Customer Reviews

Altec Lansing iML237USB ORBIT Ultra Portable USB-Powered Speaker

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I've only had this speaker for 24 hours, but I can say that so far it's been excellent. I got it for my Thinkpad T400 laptop because the internal speakers were not loud enough, and some things, like DVD movies, or watching TV from my Slingbox had really low volume. I'm running Windows 7 64 bit on the laptop. I plugged in the speaker and Windows installed the driver without a hitch (no CD needed). It worked immediately thereafter. The native speakers are disabled when you plug this one in, and all the volume controls, including the hardware volume buttons on the laptop, work without change on the new speaker. If you unplug it while it's in use the native speakers take over seamlessly. The sound quality is excellent as compared to the native laptop speakers, and the volume, wow! I have the volume set at 5%, which is providing about the same volume of sound as the native T400 speakers provide at 100% volume. If I run the volume all the way up I can easily hear the sound at a comfortable level in the next room, and there is very little distortion. This speaker won't take the place of a set of powered stereo speakers; but for the price, portability, and the fact that it runs off the USB port without any other power source, you can't beat it with a stick.


Edit 10/5/2010

I found that this speaker will work with an iPad if you have the camera connector (the camera connector basically turns the dock connector into a USB port). I just plugged it into the USB port and it immediately worked, although there is no mention in the iPad documentation that you can do this. If you have both products it might be worthwhile buying the camera connector instead of a separate speaker for your iPad.

The Orbit is the diameter of a small coaster and has a nice modern feel of heavy weight aluminum. It comes with an attractive, very tightly fitting carrying case that looks like a miniature hat case. There are two IM237 Orbits: a battery powered model with a jack that fits 3.5mm headphone jacks and this USB model. I'm guessing Altec wants us to buy two Orbits, one for our laptops and a second one for our IPod.

The Orbit gives a very nice volume boost to laptop audio and the quality was better, much better, than I expected. Hopefully, no will expect audiophile sound from a tiny speaker that is carried on a lanyard like a change purse.

The bottom of the Orbit has a storage area for the USB cable. The cord is wound around the base and then the USB plug snaps into a storage area. The only problem is: DID ANYONE AT ALTEC TRY TO DO THIS? It doesn't matter if you wind the cord clockwise or counter clockwise, the cord is an inch too short and the USB plug can't reach the storage slot. Without the plug snapped into place providing tension, the cord falls out. So putting the Orbit into the storage case means stuffing the cable in the bottom, pushing the Orbit on top and then maneuvering the lanyard around so the zipper on the case doesn't catch it. As I mentioned, the case is very tightly fitted.

I'm assuming the Orbit for IPods was designed first. And the storage system probably worked for a cable with a small headphone jack at the end. But when Altec adapted a USB plug, the much larger USB plug effectively shortened the cable length rendering the storage system useless.

9-24-09 Additional comment added: Other reviewers here of the USB Orbit don't mention any problems with storage. I'm starting to think it's not a design problem but a manufacturing problem. If the base is not snapped into the Orbit at a consistent position relative to the cable, the USB plug may or may not reach the storage slot.

I have bought and used a number of so-called portable speakers. Some were just too big and bulky to take with me. Others sounded like a toy.

This wonderful gem is great. It is small enough to throw in my suitcase without worrying about bulk or weight. The sound is absolutely superb. I hooked it up and played various tunes from my library and the sound was incredible. The instrument nuances, the volume, the quality was amazing. I looked over at it and couldn't believe my ears.

This is a wonderful product by a great company. I highly recommend it.

Prior to purchase this little USB speaker, I was using 2 desktop PC speakers for my notebook online TV viewing and listening to music. lines all around my desk between the notebook and electricity wall socket. sometimes people are tripped by the lines. Since the purchasing of this little speaker, it not only replaced all of the unnecessary lines and 2 larger sized speakers but also out performed the sound quality of my old two PC speakers. There is one thing need to be improved from the manufacturer: the instruction of sound volume control is not good and the speaker's volume is low by default setting. There is no volume control nob on the speaker and one paged instruction of two pictures doesn't give your good idea of how to solve this problem. Here is the way of how to do it: after insert USB to the computer, open Control panel classic view, double click the Sound icon, click on the Speakers USB Sound Device, then you will see the Properties at the right lower portion of the menu. Open the Properties' Levels menu you will find the USB speaker's default volume was set to lower side. Just move the volume to the highest and make sure the options of "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and "Give exclusive mode applications priority" are checked (which is default) under the Advance menu, then check OK and you are all set. After this setting up you will be able to adjust your speak volume from your notebook volume control or any online audio program volume control to a very high volume level.

In order to get the IML237 Orbit USB speakers to work on an apple/mac computer, you must change the settings in system preferences.
1. click on the apple icon
2. click on system preferences
3. click on sound
4. click on output
(very important! the speaker MUST be plugged into the USB port in order to show on the "select a device for sound output" list.)
5. the IML237 Orbit USB speakers will show up under, "USB Sound Device"
6. click on "USB Sound Device"
7. play some music on itunes
Now the speakers will automatically be detected when you plug in the speakers. You should not have to re-adjust the settings.

