Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Orb Audio People’s Choice Speaker System HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

L/R Sensitivity:
91 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity:
91 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity:
85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the Mod2 L/R (purple trace), Super Eight subwoofer (blue trace), Mod2 center channel (green trace), and Mod1 surrounds (red trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grilles at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The L/R Mod2’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.84/–2.04 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 195 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 164 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.28 ohms at 617 Hz and a phase angle of –47.35 degrees at 241 Hz.

The center Mod2’s listening-window response measures +2.30/–1.98 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.67/–2.54 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 193 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 163 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.31 ohms at 645 Hz and a phase angle of –47.44 degrees at 240 Hz.

The Mod1’s listening-window response measures +4.48/–2.13 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 191 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 160 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 7.44 ohms at 656 Hz and a phase angle of –50.94 degrees at 254 Hz.

The Super Eight’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 33 Hz and the –6dB point is at 31 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 164 Hz with the crossover switch set to Disabled. —MJP

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COMMENTS
TheMattGosselin's picture
Submitted by TheMattGosselin on July 12, 2012 - 1:27pm

Both the Nucleus and the A'Diva (either in regular or Ti) use a single full-range driver, either conventional plastic or made from titanium.

thelrdintexas's picture
Submitted by thelrdintexas on July 17, 2012 - 11:20am

With my Onkyo receiver Audyssey set the crossover frequency at 150 and I had the subwoofer's crossover disabled because of that. Your review suggests to me that I am slightly confused over this issue.

thelrdintexas

For the last two years I have used the Orbs with 4 mods for center channel, 2 mods eacg for left and right front, 2 mods each for rear and 1 mod each for front high, right and left.

I have been very pleased with their sound.

Rob Sabin's picture
Submitted by Rob Sabin on July 18, 2012 - 2:15pm
Mark usually sets the crossover in his receiver rather than in the subwoofer, but it's not really relevant whether you do it in the receiver or the sub. If you do it in the AVR, you should indeed set the subwoofer to bypass or crank it wide open. As for the crossover point, this is always a judgement call based on your room and the subwoofer placement. Crossover with small satellites like these should be set to optimize two sometimes opposing goals: insuring that there is no obvious, audible frequency gap between the sub and the satellies (which often suggests a higher crossover frequency) and having a low enough crossover point so that the sub gets a minimum of upper bass frequencies that could make it easier to localize. This will be affected by where the sub is located in your room and the effect of boundaries and furnishings, in addition to how low the satellites go. 125-150 Hz is by no means an unreasonable crossover for such tiny satellites, but you can only tell what sounds best by listening in your room.
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