Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 im207
Manufacturer: Altec Lansing Part number: iM207
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 is a great choice for any frequent flier, thanks to its travel-friendly design, low cost, and versatility--in the realm of portable speakers, this one's an excellent value.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/07/2009 |
| Amazon.com Marketplace | | In stock | as of 12/07/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 im207 price range: $19.99 - $27.00
- Reviewed by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 08/07/2008
- Updated on:09/10/2008
The good: The Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 is compact, stylish, inexpensive, and versatile. It's an incredible value for a portable speaker.
The bad: Like many speakers of this size, the Orbit-MP3 suffers from hollow-sounding audio. The power ring feels fragile.
The bottom line: The Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 is a great choice for any frequent flier, thanks to its travel-friendly design, low cost, and versatility--in the realm of portable speakers, this one's an excellent value.
Altec Lansing has had its fingers in the iPod speaker business for several years now, which may explain why the company has been one of the most innovative when it comes to design--the retro-slick iM7 boombox and the ultrathin iM600 provide some excellent evidence of that. Further proof is now available in the form of the Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3, an ultracompact speaker that connects to any MP3 player or audio source. The MSRP for this speaker is only $40, but it can be found online for less than $30--an exceptional value given its versatility and passable sound quality.
The Orbit-MP3's name is a pretty telling indicator of its design. It's shaped like a disk that tapers in at the bottom. In fact, if you hold it sideways, it looks like a truncated speaker cone taken right from its housing. The Orbit is definitely compact, even within the realm of portable speakers, measuring just 3.5 inches in diameter and 1.5-inch tall. The base of the unit is all black plastic, while the speaker grille is made of brushed silver aluminum surrounded by a chrome-colored plastic ring. This ring acts as the power switch, which is the only control function of the unit; clockwise powers it off while counterclockwise turns it on. It feels a little fragile, which raises some concern for durability.
The base of the Orbit-MP3 is outlined by a thin groove that acts as a cable manager during transit. The wire terminates in a standard 3.5mm straight plug, which means the speaker can be used with just about any audio source; Altec Lansing even includes an adapter for use with 2.5mm jacks, often found on cell phones. Around the bottom edge of the speaker, you'll notice some flattened grooves. This small, but appreciated, detail allows you to prop it up on its side for directed sound, should you desire. The very bottom of the unit houses a battery compartment that takes three AAA batteries (not included). The rated battery life is more than adequate at 24 hours.
We've heard better sound quality from portable speakers, but the Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 sounds more than passable given its size and price. Music is clear and multidirectional, an impressive feat given the single speaker design. There's no background hiss, a fair amount of detail and high-end representation, and bass is not totally absent. On the downside, music does sound hollow, and it lacks the richness we like. Still--we reiterate--the Orbit is $30 and super travel-friendly, so we can forgive its rather minimal shortcomings.
User reviews
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Way better than I was expecting!
by troutdogz on February 4, 2008
Pros: Very portable, great sound for size
Cons: Not stereo, could use a bit more bass
Summary: I bought this unit completely unresearched at Best Buy for my Sansa Clip 2gb MP3 player. I wanted to be able to jam to my MP3 player at home and ...
Summary: I bought this unit completely unresearched at Best Buy for my Sansa Clip 2gb MP3 player. I wanted to be able to jam to my MP3 player at home and when we travel and stay in hotel rooms. My first chance to use it was at the hotel - at first I figured there's no way I'm gonna get this little speaker to get loud enough - boy, was I wrong! I wasn't able to play my MP3 player much above half volume without worrying that my neighbors might get offended! And the sound quality blew me away - I was expecting tinny-sounding, cheap speaker output, but this little unit really blasts out a decent quality tone. It's not as precise as good in-ear noise-cancelling headphones, but for what it is and the low price, it's definitely a nice unit to bring along pretty much anywhere. It runs on three AAA batteries (not included) so it'll go everywhere, including in the car. The bass isn't like a fancy stereo, of course, but again, for the price, it definitely packs a nice little whallop!
The on-off switch IS a bit quirky, but once I figured it out it works fine...just remember when turning on/off to NOT grab the black base unit when turning the silver top.
Another nice feature is it's got a place to store it's connector chord, so it's not flopping around all over the place.
I paid $29.95 + tax for this unit at Best Buy - I'd highly recommend it!3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good value and very practical. This little guy is my new best friend.
by podtug on November 25, 2007
Pros: Surprisingly good sound quality from a small portable speaker.
