Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit Ultraportable Speaker for MP3 Players (Silver)

by Altec Lansing

Product Features

• Compatibility: all MP3 players; iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; iPod classic 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G
• Conveniently connects to any music player with 3.5-mm connection and music phones with 2.5-mm adapter (not included)
• Single up-firing neodymium driver provides sound in a 360-degree pattern to easily share the music
• Compact size and battery power for maximum portability; LED indicates power on/off and battery status
• Wrap-around cable storage

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Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The compact, portable iM-237 Orbit M speaker system is an ideal way to share your MP3, CD player, music-enabled phone, or laptop tunes anytime, anywhere. Slip it out of your pocket or purse for an instant audio broadcast. Just plug and play--the incredible, full-bodied, 360-degree sound will blow you away with its clarity and range. At the park, at a party, or just at your desk, it's a great companion for your favorite music device when you want to share your tunes with friends or need a break from headphone wires. And, with its long battery life, the music keeps playing well into the night.

The compact, portable iM-237 Orbit M speaker system is an ideal way to share your MP3, CD player, music-enabled phone, or laptop tunes anytime, anywhere. Click to enlarge.

Full-bodied, 360-degree sound that will amaze your friends with its clarity and range. Click to enlarge.

Share Your Tunes--Anytime, Anywhere

Incredible Volume and Clarity
Enjoy clear, distortion-free sound wherever you need it. A single up-firing neodymium driver provides sound in a 360-degree pattern for impressive sound in all directions.

Total Connectivity
Easily connects to portable CD players, MP3 players, music-enabled phones, laptops, and other audio devices, including iPod and iPhone. Conveniently connects to any music player with a 3.5-mm connection and most music phones with the 2.5-mm adapter (not included).

Portable, Rugged Design
Handles whatever your mobile lifestyle dishes out. Plus, the Orbit's wrap-around design protects cord and connector. Just wrap it up and go. And its compact size fits any bag or pocket.

Battery-Powered
Take it with you anywhere; no AC required. Plays up to 24 hours on 3 AAA batteries (not included). The LED indicates power on/off and battery status.

What's in the Box
Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit M speaker with 3.5-mm connector, user's guide, and quick setup guide.

Altec Lansing Speaker Docks
	Orbit M	Octiv Mini	Octiv Duo	inMotion Compact	inMotion Classic	Mix
	Ultra-portable sound for MP3 players or mobile phones	Compact speaker/charger/ speakerphone	Designed for multiple iPhone and iPod players	Perfect speaker for hotel, beach, or backyard	Ideal speaker to take around the house	The ultimate party speaker
Key Features	360-degree sound field 2.5mm adapter for use with mobile phones On/Off button and battery life indicator	Fits in nearly any space Wake up to music with free Alarm Rock app Makes video calling easy	Dock, charge and play two players at once Shuffle tunes from two players with free Music Mix app Wake up to music with free Alarm Rock app Fits neatly in tight spaces Built-in USB port lets you charge a third device	Integrated cover protects music system during travel Cover folds back into a stand Ported drivers deliver deep bass	Built-in digital FM radio with At-A-Glance LCD Rechargeable battery allows for portability Kick-stand flips up into a handle Class D amplification Advanced audio Digital Signal Processing (DSP)	Specially engineered horn-loaded tweeters and mid-range drivers XdB bass-enhanced side-firing subwoofer Built-in digital FM radio with 4 station presets 7-band graphic equalizer Convenient grab handles
Sound Enhancement Technology	Audio Alignment	Audio Alignment	Audio Alignment	Audio Alignment	Audio Alignment, Waves Maxx Audio	Audio Alignment, Xtreme Dynamic Bass
Onboard Controls	Power	Fully iPhone or iPod controlled	Power, Source, Volume	Power, Volume	Power, Volume, Track back, Track forward	Power, Volume, Track back, Track forward, Source, EQ
Power Type	3 AAA Batteries	AC Only	AC Only	AC, 4 AA Batteries	AC, Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery	AC, 8 D Batteries
	Orbit M	Octiv Mini	Octiv Duo	inMotion Compact	inMotion Classic	Mix
Wireless Remote
iPhone & iPod Compatible
Audio Inputs	2-channel analog (stereo)	Universal dock for iPhone & iPod	Two universal docks for iPhone & iPod	Universal dock for iPhone & iPod	Universal dock for iPhone & iPod	Universal dock for iPhone & iPod
Secondary Aux In Jack
Shielded for Interference
Speaker Configuration	One 1.5" full-range driver	One 3" full-range driver	Two 2" full-range drivers	Two 2" full-range drivers	Two 3" full-range drivers	Two 1" tweeters and two 3" mid-range drivers; 5.25" subwoofer and 5.25" passive radiator

Product Description

The compact, portable iM-237 Orbit M speaker system is an ideal way to share your MP3, CD player, music-enabled phone, or laptop tunes anytime, anywhere. Slip it out of your pocket or purse for an instant audio broadcast. Just plug and play--the incredible, full-bodied, 360-degree sound will blow you away with its clarity and range. At the park, at a party, or just at your desk, it's a great companion for your favorite music device when you want to share your tunes with friends or need a break from headphone wires. And, with its long battery life, the music keeps playing well into the night.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

887 of 899 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Audio demonstration May 15, 2010

By Louie the Italian Jew TOP 100 REVIEWER

Amazon Verified Purchase

Length: 0:38 Mins

This speaker has more bass than the Altec Lansing Music Speaker, which I also own. If you want to go that extra mile and spend a little more for a richer bass experience, I recommend this speaker.

