Palmer ORBIT 11 Cardioid Coaxial 3-way studio monitor (MSRP 799€/899$)

[denork]

I just got the "no idea when we'll get them" email from B&H about my Feb 11 order for Orbit 11s. Not sure whether to just cancel, I'm running C6Bs with subs and don't really have any complaints about them.

In that case, you're not in a hurry and you can wait.

 

[Audionaut]

We are responsible for consistently limiting commercial activity at ASR. If further clarification is desired, contact me privately or on the Forum Suggestions thread.

Hi Rick,
No, no further explanation is necessary. Thank you for the explanation.
I was just wondering where the thread I was interested in had gone, because my bookmarks led nowhere.

 

[Caldera]

Test of a cult digital source with Palmer Orbit 11

After about two hours of searching I found my old Yamaha WXC-50 in the attic. The unit can operate as a streamer, line source, preamp, SPDIF digital source, AD/DA converter, USB audio interface…….

I connected it to the Orbit 11 speakers to test a fully digital signal path.

Configuration

• Reinstalled Yamaha MusicCast on the iPad
• WXC-50 reconnected to my WLAN
• WXC-50 set to preamp mode
• 110-ohm adapter cable: coax SPDIF output (WXC-50) → AES3 input (right Orbit 11)
  • Input set to AES3, right speaker
  • PAD: –6 dB
• 110-ohm AES3 cable: AES3 output (right Orbit 11) → AES3 input (left Orbit 11)
  • Input set to AES3, left speaker
  • PAD: –6 dB

Result

The fully digital signal chain works flawlessly. Volume and DSP settings of the Yamaha WXC-50 are adjustable via the Yamaha MusicCast app. The original credit-card-sized remote control also still works.

In hindsight, the WXC-50 was roughly a decade ahead of its time.

 

[WootZee]

Can the LEDs be turned off?

 

[Grimoire]

Can the LEDs be turned off?

With some wire cutters, always.

 

[WootZee]

With some wire cutters, always.

It is easy (or somewhat easy) to access those wires?

 

[Mart68]

After about two hours of searching I found my old Yamaha WXC-50 in the attic.

How big is your attic?

I'm imagining this

 

[Tolstoy]

Test of a cult digital source with Palmer Orbit 11

After about two hours of searching I found my old Yamaha WXC-50 in the attic. The unit can operate as a streamer, line source, preamp, SPDIF digital source, AD/DA converter, USB audio interface…….

I connected it to the Orbit 11 speakers to test a fully digital signal path.

Configuration

• Reinstalled Yamaha MusicCast on the iPad
• WXC-50 reconnected to my WLAN
• WXC-50 set to preamp mode
• 110-ohm adapter cable: coax SPDIF output (WXC-50) → AES3 input (right Orbit 11)
  • Input set to AES3, right speaker
  • PAD: –6 dB
• 110-ohm AES3 cable: AES3 output (right Orbit 11) → AES3 input (left Orbit 11)
  • Input set to AES3, left speaker
  • PAD: –6 dB

Result

The fully digital signal chain works flawlessly. Volume and DSP settings of the Yamaha WXC-50 are adjustable via the Yamaha MusicCast app. The original credit-card-sized remote control also still works.

In hindsight, the WXC-50 was roughly a decade ahead of its time.

View attachment 515402

View attachment 515401

Can you please let me know , which Spdif to AES adapter cable you use ?
Do you hear any hiss or noise ?
I have that hiss , it starts , when the track begins . It sounds like brushes on a snare drum .

 

[TimVG]

I was able to setup my pair today and have a quick listen. I ended up using the onboard filters (HPF + wall setting) before using my own EQ in the modal range as the low range output on these, while incredible, is too much for my small room which doesn't need much. Once setup, along with my subs (with MSO), I was very impressed. Very true to source and nothing to complain about. Imaging is spot on, and much like with my DIY cardioid speakers, it will simply play what is there. Material with depth will show that in a convincing way, and if something is in your face it will do that all the same. Combined with the measurements we've seen so far, Palmer seems to have a winner on hand. Truly unseen performance/features at this price point.

I've been able to spend some time now with them, and I stick with my initial impression. This is a very well designed and executed loudspeaker at an extremely competitive pricepoint.
In my room it sounds very similar to my main system which is the Directiva R2 prototype + bass module. In fact I think I'd have to put them side to side (which I can't due to space constraints) to properly assess the differences. Even when systems come close tonally speaking there is usually some difference in spatial presentation, but even that feels very familiar to my main system. For the time being I can't say there are things that I don't like about it.

Most people will have noticed a small directivity error centered around 1,5kHz in the measurements. In my situation, which is a small, well damped room, at approximately 2m listening distance, on-axis, I'm not noticing this as an issue. I cannot speak for larger, more lively rooms, and larger listening distances. This is of course not a monitor designed to be used as such, but in case you do, you can always try a small filter to fill up the drop in power somewhat and see if it makes a difference to you. In any case it is a minor offence as in return you get an otherwise superb polar response down to the modal region of most rooms.

Everything considered this will be a keeper in my collection.

 

[Caldera]

Can you please let me know , which Spdif to AES adapter cable you use ?
Do you hear any hiss or noise ?
I have that hiss , it starts , when the track begins . It sounds like brushes on a snare drum .

