Palmer Orbit 11 Monitor Review (Video)

[amirm]

Yes, I am finally back, producing youtube video! This time with a video review of the recently tested Plamer Orbit 11 professional monitor:

Video, like all of my others is NOT monetized. So enjoy it without ads or interruptions. If you do like it though, please subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AudioScienceReview

Nothing new in there if you have read the review but hopefully some nuances that were not there in the text review.

 

[Mort]

I got a lot out of that because there were so many identifiable design trade offs you were able to show in the data.

It's not a monitor I would want because I can reach for a slightly higher price point. For $2k I'd stay passive with a BMR monitor.

But this is an audacious attempt. I mean that with admiration. I hope it sells enough they want to do more with the platform.

 

[Liftro]

That's great. I'll make myself some coffee and go watch it.

 

[daniboun]

Thanks Amir.
@amirm
However, I'm not sure if my English is good enough, but it seems to me you're mistaken. The amplification module is indeed Class D, not AB. Another point: many people have reported issues with internal noise and hiss. Can you confirm or refute this claim?

 

[JSmith]

Yes, I am finally back, producing youtube video!

Excellent, good to see you back on the tube Amir.


JSmith

 

[diddley]

Thank you for the video Amir, it clarifies a lot what happens with the sound of what happens with the bass, and that you have to keep volume down to hear it without distortion.
11 monts ago was the last video, if it was up to me, you could make more. it's really helpfull.
Thanks

 

[amirm]

Thanks Amir.
@amirm
However, I'm not sure if my English is good enough, but it seems to me you're mistaken. The amplification module is indeed Class D, not AB. Another point: many people have reported issues with internal noise and hiss. Can you confirm or refute this claim?

Oops. I got it confused with the PSI speaker! I need to put a note in there.

 

[CD2]

Thanks Amir.
@amirm
However, I'm not sure if my English is good enough, but it seems to me you're mistaken. The amplification module is indeed Class D, not AB. Another point: many people have reported issues with internal noise and hiss. Can you confirm or refute this claim?

26:34 re hiss

Gonne piggyback on this to say these latest reviews have been super helpful in inderstanding what this tech can and can't do.

 

[amirm]

Another point: many people have reported issues with internal noise and hiss. Can you confirm or refute this claim?

I addressed this both in the text review and in the video. To me, it is no more than typical monitor and disappears around 3 feet. Folks have reported that some are noisier than others. So maybe on sample is a quiet one.

 

[Liftro]

I addressed this both in the text review and in the video. To me, it is no more than typical monitor and disappears around 3 feet. Folks have reported that some are noisier than others. So maybe on sample is a quiet one.

Well, that doesn't look good if there's an audible difference between units, right? My Neumanns were inaudible, but the Yamaha HS80 were awful at 1 meter away... I hope the Palmers will be somewhere in between at least.

 

[amirm]

Well, that doesn't look good if there's an audible difference between units, right?

Well, if they are more quiet than my sample, then it is good news.

Seriously, if some are much noisier, that is not good.

 

[daniboun]

Well, that doesn't look good if there's an audible difference between units, right? My Neumanns were inaudible, but the Yamaha HS80 were awful at 1 meter away... I hope the Palmers will be somewhere in between at least.

I agree with you on this point. If it's a bit of a lottery, then we're facing a problem... I shared this measurement as an attachment, taken in another test, the question being: to what extent is this acceptable for professional use?

 

[Liftro]

I agree with you on this point. If it's a bit of a lottery, then we're facing a problem... I shared this measurement as an attachment, taken in another test, the question being: to what extent is this acceptable for professional use?

If I don't perceive anything from my listening position, it's not a problem for me; that's why I mentioned the other speakers and the behavior of the units I've had.

 

[capslock]

I agree with you on this point. If it's a bit of a lottery, then we're facing a problem... I shared this measurement as an attachment, taken in another test, the question being: to what extent is this acceptable for professional use?

Is this a measurement of the Orbit 11? Is there a full set of measurements?

 

[Adis]

Is this a measurement of the Orbit 11? Is there a full set of measurements?

This?

Palmer Orbit 11 Monitor Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Palmer Orbit 11 Cardioid coaxial professional monitor (powered speaker). It was sent to me by the company and costs US $899 each. This is a cute but super dense and have little thing! :) I don't think filling it with lead...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[capslock]

I meant the graph Dani posted, is it from a separate set of measurements?

 

[Adis]

Dunno.

 

[DearSX]

I would love a good speaker with this concept. Coaxial so I can move around and sit almost any where and dipole so I can place it next to the back wall, which is how I listen any how. Thanks @amirm

 

[Bwaslo]

I'd like to see the varying noise of different units test redone with digital input selected or analog with the input shorted (not open -- which is unrealistic and possibly not meaningful), though I realize it would be a pain to redo.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

To me the two deal killers are the uneven horizontal directivity and the volume limitations even with a sub. Given all the progress that's been made with speaker directivity over the last five years, I see no excuse for any speaker, let alone a monitor whose major selling point is the uniform directivity a cardioid response provides, to exhibit anything less than exemplary directivity down to at least 1 khz. Coming from the superb directivity of the LS 50 Metas, that's simply unacceptable.

And then there's the issue of being able to play loud enough. Speakers with two 8" woofers, and a 6.5" midrange should be able to play down to 100 hz at 105 db with acceptably low levels of distortion (like below 1-2 percent) without triggering limiters especially if low passed with below 100 hz to a sub (s). In short, you should be able to "pot it up, pot it high" once in a while when you're spending nearly $3-4k on your speakers and subs. I don't think that's possible with the Palmer Orbit 11s.

Unfortunate because there are probably some not very expensive design modifications which would allow this framework to achieve those improvements.