562 of 583 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 40% better than the iM-207 October 30, 2008

By R. S. CRAWFORD

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought an iM-207 and an iM-237 at the same time, curious to see what the difference was.
The 207 is roughly 25% smaller and comes with a 1/8 to 3/32 stereo adapter, is designed to function sitting with the speaker pointing upward or will sit at a slight angle back on its side. I think it is money well spent- compared to the same amount I spent 3 years ago on one of those fold-up cube type dual speakers. In comparison to that fold-up cube, I think the sound is like 3 times better: quality-wise and volume-wise. The iM-207 lacks an LED that lets you know if the power is switched on, so you might drain the batteries out if you forget to turn it off after you unplug your player unit. It turns on and off by rotating the outer chrome ring-not a smooth switch at all compared to a rocker, slider or push button. Now on to the iM-237: a bit more stylish than its predecessor the iM-207 and at a price that is 130% more. It comes with a swanky padded and zippered carrying case with a mini carabiner clip and a tether that can be attached to the speaker to secure it to your wrist or hang it on the wall, it doesn't have a 1/8th to 3/32 adapter. the sound is cleaner than the 207, more defined at both ends and easier to listen to and has more volume. I wouldn't say the sound is twice as good though- I'd say more like 40% better. I'm not an acoustical engineer and don't have the audio equipment to evaluate the quality on any emperical basis. The iM-237 does have a nice green LED to let you know the power is on and a simple push button on/off button (which is vulnerable to accidental activation) the cord conceals neatly in a winder molding in the base and secures the plug well- a little too well, it's hard to get it out if you don't have long fingernails!... I'd say value wise the 207 has a better quality to dollar value, however if you prize sound quality then go for the iM-237. Read more ›

238 of 246 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very happy with it November 13, 2008

By adam

I bought one of these to play music from my iPhone during a vacation. I used it outdoors by the swimming pool for about a week. Went through only one set of batteries (AAA). My friends and I were consistently impressed with the sound that came out of this little speaker; it's surprisingly loud and clear.

I figured when I bought it that it was basically a throw-away. Not so. It's a good little speaker that fits the bill.

207 of 215 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A source of confusion June 28, 2011

By russell

Amazon Verified Purchase

I knew I wanted one of the Altec Orbits series speakers. The question was, which one? I had settled, for all the right reasons, on the IM-237. Or so I thought. When I actually went to purchase it I noted a window that said there was a newer model of the item. A newer model? The window suggested the IM-227. So the first odd thing, not many model numbers are retrogrades. Did it have different features? Was it improved?

As it turns out the answer is much simpler. Altec found a way to make another buck or two by not including the case. Which is kind of drag because I think the case would actually be useful.

Soundwise, the Altec IM-227 is a good value for $20 or so. It's not stereo, it's a single speaker. The tiny amplifier powered by three AAA batteries (which you supply) is fairly clean for what it is. Make no mistake, this is close listening device. You won't entertain others with this thing. It works at a desk, in a cubical or a small room with no background noise. I can see where it would be great for camping though I haven't checked the full length of the battery life claimed by Altec (24 hours). For a single driver speaker of this size the sound is rich, detailed and reasonably accurate (given the device). I think it's worth $20 if your needs match what this speaker does.

Downsides:
-The cord is short. I mean short. I'm talking seven inches of short.
-It's very simply constructed of plastic.
-It's not very cool looking.
-Max volume isn't loud.
-Power button gets turned accidentally if packed with other things (I pack mine without the batteries after learning this).
-That skinny little cord is going to break and then this thing will be a throwaway (which is sad).

Upsides:
-It's cheap....
-The sound is rich and reasonably accurate.
-It's light.
-It's small. Read more ›

113 of 116 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Best sound when compared to 2 competitors. July 3, 2010

By Allen R. Beecham

Amazon Verified Purchase

Even though the internal speakers on my Sony Vaio notebook computer are decent, I sometimes need a little more volume and clarity. When the need arises, I usually whip out the ear-buds. But recently, I've been wanting to play some tunes on my computer at work where it's not convenient to wear ear-buds. Hence, the "need" for one of these portable mini-speakers.

After reading the reviews on portable notebook/iPod/iPhone speakers, I narrowed my choice down to 3 products and ordered all 3. I thought that I would choose the best one, send the others back, and review them at the same time. So....my 3 choices were the X-Mini II Capsule Speaker, the iHome iHM60 Rechargeable Mini Speakers for iPod (Blue), and the Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit Ultraportable Speaker for MP3 Players (Silver).

