Holiday Gift Suggestions: the Altec Lansing Orbit for the Generous Audiophile
Posted on 23 November 2008, at 10:52 am, by Judie Lipsett
Listening to the tunes on a digital music player can be such a solitary affair; if you want your favorite audiophile to get into the spirit of the season and share a bit, then you might want to gift him or her with the Altec Lansing Orbit.
Although it is larger than some of the other diminutive plug-in speakers I have tried before, the Orbit isn’t too huge and it doesn’t scrimp on sound. Let’s take a look…
Inside the package is the Orbit speaker, a travel case (perfect for chucking in a backpack), warranty paperwork, a quick start guide, a carabiner to attach to the case, a lanyard to attach to the Orbit, and a written warning to turn off any bass enhancements on your MP3 player so that you can enjoy the best sound.
The Orbit measures approximately 3.5″ in diameter and 2″ thick; it is composed of silver and gray plastic, and a black metal mesh grill covers its center speaker.
A power button on the front activates the speaker; the green LED will glow when the Orbit is powered on.
A lanyard hole is located on the back side.
The base of the Orbit houses a 9″ long cable with 3.5mm audio plug; twisting the base reveals…
…the three AAA battery compartment.
Battery life from the batteries (not included) is supposed to be somewhere around 24 hours; I’ve been using mine for a few days off and on, and I haven’t yet reached the end of it’s juice.
Sound from the Orbit is surprisingly rich. Bass was impressive, midrange wasn’t muddy, and there was no need to crank my iPhone up all the way in order to hear the music.
My favorite use for the Orbit so far has been for watching movies without having to wear earphones, but it works very well as a speaker system for those trying to fill a smaller place with music. I can see this as a great dorm room addition, or a sound source to use in a smaller office.
The Altec Lansing Orbit is available directly from the manufacturer and from other retailers.
MSRP: $39.95
What I Like: Excellent sound from a compact speaker source; does not drain the digital music player’s batteries; priced right for holiday gift giving
What Needs Improvement: Nothing, it lives up to the hype
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November 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
So this doesn’t make you wish for stereo capabilities?
November 23rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hi GreatDay, I am not sure what you are asking me. Care to clarify?
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Well, it’s probably a dumb question. I suppose this solution is better than trying to listen over your external speaker on your phone, but I was wondering if it then made you wish you were listening to two speakers—like with stereo, or right and left or….yep—it’s a dumb question. Nevermind.
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Oh stop; it’s not a dumb question at all.
It is MUCH better than listening to the external speaker on the iPhone – the sound produced is much richer, and most of all much louder. There is no comparison.
As far as whether it makes me wish for stereo speakers? Not really. As far as compact single speaker designs go, it’s really good. Obviously a full stereo set of speakers would add dimension to the sound, but for what it is, the Orbit rocks.
BTW – Sarah almost immediately “appropriated” this from me once the review was done. Knowing how picky she can be about her tech, that was high praise for the product.
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Thanx. I’ve actually been looking for some portable way to play songs I occassionally have on my TILT for my guitar teacher to hear. Trying to get him to listen to one over my external speaker drives him and me nuts. And yeah headphones are better in most instances, but you can’t have a “group listen” with headphones. Anyhow thanx. I’ll probably try it—the price is sure right. p.s. so you went to the dark-side (iPhone) too, eh? Miss anything about WM—-or do you just have seven different phones; one for every day? */*
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Hi Judie,
The product page link that you’ve provided is to the older model IM-207 (which has a MSRP of $29,95). The newer model that you reviewed (Orbit-M IM-237) has a MSRP of $39.95, and its product page is located at a URL that the Reply editor will not let me post, but it ends with _id=orbit_m
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Thanks Bill; there is nothing like an early morning brain fart! I will update with the link you provided as well as the correct price.
@GreatDay – I have a phone for every day of the week.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:42 am
How does this compare to the Xmi Minimax speakers, sound quality wise ? I’m using one and was so impressed with it that i intend to get another one for my friend. But if anyone has a chance to listen both Altec and Xmi mini speakers, please kindly share the experience.