mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (red)
Manufacturer: mStation Part number: 301-0007
- CNET Editor rating: 3.5 stars Very good
- Design: 8.0
Features: 6.0
Performance: 7.0
Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars) - Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb is a fun speaker docking solution for iPod owners who want their digital audio systems to stand out from the crowd.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace | ![]() | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 11/07/2009 |
CNET editors' review
mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (red) price range: $129.95
- Reviewed by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 01/30/2008
- Released on: 12/06/2006
The good: The mStation Stereo Orb features a fun and colorful design, comes with a handy remote, and offers solid sound quality with tons of bass. The speaker is compatible with any audio source via the auxiliary line input.
The bad: The default treble setting for the Stereo Orb makes music sound muffled, and bass can be distorted if set too high for certain songs. The iPod doesn't fit securely in the cradle.
The bottom line: The mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb is a fun speaker docking solution for iPod owners who want their digital audio systems to stand out from the crowd.
Clearly, there's no shortage of iPod speaker docks saturating the market at the moment, which means it's all the more important to stand out from the crowd in this area. Digital audio connoisseurs at mSation do this by focusing on one thing--iPod speakers--and making sure their design is nothing short of eye-catching, as is the case with the $130 2.1 Stereo Orb.
The style of the mStation Stereo Orb is definitely a matter of preference--it truly is an orb. We happen to dig the soccer-ball-size speaker and the fact that it comes in seven colors (white, black, silver, blue, green, red, and pink) to match pretty much any iPod you can throw at it. The exception is the third-generation Nano, for which the shades don't quite match up because of the fact that the Orb came out around the time of the second-generation version. Still, when you have an accessory with such a fun design, it's nice the see that it comes in a good array of color options.
Curving around the front of the Stereo Orb are three speakers concealed by a cloth grille colored to match the plastic casing of the device. The mStation features two, 2-inch midrange drivers and a 3-inch subwoofer that fires through the front and back of the unit. The back of the Orb also features an array of ports lined along the bottom for power input, pass-through syncing, and auxiliary line-input for connecting non-iPod MP3 players and other audio sources. It's a nice touch that mStation includes all the necessary cables (AC power, USB, and stereo patch) for using these features.

The top dome of the Orb houses the remainder of the physical features. Top dead center is the built-in iPod dock for connecting and charging the player. It's not a universal dock because of the curve of the speaker, so mStation includes six adapters for the various iPods that were available in 2006 or earlier, but since the width and depth dimensions for the latest generation of players aren't far off from the corresponding previous generations', owners of new models shouldn't have a problem. That being said, even with the adapters, the iPod doesn't feel completely secure and wiggles easily.
Lining the front of the iPod cradle, you'll find the Stereo Orb's controls. Six buttons controll power, volume, track shuttle, and play/pause. Just down from this key strip is the IR port for the included remote, which offers the same controls as are found on the unit with two important additions: bass and treble adjustment. Unfortunately, there are no visual levels on the Orb or the iPod, so finding your preferred sound balance can take some trial and error.
One thing is for certain: You're going to want to turn the treble up immediately. If you leave it on the default setting, your music will sound like it's coming from underwater. The muffling can be easily remedied by adjusting the treble up several notches, but it's odd that the middle setting offers poor results. The bass can be up quite high and still sound good--the Orb definitely has a lot to offer in this department. Still, if the bass is set super high on certain tracks that are heavy on the low-end, the muffling will rear its ugly head again. The key is tinkering and finding a good balance. Once you do, the Orb offers solid sound quality--music sounds rich and enveloping, and the lows thump. High-end detail is pretty good for the most part, though clarity suffers sometimes.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: mStation
- Part number: 301-0007
- Description: The most anticipated of all the mStation family of iPod speakers. This gloss white orb is a beautiful addition to any desktop stereo experience. Great for work, home, or college dorm room, it has a dedicated Subwoofer, to give your music that pulse pounding bass that other iPod speakers lack. Out of the box the mStation Orb is fully compatible with your iPod and iTunes music library. Add to that a 10 Key Remote, that allows you to control the basic functions of your iPod as well as the Treble, Bass, and Volume adjustments from any place in the room and you have everything needed to set your music free. So, just sit back, and "Let your music be heard!"
General
- Product Type Speaker system with digital player dock
- Width 7.9 in
- Height 7.4 in
- Weight 4 lbs
- Enclosure Color Red
Speaker System
- Speaker Type Active
- Nominal Output Power (Total) 30 Watt
- Response Bandwidth 50 - 20000 Hz
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 70 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion 0.5%
- Audio Amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Controls Bass, Treble, Volume
Speaker System Details
- Speakers Included 2 x Right/left channel speaker - 7.5 Watt - 200 - 20000 Hz - 6 Ohm, 1 x Subwoofer - 15 Watt - 50 - 200 Hz - 3 Ohm
- Driver Details Right/left channel speaker : 2 x Midrange driver - 2 in, Speaker : 1 x Subwoofer driver - 3 in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ), 1 x USB, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), 1 x DC power input
Miscellaneous
- MP3 Player Compatibility IPod (3G), IPod (4G), IPod mini, IPod nano, IPod photo, IPod with video (5G)
- Cables Included USB cable, Audio cable
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty, Limited warranty - Parts - 1 year, Limited warranty - Labor - 90 days
Product series
-

mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (black)
Manufacturer: mStation
Specs: 7.9 in 7.4 in, Black, Active, 7.5 Watt, 15 Watt
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mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (white)
Manufacturer: mStation
Specs: 7.9 in 7.4 in, White, Active, 7.5 Watt, 15 Watt
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mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (green)
Manufacturer: mStation
Specs: 7.9 in 7.4 in, Green, Active, 7.5 Watt, 15 Watt
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mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (silver)
Manufacturer: mStation
Specs: 7.9 in 7.4 in, Silver, Active, 7.5 Watt, 15 Watt
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mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (pink)
Manufacturer: mStation
Specs: 7.9 in 7.4 in, Pink, Active, 7.5 Watt, 15 Watt
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mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (blue)
Manufacturer: mStation
Specs: 7.9 in 7.4 in, Blue, Active, 7.5 Watt, 15 Watt
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mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo Speaker System w/ iPod Dock (red)
Manufacturer: mStation
Specs: 7.9 in 7.4 in, Red, Active, 7.5 Watt, 15 Watt
Manufacturer info
- mStation
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse mStation products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.mstationaudio.com/
- Address:
8759 Almena Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009-7911 - Phone: (800) 213-7232
- Email: info@mStationAudio.com
- Fax: (714) 280-4668



