ORB Audio....anyone heard of them?

[vr6ofpain]

They remind me of Gallo(spell?) speakers.
http://www.orbaudio.com/

http://www.orbaudio.com/ProductImages/trio.jpg
http://www.orbaudio.com/ProductImages/150durbenv1.jpg
http://www.orbaudio.com/ProductImages/150bossside.jpg

I can't see them sounding that good. Plus according to B&W there are quite a few problems with a spherical enclosure.

http://www.orbaudio.com/ProductImages/360bossx4.gif

[topspeed]

I can't see them sounding that good. Plus according to B&W there are quite a few problems with a spherical enclosure.
Well, Hershon certainly seems to love his Orbs. Where did you hear B&W had issues with spherical enclosures? This would seem odd considering their latest subwoofer, the PV1, touts the advantages of such an enclosure

http://www.homecinesolutions.fr/images/23791102151383_pv1_large_grille_off.jpg

[rjservatius]

Well, Hershon certainly seems to love his Orbs. Where did you hear B&W had issues with spherical enclosures? This would seem odd considering their latest subwoofer, the PV1, touts the advantages of such an enclosure

http://www.homecinesolutions.fr/images/23791102151383_pv1_large_grille_off.jpg
I'll be able to tell real soon. I just ordered the MOD II for fronts and center with MOD I for rear. Also the sub.
I struggled with this purchase for several weeks. Major positives:
reviews
WAF
customer support.

Negatives:
Disbelief that a package that small can produce depth of full size towers.

Like I said, I'll know soon.

[vr6ofpain]

Where did you hear B&W had issues with spherical enclosures?

In their free DVD that came with the new issue of Stereophile. The engineer talking about the enclosure for the midrange mentioned the problems of a spherical enclosure, along with that of a normal "reverse horn" enclosure. That was why they went with sort of a 'best of both worlds' for the midrange enclosure. Looks almost like a stereotypical raindrop.

The DVD is very cool, plus it was free.
http://www.bw800.com/

[shokhead]

I'll be able to tell real soon. I just ordered the MOD II for fronts and center with MOD I for rear. Also the sub.
I struggled with this purchase for several weeks. Major positives:
reviews
WAF
customer support.

Negatives:
Disbelief that a package that small can produce depth of full size towers.

Like I said, I'll know soon.

I havent heard them but i would guess a small speaker cant produce same as full size towers,impossible?

[paul_pci]

I havent heard them but i would guess a small speaker cant produce same as full size towers,impossible?

Of course, Hershon would kill me for saying this, but he doesn't visit this forum; yes, the Orbs cannot produce a full range of sound, nor can they fill a room with sound. In fact, the second you step away from them, you can hear the sound. They produce nice, clean and detailed highs, but the midrange is almost missing and virtually all the bass is redirected to the subwoofer. Now this is probably more the fault and condition of small satellite speakers than Orbs, specifically as you cannot draw blood from a stone.

[topspeed]

In their free DVD that came with the new issue of Stereophile. The engineer talking about the enclosure for the midrange mentioned the problems of a spherical enclosure, along with that of a normal "reverse horn" enclosure. That was why they went with sort of a 'best of both worlds' for the midrange enclosure. Looks almost like a stereotypical raindrop.

The DVD is very cool, plus it was free.
http://www.bw800.com/
I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. Can't wait :). Are you saying they changed the enclosure of the midrange driver on the 800's? Haven't the Nauts always had "nautilus" tubes on the back of their mids and tweets?

[shokhead]

Of course, Hershon would kill me for saying this, but he doesn't visit this forum; yes, the Orbs cannot produce a full range of sound, nor can they fill a room with sound. In fact, the second you step away from them, you can hear the sound. They produce nice, clean and detailed highs, but the midrange is almost missing and virtually all the bass is redirected to the subwoofer. Now this is probably more the fault and condition of small satellite speakers than Orbs, specifically as you cannot draw blood from a stone.

