Gear4 SoundOrb Aurora review

The curvy unit doubles as an ambient light, but there's little to get excited about when it comes to sound Tested at £250.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

It might be an eyeful to start with, but the Aurora doesn't have the sound or presence to justify the price

Pros

  • +

    Novel design

  • +

    initial wow factor

  • +

    capable midrange

Cons

  • -

    Dislocated bass

  • -

    thin treble

  • -

    imprecise volume control

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Have you ever wanted the Aurora Borealis – aka the Northern Lights – in your front room? Well, now you can (sort of) in the shape of Gear 4's intriguing SoundOrb Aurora iPod dock and wireless subwoofer combo.

The Aurora is the UK-based company's first stab at a higher-end dock system. Aesthetically, the focus is very much on the 4in, downward-firing sub. Bearing a passing resemblance to Eve from Wall-E, the curvy unit doubles as an ambient light, with a full array of constantly changing colours.

Sonically, the Aurora presents a capable midrange. But we found the top-end too thin, while bass is a shapeless mass that appears to be coming from the next room.

A taxing listen
There's also a lack of detailing, timing and coherence to music that makes this combo a taxing listen. Of the three sound modes, 'stereo' seems to work best, with '3D' and 'wide' lacking oomph.

Usability also leaves something to be desired, with the dock's volume control irritatingly easy to alter when setting up your iPod.

It's also worth noting that the 'Works with iPhone'-certified Aurora can only be used with Apple products.

It might be £50 less than B&W's Zeppelin Mini, but in terms of sound the SoundOrb Aurora system is light years behind.

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What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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