Cons: No A/C jack, kwirky on/off switch, lite base response
Summary: This is not the tinny sounding low cost portable speaker you would expect or have owned. Although the base end of the range is a bit lacking (let's be ...
Summary: This is not the tinny sounding low cost portable speaker you would expect or have owned. Although the base end of the range is a bit lacking (let's be real, it only costs $40!) the speaker sounds crisp and clean at all but the loudest volumes. The little thing throws sound really well. I have had it one day and recommended to a number of friends. It is also useful for folks whose laptops have weak speakers.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Loud, Clear, Extremely Mobile. Is there more to ask?
by blitzfreedom on October 8, 2008
Pros: Please see at bottom
Cons: Please see at bottom
Summary: Pros(not enough space to write on top)
I might have not had much experience with portable speakers. But judging by the sound to size ratio, this speakers does have ...Summary: Pros(not enough space to write on top)
I might have not had much experience with portable speakers. But judging by the sound to size ratio, this speakers does have loudness
-Clear: I've had these other portable speakers before. At loud levels, my older speakers had the type of hissing sound, It''s hard to describe. The Orbit, on the other hand, handles the sound well, even at high volume levels.
-I personally like the symbol of the altec lansing logo embedded on the top of the speaker. It gives a sense of style.
-It's simple to set up and even easier to operate. I mean, there's only one switch!
Cons
The ring power switch-It is kind of wierd. I would prefer if it was just a simple switch. Maybe they were trying to be unique or something.
The 3.5mm audio connector- I would prefer if it would be gold-plated, even if I had to pay a bit more. Without the gold-plated connector, the life span and quality of this speaker is reduced greatly. From my experience, non gold-plated connectors rust(I'm not really sure what is the stuff that forms on the ordinary connectors) and the connection is significantly affected
-A case would be nice, and ac power too. But these things might bring the price of the speakers up. Many people might not accept this, as I see price is important in many people's mind. It's hard to get everything you expect from a product if you complain about the price. Many people here don't seem to understand that
I have searched everywhere for portable speakers that suited my requirments. I wanted something that was easy to carry around, simple to use, has loud clear sound, and limited wire tangle.
I did try 2 other speakers. One of them was a passive sony speakers. They were great for indoors only. In the outdoors, it cannnot deliver. Another con was that it was heavy. I think it is even heavier than the Orbit
Another portable speaker I had is the cylinder shaped one from ArtDio. That was just horrible. Although there was the option of using batteries or ac power, the sound was unbearable. My 320kbps songs sounded like 64kbps, or whatever is the worse sound quality avaible. It was cheap in sound but not in price, biased towards ipods (the dock could only fit ipods), and nothing related to the word portable.
Now one of the reasons why I demand loud clear sound is because I travel to different places alot and do many outdoor activities. From time to time, it is nice to share music or watch movies with friends. In the outdoor environment, there aren't many walls to rebound all the sound into your ears. In addition, with boat motors, and random people talking beside you, it's not easy to hear clearly what the artist is singing about, or what an actor is trying to express in a movie. I constanly get annoyed because of this.
I didn't knwo that you could get this speaker at such a cheap price at first. I bought it at Wal-Mart for 40$. I know I am ripped off, but it doesn't matter. I didn't even regret, I was surprised speakers this small can make such loud clear sound. I guess it was because my other 2 speakers were cr@p. Now I take this with me when I hike in the mornings. At least I can listen to something else other than the radio.
To conclude, I would like to say that most of the improvements that could be done on this Orbit speaker is already shown on the new one, as I can see. I just hope that the quality of the sound is not sacrificed on the new smaller model.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Exceptional Value
by KCkc8 on November 28, 2009
Pros: Got it for $9.99 as a Black Friday special. It is lounder than my MacBook speakers and sounds great. Cannot cpmplain for $9.99
Cons: Only problem is the battery door is very hard to open due to poor design. On/Off power ring looks flimsy. Though it was advsetised as shock-proof, I wonder how the ring will hold up with dropping.
Summary: $9.99 is great price. Will not buy it for more than $20 though.
Summary: $9.99 is great price. Will not buy it for more than $20 though.
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Very good!
by -solve- on August 15, 2009
Pros: It's small and loud! Sounds great!
