agarwalro

agarwalro

Audioholic Ninja
Yes and also the double
Orb recommends a crossover of 150Hz. My concern is the small bundled sub being highly inadequate.

So, how about this set,
https://www.orbaudio.com/collections/sale/products/copy-of-mod1-ht-quick-pack-outlet

paired with this subwoofer,
https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=9723&seq=1&format=2

and receiver,
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs530bt/denon-avr-s530bt-5.2-ch-x-70-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html

would make a better system than the Double for about the same money,
https://www.orbaudio.com/products/peoples-choice-surround-sound


If you must have a small subwoofer or feel the deep bass is not a priority, this bundle (with the smaller subMini) is bad/meh value for money,
https://www.orbaudio.com/collections/sale/products/999-complete-home-theater-system

There's other 5.1 speaker packages, within your budget, which will blow away the Orbs. But, they won't get you the trendy cool factor or be a diminutive size.
 
J

jsm1847

Enthusiast
Orb recommends a crossover of 150Hz. My concern is the small bundled sub being highly inadequate.

So, how about this set,
https://www.orbaudio.com/collections/sale/products/copy-of-mod1-ht-quick-pack-outlet

paired with this subwoofer,
https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=9723&seq=1&format=2

and receiver,
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs530bt/denon-avr-s530bt-5.2-ch-x-70-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html

would make a better system than the Double for about the same money,
https://www.orbaudio.com/products/peoples-choice-surround-sound


If you must have a small subwoofer or feel the deep bass is not a priority, this bundle (with the smaller subMini) is bad/meh value for money,
https://www.orbaudio.com/collections/sale/products/999-complete-home-theater-system

There's other 5.1 speaker packages, within your budget, which will blow away the Orbs. But, they won't get you the trendy cool factor or be a diminutive size.
I actually was going to only buy orbs and pair with another sub. Their bundled sub has gotten poor reviews. Thanks so much for the recommendations all!
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
In this (p)review, Marshall talks about comb filtering issues with the Mod2. Stick with the Mod1 unless you absolutely need the extra output!
http://www.audioholics.com/soundbar-and-satellite-speaker-reviews/orb-audio-mod1x-mod2x-subone-review
Sounds like the sub integrates well with the speakers, but won't win any awards for depth. Consider it a woofer to go with the mids and don't expect very good treble from the 3" speaker.

If you could live with flush mounted shallow (3.3" deep) boxes, these would be a better way to go for sound:
$250/Pr for mains and surrounds
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle416wht/canton-gle-416-6-2-way-on-wall-speaker-white-pair/1.html
$250 Ea for center (or you might consider using one of the above, but the above are only sold in pairs):
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle417whta/canton-gle-417-5-2-way-on-wall-lcr-speaker-white-each/1.html

Also, consider other Canton, Focal, and KEF products here (some are egg shaped and have wall mounts included - closer to the orb, but with tweeters)!

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/spkonwall/speakers/on-wall-speakers/1.html
 
J

jsm1847

Enthusiast
In this (p)review, Marshall talks about comb filtering issues with the Mod2. Stick with the Mod1 unless you absolutely need the extra output!
http://www.audioholics.com/soundbar-and-satellite-speaker-reviews/orb-audio-mod1x-mod2x-subone-review
Sounds like the sub integrates well with the speakers, but won't win any awards for depth. Consider it a woofer to go with the mids and don't expect very good treble from the 3" speaker.

If you could live with flush mounted shallow (3.3" deep) boxes, these would be a better way to go for sound:
$250/Pr for mains and surrounds
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle416wht/canton-gle-416-6-2-way-on-wall-speaker-white-pair/1.html
$250 Ea for center (or you might consider using one of the above, but the above are only sold in pairs):
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle417whta/canton-gle-417-5-2-way-on-wall-lcr-speaker-white-each/1.html

Also, consider other Canton, Focal, and KEF products here (some are egg shaped and have wall mounts included - closer to the orb, but with tweeters)!