And hershon isnt a big bass guy but i think he doesnt know what hes missing in the mids but hes happy so we are happy. LOL ;)

[NeuroNerd]

It's the Gallo Reference III that I coveted, but the wife thought UGLY.
rational argument not a sucessful tactic!
Hopefully, the ORB's have a respectable midrange.

[Geoffcin]

It's the Gallo Reference III that I coveted, but the wife thought UGLY.
rational argument not a sucessful tactic!
Hopefully, the ORB's have a respectable midrange.

That makes it look like a conventional speaker. I don't use them mostly because I like the way the speaker looks, but they don't affect the sound. The Gallos have an amazing midrange, I doubt that Orb is going to be able to compare.

[stuartlittle]

I love my Orbs...have had them for more than a year and they continue to impress me every time I turn them on. They do an absolutely fantastic job of sounding big and full, and everyone who hears them is pretty much shocked by them. If you are a big speaker person than you are a big speaker person. But I love the soundstage and clarity of the single driver design, and the subwoofer produces snappy, accurate and deep bass. When all is said and done, I don't miss my bigger speakers at all and more than a couple of my friends at this point have been sold on the Orbs and replaced their bigger speakers as well. Throw in the direct business model and really attentive service, and you have a winner. If you are looking for a small speaker system, the Orbs are a great choice. If you are looking for 5 foot tall towers, then you should buy those.

[NeuroNerd]

Just received my Orbs (MOD II front and center; MOD I rear and center rear) today. Took a few minutes to set up. The stands didn't arrive with the speakers, so fronts are actually on the floor. Got to admit they are surprising. Even without break-in. As for 6.1, far superior to my old system. Clear highs and midrange. Easy for them to 'disppear'. Thus far, no negatives.

I can certainly see why 10 or 12 gauge wire is not suggested. Bare twisted 16 ga is all the orbs can accepted with jumper in MOD 11 mode. I'm not convinced that aside from interconnects that wire matters that much, but the point is moot with ORBs.

[jjb]

Of course, Hershon would kill me for saying this, but he doesn't visit this forum; yes, the Orbs cannot produce a full range of sound, nor can they fill a room with sound. In fact, the second you step away from them, you can hear the sound. They produce nice, clean and detailed highs, but the midrange is almost missing and virtually all the bass is redirected to the subwoofer. Now this is probably more the fault and condition of small satellite speakers than Orbs, specifically as you cannot draw blood from a stone.

In my opinion you are right on with this. When listening to the orbs, they sound impressive from the listening area, but stand up and suddenly the sound is flat and lifeless. With irregular shaped rooms, subwoofer placement can be a challenge. It plays such a large range of the music that its output can be directional.

Like most sub-minisat combos, they also are missing the full midrange of a floorstander or of most bookshelves. There is not a full, depth of sound, the resonance of a sax or acoustic guitar, which brings the band into the room.

The ear does adjust to the orb sound. Although I wasn't completely pleased with the speaker even after a generous break in, now, a few months later, I notice less these points of comparison.

Why did I hang on to them? The wife loves the look. They are baby proof when mounted on the walls. They sound nice enough when sitting and playing music. They sound impressive when listening to a dvd - their faults are not as salient when watching a movie and the sub reaches impressively low for its size. The mod2's can play to ear piercing volumes without distorting - sometimes I like my music loud.

[cyeomans]

Our company has sold many Orb Speakers and the response from our customers has been that the sound is just amazing. The style of them fits almost any setting (especially with the BOSS and HOSS stands).

I would highly recommend these speakers. Using a good receiver with them will make you one happy camper!

Chris Yeomans
President
CY Digital, Inc.
http://www.cydigital.com

CY Report (http://www.cyreport.com) - Technology News, Gadget Gifts, and more. (http://www.cyreport.com)
http://www.cyreport.com

[Eric Z]

I'll take 'em!

I always find it funny when someone's first post is trying to sell/promote something. Like someone will really take a look at this post and think, I'm going to cydigital.com and buy some of these!

I hope your business is doing well.
Eric