Cons: The on off switch takes some getting used to, and mine died after about 6 months steady use (the wire broke where it connects to the actual speaker)
Summary: It worked great, and although it's too bad it didn't last longer, I got my money's worth.
Summary: It worked great, and although it's too bad it didn't last longer, I got my money's worth.
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Totally amazed!
by apw76006 on July 3, 2009
Pros: Extremely portable. Wonderful sound quality. Attractive design. Built-in cable management.
Cons: On/off switch is hard to twist. No LED power indicator. Short audio cable.
Summary: I came across the Orbit speaker tonight at my local Wal-Mart on sale for $5. I bought two of them because I figured "What do you have to loose for $...
Summary: I came across the Orbit speaker tonight at my local Wal-Mart on sale for $5. I bought two of them because I figured "What do you have to loose for $10 except for $10." I attached one of the speakers to my HTC Touch pro as soon as I got home and I was blown away by the sound coming out of this little speaker. The sound was pretty rich and deep for the size, and not at all tinny as I expected. The audio cable wraps around the base the speaker and is held securely in place so there are no dangling wires. The size of the speaker is perfect for tossing in your bag, or keeping in the glove compartment of your car just in case you decide to take a break at the park, or have a pic-nic. The only thing that I can see being an issue is that there is not LED power indicator, so you will have to remember to turn it off when done with using it. I would have been pleased with this speaker even if I had paid full price.
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can't beat the value and quality!
by omnivious on May 17, 2009
Pros: great sound for such compact unit! very usable, fits in a cup holder!
Cons: nothing that I've come across as of yet...
Summary: I bought this thing for 12 dollars on the clearance rack at walmart expecting it to be another disappointment dew to the fact that I own 5 or six different ...
Summary: I bought this thing for 12 dollars on the clearance rack at walmart expecting it to be another disappointment dew to the fact that I own 5 or six different portable speaker systems that have done nothing but disappoint, some cost more, some cost less but none can compare to this speaker, I drive around in a golf cart all day and have thousands of songs on my phone and had to use a headset until today, this thing is awesome, it is the only speaker I bought that you can actually hear the bass and highs without distortion and/or cutting out. It would be a great value even at 20 bucks and would even venture to say 30.
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Not worth it.
by meritoracadmy on April 14, 2009
Pros: Easy to use. Compact. Good sound- not tinny.
Cons: Does not have staying power. Wiring off- crackles when playing.
Summary: Love the size, ease of use. After 2 weeks crackles and goes on-off while playing. Returned the first one, got another, same thing happened. All done!
Summary: Love the size, ease of use. After 2 weeks crackles and goes on-off while playing. Returned the first one, got another, same thing happened. All done!
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For a 4" speaker, it delivers
by ibrew on April 10, 2009
Pros: Very portable and sounds very good for a small speaker broadcasting in mono
Cons: I have to replace the batteries fairly often
Summary: Can't beat it for the price. Way better than listening through your laptop's speakers.
Summary: Can't beat it for the price. Way better than listening through your laptop's speakers.
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5 MONTH LIFE SPAN!
by reidstbanditos on February 19, 2009
Pros: after having it for three months with little use i started using it maybe three to six times a week for a couple hours at a time and it worked great for about two months
Cons: its been about two months of steady use and its completely cracked and useless
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Altec Lansing
- Part number: iM207
- Description: The palm-sized, lightweight Orbit-MP3 speaker system is an ideal iPod or MP3 player companion when you want a break from headphones. Or slip it out of a pocket or purse for an attention-getting way to share your tunes anytime, anywhere. The full-bodied, 360-degree sound will make your friends wonder where the speakers are. And with its long battery life, the music keeps playing long into the night.
General
- Product Type Portable speakers
- Weight 8.1 oz
Speaker System
- Speaker Type Active
- Speaker Diameter 40mm
Speaker System Details
- Speakers Included 1 x Portable speaker - Wired
- Driver Details Portable speaker - 40 mm
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- AV Furniture None
Power
- Run Time (Up To) 24 hour(s)
Battery
- Type Standard battery - AAA type
- Required Qty 3
Manufacturer info
- Altec Lansing
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Altec Lansing products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.alteclansing.com/
- Address:
535 Route 6 & 209, Milford, PA 18337-0277 - Phone: 1-866-570-5702
- Fax: 1-570-296-6887
