (surprisingly enough) little speaker connected via USB. Well now I’ve spent some time with the Orbit-M, I think I can post up some thoughts on the diminutive little wonder!
Form Factor
In a word, it’s excellent – feels well made, and heavy enough to be quality, but since it needs to be portable, it’s not brick-like in terms of it’s portability! It also comes with a really nice case:
Connectivity and Usage
There are a few things here – first of all, this device is built around simplicity – so you have a simple cable run and self-strorage (3.5mm jack), and only one button to use – on/off – the volume is controlled by your source device. But that’s the beauty of it in many ways – it does one thing, and does in very well (see next point). By the way, it takes 3x AAA batteries to run it, and they seem to be lasting pretty well!
Sound Quality
Right, so really, this is all that matters! What can you expect? Well, I’d say that the Orbit-M does an exceptionally good job of delivering volume and fidelity, through it single speaker. It doesn’t have the bass kick of a unit with separate hi/mid/low drivers, but then again it’s probably 1/3 the size of something like that! I actually think the fidelity is superb, even when I really pushed the driver by cranking up the volume. Like with all speakers, there’s a finite limit where it loses control, but that volume is easily enough to fill the living room in your house (unless you have a simply cavernous lounge!).
Conclusion
Utterly top-notch – I am very impressed, can’t wait to try out the Orbit-USB and see if the digital connection makes any difference…
For more information on the complete autumn 2009 audio collection from Altec Lansing, you can visit www.alteclansing.com
Have you tried the x-mini II yet Ben? I just got mine about 2 weeks ago and I think it’s the bees knees. It looks to me like Altec Lansing borrowed some of the x-mini II’s design cues. It also produces great sound, and has a built in rechargeable battery that is charged through USB! The price is also comparable to the price of the Orbit, if not cheaper in most cases.
While you are drooling all over ALTEC’s mono speaker that goes for $50 for a single speaker requiring 3 AAA batteries you ignore DIAMOND’s MSP100 STEREO speakers that fo for between $30-40.
These speakers are in a compact capsule shape with the two speakers held together by magnetic attraction. They have a bass function by a slight twist of the “domes” on each unit which telescopes out in accordion fashion a couple of inches. The power is from internal batteries chargeable via a USB cable supplied with the speakers or by using a separately purchasable AC transformer.
All wiring except the charger cable to the USB port are retractable into the speakers, thus eliminating the clutter normally seen in speaker systems. Size? About half of the size of this single mono ALTEC speaker. Weight. again half of the weight of the ALTEC speaker. At 5.6 OZ and 4.6″ x 3.2, these speakers fit in a pocket or a small corner of your briefcase and power lasts from 6-8 hours on a single charge. While the ALTEC can run as much as 24 hours, if you are away from the office or home longer then you have to carry additional batteries. With the DIAMOND, if you have a laptop or a desktop computer, you can recharge it using the recharging USB cable or if you buy the AC charger you can use that without having to have a computer. The AC charger is a lot smaller and lighter than a battery recharger would be.
I got this DIAMOND after testing out a three speaker ALTEC system for my computer. While the ALTEC weighs in at 4.5 POUNDS, it didn’t put out enough sound to gear it from more than 5-6′ away while the DIAMOND speakers which are smaller than ONE of the ALTEC speakers could be heard from 10′ away clearly and loud enough to understand what you were listening to.
Frankly, everyone who has seen and heard my DIAMOND speakers wants one for themselves. I nave bought two more for family members and have had two more asks me to buy them one for Christmas.
I would suggest that if you really are “Intomobile” that you at least test these speakers for your readers and let them know what you think of them.