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/spkonwall/speakers/on-wall-speakers/1.html
I did see that vid....so I'll stick with singles. I can't live with in wall speakers and more importantly, my wife probably won't like it. Happy wife, happy life. I'll also go with upgraded sub...
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Back to the used avr, where are you so people may assist you in local finds?
 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
Too bad there isn't a marriage of both..
As others have said you can't get around physics. I've been there and done that with similar computer speakers (IMO the best in their day) I found the ping-pong effect of the sound source moving from speakers to sub and back to be disturbing even with a computer. My advice is to listen to the advice of those that recommended 4-6" in-wall on on-wall or bookshelf speakers. They will pair much better with a sub. Unfortunately, I don't have a recommendation in your price range because I have not auditioned much that size in a long time. It's your money and if you must have tiny then that's up to you.

As for used receivers, I wish you luck. I tend to hang on to receivers until they die and the only used receivers that I've ever bought had things wrong with them. Refurbished might be a better choice but I'd concentrate on speakers first because you choose your receiver based on the speaker's requirements.
 
J

jsm1847

Enthusiast
As others have said you can't get around physics. I've been there and done that with similar computer speakers (IMO the best in their day) I found the ping-pong effect of the sound source moving from speakers to sub and back to be disturbing even with a computer. My advice is to listen to the advice of those that recommended 4-6" in-wall on on-wall or bookshelf speakers. They will pair much better with a sub. Unfortunately, I don't have a recommendation in your price range because I have not auditioned much that size in a long time. It's your money and if you must have tiny then that's up to you.

As for used receivers, I wish you luck. I tend to hang on to receivers until they die and the only used receivers that I've ever bought had things wrong with them. Refurbished might be a better choice but I'd concentrate on speakers first because you choose your receiver based on the speaker's requirements.
Thanks for the advice. It's funny because there are conflicting reports concerning these orbs. Some reviews from this forum have really praised them, while others have said as you all have. I understand the physics and that there is a trade off with size. I do know a speaker with a woofer and tweeter will respond better. I've been a musician and sound guy for a bit, but pretty new to surround sound and av receivers. I'm almost pretty set on tiny wall mounted speakers because there is a trade off that goes like this: aesthetically pleasing look for room, decent sound OR awesome sound, not so awesome look. I don't like the look of wall mounted large speaker, or large towers. So I figure I'll take the hit on sound quality and do the best I can to make the best of it.
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
Thanks for the advice. It's funny because there are conflicting reports concerning these orbs. Some reviews from this forum have really praised them, while others have said as you all have. I understand the physics and that there is a trade off with size. I do know a speaker with a woofer and tweeter will respond better. I've been a musician and sound guy for a bit, but pretty new to surround sound and av receivers. I'm almost pretty set on tiny wall mounted speakers because there is a trade off that goes like this: aesthetically pleasing look for room, decent sound OR awesome sound, not so awesome look. I don't like the look of wall mounted large speaker, or large towers. So I figure I'll take the hit on sound quality and do the best I can to make the best of it.
You left price out of the equation!
Actually they are not much more ($800 for 5 satellites with sub once you put in your shopping cart), but you get roped into a less than spectacular subwoofer with the Cabasse Eole 3 system:
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/spksystems/speakers/speaker-packages/1.html?brand_f[]=CABASSE
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/article/cabasse-eole-3-51-review/15977

The Cabasse IO2 looks like yet another step up from the Orbs and provide concentric woofer and tweeter. I have never heard them, but they seem like a good alternative. If you could spring for these for the front 3 and use the Orbs for surrounds, that would match the aesthetic of the Orb with higher sound quality.
https://www.accessories4less.com/?type=&page=category&action=&id=spkonwall&skip_redirect_suffix=&view_id=a4e46b2dec96d66767c5eab8073f505583510264&mode=&search_query=&category=&thumb_sort=store_price.asc&brand_f[]=CABASSE

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-and-av-speakers/cabasse-io2-5-1-system-674927/review
 

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