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*Introduction* http://www.orbaudio.com/
I'm very much a function over form kind of guy, but I will be honest, the first thing that caught my attention about this Orb Audio System was the fantastic looking Brushed Aluminum Speakers. Yes, they are hand polished and 100% real. The system just screams high-end and that is even before you turn it on.
- All Photos Taken By Me -
**Disclamer: The Full Orb Audio 2.1 System was provided in return for an honest review**
This Review System Includes:
http://www.orbaudio.com/booster1.aspx
- A Black Anodized Aluminum Booster Module
- Dual Hand Polished Steel Speaker Units (Upgrade)
- SubMINI Ultra Compact Subwoofer
- Wireless Remote
- Optical Cable
- 3.5mm to 3.5mm Cable
- 3.5mm to RCA Cable
- Quick Connect Speaker Wires
- Optional Plug and Play Bluetooth USB
Specifications: http://www.orbaudio.com/specifications.aspx
Booster Module Inputs:
- Dual 3.5mm
- Optical
- Universal 5V USB
*Setup*
For this type of system, Orb Audio made it very easy and straight forward. With the spring clips from the back of the Speakers, to the quick connect speaker wires to the Booster Module, users will find themselves setup in a matter of minutes. Easy one cable subwoofer connection and just two power plugs to be inserted and you are on your way.
*Features*
- Dialogue Enhancement Mode clarifies dialogue with the touch of a button
- Optional Bluetooth Use Via Powered USB
- Remote Control
The Dialogue Enhancement really does work. It boost voices to a level to where they are much more forward and clear. A handy option for those hard to hear (YouTube) videos.
The Optional Plug and Play Bluetooth Powered USB Fob works perfectly. A quick connection to the DL-Link and a small 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable put you on the fast track, to well playing your music tracks wirelessly.
The Remote Control works well enough. The controls include: Volume, Dialogue Enhancement, Input Selection, Mute and Power On/Off. I found distance of use to depend on line of sight.
*Build*
Standard Speaker Units come in a Metallic Black, but for an added +$60 you can upgrade to the Hand Polished Steel version and what an upgrade it is. The speakers feel as premium in the hand as they look. The units are solid and formidable. They add a sophistication to any audio setup. Orb Audio is quick to point out that the speaker are hand made as well as hand polished.
The Black Anodized Aluminum Booster Module is as well put together as its speaker brethren. The whole unit feels solid and sturdy. The volume control turns with perfect, confident feedback. I do think an added option of a matching Hand Polished Steel Booster Module would help to match and bring the whole system even up on more notch in looks.
*Use*
There is a hint of quirkiness to the volume control and input selection.
Input - As you will see at the front of the Booster Module, there are four red lights. From left to right, the first three lights indicate which input you have selected #1 (Optical), #2 & 3 (3.5mm), #4 is lit up when the unit is powered off.
Volume - Here I see the only slight issue with the Orb System. The volume knob does not indicate loudness, instead you have to watch the lights that will flash left to right growing farther and quicker with volume going up. When on and in use, turning clockwise will increase the volume, though unless something is playing at that time, it is hard to know just how high or low the volume is. During setup and learning to select inputs I had a little trouble understanding all of this. At one point I finally selected the input I wanted to be quickly greeted with quite a loud boom of my music already playing. Though with anything, there is a learning curve that can be quickly mastered.
*Sound*
Like any good audio setup, source plays a big factor in overall sound quality. The Orb Audio System scales up very well, but let me start my review from the bottom and work my way up. I'm not going to touch much on bass performance at this point, as with each input the output of bass can be controlled through the subwoofer. Instead I will do a separate review of the subwoofer to follow.
Bluetooth: Connect to DL-Link Bluetooth Device, while running through the 3.5mm input gives decent sound playback. But like most Bluetooth connections of this sort, there is a limit to the source material quality. For me, I stuck with 192 Bitrate mp3 files sent by my Samsung S4. I found there to be no lag or clipping. Sound signature came through warm and controlled with a bit of recession in the mids. Even with Bluetooth, the Orb Audio Speakers performed well in the highs, with plentiful detail in the highs. I tried multiple devices including an iPod, LG Smart Phone and a Computer, with all showing very similar playback and sound signature.
3.5mm (Stock Computer Sound Card): The first thing I noticed is, my stock computer sound card is not very good. The Orb Audio System did its best with what it was given. Soundstage and clarity was limited, though with no fault to the Orb Speakers. While designed for many input applications, the Orb urged for more. I knew I needed something better to test it with, read on...
3.5mm (w Marantz DAC): Playback for testing is as follows: Desktop Computer > foobar2000 > FLAC Files > USB Audio Out > Marantz HD-DAC1 > RCA to 3.5mm on the Orb Audio Module. Sound is at its highest quality with this setup and allows the Spherical Speakers to really shine. Imagining and detail are top notch, with the mids now coming back in to play with the vocals being presented with accuracy and great depth. Highs are treated with more power and clarity to really make the Orb Audio Speakers sing. Sound Signature very close to neutral with a slight emphasis on the higher notes.
Subwoofer: The bass can tuned to your liking, with knobs for both the Volume and Cross Over Frequency, this gives the user a plethora of bass control for your liking. Turn up the volume for more low end presence and/or change the frequency to better suite what genre you are listening to. The Subwoofer is your oyster. I must note that there is also an option for a wireless connection on this unit, but my version did not include this extension.
*Overall Thoughts*
The Orb Audio 2.1 System has two functions: #1, great sound reproduction when pushed with a quality source and hardware. #2, to be a piece that garners attention when it is not even in use.
People will first notice the amazing detail with the stylish build and soon will be greeted with a quality sound signature that is extremely pleasing to the ears.
Value of the Orb Audio 2.1 system is taken at many levels, as such you get quite the bargain in Sound Quality and Visual Presentation.
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