After surprising the industry positively with the launch of the much improved Orange Valve Tester MKII, the irreverent company that has been a pioneering force in guitar and bass amplification since 1968, continues to capitalize on the power of the brand and its recognizable identity. Maybe we just did not expect this one: A "mini hifi" system equipped with modern Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm aptX, the Orange Pyramid is so unusual that ends being cute.
At the heart of this new audio lifestyle system is a sleek, pyramid-shaped, powerful amplifier capable of delivering 40W RMS per channel amplifier into 4 ohms. This newly designed amp, Orange assures us, is eco-friendly, cool-running and highly efficient (a nice way to describe Class-D). It comes in a beautifully made wooden cabinet with a white piano finish and a prism at the top which subtly glows indicating the mode of operation.
What Orange also shares is that this Pyramid amplifier was designed with a special wave balanced "analogue sound spectrum". Meaning, it has been "carefully formulated to limit "ear fatigue," a problem encountered with many modern sound systems." It's a curious way to differentiate a compact home music system, but coming from a guitar amplifier company it might sound about right.
Apart from the Bluetooth pairing, which provides quick and universal connectivity from any source and all streaming music services (aptX is supported on Android devices, but also by many of those modern turntables). In any case, it has RCA and Aux 3.5mm inputs, for use with turntables with built-in preamps, CD players or a digital player. No digital inputs, probably because of the "analogue sound spectrum" classic intentions.
Orange even says that the Pyramid amp is "also perfect to pair with a TV for a great sounding alternative to a soundbar." Yes, that and even an old iPad that still has an output jack... One nice touch is that the volume is controlled by a distinctive big knob on the front of the Pyramid amp, with discrete treble and bass controls at the rear of the unit, allowing users to personalize their sound. There is also a left- right channel balancing dial, and a Bluetooth reset button.
The Pyramid system comes with two compact, passive bookshelf speakers, which connect to the Orange Pyramid amplifier with standard speaker terminals. Orange says these have been engineered to deliver a clean warm sound, featuring a 1" soft silk dome tweeter, in a bass reflex cabinet to maximize the impact of the woofers' cone excursion, generating "a smooth pleasing transitional bass response at the bottom end with special care given to the mid spread." It sounds better when described this way. But then again, this is not a cheap system, retailing in the UK store for £795.00 GBP, which is more than $1,000 USD.
"The Orange Pyramid system has been outwardly designed as a work of art that will suit any décor and has the company’s signature hieroglyphs around the base," the company explains. And the company also pledges "The Pyramid System boasts the same rugged, road-ready construction standards as all of Orange’s professional-level amplifiers, making this a piece of kit built to last. We pledge to make stock and replacement parts continuously available into the 2030s, with spares on hand to ensure that your Pyramid System becomes a sustainable investment." Interesting.
www.orangessentials.com
www.orangeamps.com
