ORB Audio Mod2 Home Theater System

[PAGETITLE=Introduction] One of the most interesting newcomers to the internet-based direct-selling audio manufacturing scene is ORB Audio. In the few years they've existed now, they've made quite a reputation for themselves for producing a high-quality product and selling it for way less than they could get away with in the industry -- thanks in part to the direct-sales business model, which is shared by other manufacturers like SVSound, Onix, Aperion Audio, Home Theater Direct, and Ascend Acoustics. I'm going to let you in on a little secret that makes the high-end audio world go 'round: markups on loudspeaker products are enormous. High prices keep the ultra-high-end exclusive, and keep ordinary consumers wondering what could possibly be so special about three or four speaker drivers (hunks of metal, plastic, fabric, and rubber) in wooden enclosures with some internal circuitry. Some of that markup is distributed back to the dealer, as a "thank you" for giving extra-special sales treatment to a particular loudspeaker brand. Some of it even ends up back in the pocket of the salesman. Now, let's be real; some high-end loudspeaker manufacturers truly push the envelope, and the sheer amount of engineering and fine-tuning involved in achieving a synergistic result is enough to justify a stratospheric price tag in some cases, since they truly advance the state of the art in audio reproduction. These products are usually sold in boutique dealerships; you won't even find them in specialty A/V stores like Tweeter or Ovation. But when more of the money you pay for the product goes back into marketing, sales, and legal departments than into the actual engineering and development of more innovative products, it's no surprise that many consumers find these manufacturers' priorities to be somewhat misplaced. Like the other direct-sales marques I listed above, ORB Audio stands outside the main cluster of audio manufacturers, throwing rocks at the windows of the rest of the industry with their direct-sales business model that allows them to avoid many of the expenses that could otherwise drive up the price of their product. And, of course, the company abstains from placing enormous unnecessary markups on their products to make up the difference. The product itself is the Mod series of loudspeakers, which feature a distinctive spherical "orb" shape â€“ the namesake of the company itself. Small, spherical loudspeakers were first made popular by Anthony Gallo Acoustics, but the Gallos will cost you quite a bit more than Orb's offerings. I'm not sure quite what is meant by 'Mod'. The spherical speaker pods lend themselves to a modular design â€“ the Mod1 system uses only a single pod, and the Mod2 system uses a pair for increased output potential. At one point, a four-pod floorstanding design (Mod4?) was in development, but beyond some preliminary photos, it seems the idea didn't go much further. "Mod" could also stand for Modern Art. The design of Orb's products makes extensive use of steel â€“ beyond the driver pods themselves, the stands are also made from stainless steel tubing and flat stainless steel plate. In the case of the HOSS floor-stand, the base is a massive cylindrical hunk of stainless. Combine that with the availability of a mesmerizing polished steel or breathtaking hand-antiqued copper finish on the spheres themselves, and these speakers are works of art, not to mention a display of meticulous craftsmanship. Even though we're not what some might consider the distinguished audio press, Techgage has long been an advocate of advancing home theater PC (HTPC) technology. And that's precisely why you might be interested in products from this new company. So ORB Audio took a chance on Techgage, and sent us their flagship Mod2 home theater system, a 5.1-channel package that sells for just under $1230. It contains five Mod2 satellite speakers and a "Super Eight" powered subwoofer with an 8" driver and a built-in amplifier. Wait a moment â€“ if that's the price of their most expensive system, what do their less expensive products sell for? The Mod1 Home Theater System, which is essentially 'half' of a Mod2 package, includes five single-sphere satellite speakers and Orb's Super Eight subwoofer, for a paltry price tag of $779. Two-channel systems are also available, and those start at $529. With a continuum of available options and upgrades on ORB's web site, it's possible to build a custom-tailored ORB Audio system for a very reasonable price. [PAGEBREAK] [PAGETITLE=Unpacking, Setup & Specs] Techgage doesn't typically review home theater products â€“ we're styled mainly as a PC technology site, so from the start I was intrigued by the possibility of reviewing a product from a different category of consumer electronics, especially since speakers in particular are kind of my thing. So when three hefty boxes from ORB Audio showed up, it certainly kicked my day up a notch. The biggest box was also the heaviest, so I assumed