Orange is the new Blue(tooth)
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11.12.2023

Orange is the new Blue(tooth)

Orange Box-L
Words by John Tucker

Introducing the Orange Box-L, a Bluetooth speaker crafted by the team renowned for creating the most iconic guitar amps of the past 50 years.

Orange Amplifiers is a venerable name in the world of guitar amplification, recognised for its distinctive sound, bold aesthetics, and a rich history that spans over half a century, and now the Orange Box-L. Founded in 1968 by Clifford Cooper in London, Orange has become synonymous with iconic tone and innovation in the realm of guitar amplifiers.

Orange Box-L bluetooth speaker

Orange’s journey began with the groundbreaking Orange Matamp, swiftly captivating musicians with its distinctive sound. The brand evolved into a trailblazer, exemplified by the Overdrive Series in the ’70s, showcasing their dedication to cutting-edge tones. The ’80s introduced the influential OR120, defining the sound for artists across genres. The ’90s witnessed the compact powerhouse, the Tiny Terror, catering to gigging musicians. In the 21st century, Orange’s innovation continued with the Rockerverb series, seamlessly blending classic design with modern features. Renowned for quality and distinct sonic character, Orange attracts a diverse range of artists, solidifying its status in the music industry. As Orange marches forward, its legacy persists, rooted in groundbreaking designs and a commitment to empowering musicians across stages, studios, and homes. 

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The Orange Box-L bluetooth speaker not only exudes Orange’s signature style and classic rock’n’roll personality but also delivers a resonant and rich tone that embodies the brand’s legacy. In terms of construction, the Orange Box-L shares the same rugged build and advanced speaker technology as its amplifier counterparts. This modern and visually appealing package, ideal for placement in living rooms or on kitchen countertops, brings studio-quality sound to your home.

The Orange Box-L’s precision-engineered cabinet design enhances bass response, allowing its three custom-tuned Voice of the World speakers to project with remarkable authority and definition. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, ensuring a stable connection for high-quality audio. Alternatively, users can opt for a direct connection using the supplied anti-tangle aux cord.

Featuring classic Orange aesthetics reminiscent of renowned amplifiers that have graced legendary stages worldwide, the Orange Box-L not only adds a touch of rock’n’roll glamour to your home but also demands to be heard. Engineered by Orange’s skilled team, this speaker provides crisp, detailed, and nuanced audio with 50W RMS continuous power, making it the most powerful in its class.

The Orange Box-L excels in delivering crystal-clear audio across various genres, thanks to its specially voiced subwoofer, twin high-frequency tweeters, and precision housing. An audio limiter light serves as a unique safety feature, signalling when the unit is pushed too hard, preventing potential speaker damage. Built with the same rugged standard as Orange’s professional-level amplifiers, the Orange Box-L is designed to endure. Orange pledges continuous availability of stock and replacement parts into the 2030s, ensuring that your investment in the Orange Box-L remains a sustainable source of great-sounding audio for years to come.

Class D amplifier

The Orange Box-L boasts a powerful audio system, combining a 30W RMS Class D amplifier for the subwoofer and two 10W RMS Class AB amplifiers dedicated to the full range. This dynamic setup delivers a balanced and immersive audio experience. The speaker configuration includes a 5-inch 4-ohm subwoofer, accompanied by two 2-inch 8-ohm full-range drivers, ensuring a comprehensive sonic range.

With a frequency response spanning from 35 to 20,000 Hz ± 3dB, the Orange Box-L captures the nuances of audio across a wide spectrum. A carefully calibrated crossover frequency of 250Hz ensures seamless integration between the subwoofer and full-range drivers, contributing to a cohesive sound profile.

Equipped with a 24-bit stereo DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter), the Orange Box-L achieves high-resolution audio playback, ensuring the fidelity of the source material. The power supply is facilitated by a DC19.5V adaptor, providing the necessary energy for the amplifier’s optimal performance.

Bluetooth speaker

Connectivity options are diverse, with Bluetooth 5.0 technology enabling a stable wireless connection within a 15-meter range. For a wired connection, the Orange Box-L includes a 3.5mm AUX input, with the cable conveniently included.

Orange Box-L control

In terms of dimensions, the Orange Box-L is compact yet robust, measuring 35 x 20 x 20cm. Despite its powerful capabilities, it remains portable with a weight of 4.34kg. This thoughtful design makes the Orange Box-L a versatile and aesthetically pleasing addition to any space, whether on a countertop or in a living room setting, however I do have a minor gripe, in that the carry handle feels a little on the cheap side, unlike some of the other players in the market.

Speaking of other players in the market it would be prudent to discuss the place of the Orange Box speakers in the context of the Orange lineup and the speaker scene at large. There are three fundamental aspects of why I would lean towards an Orange Box. The first is the right to repair. In a world of rampant consumerism and throw-away culture, it is a great thing to see such a high-profile company making big steps in the direction of sustainability especially in music, which at times can be very wasteful (anyone who has seen the aftermath of a stadium concert can vouch for that). The second point is the fact that the Orange Box L is actually made by Orange, with the company having full control over the manufacture and design of the speaker which is excellent when compared to some of the other amplifier manufacturers  in the market.

The final reason I would lean towards an Orange Box L over another brand is the build quality, for such a product, having it made from high quality materials and the design really is built to last, with the metal back and tough exterior able to take the beating a portable speaker will, and it’s made in Korea. It is worth noting before the audiophiles come after me, that it is wise to take a minute and think on what you need from your speaker. Because there is always a speaker with better frequency response, or a better EQ, or a more honest output, but that isn’t where the Orange Box L is targeted, Orange has other products to suit those needs. The Orange Box L is perfect for someone who needs a portable Bluetooth speaker that looks the part and is built to last, and if that’s what you’re looking for, then the Orange Box L is a brilliantly eye-catching choice. 

Loving the sound of this? Buy your Orange Box-L here.