Editors' Note: As of September 2008, this product has been replaced by the similar Altec Lansing iM237 orbit MP3. The rating of this product has also been modified accordingly.
Altec Lansing has had its fingers in the iPod speaker business for several years now, which may explain why the company has been one of the most innovative when it comes to design--the retro-slick iM7 boombox and the ultrathin iM600 provide some excellent evidence of that. Further proof is now available in the form of the Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3, an ultracompact speaker that connects to any MP3 player or audio source. The MSRP for this speaker is only $40, but it can be found online for less than $30--an exceptional value given its versatility and passable sound quality.
The Orbit-MP3's name is a pretty telling indicator of its design. It's shaped like a disk that tapers in at the bottom. In fact, if you hold it sideways, it looks like a truncated speaker cone taken right from its housing. The Orbit is definitely compact, even within the realm of portable speakers, measuring just 3.5 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches tall. The base of the unit is all black plastic, while the speaker grille is made of brushed silver aluminum surrounded by a chrome-colored plastic ring. This ring acts as the power switch, which is the only control function of the unit; clockwise powers it off while counterclockwise turns it on. It feels a little fragile, which raises some concern for durability.