it contained the subwoofer. Another large but substantially lighter box and a smaller and even lighter box arrived, though the smaller of those two boxes contained samples of each of ORB Audio's different available finishes, both painted and clear. Super Eight Subwoofer I've got a thing for high-quality subwoofers. In my opinion, you just don't get the whole audio experience if there isn't plenty of deep, clean bass, so I've developed quite an appreciation for beefy woofers, gaping reflex ports, and powerful amplifiers, the things that make a serious sub. Naturally, I opened the subwoofer's shipping carton first. The ORB Audio Super Eight subwoofer's box only includes the subwoofer itself, with its hard-wired power cord. The sub is wrapped in a plastic bag to protect it from cardboard dust, while its ends are encased in Styrofoam to prevent crushing of the box. The box containing the sub is the largest and heaviest of the three boxes, but I had no difficulty in lifting it. Still, I began to dread the thought of having to ship the system back to Orb upon completion of the review. Mod2 Satellite Speakers, BOSS Stands The second box contained the spherical ORB speakers themselves, as well as the BOSS stainless-steel stands, an option that ORB Audio included with my review sample. The BOSS stands were packed in pairs in bubble wrap in smaller cardboard boxes. The orbs themselves were packed neatly in custom-cut open-cell foam and individual plastic bags â€“ the royal treatment. Of course, for a business that does all their business online, top-notch packing is a must. I'd like to see UPS put a scratch on these. The ORB speakers arrived in perfect condition, however I did notice a flaw in two of the BOSS vertical speaker stands â€“ while three of the stands were perfectly straight, one of them leaned slightly forward, and another leaned slightly backward. It's a subtle deviation, but noticeable when the stands are placed side by side. As you've probably guessed by now, some assembly is required. This isn't rocket science â€“ each sphere has a threaded insert at the rear, which is fastened to the stands using the included hardware. You'll only need a flat-blade screwdriver to perform the assembly. The Mod2 Center Channel speaker uses a BOSS horizontally-oriented stand, which has an adjustable tilt function that's locked in place by a setscrew. If you order the BOSS stands as an upgrade, be sure to order four vertical BOSS stands and one horizontal, unless you prefer having a vertical center channel as well. So what do you get if you didn't order the upgraded BOSS stainless-steel stands? The normal stands simply feature painted steel construction, and are somewhat less substantial, but you won't likely experience any sonic differences. The BOSS stands are much more aesthetically appealing, however. The appearance of the ORBs themselves reminds me of eyeballs. I'm not sure if I'm completely sold on their design â€“ I felt like I was being studied closely throughout testing by the ocular forms placed around my room. The third carton ORB Audio shipped to me contained samples of the other finishes ORB offers. There's also glossy painted black and white spheres (which are really completely white, grilles and all, if your décor calls for it), and a sample of ORB's hand-antiqued bronze finish. Like the polished steel finish of my review sample, the hand-antiqued bronze finish carries an extra charge over the painted finishes. Mod2 Specifications Specification Value Speaker Type Magnetically shielded full-range satellite speaker. Crossover-free design for coherent, lifelike sound. Driver Advanced high-excursion 3" full range polypropylene driver cone with Santoprene surround. These materials maintain their sonic characteristics over long periods of time and also through a broad range of temperatures and operating environments. Magnet Assembly Fully shielded, high-density neodymium magnet with proprietary voice coil in high tolerance gap to create strong, highly focused magnetic field. Compact magnet design allows for maximum free internal volume and extension of low midrange performance. Connections Custom gold-plated brass binding posts (fits up to 14 Ga. wire) Frequency Response 80Hz - 20,000Hz (120Hz-18,000Hz optimal)0 Efficiency 89dB per module 92dB per Mod2 satellite speaker Impedance Mod1: 8 ohms nominal Mod2: 4 ohms nominal**Mod2 is compatible with all popular receivers & amps rated at 6-8 ohms Power Handling 15 - 110 watts Dimensions Mod2 On Desk Stand: 4 3/16" W x 9 1/2" H x 4 7/8" D (may also be assembled horizontally) Weight On Desk Stands: Mod1: 17 oz. Mod2: 33 oz. Construction American carbon steel, assembled in USA Finishes Premium Black Metallic Powder Coat Premium Pearl White Powder Coat Hand Polished Steel w/ Clear Coat Hand Antiqued Bronze w/ Clear Coat Included Accessories 16 gauge American steel adjustable desk stands (available in black and white) Jumper wiresAs-Tested: BOSS Stainless Steel...

ORB Audio Mod2 Home Theater System

Page 114 –