ORION Cobalt Series CB693 Review: Conditional 6.5/10
“Grilles included” in one listing, “grilles included: no” in another—right away, the paper trail around the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 6x9" 3-Way Coaxial Car Speakers (Pair) looks messier than the marketing suggests. That mismatch matters because for many buyers, fitment and what’s-in-the-box can make or break a “simple factory replacement” install.
Based on the provided sources (which are primarily product listings/spec sheets rather than firsthand reviews), the safest verdict is conditional: the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 reads like a budget-friendly spec package, but the “reality” in this dataset is that key details vary across sellers.
Verdict: Conditional — 6.5/10
Quick Verdict
The ORION Cobalt Series CB693 is a conditional yes if you want an inexpensive, standard-size 6x9 coaxial pair and you’re willing to verify the exact model, included accessories, and power ratings with the specific seller listing you’re buying from.
| What the data supports | Pro / Con | Evidence (source) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 6x9 coaxial upgrade | Pro | Orion product page lists “speaker size: 6x9” and “3 way” |
| Budget pricing appears common | Pro | Orion site shows $64.95; eBay shows CT-693 at $64.95 (different model) |
| Some listings claim easy fitment | Pro | Basselectronics calls it “ideal replacement for factory 6x9 speakers” |
| Accessory confusion (grilles) | Con | Orion page says “grilles included: no” vs Amazon image listing text says “Grills Included” |
| Power/response claims vary by model | Con | CB693: 80W RMS / 320W peak, 60Hz–20kHz vs CT-693: different RMS/peak and 34Hz–30kHz |
| Naming/model drift across sellers | Con | CB693 vs CO693 vs CT-693 appear in the dataset as separate products |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing copy around the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 leans hard into “premium sound,” “deep bass,” and “easy installation.” Digging deeper into the provided data, the challenge is that much of what looks like “community feedback” is actually repeated catalog text appearing under multiple platforms. That makes it hard to treat as real user sentiment—and it also exposes inconsistencies between listings.
One recurring pattern emerged: several sources describe the CB693 with near-identical phrasing, such as “deliver crisp highs, vibrant mids, and deep bass” and “installation…is a breeze.” That language appears on the Orion product page, and then shows up again under other platforms’ “data.” Because the dataset doesn’t include distinct Reddit threads or identifiable posters, those lines can’t be attributed as Reddit user experiences—even though they’re labeled as “Reddit (Community)” in the table.
At the same time, the most concrete “reality check” here is not angry owner stories—it’s specification drift. For example, the Orion CB693 product page explicitly lists “grilles included: no,” while the Amazon image caption states “Grills Included (Pair).” While officially presented as “grilles included: no,” at least one Amazon-facing presentation suggests the opposite, which could lead to mismatched expectations when the box arrives.
- Claim: “Easy install / universal fit.” Reality in this dataset: fitment dimensions are provided (mounting depth ~74 mm), but the included hardware/grilles vary by listing.
- Claim: “Deep bass / full-range upgrade.” Reality in this dataset: CB693 frequency response is listed as 60 Hz–20 kHz, which is a typical coaxial range and may not match “deep bass” expectations without a sub.
- Claim: “High power handling.” Reality in this dataset: CB693 is 80W RMS / 320W peak on multiple listings, while other Orion 6x9 models (CT-693) are advertised with very different numbers—easy to confuse when shopping.
Cross-Platform Consensus
The “cross-platform” story for the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 is unusual: the supplied text attributed to Reddit, Twitter/X, Trustpilot, and Quora largely mirrors product descriptions rather than sounding like lived experiences. Digging deeper into user reports would normally mean pulling distinct posts, comparing tone, and extracting repeated complaints—but in this dataset, there aren’t identifiable community voices to quote as real users.
What can be responsibly synthesized is a consensus of seller-positioning: multiple storefronts present CB693 (and very similar-looking sibling models) as a straightforward, budget 6x9 coaxial upgrade aimed at people replacing factory speakers. Basselectronics frames the CO693 as “ideal replacement for factory 6x9 speakers,” while the Orion CB693 page emphasizes “clear instructions and universal fittings.” For a commuter doing a quick rear-deck swap, that pitch implies less fabrication, fewer adapters, and a quicker afternoon project.
Another pattern is the repeated promise of a “balanced” three-way sound. Specialtymarketing describes the general three-way arrangement—“a dedicated tweeter,” “a midrange driver,” and “a robust woofer”—as the path to a “rich and balanced sound profile.” For listeners who want more sparkle in vocals and cymbals than tired OEM paper cones can deliver, this is the core promise: an all-in-one coaxial that sounds more “complete” without moving to components.
But the investigative thread that matters most for buyers is confusion: CB693 vs CO693 vs CT-693 appear across the dataset, each with different pricing and published specs. A recurring pattern emerged where listings in different places mix “Cobalt Series 6x9 3-way” language with different power handling, different frequency response ceilings, and even contradictory notes about included grilles. For a first-time installer, that’s how you end up buying a “close enough” model and wondering why the mounting depth or included accessories don’t match what you expected.
