Direct Internet brands vs. big box brands

[Guiria]

I currently own a pair of polk audio RT3 bookshelves I bought in 1997 for $250. They have been a great speaker in my opinion, and in the midst of my small case of upgraditis I saw a light that said, don't upgrade those they rule can the Onix X-LS really be that much better of a speaker? So the light has brought me to this question:

Does anyone have personal experiences with Onix/RBH/Axiom/SVS and Klipsch/Infinity/Polk (there may be other brands but you get my drift...I hope)? I'm looking for direct comparisons of internet brands vs. big box brands hense the name of the thread.

I searched the threads for comparisons and have read several about the onix and axiom products but haven't really found any that directly compare to the brands found at Circuity City, Best Buy, etc.

I almost get the impression from so many threads and reviews that products sold at big box stores are junk and can't compare with the online brands of Axiom, etc...yet every speaker review you read about says it sounds like something costing $100's more so that statement for me means nothing since I haven't heard speakers costing $100's more. I need something real to compare to.

If anyone can point me to some threads that do answer my questions that would be great.

Just looking for some answers in this world of information.

Thanks,

 

[j_garcia]

The big box brands aren't crap, they just don't offer you the same value in a product for the price because they have a lot more things going on that add to the price, not the least of which is the reseller mark up. Internet direct companies have very little advertising and usually few or no resellers - they sell directly to the consumer. They also live and die by their product, meaning their happy customers are their number one sales tool - so they need to put out a product that people love and want to tell others about. "Hey, I paid this much and got THIS much performance." What it comes down to for me is, I would have had to spend a LOT more money on my speakers to get similar performance from a big name speaker company.

I do not doubt the X-LS will outperform the RT3.

 

[WorldLeader]

Ascend Acoustics. CBM 170SE. Google it mothafuker.

 

[j_garcia]

More expensive than the X-LS, but the 170SE is also a speaker you should look into.

 

[sholling]

This is a tough one. Nothing is more subjective in a system than how the speakers sound to you, and how they will sound in your home with the type of music that you enjoy. Yes you will get a huge bang for the buck value buying Internet direct. But it’s only a good value if you like how they sound. I went Internet direct for my subwoofer and I am beyond pleased with it, but I’d have a hard time buying mains without weeks of extensive A/B listening tests using my CDs, and preferably from a place with a great return policy. We’re talking about the very heart and soul of any system and buying them based on someone else’s opinion would always leave me wondering if I could have done better.

BTW: Big box brands are often available online at a huge discounts.

 

[agarwalro]

If it is of value to you, internet direct brands will not give you any bragging rights in the boutique shopper circle. I have Axiom speakers, a SVS sub and could not be happier. For all those that say, but my $25,000.00 name brand setup will kick your setup's butt, i say... "sure, but not my much".

Like said by j_G, its about quality for cost.

 

[billnchristy]

I recently went from Infinity Ref 2000.4 floorstanders to Rockets. Before I bought the Rockets I bought a pair of B-stock X-LS...I figured 170 bucks is well worth a shot if these things are half as good as people claim.

Now mind you different rooms but I have owned the Infinitys since 1997 and they have been in 4 different rooms in 4 different houses/apartments spanning 4 states in that time...so suffice to say I know them.

Infinitys were $149 a piece on closeout.

The X-LS bookshelfs whoop them in every aspect...looks, finish (even b-stock), imaging, bass, mids...the works.

Needless to say I now own 10 onix products have 2 more on order and just bought my parents 3 for christmas.

I might like 'em just a bit.

It really is just a matter of not having a middle man, if you could get some of the big brands at cost the price difference wouldnt be huge.

I havent seen any 200-300 dollar speaker look like this though:

 

[Guiria]

I recently went from Infinity Ref 2000.4 floorstanders to Rockets. Before I bought the Rockets I bought a pair of B-stock X-LS...I figured 170 bucks is well worth a shot if these things are half as good as people claim.

Now mind you different rooms but I have owned the Infinitys since 1997 and they have been in 4 different rooms in 4 different houses/apartments spanning 4 states in that time...so suffice to say I know them.

Infinitys were $149 a piece on closeout.

The X-LS bookshelfs whoop them in every aspect...looks, finish (even b-stock), imaging, bass, mids...the works.

Needless to say I now own 10 onix products have 2 more on order and just bought my parents 3 for christmas.

I might like 'em just a bit.

It really is just a matter of not having a middle man, if you could get some of the big brands at cost the price difference wouldnt be huge.

I havent seen any 200-300 dollar speaker look like this though:

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the comments

 

[corysmith01]

I've also gone from store-bought to ID. Started with B&W DM601 s3's, then moved to Paradigm Studio 20's. Now, I have x-ls, like billnchristy, only in the Piano Rosewood finish. When selling my 20's, the x-ls delivery overlapped (though though this was my original satin black pair...i've since sold them to get the PR finish). So, for a few days I had the 20's and the x-ls in the same room, hooked to the same receiver. Now, they weren't level matched, but I was able to a/b them. While I can't say that the x-ls dominated the studio's in any way, I can say that I did like them better. A bit more laid back (less forward) than the Studio 20's, and the midrange was a little more apparent...I always found the 20's to have more up top and down low with the mids sounding a bit pushed back. Could be my room, or just my ears, but that's how their presentation struck me. Others may differ. I still like the studio 20's. Alot. One of my favorites that I've owned. However, considering that they cost $850/pr and the x-ls is $219/pr, and me being a bargain hunter (read: cheap a$$), the x-ls won me over hands-down. They're that good, for that cheap.