The cable I use is a pro snake AES/EBU SPDIF cable male 3 m.

The sound quality may depend on the digital resolution. Qobuz streams at 24 bit/96 khz and 44.1 khz sound flawless. The 48-bit digital volume control of the Yamaha WXC-50 also works very well. At my normal listening distance of about 1.5 m , there is no audible hiss. I only begin to hear it at a distance of about 0.4 m.

​

How big is your attic?

I'm imagining this

After two hours of searching the entire house, I finally found the WXC-50 in the attic .

 

[Matt_Holland]

Has the issue reported where SPDIF to XLR cable resulted in a frequency response error been resolved?
@UffdiePalme

 

[Pearljam5000]

How close is Orbit 11 to Genelec Ones?

 

[3125b]

Which ones?
It seems fairly similar to 8341 in many aspects like size and construction, how the measurements (taken with the same system) compare remains to be seen.

 

[UffdiePalme]

Has the issue reported where SPDIF to XLR cable resulted in a frequency response error been resolved?
@UffdiePalme

Really hard to judge that from my position right now, as there are many factors (like cable impedance, etc.) to take into consideration. But if everything is checked, and it seems to be an issue with the speaker I would recommend to contact our customer service. They can check the individual case.
Can't make a statement on one individual issue, sorry. Seemed to work alright for most of the other guys here.

 

[davidgale]

My pair of Orbit 11s arrived today. First impressions are positive.

My main use case is "glorified PC/desktop speakers." Listening distance around 1 m. Until now, I have been using KEF LS50 Meta with Wiim Amp Ultra (and Wiim Amp before the Ultra came out). During the last 2-3 years, I have tried to combine KEFs with various subs, but the end result never sounded right. I had an impression that the mains are doing one thing and the sub is doing something else. Hence, I wanted compact speakers that are capable of full-range reproduction.

Main positive points

• The size of Orbits is just about right—slightly larger than KEFs but still acceptable as desktop speakers.
• Tons of low-end. In fact, my main problem now is having too much low-end in my small untreated room. I tried to play with the low-end EQ, and even -6dB is too bassy. I will connect the Wiim streamer later and will try to enable a high-pass filter around 35–40 Hz.
• Transient response seems to be better on Orbits vs KEFs.
• Orbits have better dynamics vs KEFs.
• Music that is played on acoustic instruments seems to be more life-like.

Just observations

• The top end on Orbits is hotter than KEFs. Not in an annoying way, but still. A -2dB high-end cut seems to fix the problem for me.

Main points of criticism:

• Looks like the speakers have neither the automatic power-on nor the power-off feature. Not even a 12 V trigger input.
• There is some rather audible hiss at 1 m. Nothing super annoying, but it is there.
• High-pass filter is fixed at 80 Hz. I wish the high-pass point was adjustable.

 

[TimVG]

[

There is some rather audible hiss at 1 m. Nothing super annoying, but it is there.

Put the pad on -20dB. The Wiim should still provide enough voltage to drive it and it should solve the hiss.

 

[Pearljam5000]

My pair of Orbit 11s arrived today. First impressions are positive.

My main use case is "glorified PC/desktop speakers." Listening distance around 1 m. Until now, I have been using KEF LS50 Meta with Wiim Amp Ultra (and Wiim Amp before the Ultra came out). During the last 2-3 years, I have tried to combine KEFs with various subs, but the end result never sounded right. I had an impression that the mains are doing one thing and the sub is doing something else. Hence, I wanted compact speakers that are capable of full-range reproduction.

Main positive points

• The size of Orbits is just about right—slightly larger than KEFs but still acceptable as desktop speakers.
• Tons of low-end. In fact, my main problem now is having too much low-end in my small untreated room. I tried to play with the low-end EQ, and even -6dB is too bassy. I will connect the Wiim streamer later and will try to enable a high-pass filter around 35–40 Hz.
• Transient response seems to be better on Orbits vs KEFs.
• Orbits have better dynamics vs KEFs.
• Music that is played on acoustic instruments seems to be more life-like.

Just observations

• The top end on Orbits is hotter than KEFs. Not in an annoying way, but still. A -2dB high-end cut seems to fix the problem for me.

Main points of criticism:

• Looks like the speakers have neither the automatic power-on nor the power-off feature. Not even a 12 V trigger input.
• There is some rather audible hiss at 1 m. Nothing super annoying, but it is there.
• High-pass filter is fixed at 80 Hz. I wish the high-pass point was adjustable.

How's the soundstage, instrument separation?

 

[Mort]

High-pass filter is fixed at 80 Hz. I wish the high-pass point was adjustable.

So I guess these would not be compatible with dirac art? Or is there a full range option?

 

[3125b]

Put the pad on -20dB.

Ok, just in case anyone is wondering what that means like I have been:

It's just the input sensitivity setting.
Lowering that from whatever factory setting is good advice for most monitors.

BTW, I'm quite amazed that they managed a proper control panel for that price, Genelec still gives you a battery of DIP switches for three times the price.

 

[G|force]

...BTW, I'm quite amazed that they managed a proper control panel for that price, Genelec still gives you a battery of DIP switches for three times the price.

Longevity?