Thread: Considering an Orb System - Opinions?

Started obsessing about a year ago or so over my first and only panel/surround sound system through this board, Best Buy looking and listening visits (What else is there in South Florida?), and WEB prowling. I still have my money and the pleasure/agony or making choices.

Have pretty much decided on the Panasonic 58" VT25 although I don't think my vision allows me to get everything out of 3D viewing that others with binocular vision do, but the 2D raves are convincing enough for me to think it's worth the leap.

The sound system to go with it is a more perplexing matter. Could spend much more time listening if there were other places in which to do that, but comparing with all the different variables at work dimishes one's confidence, and the price ranges are staggering. I want a system that's going to produce high quality sound that won't make me continue to pine for my long lost Bose 901's. I have a set of Bose Companion 5's for my laptop which was half of my home theatre system when I lived on my sailboat for a decade. Still use it for decent sound in my house, but here the sound, while with good range and clarity, is "small."

Have started reading about Orb systems and the reviews they post are glowing. The business model makes sense, and if owners are truthful, it sounds like their speakers might be a good choice for me. The Mod 2's perhaps.

My living room area, which opens at the TV end into a dining area L, is 21' X 14' X 8'. If anyone here has experience with these speakers, has heard them, or has recommendations regarding the appropriate receiver/amp to go with this set up, I'd love to have your input. Christmas season is rolling around and the prices on the 58 Panny with Blue Ray player are still not too bad right now. I'm getting the bug to make a move on something again. Nobody will ever accuse me of being impulsive.

Thanks Elwaylite. While I've been a big Bose fan, I understand from reading here and elsewhere that they no longer use goods they used to and are overpriced. Orb give a 30 day risk free trial seeing as how, unless you go to LA or New York, you can't give them a listen. They have packages with Denon that look pretty good. No other rcvr listed that I saw as an option.

Not going to jump at this immediately.

I appreciate your input. Their site is very impressive.

I couldn't agree more. The company suggests the best way is to take them in for up to 30 days and give them a try. If you don't like 'em, they'll take them back and refund your money. Since they don't sell via retail outlets, it's the only way one gets to hear them. Of course it's a great "puppy dog" sell.

I really find the tone of their site noteworthy. There are no attempts at upselling. If anything, they don't push their top of tjhe line items much at all and encourage you to try the standard configurations. There are many testimonials and reviews that speak well of their systems.

I like "Made in USA" as well. I didn't know we made any audio or video anything anymore!

Originally Posted by GOS

I've been interested in the Orb's too. I agree, they sound pretty unpretentious on the site. Well, if you do pull the trigger, I would certainly be curious how they sound.

I'll be sure to post an opinion both on the sound as well as the business end of the deal should I move on these. Glad to hear of your opinion of the site as well.

Originally Posted by caliberconst.

Don't take this the wrong way, but coming from your bose speakers I am sure you will be very impressed with the orb's. As elway said as long as there is no fine print in the 30 day trial you should defiantly give them a try, an in home trial IS the best way to audition speakers after all. Now if you are not comfortable paying before listening there are some other alternatives for "small" speakers.

The mirage nanostat's and the mx5.1.
http://www.miragespeakers.com/na-en/...heater-system/
Paradigm Millenia One
http://www.paradigm.com/products/par...one-5-0-system
KEF kht 2005.3
http://www.kef.com/us/SurroundSound/KHT/2000

While the KEF and paradigm might be a little bit bigger they are something that you can at least go and audition, just a thought.

Thanks so much for all of the additional information. No worries about taking your comment about Bose the wrong way. So far I've been very happy with the the stuff I've wound up with. Had Bose 901's circa 1972, 4 151's on my sailboat which went across the Atlantic, both ways, above and below deck, and finally the Companion 5's for the laptop (strictly below deck and now in the study).

I'm enjoying all this searching, but occasionally it begins to feel like a bad career move. I'll might hang on until the Christmas wars are in full swing. Then again I might just continue to hold onto my money. We haven't hit the Beta Max syndrome with all of this with flat panels yet - you know, prices hold and relatively useless features are poured on.

Thanks for your response.