I tested all 3 speakers with my Sony Vaio notebook, my iPhone 3Gs, and my 60-gig iPod. All 3 speakers worked with all 3 devices, and the rating results were comparable.

One more thing: although 2 of the 3 speakers have USB charging cables, none of them are USB devices. The USB only charges the speaker; the sound is controlled via the headphone-out controls.

1) X-Mini II Capsule Speaker ---- This speaker is the most compact. I like the design, the lines, the feel, and the size. It just feels right. It looks like a little pill/capsule, and then springs open to reveal bellows that enhance the bass.... The sound is focused and clear, but ranks #3 in loudness and bass quality. It is the only speaker of the 3 that I tested that has a volume control, but I really don't see the need for a volume control when the speaker is only 6 inches away from the sound source. It has a built-in speaker cord for when you want to run it on the internal rechargeable battery. There's also a combined USB charging/speaker cable....1 plug inserts into your computer USB port to charge the speaker battery, and the 2nd plug goes to the headphone-out on your computer (or iPod). So, if your speaker battery dies, just plug the 2 plugs into the computer and you're back up and running. If you're using the speaker to listen to your iPod or iPhone, you are out of luck if the speaker battery dies, unless you have a USB power source nearby. Unfortunately, both the attached speaker cable and the combined USB charging/speaker cable are very flimsy. It also has a speaker-out jack, which allows you to daisy-chain speakers together. Not really a huge selling point, since people tend to buy these speakers because they are small and compact...so who wants to carry 2 with them? But I suppose it does allow for more flexibiity, athough daisy-chaining 2-3 of these little guys together just doesn't make good financial sense. So, just like the volume control, the speaker-out jack is a non-issue to me. Also comes with a little carrying bag made of felt material.

Pros --- Looks and feels right. Small/compact. Decent sound, considering it's size. Rechargeable battery. Option of using built-in cable or combined USB charging/speaker cable.
Cons --- Worst performance in terms of loudness and bass (but still not bad). Flimsy cables.

2) iHome iHM60 Rechargeable Mini Speakers for iPod (Blue) ---- This speaker is very similar to the X-Mini II above. The major differences: it's larger than the X-Mini and doesn't look as "polished". It doesn't have a volume control, but who needs one anyway? It doesn't have a built-in cable....it only has a USB charging/speaker cable....but it's MUCH sturdier than the cable on the X-Mini. The sound is louder and fuller, with more pronounced bass.....probably because the diameter is bigger and the bellows are longer. Comes with a medium-heavy duty black carrying bag, which is more substantial than the felt used for the X-Mini II bag. Also has a speaker-out jack, just like the X-Mini II, for daisy-chaining speakers together.

Pros --- Ranks #2 in loudness and bass. Small/compact. Rechargeable battery. Sturdy cable. Nicer carrying bag. $10 cheaper than the X-Mini.
Cons --- Less "polished" look/feel. Not as small as the X-Mini. No built-in speaker cable, so you MUST use the more bulky USB charging/speaker cable.

3) Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit Ultraportable Speaker for MP3 Players (Silver) --- This speaker is the largest, but weighs about the same as the IHome. It has NO USB charging cable....just a built-in speaker cable. It ONLY runs on 3 AAA batteries. I haven't used it long enough to test the battery life. The carrying case is a deluxe zippered case that really protects the speaker. It also includes a lanyard for the speaker and a little caribiner clip for the case. The sound clearly out-classes the other 2 in loudness, clarity, and bass.

Pros --- Best sound of the 3. Uses 3 AAA batteries (no rechargeable battery to die on you). Built-in speaker cable. Very nice carrying case.
Cons --- Largest of the 3. Uses 3 AAA batteries (rechargeable battery is convenient, but they often die.) Flimsy built-in speaker cable.

So.....which one am I keeping? That's a good question. I'm DEFINITELY returning the X-Mini II. It performed the worst of the 3, it has flimsy cables, and it costs as much as the Altec. Although the iHome requires that you use the bulkier combo-cord, it sounds better and costs $10 less than the X-Mini II. No-brainer.

How about the Altec? It sounds the best, but has some limitations. I might keep BOTH the Altec and the iHome. But I'm DEFINITELY keeping the iHome, which is the all-around winner in this speaker shoot-out when you compare sound, price, and features.

A couple more remarks. The iHome packaging is maddening. The speaker is wire-tied into the package, making it extremely difficult to remove. I ended up essentially destroying the packaging in order to remove the speaker. But perhaps iHome did that on purpose, so as to discourage returns. Very annoying, but not a deal-breaker. Also, the iHome's cable has a hard plastic clip attached that is supposed to be used as a wire-tie. I have very good manual dexterity, but I was unable to fold the cable back up and clip it back together. Nice try, iHome, but the velcro cable-tie of the X-Mini II is a much better design.....too bad they decided to include such a flimsy cable.

I hope this review helps you in your purchase of a portable speaker for your notebook computer or iPod/iPhone. Be sure to check out my VIDEO REVIEW, which includes sound bytes from all 3 speakers. It is located here: iHome iHM60 Rechargeable Mini Speakers for iPod (Blue). Read more ›