Orb MP-1 Music Player - Review
From Hi-Fi to Wi-Fi
Both the name and the shape of the Orb are otherworldly, evoking a world of the future where technology reigns supreme. Bygone are the days of wind-up Victrolas and stacks of vinyl. Now your whole music collection can be stored on and played from an iPod smaller than your mobile phone. But what do you do when you want to listen to those tunes on your home stereo? Use an Orb MP-1 Music Player. This diminutive device fills a niche in the electronics market by allowing users to play music accessible only from a computer through stereo speakers.
In order to make use of the Orb, tech-savvy music lovers must have four components: a computer with a USB port, home Wi-Fi, stereo speakers and a smartphone. Installation takes ten to fifteen minutes, involving the download of free software from Orb's website, connecting the Orb to your home Wi-Fi, then plugging the Orb into your stereo or directly into the stereo's speakers and finally downloading the Orb app to your smartphone or tablet computer. Currently, the Orb app is only available for use with iPad, iPhone and Android devices.
We were able to play not only our iTunes library through the Orb on our home stereo, but also Pandora and other online radio stations. Being able to use our smartphone as a remote control is an added bonus. We found the Orb to be an extremely well-designed product, bridging the gap between stereo sound and MP3-formatted music. Tech-savvy music lovers might not need another electronic gizmo at home, but at this low price, why not?
Price: $79
For more information, visit new.orb.com.
Reviewed by Barnaby Hughes |