 

[j_garcia]

I always found the 20's to have more up top and down low with the mids sounding a bit pushed back. Could be my room, or just my ears, but that's how their presentation struck me.

No it is not just you, the Studios have always sounded that way to me.

These are mine. Ironically enough, designed by the guy who co-designed the X-LS

 

[Guiria]

I've never really doubted the reviews that the x-ls was good performance/price but I didn't want to take the plunge and have something be only marginally better than what I already have. From the sounds of it though the speaker is leaps and bounds over what my RT3's probably sound like.

I've recently bought the Yamaha HTR-5960 and when I crank it up the RT3's (and my center for that matter) sound constrained and harsh. Given my budget the x-ls seems like the only 'real' choice I have in getting something worth my money without going the used audiogon/ebay route.

The comments have been excellent...I'd still like to hear more experiences if anyone wants to chime in.

 

[corysmith01]

These are mine. Ironically enough, designed by the guy who co-designed the X-LS

j, those look great. I've always loved the larger, mtm stand-mount designs. Nice set up you've got. I've actually considered going 3 x-cs across my front. We'll see if that pans out.

 

[j_garcia]

I've never really doubted the reviews that the x-ls was good performance/price but I didn't want to take the plunge and have something be only marginally better than what I already have. From the sounds of it though the speaker is leaps and bounds over what my RT3's probably sound like.

Leaps and bounds may not be entirely accurate, and it is also a very subjective topic - To MY ears, I'm pretty sure I would like the X-LS more, but that may not be the case for someone else. The X-LS will sound different for sure, but the x-factor is, is the sound that they produce something you will like better?

j, those look great. I've always loved the larger, mtm stand-mount designs. Nice set up you've got. I've actually considered going 3 x-cs across my front. We'll see if that pans out.

Thanks. I'm going to need some speakers for the garage shortly, so I'm pondering a pair of X-LSs or X-CSs to go in my bedroom and relegate the 902s to garage duty Possibly even just a pair of SBS-01s since I believe I get a repeat offender discount...

 

[billnchristy]

I was using 3 X-CS across the front for a while and I loved it. The X-CS have since moved to the closet (Original intention was surround duty on my downstairs HT) since I have the Ferrari piano reds.

 

[ZoFo]

I went ID for everything

I went through a lot of upgrading / changing around for a year before I settled on something I really liked. Started off with a Yamaha 1500 & Athena Auditions - about as high end as you can get for a Best Buy and nice, but not quite what I was looking for.

I now have a Outlaw Pre-Pro & Amp and Onix Reference Speakers - both are Internet Direct companies; you can only get their products on-line. I have been into this hobby for about 25 years and back "in the day" it would have cost some serious money for what I have now; "new car" kind of serious. You just get so much more for your money when you buy ID and the reasons are easy to see; you are not paying a middle-man or the cost it take to keep a Brick & Mortar shop open or to advertise; the money that would have been spent for that is put into their product instead and like what has already been mentioned, it had better be pretty good if they want to stay alive for any time because word of mouth and forums like these are the ONLY way people hear about their products. I even got all of my cables on-line; had them built to the exact lengths I needed for a lot less than Monster cables and they are every bit as good, if not better.

 

[WorldLeader]

I'm looking to build a two-channel system for my listening attic (renovated and looking classy ). I'll build a subwoofer (18") and use a HK stereo receiver.

Which bookshelf would be better for me, the Ascend CBM 170SE or the X-LS? Look wise the X-LS has the Ascends, but I care about quality. Has anyone A/B these two, or can point me to an article that compares the two?

Thanks!

 

[Audiofyle]

I've also gone from store-bought to ID. Started with B&W DM601 s3's, then moved to Paradigm Studio 20's. Now, I have x-ls, like billnchristy, only in the Piano Rosewood finish. When selling my 20's, the x-ls delivery overlapped (though though this was my original satin black pair...i've since sold them to get the PR finish). So, for a few days I had the 20's and the x-ls in the same room, hooked to the same receiver. Now, they weren't level matched, but I was able to a/b them. While I can't say that the x-ls dominated the studio's in any way, I can say that I did like them better. A bit more laid back (less forward) than the Studio 20's, and the midrange was a little more apparent...I always found the 20's to have more up top and down low with the mids sounding a bit pushed back. Could be my room, or just my ears, but that's how their presentation struck me. Others may differ. I still like the studio 20's. Alot. One of my favorites that I've owned. However, considering that they cost $850/pr and the x-ls is $219/pr, and me being a bargain hunter (read: cheap a$$), the x-ls won me over hands-down. They're that good, for that cheap.

The x-ls website doesn't show the rosewood finish available...am I missing something? I'd probably go with the x-ls if I could get them in that finish instead of black

 

[Nick250]

Seems like it's worth a phone call to to know for sure.

Nick

 

[Rob Babcock]

I have a mix of direct sales and more mainstream components. My subs were bought direct from Hsu Research. My speakers are more mainstream Monitor Audio Gold References. I did briefly own a pair of Onix Ref 1's, and the finish was definately amazing- better in fact than my Monitor Audios by a smidge.

 

[billnchristy]

Rosewood, Piano Rosewood and Ferrari Red were all limited runs. If you give the guys a call occasionally they can find some though.