Universally Praised (in seller narratives, not verified user stories)
The dataset repeatedly praises:
- “Crisp highs, vibrant mids, and deep bass” (Orion CB693 product text repeated across sources)
- “Durability” and materials like polypropylene cone and rubber surround (CB693/CT-693 listings)
- “Easy installation” / “ideal replacement” positioning (Orion/Basselectronics copy)
Common Complaints (inferred from inconsistencies, not quoted user frustration)
Instead of complaint posts, the dataset shows:
- Model naming confusion (CB693 vs CT-693 vs CO693)
- Power spec variation across similar Orion 6x9 listings
- Included accessories mismatch (“grilles included” vs “no”)
Divisive Features (based on spec framing)
The three-way design can be framed two ways depending on expectations:
- If you want a simple upgrade: three-way coaxials are marketed as “balanced” and “full-range.”
- If you expect subwoofer-like bass: a 60 Hz low-end spec (CB693 listing) suggests you may still want a dedicated sub for true low-frequency impact.
Trust & Reliability
The ORION Cobalt Series CB693 “Trustpilot (Verified)” field in the dataset does not contain distinct verified-buyer review content; it repeats product description/spec text and includes links to retailer pages. That means scam concerns and reliability patterns can’t be derived from genuine Trustpilot narratives here.
What can be evaluated is long-term reliability claims as they appear in listings: Orion’s CB693 page asserts the speakers are “built for durability” and mentions materials “built to withstand various elements,” while Specialtymarketing similarly claims resistance to “temperature and humidity fluctuations typical in automotive settings.” Without real “6 months later” user posts in the provided Reddit data, there’s no defensible way to validate those claims with owner timelines.
Alternatives
Only competitors mentioned in the provided data can be discussed, and in this dataset the clearest “alternative” is another Orion model: Orion CT-693. Multiple sources list CT-693 as a 6x9 3-way coaxial with different published specs (for example, CT-693 frequency response is listed as 34 Hz–30 kHz and sensitivity 90.1 dB on one product page).
For a buyer comparing on paper, CT-693 is positioned as the higher-output sibling: one listing advertises “500 watts” peak per speaker and “100 watts each” RMS, and also mentions a “custom molded grill.” That stands in contrast to CB693 listings that repeatedly show 80W RMS and “grilles included: no.” The risk is that shopping searches for “Orion 6x9 cobalt 3-way” may blur these models together, so the practical alternative is to decide upfront whether you want CB693’s lower-rated, budget-oriented package or CT-693’s more aggressively marketed power and extended frequency claims.
Price & Value
Pricing signals for the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 suggest it’s meant to compete on affordability. The Orion page shows $64.95 for the CB693 pair. Other Orion 6x9 Cobalt listings (including CT-693) show prices around $69.00 on a separate retailer, while a CO693 listing is shown at a much higher $149.99 (down from $199.99), indicating that “Cobalt Series 6x9 3-way” spans multiple price tiers depending on exact model and seller.
Resale and market liquidity are hinted at via eBay category data: the dataset shows Orion 6x9 speakers moving in volume (for example, CT-693 shows “161 sold” at $64.95). That’s not CB693 resale specifically, but it does indicate Orion’s 6x9 offerings are actively traded at budget prices.
Buying tips supported by the dataset are practical and verification-focused: confirm model number (CB693 vs CT-693 vs CO693), confirm included accessories (grilles), and match the mounting depth/cutout dimensions to your vehicle’s factory opening.
- Verify the listing says CB693 (not CT-693/CO693).
- Confirm “grilles included” status before purchase.
- Check mounting depth (
74 mm / 2.91") and cutout (149×220 mm) against your vehicle.
FAQ
Q: Are the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 speakers 4 ohm?
A: Yes. Multiple listings for the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 specify a “voice coil configuration: 4 ohm” / “impedance 4 ω,” indicating they’re designed for typical car audio setups that expect 4-ohm speakers.
Q: How much power can the ORION CB693 handle?
A: The provided CB693 specs repeatedly list 80 watts RMS and 320 watts peak for the pair. Be careful not to confuse this with other Orion 6x9 models (like CT-693) that show different RMS/peak figures in separate listings.
Q: Do CB693 speakers include grilles?
A: It depends on the seller listing. The Orion CB693 product page states “grilles included: no,” while an Amazon-facing presentation in the provided images says “Grills Included (Pair).” Confirm what’s included on the exact listing you’re buying.
Q: Will CB693 add “deep bass” without a subwoofer?
A: The CB693 frequency response is listed as 60 Hz–20 kHz, which supports solid midbass but not true sub-bass. For listeners who want very low bass notes, these are more of a full-range replacement than a subwoofer substitute.
Q: Is CB693 the same as CT-693 or CO693?
A: No. The dataset includes CB693, CT-693, and CO693 as separate Orion models with different published specs and prices. Many listings use similar “Cobalt Series 6x9 3-way” wording, so check the exact model number before purchasing.
Final Verdict
Buy the ORION Cobalt Series CB693 if you’re a budget-focused driver replacing factory 6x9s and you’ve confirmed the exact model number, mounting depth, and whether grilles are included from your chosen seller. Avoid it if you’re shopping by “watts” alone or you need guaranteed included accessories. Pro tip: treat “CB693 vs CT-693 vs CO693” as a model-verification step, not a minor detail.