This is my review of 3 portable, USB powered, laptop speakers I've received recently:

1. The first USB powered speaker I purchased was the ALTEC LANSING iML237USB ORBIT:

I was pleased with the sound quality of the ALTEC LANSING ORBIT. And at about $23 including shipping, you probably cannot get a better sounding USB powered speaker for the money.

2. But after a while, I wanted the convenience of having a USB powered speaker that I could attach onto the laptop. So, I asked for and received the LOGITECH Z205 for Christmas which cost about $46 including shipping:

The LOGITECH Z205 was indeed convenient as it clipped on top of the laptop. But although it sounded appreciably better than the built-in speakers on any of my laptops and netbooks, I was nonetheless underwhelmed by the sound quality. The ALTEC LANSING ORBIT sounded much better.

3. So then I read the CNET review of the more expensive LOGITECH Z305 which also clips on top of the laptop. CNET basically concluded that the LOGITECH Z305 corrected the sonic deficiencies it had found in the less expensive LOGITECH Z205 and was worth the extra $10 - $20. Based on this review, I ended up ordering the Z305 from Amazon for $49.99 including shipping -- which meant that it was only $4 more than the Z205. I received it yesterday and could not be more pleased. It sounds great -- easily the best of the 3 USB powered speakers I now have -- with decent bass, a nice open sound and good stereo separation. I would actually characterize the sound as "high fidelity". With its high sound quality and clip-on convenience, I think it's probably the best and only USB powered speaker one should get.

CONCLUSIONS: If you want good sound quality for little money, get the ALTEC LANSING ORBIT for $23. If you want high sound quality and clip-on convenience, get the LOGITECH Z305 for $50. Given these outstanding two speaker choices, I wouldn't even consider getting the LOGITECH Z205 for $46.

I am going to make this review short and sweet, just like the speaker. (shorter and sweeter than some of my other reviews anyway)

This is an amazing speaker, it is compact with superior sound that buttons up into a tiny little case when you aren't using it.

Yes, it is loud, that is what volume controls are for.

It is amazing the sound quality and vocal clarity that comes out of this piece of equipment I for one cannot do without.

The price is extremely affordable

This all compared to similar devices that are twice the size, go for twice to three times the amount that offer sub-par sound quality, and leave you wishing you could store it much more effortlessly, OH, and their wires an entanglement of mess that should if they don't already have a safety warning to not hang yourself with them after you realize what you should have purchased AN Altec Lansing iML237USB ORBIT Ultra Portable USB-Powered Speaker.

Hands down, Altec Lansing has risen to the occasion here and left you wanting absolutely nothing more than the sound coming from their very-very much more of a superior product.

Hope that helps you with your purchase decision.
Thanks for reading!

I tried three other speakers to augment my laptop and found that they were not very satisfying for various reasons. The Brookstone USB-only speaker perched nicely on top of my screen but actually was not as loud as my laptop's own speakers. A couple of others (USB power but audio from the headphone jack) produced great sound but had too many wires.

The Orbit is a really nice mix of convenience and great sound, with much louder and better audio than the laptop speakers produce with only a single USB cable to mess with--and the cable even neatly wraps up for travel.

I did experience a problem getting the laptop to recognize and use the speaker. It worked fine the first few times (altho, if I had an audio application open, I had to close it and relaunch it for the sound to route to the Orbit), but then refused to work. I finally figured out how to go into the computer's Adjust Audio Properties function and change the default audio playback device to the USB speaker. I may have some piece of software that messes with this setting, so it may become a hassle if it continues to happen.

The other drawback is that the speaker has a short little cord and a kickstand so you can set it right beside your computer--but nowhere else. If I actually have my laptop on my lap, the speaker kind of lolls around beside me. Sometimes I hang it on the corner of the screen by the kickstand, but then it obscures the upper corner. It would be better if the speaker had a spring clip built in so it could be clamped to the bezel of the laptop screen, keeping it in the perfect spot but out of the way of the screen image. If I figure out how to attach one, I'll update this review.

For some reason I thought this had a headphone jack and was USB powered. That's what I wanted. But it only has a USB input. So it's a really good, portable computer speaker if you have quiet laptop speakers, but won't work on other devices.

I received my iML 237 speaker from Amazon within 5 days of placing my order. I ordered it the day Amazon had it listed for sale for the first time, so I know I was one of the first people to get this speaker. I was very surprised (almost shocked) by the sound quality. I was looking for a speaker to use on my laptop that I could also take with me on business trips. I think I hit the jackpot on this purchase. The sound quality is excellent and the volume is awesome. I control the sound from my laptop sound control. The speaker is small enough to fit in my laptop travel case. The small zippered case that comes with this speaker to protect it while traveling makes this speaker purchase about perfect. The one thing to watch is your laptop battery. This USB speaker gets its power from your laptop. How fast your battery runs down is something to keep an eye on. I recommend the iML 237 speaker without any hesitation.