Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237
Manufacturer: Altec Lansing Part number: IM237
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- We like the new and improved version of Altec Lansing's portable single speaker, the Orbit MP3, better than the previous model--but it costs a bit more.
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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 11/30/2009 |
| RadioShack.com | | In stock | as of 11/30/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237 price range: $28.42 - $39.99
- Reviewed by: David Carnoy
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 09/11/2008
The good: The Orbit MP3 iM237 is a compact, attractively designed portable single speaker that runs off three AAA batteries and comes with a protective carrying case; sound is OK for a speaker this small; integrated cable plugs into headphone jack of MP3 players and other devices.
The bad: While it's inexpensive, this model is a bit pricier than the previous Orbit; overall thin sound; distorts at higher volumes.
The bottom line: We like the new and improved version of Altec Lansing's portable single speaker, the Orbit MP3, better than the previous model--but it costs a bit more.
It's the little iPod speaker that could. The Orbit iM207, Altec Lansing's inexpensive mobile iPod speaker, has a new design and new name: the Orbit MP3 iM237. The new model's got a handful of little upgrades that make it a bit better than its predecessor.
This single speaker is about the size of two hockey pucks stacked on top of each other and weighs only 6.7 ounces (with batteries). That shape doesn't quite make it pocket friendly, but it takes up very little room in a bag when traveling.
The Orbit runs on three AAA batteries for about 24 hours and has a hideaway cord that plugs into the 3.5mm headphone jack on just about any portable electronic product--any MP3 player, all iPods and iPhones, laptops, and portable DVD players. The $40 speaker ships with a protective carrying case (with a convenient belt-clip carabiner) and a lanyard to strap around your wrist (at least, we think that's what it's for).
The understated Orbit iM237 now features an on/off button that lights when the speaker is on. On the earlier model, some people complained that without a light it was easy to forget that the unit was on and the batteries would run down.
The Orbit iM237 is designed to sit on a flat surface (there are rubberized feet on the bottom) and fire upward, but you can also prop it up on its side and have it fire forward like a traditional speaker.
As one might expect from a speaker this small, it doesn't sound all that good. But it also doesn't sound terrible and manages to belt out tunes with unexpected gusto, though--not surprisingly--it does better with lighter fare and less bass-heavy material.
We ran some Beatles tunes through the Orbit and it did OK (audiophiles will cringe, of course, but this thing isn't about good sound). The bass lines on "Come Together" and "Something" just didn't have any punch, but the bass wasn't completely absent, which is all you can ask. It also did fine putting out the soundtrack to Napoleon Dynamite and some episodes of Family Guy.
Altec recommends that you adjust the volume on the source device to 85 percent to 90 percent of maximum and turn off any bass enhancement or EQ settings. We'd disagree on the first part, and suggest that the key thing is not to crank the volume too much. (Volume settings are strictly at the source; the Orbit itself has no built-in volume control.) We tested the Orbit with an iPod and computer, and every time we pushed the volume, the little Orbit's sound distorted and made us cringe. But with a little volume restraint we felt better about the speaker and chances are your friends will be impressed that it's able to deliver as much sound as it does.
The Altec Lansing iM237 Orbit MP3 speaker goes for $40. That puts it more or less in the middle of the other miniportable speakers we've seen: less than the Yamaha NX-A01, pricier than the LG MSP-100, and about even with the iMainGo 2. That said, the price tag is a little disappointing considering that the previous Orbit model was just $30. We hope the new Orbit will soon drift down to that price as well.
User reviews
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Excellent portability, great battery life, decent sound
Pros: Although it's not the smallest portable speaker system, its light weight and clippable case make it more portable in real usage than many smaller or similar-sized solutions. Clip it to the outside of your bag and go! Battery life exceeds advertized.
Cons: Could be louder for the price. Similar-sized Philips SBA1500 is a bit heavier and has lower battery capacity, but can be found for half the price, and produces similar sound output.
Summary: I am a contract kindergarten teacher who travels to a different school each day, and I use my iPod with a portable speaker system in a noisy kindergarten classroom setting. ...
Summary: I am a contract kindergarten teacher who travels to a different school each day, and I use my iPod with a portable speaker system in a noisy kindergarten classroom setting. My main requirements for a speaker are 1) portability and 2) volume. Sound integrity is not as important to me.
My first portable speaker system for this function was the Philips SBA-1510, which I bought for about $18. I carried these speakers for months and was generally pleased with them, though in an excessively noisy school, I felt the volume was just slightly too low.
When I first saw the Altec Lansing Oribt-M (iM237), the packaging caught my attention because marketing blurbs announced "exceptional sound" and "amazing volume from such a small speaker", and I have to admit, I was impressed with the attractive design, and the included case, which looked convenient. I figured I might get a volume boost and increased portability to boot, and realized I didn't need stereo speakers for my required function. I would be losing the external power source, but figured I could just carry one more set of batteries with me instead of the power adapter.
So how does the iM237 compare with the SBA1510 (and simliar SBA1500, which doesn't include an external power option)?
Sound: My not-very-demanding ears hear very little difference in either the volume or sound output of the two options. To me, they sound nearly identical. Treble, midtone, and bass output seems very similar. The Philips do provide limited stereo separation, which makes the sound cleaner, but they do have less clarity in the bass than the iM237.
So sound quality being so similar, where the Altec really wins is in portability. Making a slightly smaller package than the Philips, the iM237 really shines with the reduced weight and the clip-and-go case, which means I don't have to put it IN my bag, I can put it ON my bag.
Battery life is another advantage. I get at least double battery performance with the iM237.
And while the Philips are not especially unattractive, the iM237 is simply beautiful design. Altogether minimalist and functional, everything from the neutral silver color to the elegant look to the uncluttered short cord makes this a truly classy looking device.
So the bottom line is that if a slight advantage in portability or its elegant design is most important to you, go for the Altec Lansing iM237, but if you just want a nice sounding portable speaker solution, the Philips SBA1510 or SBA1500 are an excellent choice at a lower price.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237
by nathan_iannuzzo on November 17, 2009
Pros: the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237 has a good battery life of about 24.hrs
good sound four a speaker of its size its highly portable and simple to use it also has a common audio plug so it will connect to most anything you wantCons: the batteries have been place in a odd way that makes one of them difficult to remove and it has no volume or tone controls on the speaker
Summary: the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237 is made to be port able and still have good sound it does both very well its not the loudest speaker around but you ...
Summary: the Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 iM237 is made to be port able and still have good sound it does both very well its not the loudest speaker around but you want the loudest go buy the WAS 3000
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Simple for what it is. Good sound for a tiny speaker.
Pros: Portable
Easy to use with the on/off button on the side.
Plug for mp3 player tucks securely under the speaker when not in use.
Sounds very good for a small speaker.
Nice carry case.Cons: Plug for mp3 player may be a bit to small.
Summary: This is a great little speaker for what it is. It's not meant to supply great surround sound. I use it in the garage with my ipod when I'...
Summary: This is a great little speaker for what it is. It's not meant to supply great surround sound. I use it in the garage with my ipod when I'm cleaning or working on the car. Fantastic portability and comes with a nice carry case. I highly recommend this speaker if you're looking for a simple way to listen to your music or podcasts without earphones.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Altec Lansing
- Part number: IM237
- 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 speaker
Speaker System
- Speaker Type Active
- Audio Amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity Technology Wired
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Carrying case
Power
- Run Time (Up To) 24 hour(s)
Battery
- Type Standard battery - AAA type
- Required Qty 3
- Included Qty 0
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
